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Rolling Hills #3

The One I Love

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A Sexy, Friends to Lovers, Secret Relationship, Small-Town Romance by bestselling author Chelle Sloan.

I can’t remember a time when I haven’t loved my childhood best friend, Amelia.

Her big brown eyes and beautiful smile have had a hold on me since we were teenagers.

Hell, I even love her kids as if they were my own.

Now, she’s divorced, and after twenty years, it’s time to make my move.

The tension between us finally erupts and I kiss her.

Imagine my surprise when she doesn’t push me away but says she wants to give us a try.

Except she has one condