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Falls Creek #3
What Saves Us
People you shouldn’t fall in love with:
-Your best friend’s sister.
-Your best friend’s pregnant sister.
-Your best friend’s sister after you deliver her baby.
-Your best friend’s sister when she’s an exhausted, overwhelmed new mother who has to deal with her crazy baby daddy and meddling townspeople.
But rules were meant to be broken.
Full moons and fate have a way of pushing people together when they least expect it.
When Beth Hale called 911 when she was in labor, the last person she thought would show up was her brother’s best friend.
Now, he’s the only person she trusts.
Former Navy SEAL Shane Hutchins has demons of his own. Reinventing himself as a small town paramedic was supposed to be his atonement for the things he had done. Falling in love with a single mom wasn’t in his plan, but now he’d do anything for her and the baby girl he calls “his.”
Even if it means putting his life on the line.
____________________________
Get ready for a heart-pounding, feels-packed love story with a fairy tale happily ever after, and some moments that are so hot they’ll melt your Kindle!
Please refer to the note regarding sensitive content and topics in What Saves Us in the preface of the book or the author’s website before reading.
What Saves Us is the final book in the Falls Creek Series. This book can be read as a standalone, but it is recommended to read the series in order.
-Your best friend’s sister.
-Your best friend’s pregnant sister.
-Your best friend’s sister after you deliver her baby.
-Your best friend’s sister when she’s an exhausted, overwhelmed new mother who has to deal with her crazy baby daddy and meddling townspeople.
But rules were meant to be broken.
Full moons and fate have a way of pushing people together when they least expect it.
When Beth Hale called 911 when she was in labor, the last person she thought would show up was her brother’s best friend.
Now, he’s the only person she trusts.
Former Navy SEAL Shane Hutchins has demons of his own. Reinventing himself as a small town paramedic was supposed to be his atonement for the things he had done. Falling in love with a single mom wasn’t in his plan, but now he’d do anything for her and the baby girl he calls “his.”
Even if it means putting his life on the line.
____________________________
Get ready for a heart-pounding, feels-packed love story with a fairy tale happily ever after, and some moments that are so hot they’ll melt your Kindle!
Please refer to the note regarding sensitive content and topics in What Saves Us in the preface of the book or the author’s website before reading.
What Saves Us is the final book in the Falls Creek Series. This book can be read as a standalone, but it is recommended to read the series in order.
468 pages, ebook
First published September 4, 2023
1159 people are currently reading
11534 people want to read
About the author
Maggie C. Gates
24 books2,160 followersMaggie Gates writes raw, relatable, romance novels packed full of heat and humor. Maggie calls North Carolina home. In her spare time she enjoys daydreaming about her characters, jamming to country music, and eating all the barbecue and tacos she can find! Her Kindle is always within reach due to a love of small town romances that borders on obsession.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,069 reviews
October 13, 2023
ADD THIS BOOK TO YOUR TBR NOW. 6/5 stars. Perfect. Shane is my number one book bF rn. HE IS LITERAL PERFECTION. PLS PLS PLS IM BEGGING FOR YOU TO READ IT EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE PREGNANCY TROPE. THIS IS ME BEGGING🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️
September 10, 2023
The first “mama” was cute. The 752nd time he called her that… not so cute. I wanted to kill every single person who didn’t help her with her ppd. Just ignored by every medical professional. I did like how it shed light on how awful PPD is, and sometimes there’s not a pretty resolution, but i wish we could have seen Beth getting more help with it.
November 20, 2024
This was a very cute and adorable read🥰 Reading single mom romances gives me life y'allll😩 Shane was EVERYTHING! From the way he knew exactly what to say to his patience and determination to make both Beth and Kat his🥺 There were some parts that rubbed me the wrong way (eg: Shane calling Caroline i.e. the girl he donated his kidney to and Beth's future sister in law his "other half" SIR NO🤚🏻 Beth's your other half and not Caroline just because she has one of your organs idc) but nothing major (I can't exactly remember the other scenes that annoyed me lol). I will say though that despite not being a mom myself (yet), I felt every ounce of Beth's fear towards the end and overall, that was a very scary situation to be in. I really liked how pregnancy was not described as rainbows and unicorns the way it usually is in books. It was hard to read, yes, but it also felt that much more authentic. Overall, this was a fun read with amazing characters and great writing!
P.S. He calls her MAMA squeeeeeaaaaallllll *proceeds to swoon*
safety squad:
- no OW/OM drama
- no cheating/sharing
- no virgins
- experienced MCs (it's been years for the H and 10 months for the h)
- single mom romance
- he's not the bio dad but the dad that stepped up🫶🏾
- devoted and patient H
- PPD (post partum depression), childbirth, cheating (not between MCs), child abduction, suicidal ideation, body dysmorphia, intrusive thoughts, mentions of alcoholism, OD, parental neglect, manipulation, etc so don't forget to check the TWs!
- HEA
P.S. He calls her MAMA squeeeeeaaaaallllll *proceeds to swoon*
safety squad:
- no OW/OM drama
- no cheating/sharing
- no virgins
- experienced MCs (it's been years for the H and 10 months for the h)
- single mom romance
- he's not the bio dad but the dad that stepped up🫶🏾
- devoted and patient H
- PPD (post partum depression), childbirth, cheating (not between MCs), child abduction, suicidal ideation, body dysmorphia, intrusive thoughts, mentions of alcoholism, OD, parental neglect, manipulation, etc so don't forget to check the TWs!
- HEA
October 17, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up
What Saves Us touches on mental health in a big way. It addresses themes of postpartum depression, PTSD following military service, recovering alcoholism, and some references to suicidal ideation. All of that sounds very heavy and there are moments that were heart wrenching to read, but the overall tone of the story is so sweet. I do think that it's important to be aware of the potential triggers however.
The book opens with Beth (h), who's a PhD student, getting the shocking news that she's pregnant with her professor's baby and when she goes to break the news, she gets additional shocks. The book then fast forwards to months later and Beth is supported by her small town including her older brother, her friends, and her brother's best friend who's been interested in her ever since their first meeting. Shane (H) was an EMT in their small town and was all that was thoughtful caring and supportive before and after Beth's baby arrives. He's a military vet and recovering alcoholic and I loved him so much esp with all that he'd overcome and the resilience he had. He's there at every opportunity for Beth and making it clear that he's claiming both her and the baby. Shane immediately loved Kat (the baby) and I ate all of that up. Beth's struggles made me sad and I do think the author did a good job of making her difficulties asking for and accepting help make sense given her headspace. Because she's surrounded by love but still floundering. Most of the book is focused on Beth adjusting to being a new parent and the slow acceptance of a relationship with Shane. But there's also a side plot involving some suspense and danger. Written in first person, dual POV. No ow drama, some om drama from h's ex, and neither are virgins (H had been celibate for years).
I did feel that some parts of the story were repetitive and that if the page count had been less, the whole story would have flowed a bit better. Sometimes the book lingered too long in all that was going wrong too. I did love all the small town elements and the large friend group that Beth and Shane had. This was the first book in the series I'd read and I didn't have issues following along, but the prior couples are important side characters, with some elements of their stories repeated here.
Shane and Beth do take their time shifting into official relationship mode, despite Shane being very present from the moment of Kat's birth. Their dates were amazing though. The steam also takes time since Beth just had a baby and part of her postpartum depression does center around the changes to her body, which Shane is very assertive in making sure she knows he loves every inch of. A couple of these scenes were both very sexy and gave me heart eyes. I do think the book was skewed to enjoy Shane's character more because so much of Beth's headspace is negative for much of the book. I still liked her though and I had some empathetic flashbacks to being a new parent myself.
The climax of the story was very tense and I was surprised that it was the direction the book went. I was expecting something but not quite that. It's handled, almost a bit too easily given the resources that were available, but I was also thankful it wasn't drawn out more given the high emotional impact. The ending is a HFN but one of those where it's really HEA because Shane wouldn't accept not being with Beth and Kat. There's also a bonus epilogue offer available at the end, but I haven't read it. I do think this one won't be for everyone, writing-wise and story-wise, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and Shane earned a spot on my favorite heroes shelf.
What Saves Us touches on mental health in a big way. It addresses themes of postpartum depression, PTSD following military service, recovering alcoholism, and some references to suicidal ideation. All of that sounds very heavy and there are moments that were heart wrenching to read, but the overall tone of the story is so sweet. I do think that it's important to be aware of the potential triggers however.
The book opens with Beth (h), who's a PhD student, getting the shocking news that she's pregnant with her professor's baby and when she goes to break the news, she gets additional shocks. The book then fast forwards to months later and Beth is supported by her small town including her older brother, her friends, and her brother's best friend who's been interested in her ever since their first meeting. Shane (H) was an EMT in their small town and was all that was thoughtful caring and supportive before and after Beth's baby arrives. He's a military vet and recovering alcoholic and I loved him so much esp with all that he'd overcome and the resilience he had. He's there at every opportunity for Beth and making it clear that he's claiming both her and the baby. Shane immediately loved Kat (the baby) and I ate all of that up. Beth's struggles made me sad and I do think the author did a good job of making her difficulties asking for and accepting help make sense given her headspace. Because she's surrounded by love but still floundering. Most of the book is focused on Beth adjusting to being a new parent and the slow acceptance of a relationship with Shane. But there's also a side plot involving some suspense and danger. Written in first person, dual POV. No ow drama, some om drama from h's ex, and neither are virgins (H had been celibate for years).
I did feel that some parts of the story were repetitive and that if the page count had been less, the whole story would have flowed a bit better. Sometimes the book lingered too long in all that was going wrong too. I did love all the small town elements and the large friend group that Beth and Shane had. This was the first book in the series I'd read and I didn't have issues following along, but the prior couples are important side characters, with some elements of their stories repeated here.
Shane and Beth do take their time shifting into official relationship mode, despite Shane being very present from the moment of Kat's birth. Their dates were amazing though. The steam also takes time since Beth just had a baby and part of her postpartum depression does center around the changes to her body, which Shane is very assertive in making sure she knows he loves every inch of. A couple of these scenes were both very sexy and gave me heart eyes. I do think the book was skewed to enjoy Shane's character more because so much of Beth's headspace is negative for much of the book. I still liked her though and I had some empathetic flashbacks to being a new parent myself.
The climax of the story was very tense and I was surprised that it was the direction the book went. I was expecting something but not quite that. It's handled, almost a bit too easily given the resources that were available, but I was also thankful it wasn't drawn out more given the high emotional impact. The ending is a HFN but one of those where it's really HEA because Shane wouldn't accept not being with Beth and Kat. There's also a bonus epilogue offer available at the end, but I haven't read it. I do think this one won't be for everyone, writing-wise and story-wise, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and Shane earned a spot on my favorite heroes shelf.
September 13, 2023
I love men written by women as much as the next girlie but this was over the top. Shane is a man on the outside but a female therapist on the inside. And he calls the FMC “mama” about a million times too many.
September 10, 2023
this was SO CUTE!!! 🤭🤭
small town
single mom
brothers best friend
he falls first/harder
no third act breakup
ems/ex navy seal mmc
shane had to play the long game for beth but it paid off in the end! when they first met beth had just started seeing another professor where she worked. this ended when she found out she was pregnant and he was actually married with kids.
beth went through her pregnancy alone (not seen on page) but it’s hinted that shane was always in the background being a friend. there had always been mutual attraction on both ends but nothing happened since beth was seeing someone.
beth went into labor early and shane was the one to deliver her baby!! it all started from here 🫶🏻🫶🏻
“Before she gave birth, I wanted her. After I watched her bring life into the world, there was no way I wasn’t going to have her. However long that took. I was trained to be a patient man.”
i loved how the author didn’t make postpartum a walk in the park for beth tbh. ppd is a scary thing and how it was presented here was so real. the struggle with breastfeeding was another thing i liked how beth tried her absolute hardest but knew in the end what she had to do for her baby.
shane has issues as well with PTSD and he was a recovering alcoholic. the author also handed both of these well. we got to see that shane has a sponsor, holds regular meetings for fellow vets and goes to therapy.
throughout the book the author handled all of these sensitive subjects with grace and showed both beth and shane in spurts of doing really well and then with setbacks. it was nice to see how real life this author wrote and not just all sunshine & rainbows regarding such subjects.
shane deserves the world 🥹 seriously is there anything better than a tall, fit & tattooed first responder pining after you?? begging to date you? he was down SO BAD!!!
the checking up on beth when she came home from the hospital, giving her time to herself and bonding with baby kat like he is meant to be a dad. he understood her postpartum challenges. never tried to overstep but was always there to lend a helping hand. this man never just did, he always asked first.
shane was SO patient with beth and her commitment issues. he realized it would take time for her to let him in fully and he never got back upset or let her push him away.
“Beth, there’s nothing that I wouldn’t do for you or our daughter. Nothing.”
edit to add safety details ⚠️
beth was in a situationship that we see the end of but there’s no op scenes on either side.
both have had healthy sex lives!! 🥳
it’s implied that shane hasn’t been with anyone in a few years
small town
single mom
brothers best friend
he falls first/harder
no third act breakup
ems/ex navy seal mmc
shane had to play the long game for beth but it paid off in the end! when they first met beth had just started seeing another professor where she worked. this ended when she found out she was pregnant and he was actually married with kids.
beth went through her pregnancy alone (not seen on page) but it’s hinted that shane was always in the background being a friend. there had always been mutual attraction on both ends but nothing happened since beth was seeing someone.
beth went into labor early and shane was the one to deliver her baby!! it all started from here 🫶🏻🫶🏻
“Before she gave birth, I wanted her. After I watched her bring life into the world, there was no way I wasn’t going to have her. However long that took. I was trained to be a patient man.”
i loved how the author didn’t make postpartum a walk in the park for beth tbh. ppd is a scary thing and how it was presented here was so real. the struggle with breastfeeding was another thing i liked how beth tried her absolute hardest but knew in the end what she had to do for her baby.
shane has issues as well with PTSD and he was a recovering alcoholic. the author also handed both of these well. we got to see that shane has a sponsor, holds regular meetings for fellow vets and goes to therapy.
throughout the book the author handled all of these sensitive subjects with grace and showed both beth and shane in spurts of doing really well and then with setbacks. it was nice to see how real life this author wrote and not just all sunshine & rainbows regarding such subjects.
shane deserves the world 🥹 seriously is there anything better than a tall, fit & tattooed first responder pining after you?? begging to date you? he was down SO BAD!!!
the checking up on beth when she came home from the hospital, giving her time to herself and bonding with baby kat like he is meant to be a dad. he understood her postpartum challenges. never tried to overstep but was always there to lend a helping hand. this man never just did, he always asked first.
shane was SO patient with beth and her commitment issues. he realized it would take time for her to let him in fully and he never got back upset or let her push him away.
“Beth, there’s nothing that I wouldn’t do for you or our daughter. Nothing.”
edit to add safety details ⚠️
beth was in a situationship that we see the end of but there’s no op scenes on either side.
both have had healthy sex lives!! 🥳
it’s implied that shane hasn’t been with anyone in a few years
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2024
4.5⭐ / 3.5🌶️
— vibezz
🐸 single mom x EMT responder
🧸 they both deal with mental health
🐸 former SEAL
🧸 he calls her mama
🐸 found family
mini blurb — ✍🏻
After discovering she is pregnant, Beth Hale must overcome the initial shock and deal with her new life, among a thousand doubts and uncertainties about being a single mother, the only constant in this moment of her life is the presence of Shane Hutchins.
//
🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺
ok this was a hard one..
It deals with a few serious problems and I really appreciated of these were dealt with the context and presented to those (the readers) who may know them in first person or even just by hearsay.
The pestering people of this town are back with vengeance and they are my enemy number one, so yeah it was very difficult to not trow this book at the other side of the room.
But back with my power couple 💚
Beth find herself completely alone in a situation that she did not imagine herself in, I really admire her strength and there were moment I felt represented in her struggle. Having the total responsibility of another human being on yourself and not trusting or knowing what would you be doing, yeah it's a hard one. On top of that if you hear that what you do is not the best way in that delicate moment of your life you keep drowning in that pit of despair hearing only the negative thoughts swimming in your mind.
Shane was literally her lifesaver, yes that man had some serious struggle of his own and he's far from perfect, but you know what? He was perfect for them.
And I'm still a little teary-eyed as I'm writing this and begging to read this book and this series.
🥺🥺🥺🥺
— vibezz
🐸 single mom x EMT responder
🧸 they both deal with mental health
🐸 former SEAL
🧸 he calls her mama
🐸 found family
mini blurb — ✍🏻
After discovering she is pregnant, Beth Hale must overcome the initial shock and deal with her new life, among a thousand doubts and uncertainties about being a single mother, the only constant in this moment of her life is the presence of Shane Hutchins.
//
🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺
ok this was a hard one..
It deals with a few serious problems and I really appreciated of these were dealt with the context and presented to those (the readers) who may know them in first person or even just by hearsay.
The pestering people of this town are back with vengeance and they are my enemy number one, so yeah it was very difficult to not trow this book at the other side of the room.
But back with my power couple 💚
Beth find herself completely alone in a situation that she did not imagine herself in, I really admire her strength and there were moment I felt represented in her struggle. Having the total responsibility of another human being on yourself and not trusting or knowing what would you be doing, yeah it's a hard one. On top of that if you hear that what you do is not the best way in that delicate moment of your life you keep drowning in that pit of despair hearing only the negative thoughts swimming in your mind.
Shane was literally her lifesaver, yes that man had some serious struggle of his own and he's far from perfect, but you know what? He was perfect for them.
And I'm still a little teary-eyed as I'm writing this and begging to read this book and this series.
🥺🥺🥺🥺
October 1, 2024
Content warning for post-partum depression.
I am a to-the-death defender of the pregnancy trope, and this book may be the best one I have ever read. It was heartbreaking and healing, it tore me apart and built me back up.
The story begins with Beth Hale. After having a relationship with her professor, she falls pregnant. She's shocked and scared, sure, but excited too. This could be good for them, she thinks. She drives to his house with the pregnancy test in hand, ready to tell him the good news. But when the door opens, it's not him who opens the door, but his wife. His wife that she did not know existed. She runs away, terrified and humiliated.
As the story progresses, you watch her grow into motherhood and deal with severe post-partum depression and scary intrusive thoughts.
Shane Hutchins is a former Navy SEAL, now EMT, with demons of his own. He and Beth had always had a sort of flirtatious relationship, and he had never made his attraction to her much of a secret.
Most men, upon finding out that the woman they are interested in is pregnant with another man's baby, would be put off. But all Shane wanted to do was support her. He knew that she didn't need a boyfriend, she needed a good friend. Someone who could be there for her. Even as she pushed everyone away, he was there.
And the night she unexpectedly goes into labor, when she calls 911, he is the first to show. He delivers her baby, he is the person to welcome her into the world.
As she transitions from being pregnant to being a mother, she falls deep into post-partum depression. Nobody saw it. All they saw was the baby, with no care for how she was doing. Except Shane. He's literally one of the most supportive MMCs I have ever read.
My ONE AND ONLY COMPLAINT about this perfect angel of a man is how he constantly, and I do mean constantly, called her "Mama." Like, it was cute the first couple of times but eventually, it just became cringey.
I loved watching them become a family. The second that Kat, the daughter, came into the world, Shane felt connected to her. He immediately stepped up and was willing to do anything Beth or Kat could possibly need.
And I cannot stress enough how much I love this small town and these characters.
Quotes:
"Before she gave birth, I wanted her. After I watched her bring life into the world, there was no way I wasn't going to have her. However long that took. I was trained to be a patient man."
(This scene made me insane. For context, he is speaking to the psycho baby daddy here.)
"You will lower your eyes to the goddamn floor. You do not have the privilege of looking at either of them. And I swear to god, I will rip your eyeballs out of your skull if you are so much as tempted to open them in the direction of her town when you wake up every pathetic day of your sorry life. Do you hear me?"
"My treat."
"Baby bottles and formula are a treat to you?"
"No," he said as he loaded Kat's car seat into the back, then tossed the grocery bags in. "The treat was spending the morning with my two favorite girls. And if formula and bottles are the cost of entry, then I'll show up with truckloads."
"The baby let out a piercing squeal, and Beth laughed some more. The strike lever on my heart was released, and it exploded. She was happy. I couldn't take my eyes off her. Beth - she was radiant."
"Did you sit with her in the dark and help her open the curtains or did you walk away and wonder why she wasn't turning on the lights?"
(Another thing I loved was how reassuring he was that her body was not ruined after pregnancy.)
"Beth's body was written in cursive. Elegant, flowing lines that curved and dipped as they went from commonality to art. She was abstract poetry; prose I'd never forget. Structured, yet fluid. The meandering form that created life was a lyric I wanted to be stuck in my head all day."
"I'm sorry you couldn't have the version of me you wanted ten months ago."
"This is the exact version of you I want."
"I held her, Beth," he snapped. "I held her the moment she entered the world." Pain and anguish flooded his eyes. "I held her skin-to-skin while no one knew whether you were going to make it or not. I held her while she was screaming in the hospital because she didn't have you." His voice broke. "I've lost every good thing I have ever had, and I'll be damned if you or my baby girl are on that list too."
"You'll never have to beg me to love you. And stuff like this, it's how I express it. Let me help you. Let me ease your burden. You letting me be your partner and part of Kat's life is payment enough."
"There was safety in his love. There was healing in it. Maybe he was a broken savior, but he was mine."
"Your daughter isn't my blood, but as far as I'm concerned, she's mine in every way that matters. I respect your position as her mother, so if you're not okay with that or you have boundaries that I need to be aware of, I need you to tell me. But believe me when I say that I want both of you. I don't do things halfway. So if I'm in her life then I'm in it. I'm not gonna be some random guy who plays with her sometimes or brings her birthday gifts once a year. I'm here for the mess. I'm here for the middle of the nights. I'm here for the diaper changes and the doctor's appointments and the helping you pack up the clothes she's outgrown so we can put new stuff in. I know this is new, but I'm all in."
"She was Beth's, so she was mine."
"Navy seals are called Frogmen. When you're just starting out in the BUD/s, you're a tadpole and you work your way up."
"You call Kat your tadpole."
"Yeah. She's just starting out and I'll protect her with my life."
I am a to-the-death defender of the pregnancy trope, and this book may be the best one I have ever read. It was heartbreaking and healing, it tore me apart and built me back up.
The story begins with Beth Hale. After having a relationship with her professor, she falls pregnant. She's shocked and scared, sure, but excited too. This could be good for them, she thinks. She drives to his house with the pregnancy test in hand, ready to tell him the good news. But when the door opens, it's not him who opens the door, but his wife. His wife that she did not know existed. She runs away, terrified and humiliated.
As the story progresses, you watch her grow into motherhood and deal with severe post-partum depression and scary intrusive thoughts.
Shane Hutchins is a former Navy SEAL, now EMT, with demons of his own. He and Beth had always had a sort of flirtatious relationship, and he had never made his attraction to her much of a secret.
Most men, upon finding out that the woman they are interested in is pregnant with another man's baby, would be put off. But all Shane wanted to do was support her. He knew that she didn't need a boyfriend, she needed a good friend. Someone who could be there for her. Even as she pushed everyone away, he was there.
And the night she unexpectedly goes into labor, when she calls 911, he is the first to show. He delivers her baby, he is the person to welcome her into the world.
As she transitions from being pregnant to being a mother, she falls deep into post-partum depression. Nobody saw it. All they saw was the baby, with no care for how she was doing. Except Shane. He's literally one of the most supportive MMCs I have ever read.
My ONE AND ONLY COMPLAINT about this perfect angel of a man is how he constantly, and I do mean constantly, called her "Mama." Like, it was cute the first couple of times but eventually, it just became cringey.
I loved watching them become a family. The second that Kat, the daughter, came into the world, Shane felt connected to her. He immediately stepped up and was willing to do anything Beth or Kat could possibly need.
And I cannot stress enough how much I love this small town and these characters.
Quotes:
"Before she gave birth, I wanted her. After I watched her bring life into the world, there was no way I wasn't going to have her. However long that took. I was trained to be a patient man."
(This scene made me insane. For context, he is speaking to the psycho baby daddy here.)
"You will lower your eyes to the goddamn floor. You do not have the privilege of looking at either of them. And I swear to god, I will rip your eyeballs out of your skull if you are so much as tempted to open them in the direction of her town when you wake up every pathetic day of your sorry life. Do you hear me?"
"My treat."
"Baby bottles and formula are a treat to you?"
"No," he said as he loaded Kat's car seat into the back, then tossed the grocery bags in. "The treat was spending the morning with my two favorite girls. And if formula and bottles are the cost of entry, then I'll show up with truckloads."
"The baby let out a piercing squeal, and Beth laughed some more. The strike lever on my heart was released, and it exploded. She was happy. I couldn't take my eyes off her. Beth - she was radiant."
"Did you sit with her in the dark and help her open the curtains or did you walk away and wonder why she wasn't turning on the lights?"
(Another thing I loved was how reassuring he was that her body was not ruined after pregnancy.)
"Beth's body was written in cursive. Elegant, flowing lines that curved and dipped as they went from commonality to art. She was abstract poetry; prose I'd never forget. Structured, yet fluid. The meandering form that created life was a lyric I wanted to be stuck in my head all day."
"I'm sorry you couldn't have the version of me you wanted ten months ago."
"This is the exact version of you I want."
"I held her, Beth," he snapped. "I held her the moment she entered the world." Pain and anguish flooded his eyes. "I held her skin-to-skin while no one knew whether you were going to make it or not. I held her while she was screaming in the hospital because she didn't have you." His voice broke. "I've lost every good thing I have ever had, and I'll be damned if you or my baby girl are on that list too."
"You'll never have to beg me to love you. And stuff like this, it's how I express it. Let me help you. Let me ease your burden. You letting me be your partner and part of Kat's life is payment enough."
"There was safety in his love. There was healing in it. Maybe he was a broken savior, but he was mine."
"Your daughter isn't my blood, but as far as I'm concerned, she's mine in every way that matters. I respect your position as her mother, so if you're not okay with that or you have boundaries that I need to be aware of, I need you to tell me. But believe me when I say that I want both of you. I don't do things halfway. So if I'm in her life then I'm in it. I'm not gonna be some random guy who plays with her sometimes or brings her birthday gifts once a year. I'm here for the mess. I'm here for the middle of the nights. I'm here for the diaper changes and the doctor's appointments and the helping you pack up the clothes she's outgrown so we can put new stuff in. I know this is new, but I'm all in."
"She was Beth's, so she was mine."
"Navy seals are called Frogmen. When you're just starting out in the BUD/s, you're a tadpole and you work your way up."
"You call Kat your tadpole."
"Yeah. She's just starting out and I'll protect her with my life."
August 1, 2024
Reading single mom books gives me 5yrs of my life back.
The portrayal of postpartum depression in here is actually painful to read.
Beth’s thoughts when she spirals down is depressing I actually have to pause every time she feels the kick. It is so fulfilling to read a layered female character that doesn’t feel tropey. This girl deserved every good thing in life.
Shane. Shane. Shane. This man. Just this man and his patience and love and compassion for Beth and her baby girl Kat. The way he wants to help but doesn’t want to overstep, the way he handles Kat’s tantrum and Beth’s moody and sometimes bitchy temper due to postpartum depression. Seriously this is why men written by women is superior irl 😭
The portrayal of postpartum depression in here is actually painful to read.
Beth’s thoughts when she spirals down is depressing I actually have to pause every time she feels the kick. It is so fulfilling to read a layered female character that doesn’t feel tropey. This girl deserved every good thing in life.
Shane. Shane. Shane. This man. Just this man and his patience and love and compassion for Beth and her baby girl Kat. The way he wants to help but doesn’t want to overstep, the way he handles Kat’s tantrum and Beth’s moody and sometimes bitchy temper due to postpartum depression. Seriously this is why men written by women is superior irl 😭
April 26, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
I’ve never read a book that had postpartum depression hit so close to home. The feelings and events Beth went through were scarily similar to my experience with my first baby.
Maggie Gates’ books never cease to amaze me. They all have stand out factors.
Loved Shane, I love the broken ex military man.
Single mom done excellent
The big plot climax is my worst nightmare.
BJ, god, I love her side character!!
Off to read all the rest of Maggie Gates books.
I’ve never read a book that had postpartum depression hit so close to home. The feelings and events Beth went through were scarily similar to my experience with my first baby.
Maggie Gates’ books never cease to amaze me. They all have stand out factors.
Loved Shane, I love the broken ex military man.
Single mom done excellent
The big plot climax is my worst nightmare.
BJ, god, I love her side character!!
Off to read all the rest of Maggie Gates books.
October 4, 2023
I get it. The goal here was to talk about postpartum depression in a very honest way and that’s why the protagonist Beth express her feelings of hating the child and having thoughts of hurting her.
The problem with this storyline is how terrible it’s her journey towards healing. She has a very close family and friends but don’t feel safe enough to talk to them or ask for help like she does with the guy she has a crush since before getting pregnant by another man.
And he basically is her therapist on top of being the one who delivered the baby. Even her doctors are terrible to her when she asks for help. Obviously there are bad professionals, but it’s hard to believe she was unlucky enough to face a doctor and a nurse practitioner so judgmental and basically medically wrong. And by the way, the author lost a great opportunity here by not making this professionals lose their license for falling this patient.
And the fact that Beth told her friend and her crush about it and neither of them took her to a different doctor makes me hate this story so much.
She doesn’t get the medical help that she needs. Postpartum depression is not cured by having sex with a good looking man and hearing him say “you are a good mother”. She needs therapy, medication, exercise, family, friends… I mean, are you telling me his cock is good enough to be all those things? I certainly hope not.
Another thing is the domestic violence she suffered from the baby daddy. It didn’t make sense whatsoever. She got pregnant by a man already married with 3 kids without knowing this fact. But when she finds out, she moves on. So why would he be aggressive towards her and the baby when she didn’t asked him anything?
He lost a prestigious job, his relationship with his 3 kids for what? He could’ve told his wife the woman was crazy and he’s not the father and just move on. Or, he could have sue her to be able to see his kid because he’s a educated men with money for it.
But no, for no reason at all, he stalked, threatened and tried to kill his own daughter.
I think the only thing good in this book is Shane (the crush) and Kat (the surprised kid) relationship. This man loved this kid. It was good to read this part.
Other than that, what a shitshow.
The problem with this storyline is how terrible it’s her journey towards healing. She has a very close family and friends but don’t feel safe enough to talk to them or ask for help like she does with the guy she has a crush since before getting pregnant by another man.
And he basically is her therapist on top of being the one who delivered the baby. Even her doctors are terrible to her when she asks for help. Obviously there are bad professionals, but it’s hard to believe she was unlucky enough to face a doctor and a nurse practitioner so judgmental and basically medically wrong. And by the way, the author lost a great opportunity here by not making this professionals lose their license for falling this patient.
And the fact that Beth told her friend and her crush about it and neither of them took her to a different doctor makes me hate this story so much.
She doesn’t get the medical help that she needs. Postpartum depression is not cured by having sex with a good looking man and hearing him say “you are a good mother”. She needs therapy, medication, exercise, family, friends… I mean, are you telling me his cock is good enough to be all those things? I certainly hope not.
Another thing is the domestic violence she suffered from the baby daddy. It didn’t make sense whatsoever. She got pregnant by a man already married with 3 kids without knowing this fact. But when she finds out, she moves on. So why would he be aggressive towards her and the baby when she didn’t asked him anything?
He lost a prestigious job, his relationship with his 3 kids for what? He could’ve told his wife the woman was crazy and he’s not the father and just move on. Or, he could have sue her to be able to see his kid because he’s a educated men with money for it.
But no, for no reason at all, he stalked, threatened and tried to kill his own daughter.
I think the only thing good in this book is Shane (the crush) and Kat (the surprised kid) relationship. This man loved this kid. It was good to read this part.
Other than that, what a shitshow.
September 25, 2024
це було дууууже гарно. стовідсотково найкраща книжка серії, тоді як великих надій на неї не було.
я розуміла, що вона розіб'є мені серце. або принаймні потріпає. тут згадано ПТСР, післяпологова депресія та піднімається тема психічного здоров'я. на початку книжки авторка присвятила цьому (тригерам) кілька сторінок. історія Шейна та Бет цікавила мене ще з попередніх частин, і я рада, що так швидко наважилася це зробити.
Бет (сестра Остіна з книжки «what heals us») вагітна. батьком дитини, як виявилося, є одружений чоловік, що стало шоком і для Бет, і для його дружини та дітей. це була несподівана новина, яка перевернула все життя Бетані з ніг на голову.
Шейн – друг Остіна, парамедик. з темним і гірким минулим та розтрощеною душею, яку він збирає докупи. було боляче читати про все, що йому довелося пройти, коли він був військовим, це суттєво змінило його життя. що зрозуміло відразу, так це те, що Шейн завжди хотів Бет. і той факт, що наявність дитини його ніяк не турбувала, лише розтопило серце багатьох (моє в тому числі). Шейн наскільки чудова людина. скільки він допомагав і підтримував Бет абсолютно безкорисливо. дбайливий, відданий. всю свою любов він віддавав маленькій Кет і Бетані. я просто обожнювала читати про всі ці миленькі моменти з цим чоловіком і дитиною. це розтопило мені серце.. як тут можна його не любити?
моя улюблена пара ❤️
5/5
я розуміла, що вона розіб'є мені серце. або принаймні потріпає. тут згадано ПТСР, післяпологова депресія та піднімається тема психічного здоров'я. на початку книжки авторка присвятила цьому (тригерам) кілька сторінок. історія Шейна та Бет цікавила мене ще з попередніх частин, і я рада, що так швидко наважилася це зробити.
Бет (сестра Остіна з книжки «what heals us») вагітна. батьком дитини, як виявилося, є одружений чоловік, що стало шоком і для Бет, і для його дружини та дітей. це була несподівана новина, яка перевернула все життя Бетані з ніг на голову.
Шейн – друг Остіна, парамедик. з темним і гірким минулим та розтрощеною душею, яку він збирає докупи. було боляче читати про все, що йому довелося пройти, коли він був військовим, це суттєво змінило його життя. що зрозуміло відразу, так це те, що Шейн завжди хотів Бет. і той факт, що наявність дитини його ніяк не турбувала, лише розтопило серце багатьох (моє в тому числі). Шейн наскільки чудова людина. скільки він допомагав і підтримував Бет абсолютно безкорисливо. дбайливий, відданий. всю свою любов він віддавав маленькій Кет і Бетані. я просто обожнювала читати про всі ці миленькі моменти з цим чоловіком і дитиною. це розтопило мені серце.. як тут можна його не любити?
моя улюблена пара ❤️
5/5
November 6, 2023
A MMC written by a woman is one thing… a MMC who acts and speaks like a woman was… confusing. Was he supposed to be a hot EMT/ex navy SEAL or a 65 year old grandma?
Shane called Beth “Mama” like 1,000 times and it was super cringy, but that is only the tip of the iceberg as far as things he did and said that no man on the planet would do or say. He was so awkward and honestly his obsession with her and his absolute lack of self control when she’s going through major PPD was gross and fetishy. I wanted Beth’s brother to punch him as hard as he could.
Shane called Beth “Mama” like 1,000 times and it was super cringy, but that is only the tip of the iceberg as far as things he did and said that no man on the planet would do or say. He was so awkward and honestly his obsession with her and his absolute lack of self control when she’s going through major PPD was gross and fetishy. I wanted Beth’s brother to punch him as hard as he could.
September 7, 2024
"I would die for her. But I´d live for her too, and sometimes that´s a lot harder."
This is a two POV book, told by the POV´s of Shane and Beth.
I really liked to finally get Beth as an FMC and to get to know her more. She is very resilient, like almost all the women of Falls Creek and I loved how she never gave up and tried her best to keep going. I LOVE Shane. Shane Hutchins, welcome to the collection of book boyfriends. I know some people said he is behaving "unrealistic" and "like a female therapist" (hello misogyny btw), but I don´t agree with that at all. I actually have male friends that also behave like that, and it´s not far fetched that if Shane has a lot to deal with, goes to therapy and on top of that leads a self help group himself, that he will know a lot about psychological topics and will know how to act. Men can be therapists too btw ;)
I especially loved the friend group of Layla, Caroline, Brandie Jean and Beth in this one. It truly felt like a Found Family trope and I loved how close knitted their smalltown worked together in this one. It felt like such a cozy and nice surrounding.
Regarding the plot I have to say that this is indeed my favorite romance (in terms of the people) of the series. Ex-military and single mom just does it for me. You can also definitely expect spicy scenes in here. I´d say that regarding mental health, this is also the "heaviest" book of the three, so please check the trigger warnings before reading! I´d argue that the pacing of this book is rather slow, while the romance tends to happen a bit on the faster side, so the book can get a little tedious at times. I personally would have prefered it to be a bit slower and a bit more angsty.
Overall it was a great ending to the series that I enjoyed!
trigger warnings: PTSD, traumata, mentions of addiction, postpartum depression, stalking, kidnapping, death/loss of loved ones
This is a two POV book, told by the POV´s of Shane and Beth.
I really liked to finally get Beth as an FMC and to get to know her more. She is very resilient, like almost all the women of Falls Creek and I loved how she never gave up and tried her best to keep going. I LOVE Shane. Shane Hutchins, welcome to the collection of book boyfriends. I know some people said he is behaving "unrealistic" and "like a female therapist" (hello misogyny btw), but I don´t agree with that at all. I actually have male friends that also behave like that, and it´s not far fetched that if Shane has a lot to deal with, goes to therapy and on top of that leads a self help group himself, that he will know a lot about psychological topics and will know how to act. Men can be therapists too btw ;)
I especially loved the friend group of Layla, Caroline, Brandie Jean and Beth in this one. It truly felt like a Found Family trope and I loved how close knitted their smalltown worked together in this one. It felt like such a cozy and nice surrounding.
Regarding the plot I have to say that this is indeed my favorite romance (in terms of the people) of the series. Ex-military and single mom just does it for me. You can also definitely expect spicy scenes in here. I´d say that regarding mental health, this is also the "heaviest" book of the three, so please check the trigger warnings before reading! I´d argue that the pacing of this book is rather slow, while the romance tends to happen a bit on the faster side, so the book can get a little tedious at times. I personally would have prefered it to be a bit slower and a bit more angsty.
Overall it was a great ending to the series that I enjoyed!
trigger warnings: PTSD, traumata, mentions of addiction, postpartum depression, stalking, kidnapping, death/loss of loved ones
February 5, 2024
Найкраща книга для мене з серії просто 5 з 5,якщо не 6 з 5. Готуйте свої паперові серветки 🤧
Авторка підняла одну з важливих тем в ній - ментальне здоровʼя.
Бет - дівчина, яка стикнулась �� неочікуваною вагітністю, а партнер виявився мудаком у всіх відношеннях (брехун, одружений чоловік, а ще й переслідувач)
Шейн - колишній військовий, морський котик, а тепер парамедик, який з першої ж зустрічі побачив Бет, яка відчувалась для нього тією, куди треба рости.
Шейн має своїх демонів, які не дають йому спати по ночах, через останню військову операцію, але завдяки Бі Джей він зумів кожного дня вставати і робити свою спокуту,а саме рятувати людей.
Він один з небагатьох побачив, як складно Бет, як її душить материнство і пропонував свою допомогу по телефонному дзвінку.
Ця книга може справді стати тригером для когось, але знайте, вона з тих, яка показує, яка має бути справді допомога,ви не самі в цьому човні і завжди будуть люди- мудаки, які не зважатимуть на вашу ментальну складову.
«Ви не самотні. Вас цінують. Ви гідні любові. Навіть у найтемніші моменти життя можна знайти надію. У відродженні з попелу є краса і сила. Ви не зломлені. На вашому боці є люди.
І до Матусь.
Подорож Бет через материнство та її боротьба з післяпологовою депресією є дуже особистою для мене. Будь ласка, знайте, що прохання про допомогу не робить вас неспроможними. Я бачу вас. Я бачу, як ви жертвуєте собою заради своїх дітей. Вони потребують найкращого від вас, тому, будь ласка, подбайте про себе. Це не егоїстично. Ви є пріоритетом.
З любов'ю, Меґґі Ґейтс»
«У цьому вся суть депресії. Ніхто не говорить про те, що ти ніколи не вилікуєшся. Бувають хороші дні і погані дні. І іноді ти чіпляєшся за надію, що наприкінці життя хороше переважить погане.
Останні кілька місяців у мене було багато хороших днів.
Це не означає, що у мене не було поганих днів, але я знав, що хороші дні з більшою ймовірністю траплятимуться тепер, коли у мене є хтось, кого я кохаю.
Можливо, це і було ключем до успіху: знайти мету, яка допомагала мені йти вперед, навіть у погані дні.»
«Якою б темною не була ніч, завжди настає ранок. Долина може бути якою завгодно глибокою, але надія не зважає на це. Вона передчуває підйом, який чекає попереду, і міцно тримається за знання, що вид з вершини не схожий ні на який інший.
Коли все інше руйнується, надія залишається.
Надія - це гусінь, яка сміливо входить у свій кокон і вірить, що завтра буде краще. Вона приходить яскраво, як крила метелика, розфарбовуючи похмуре сьогодення обіцянками краси.
Така природа надії.»
«Життя не завжди сповнене легких рішень. Іноді не існує результату, в якому всі були б у виграші.»
Авторка підняла одну з важливих тем в ній - ментальне здоровʼя.
Бет - дівчина, яка стикнулась �� неочікуваною вагітністю, а партнер виявився мудаком у всіх відношеннях (брехун, одружений чоловік, а ще й переслідувач)
Шейн - колишній військовий, морський котик, а тепер парамедик, який з першої ж зустрічі побачив Бет, яка відчувалась для нього тією, куди треба рости.
Шейн має своїх демонів, які не дають йому спати по ночах, через останню військову операцію, але завдяки Бі Джей він зумів кожного дня вставати і робити свою спокуту,а саме рятувати людей.
Він один з небагатьох побачив, як складно Бет, як її душить материнство і пропонував свою допомогу по телефонному дзвінку.
Ця книга може справді стати тригером для когось, але знайте, вона з тих, яка показує, яка має бути справді допомога,ви не самі в цьому човні і завжди будуть люди- мудаки, які не зважатимуть на вашу ментальну складову.
«Ви не самотні. Вас цінують. Ви гідні любові. Навіть у найтемніші моменти життя можна знайти надію. У відродженні з попелу є краса і сила. Ви не зломлені. На вашому боці є люди.
І до Матусь.
Подорож Бет через материнство та її боротьба з післяпологовою депресією є дуже особистою для мене. Будь ласка, знайте, що прохання про допомогу не робить вас неспроможними. Я бачу вас. Я бачу, як ви жертвуєте собою заради своїх дітей. Вони потребують найкращого від вас, тому, будь ласка, подбайте про себе. Це не егоїстично. Ви є пріоритетом.
З любов'ю, Меґґі Ґейтс»
«У цьому вся суть депресії. Ніхто не говорить про те, що ти ніколи не вилікуєшся. Бувають хороші дні і погані дні. І іноді ти чіпляєшся за надію, що наприкінці життя хороше переважить погане.
Останні кілька місяців у мене було багато хороших днів.
Це не означає, що у мене не було поганих днів, але я знав, що хороші дні з більшою ймовірністю траплятимуться тепер, коли у мене є хтось, кого я кохаю.
Можливо, це і було ключем до успіху: знайти мету, яка допомагала мені йти вперед, навіть у погані дні.»
«Якою б темною не була ніч, завжди настає ранок. Долина може бути якою завгодно глибокою, але надія не зважає на це. Вона передчуває підйом, який чекає попереду, і міцно тримається за знання, що вид з вершини не схожий ні на який інший.
Коли все інше руйнується, надія залишається.
Надія - це гусінь, яка сміливо входить у свій кокон і вірить, що завтра буде краще. Вона приходить яскраво, як крила метелика, розфарбовуючи похмуре сьогодення обіцянками краси.
Така природа надії.»
«Життя не завжди сповнене легких рішень. Іноді не існує результату, в якому всі були б у виграші.»
October 20, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
This started out really good. I loved the fact that I got to read about birth and motherhood in a real way. It was interesting to read about Beth's struggles with postpartum depression and dealing with all the life changes that came her way. I loved Shane's character. His love language was acts of service and I LOVE that.
I also really liked that they didn't try to magically solve the lead characters' mental health problems with just love.
My main problem with the book is that it was too dramatic for me. Also by the end I felt like it was dragged and some things could've been edited out. I was so ready for it to finish in the last few chapters and be done with it which is not a nice feeling to have when you finish a book.
This started out really good. I loved the fact that I got to read about birth and motherhood in a real way. It was interesting to read about Beth's struggles with postpartum depression and dealing with all the life changes that came her way. I loved Shane's character. His love language was acts of service and I LOVE that.
I also really liked that they didn't try to magically solve the lead characters' mental health problems with just love.
My main problem with the book is that it was too dramatic for me. Also by the end I felt like it was dragged and some things could've been edited out. I was so ready for it to finish in the last few chapters and be done with it which is not a nice feeling to have when you finish a book.
February 11, 2024
Ця книжка мені сподобалась найбільше з цієї серії. Одні з тропів які мені подобаються тут були присутні це військові та мати одиначка. Трішки важко читати було моменти, де вона хотіла заподіяти шкоду дитини, але в той час вона її і оберігала. Всю книжку я хотіла щоб донор сперми(батьком не можу назвати) помер, ну і він помер, але перед цим викрав Кет, то ж не шкода. Момент коли його дружина та донька донора🙂 захотіли спілкуватися з дитиною, на ньому пустила сльозу. Хочу 4 книжку про Кайла? Чи Коула? В мене на імена погана пам'ять 😅 короче він мені сподобався.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2023
why did a grown ass adult male BREAST FEED no
January 4, 2024
you know what’s worse than one pet name? two.
March 12, 2024
1.5 Stars
I never want to see the word Mama again for as long as I live. I felt like this book didn’t know what it wanted to be about.
I never want to see the word Mama again for as long as I live. I felt like this book didn’t know what it wanted to be about.
August 23, 2024
Spoilers ahead
This was my first book in this series and from this author.
Beth has been involved with the professor she's a TA for, while it's not love they've shared a mostly sexual connection for months....until a pregnancy test presents a startling complication. Ready to share the news Beth goes to his house.....and finds his wife and children there. That situation brings a host of complications as the staid professor Beth thought she knew turns violent and out for revenge. Now Beth is pregnant and preparing for single parenthood but at her worst moment her brother's best friend steps in to save her life.....and deliver her daughter.
Shane has wanted Beth since before her pregnancy, in the months since he's only grown to care for her more. He has his own demons he wrestles with but he knows Beth and her little tadpole are his. Now with her ex causing trouble for his girls Shane is determined to do everything in his power to keep them safe.
*******
My first read in this series so I had to try to make sense of the connected relationships.
Beth and Shane have known each other for a little while before she gets pregnant but she was already involved with Bradley
After the break up they stayed casual friends
The delivery of her baby and the troubles after brought them together
The H!!!! Shane was romance land perfection!!! I loved him so much, he was all in from the moment he got his shot. I loved that he had already made it clear to her brother that he would be dating her as soon as he got a chance so none of the hiding and guilt and nonsense that usually accompanied a brother's best friend romance.
This book dealt with some heavy issues like PTSD, depression and post partum depression
My only niggle with that is that I wanted to see Beth in therapy during this book but the issues were handled well I found.
The medical professionals involved in Beth's aftercare needed a snack down
Secondary characters that make me intrigued to read their own stories
Shane........the highlight of this book for me
No cheating
Friends to lovers
Non manwhore
Mentions of past addiction and thoughts of suicide
Post partum depression
Pregnant h
OM drama from the psycho ex who kidnapped the baby
h was OW in that relationship but she didn't know, the wife and children of that relationship are involved here
This was my first book in this series and from this author.
Beth has been involved with the professor she's a TA for, while it's not love they've shared a mostly sexual connection for months....until a pregnancy test presents a startling complication. Ready to share the news Beth goes to his house.....and finds his wife and children there. That situation brings a host of complications as the staid professor Beth thought she knew turns violent and out for revenge. Now Beth is pregnant and preparing for single parenthood but at her worst moment her brother's best friend steps in to save her life.....and deliver her daughter.
Shane has wanted Beth since before her pregnancy, in the months since he's only grown to care for her more. He has his own demons he wrestles with but he knows Beth and her little tadpole are his. Now with her ex causing trouble for his girls Shane is determined to do everything in his power to keep them safe.
*******
My first read in this series so I had to try to make sense of the connected relationships.
Beth and Shane have known each other for a little while before she gets pregnant but she was already involved with Bradley
After the break up they stayed casual friends
The delivery of her baby and the troubles after brought them together
The H!!!! Shane was romance land perfection!!! I loved him so much, he was all in from the moment he got his shot. I loved that he had already made it clear to her brother that he would be dating her as soon as he got a chance so none of the hiding and guilt and nonsense that usually accompanied a brother's best friend romance.
This book dealt with some heavy issues like PTSD, depression and post partum depression
My only niggle with that is that I wanted to see Beth in therapy during this book but the issues were handled well I found.
The medical professionals involved in Beth's aftercare needed a snack down
Secondary characters that make me intrigued to read their own stories
Shane........the highlight of this book for me
No cheating
Friends to lovers
Non manwhore
Mentions of past addiction and thoughts of suicide
Post partum depression
Pregnant h
OM drama from the psycho ex who kidnapped the baby
h was OW in that relationship but she didn't know, the wife and children of that relationship are involved here
August 31, 2023
• 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 •
𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐄: What Saves Us
𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑: Maggie Gates
𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: 5 ⭐️
•
𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐒:
- Found family
- MMC former navy seal
- Slow-burn
- Single Mom
- Best friends sister
- He falls first
- Small town romance
•
“I would do anything for her, Beth. I swear to you. I would die for her. But I’d live for her too, and sometimes that’s a lot harder.”
•
𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒:
You’re telling me he’s a tattooed ex navy seal,
now paramedic, who’s fallen for his best friends sister and is absolutely besotted with her newborn that isn’t his, but he delivered during a storm? Say no more.
I’ve sat on this review for a couple of days because I just couldn’t adequately form the right words to express how much I loved this book. It’s easily my favourite book of the year and it’ll stay with for a long time, I think. I feel like if you know me, you to know I’d read the phone book if Maggie wrote it.
Maggie Gates somehow always manages to merge every emotion into a seamless package of relatability. There are some books that feel like a warm hug that makes you feel seen, understood and a little less alone and every single book she puts out is just that.
I will say with this book, definitely check the trigger warnings as there are quite heavy topics covered (postpartum depression, PTSD, addiction to name just a few) - but there are lighter moments and as always, a HEA.
Shane is the embodiment of golden retriever energy. For him, there is only Beth and that’s never in question. He’s a firm favourite book boyfriend - the way he treats Beth with such tenderness and love from the start sets the pace for what is an emotional slow burn.
While I didn’t directly relate to Beth or Shane’s exact catalyst or diagnosis’, I definitely related to some of their experiences (ie; anxiety, intrusive thoughts) and I was rooting for both characters from the start - even before the start, I was rooting for them since What Heals Us (book 2). This was a perfect end to a perfect series of 5⭐️ books. All hail Maggie Gates, the Taylor Swift of Authors™️
All that’s left to say is: if you relate to this book in any way, shape or form - you are enough and you will get through this storm.
•
“Scars are evidence that what saves us is found in the margin where hurt and healing collide.”
𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐄: What Saves Us
𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑: Maggie Gates
𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: 5 ⭐️
•
𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐒:
- Found family
- MMC former navy seal
- Slow-burn
- Single Mom
- Best friends sister
- He falls first
- Small town romance
•
“I would do anything for her, Beth. I swear to you. I would die for her. But I’d live for her too, and sometimes that’s a lot harder.”
•
𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒:
You’re telling me he’s a tattooed ex navy seal,
now paramedic, who’s fallen for his best friends sister and is absolutely besotted with her newborn that isn’t his, but he delivered during a storm? Say no more.
I’ve sat on this review for a couple of days because I just couldn’t adequately form the right words to express how much I loved this book. It’s easily my favourite book of the year and it’ll stay with for a long time, I think. I feel like if you know me, you to know I’d read the phone book if Maggie wrote it.
Maggie Gates somehow always manages to merge every emotion into a seamless package of relatability. There are some books that feel like a warm hug that makes you feel seen, understood and a little less alone and every single book she puts out is just that.
I will say with this book, definitely check the trigger warnings as there are quite heavy topics covered (postpartum depression, PTSD, addiction to name just a few) - but there are lighter moments and as always, a HEA.
Shane is the embodiment of golden retriever energy. For him, there is only Beth and that’s never in question. He’s a firm favourite book boyfriend - the way he treats Beth with such tenderness and love from the start sets the pace for what is an emotional slow burn.
While I didn’t directly relate to Beth or Shane’s exact catalyst or diagnosis’, I definitely related to some of their experiences (ie; anxiety, intrusive thoughts) and I was rooting for both characters from the start - even before the start, I was rooting for them since What Heals Us (book 2). This was a perfect end to a perfect series of 5⭐️ books. All hail Maggie Gates, the Taylor Swift of Authors™️
All that’s left to say is: if you relate to this book in any way, shape or form - you are enough and you will get through this storm.
•
“Scars are evidence that what saves us is found in the margin where hurt and healing collide.”
September 7, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
Maggie said she was really going to put us through it with Shane & Beth's love story and there were definitely NO LIES DETECTED. Geesh! I feel like the rollercoaster of emotions that I was on while reading this book was definitely one of the most intense. Maggie has written a book that I think portrays the way a lot of new mamas feel, but maybe aren't sure how to express. I know for me, there were so many things in this that I could find myself relating to when looking back on my own motherhood journey.
I truly loved the relationship that was built between Shane and Beth, not just throughout this book, but throughout the other books in the series as well. The way that Shane was there to pick up the pieces for Beth and help her through, despite his own demons.... It was a beautiful thing to witness. His love for her and her child - who he from the very beginning claimed as his own - was unmatched. I don't know that I've ever read a book where the MMC loved the FMC that fiercely before. It was something else.
Please go to Maggie's website to check all of the trigger and content warnings before you dive into this book. I was given an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Maggie said she was really going to put us through it with Shane & Beth's love story and there were definitely NO LIES DETECTED. Geesh! I feel like the rollercoaster of emotions that I was on while reading this book was definitely one of the most intense. Maggie has written a book that I think portrays the way a lot of new mamas feel, but maybe aren't sure how to express. I know for me, there were so many things in this that I could find myself relating to when looking back on my own motherhood journey.
I truly loved the relationship that was built between Shane and Beth, not just throughout this book, but throughout the other books in the series as well. The way that Shane was there to pick up the pieces for Beth and help her through, despite his own demons.... It was a beautiful thing to witness. His love for her and her child - who he from the very beginning claimed as his own - was unmatched. I don't know that I've ever read a book where the MMC loved the FMC that fiercely before. It was something else.
Please go to Maggie's website to check all of the trigger and content warnings before you dive into this book. I was given an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 21, 2024
"No matter how dark the night is, morning always comes. The valley can be as deep as it wants, but hope pays no mind. It anticipates the climb ahead and holds fast to the knowledge that the view from the peak is like no other.
When everything else crumbles, hope stays.
Hope is a caterpillar, bravely entering its cocoon and trusting that tomorrow will be better. It comes vibrantly, like the wings of a butterfly, painting the bleak present with promises of beauty.
That’s the nature of hope."
▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️
This book covers some very hard topics that aren't discussed enough, especially in romance books.
Most of the time, pregnancy is glorified in romance novels. I can count on one hand how many books I've read that cover the other side of things.
The hardship.
The rough conversations.
The intimation from medical professionals.
The feeling of not being enough.
These things happen more times than a beautiful HEA!
As a mom of four, that works in the birth world, I found this book incredibly necessary. It was so raw. It was emotional. And it was beautiful!
Don't get me wrong, motherhood is amazing. But the transitions our bodies go through is hard. And every woman's journey is different!
Maggie Cole, thank you for covering some hard topics.
Beth and Shane got the beautiful HEA they both deserved!
“I… I don’t know what I would have done if you didn’t love her the way you do. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️
•Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•Plot:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•Humor: 🫠
•Spice:🌶
•Relationship pace: 🔥🔥
•Ending: HEA
•Tropes: Brother's friend, blue collar MMC, independent FMC, surprise pregnancy
•TW: Postpartum depression, PTSD, suicidal thoughts, sober journey, manipulation
"The scarred leader.
The recovering addict.
The scorned wife.
And me.
The mistress.
There was a difference in us and the man who had been willing to hurt everyone in his path to feed his narcissism."
When everything else crumbles, hope stays.
Hope is a caterpillar, bravely entering its cocoon and trusting that tomorrow will be better. It comes vibrantly, like the wings of a butterfly, painting the bleak present with promises of beauty.
That’s the nature of hope."
▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️
This book covers some very hard topics that aren't discussed enough, especially in romance books.
Most of the time, pregnancy is glorified in romance novels. I can count on one hand how many books I've read that cover the other side of things.
The hardship.
The rough conversations.
The intimation from medical professionals.
The feeling of not being enough.
These things happen more times than a beautiful HEA!
As a mom of four, that works in the birth world, I found this book incredibly necessary. It was so raw. It was emotional. And it was beautiful!
Don't get me wrong, motherhood is amazing. But the transitions our bodies go through is hard. And every woman's journey is different!
Maggie Cole, thank you for covering some hard topics.
Beth and Shane got the beautiful HEA they both deserved!
“I… I don’t know what I would have done if you didn’t love her the way you do. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️
•Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•Plot:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•Humor: 🫠
•Spice:🌶
•Relationship pace: 🔥🔥
•Ending: HEA
•Tropes: Brother's friend, blue collar MMC, independent FMC, surprise pregnancy
•TW: Postpartum depression, PTSD, suicidal thoughts, sober journey, manipulation
"The scarred leader.
The recovering addict.
The scorned wife.
And me.
The mistress.
There was a difference in us and the man who had been willing to hurt everyone in his path to feed his narcissism."
September 27, 2023
I wish I had liked this book more. It deals with some heavy topics like postpartum depression, but I didn't like how some things were handled and the kidnapping trope at the end.
Despite all that, the book is well-written and a quick read. Shane's relationship with Kat is beautiful.
Despite all that, the book is well-written and a quick read. Shane's relationship with Kat is beautiful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2025
Falls Creek Series Review: I started this series after completing the Beaufort Poker Club series, as I was eager to read Austin's story. All three books were exceptional, offering a mix of humor, seriousness, romance, and emotional depth. Initially, I assumed Austin would be my favorite male main character in the series; however, I was mistaken. Shane FREAKING Hutchins proved to be a very captivating character (come to mama 🥵😮💨🫦🙌🏼😍). Book three had a profound impact on me, and I must commend Maggie Gates on her outstanding writing. The story elicited strong emotions, and I found myself tearful (and sobbing 😭😭😭) on multiple occasions. #TheDaysAreLongButTheDaysAreShort
October 19, 2023
this is an okay book but it just wasn't for me. i loved the depression rep and how it was handled sensibly and all the mental health issues were too, which was good to see. there just wasn't much plot and i got bored of shane and beth having the same conversations in different fonts. we love a man that can reassure a woman and keep her safe but he just didn't have that much of an impact on me. kat was a sweetheart though.
i did really like beth and i rooted for her a lot. her story and struggles were so important and so real.
isn't it interesting that the only terrorist in the novel, in shane's flashback, has a middle eastern surname? yassin, really? appreciate the stereotyping. yes the missions were in the middle east - don't even get me started on the saviour complex - but it doesn't have to be that specific:
Shelby—a, uh… CIA targeting officer we worked with a lot—had a target package on an HVT named Anton Yassin.
i tried to like shane but i just couldn't. he says stuff like this at the end and i just closed my eyes in mortification:
“You’re right about one thing.” My sights never wavered. “I’m no angel.”
His eyes flicked down to the knife block.
I kept my trigger finger steady. “Today I’m the archangel—the just hand of God.”
you're an ex war veteran. tf you mean by archangel? 😭😭 fantasy novels can get away with that but not you.
also the nickname 'mama' was used like 70 times and i was TIREDDDD. probably just a me thing but i don't know. i also kept reading it with a country twang so that didn't help.
the kidnapping thing was boring plot, it was so obvious from the outset that it would happen as well. the side characters and town meddlers like bj were fun to read but that was about it. also this book was at least 200 pages too long, it could have been cut down a lot.
and the breast feeding? a GROWN MAN? hell no. hell. freaking. no. there's nothing wrong with breast feeding kids BUT ADULTS? naur. pls stop this 🤢
1 star. not my cup of tea.
i did really like beth and i rooted for her a lot. her story and struggles were so important and so real.
isn't it interesting that the only terrorist in the novel, in shane's flashback, has a middle eastern surname? yassin, really? appreciate the stereotyping. yes the missions were in the middle east - don't even get me started on the saviour complex - but it doesn't have to be that specific:
Shelby—a, uh… CIA targeting officer we worked with a lot—had a target package on an HVT named Anton Yassin.
i tried to like shane but i just couldn't. he says stuff like this at the end and i just closed my eyes in mortification:
“You’re right about one thing.” My sights never wavered. “I’m no angel.”
His eyes flicked down to the knife block.
I kept my trigger finger steady. “Today I’m the archangel—the just hand of God.”
you're an ex war veteran. tf you mean by archangel? 😭😭 fantasy novels can get away with that but not you.
also the nickname 'mama' was used like 70 times and i was TIREDDDD. probably just a me thing but i don't know. i also kept reading it with a country twang so that didn't help.
the kidnapping thing was boring plot, it was so obvious from the outset that it would happen as well. the side characters and town meddlers like bj were fun to read but that was about it. also this book was at least 200 pages too long, it could have been cut down a lot.
and the breast feeding? a GROWN MAN? hell no. hell. freaking. no. there's nothing wrong with breast feeding kids BUT ADULTS? naur. pls stop this 🤢
1 star. not my cup of tea.
October 15, 2023
°•*⁀➷ 3.5 stars!
The first half of this book was so solid. I could not put the book down and stayed up past my bedtime to keep reading. I like this small town and all the other side characters. I am interested in going back to read about the other characters too, so all good signs.
Seriously, the first half of this was so good. She was pregnant which I LOVE. Single mom is one of my top tier tropes but if she’s actually PREGNANT in the book it earns extra points in my book. It just adds a whole new element to the story. And that means you get a BIRTH, which is so dramatic and fun. And it was in this book!!
So yeah. We get all the fun (and not so fun) pregnancy, birth, new baby/mom stuff in the beginning and I was here for it (I mean you either love it or you hate it). And Shane was a supportive helping hand. But then we get to that halfway point when it turns more romance heavy.
And tbh I wasn’t totally feeling the sexual romantic chemistry. My enjoyment fell off a bit and things turned boring. I think the main issue was this was 100% too long. I did enjoy the drama at the end so it wasn’t totally pointless. If this were shorter I would probably be giving this four stars.
Overall definitely enjoyed this story and would recommend to all single mom/pregnancy trope lovers. 🩷 there is postpartum depression rep and lots of important topics discussed in here. (Can’t say if they’re done justice, as I am not a mother, but they’re there!)
everyone’s so quick to knock the pregnancy trope, but guys I’m not crazy… it can be really good. trust.
The first half of this book was so solid. I could not put the book down and stayed up past my bedtime to keep reading. I like this small town and all the other side characters. I am interested in going back to read about the other characters too, so all good signs.
Seriously, the first half of this was so good. She was pregnant which I LOVE. Single mom is one of my top tier tropes but if she’s actually PREGNANT in the book it earns extra points in my book. It just adds a whole new element to the story. And that means you get a BIRTH, which is so dramatic and fun. And it was in this book!!
So yeah. We get all the fun (and not so fun) pregnancy, birth, new baby/mom stuff in the beginning and I was here for it (I mean you either love it or you hate it). And Shane was a supportive helping hand. But then we get to that halfway point when it turns more romance heavy.
And tbh I wasn’t totally feeling the sexual romantic chemistry. My enjoyment fell off a bit and things turned boring. I think the main issue was this was 100% too long. I did enjoy the drama at the end so it wasn’t totally pointless. If this were shorter I would probably be giving this four stars.
Overall definitely enjoyed this story and would recommend to all single mom/pregnancy trope lovers. 🩷 there is postpartum depression rep and lots of important topics discussed in here. (Can’t say if they’re done justice, as I am not a mother, but they’re there!)
everyone’s so quick to knock the pregnancy trope, but guys I’m not crazy… it can be really good. trust.
November 9, 2023
i have read a lot of pregnancy/single parent trope books and this is the first one that discussed postpartum depression. it was beautiful and so emotional, women are genuinely amazing (also shane is so daddy)
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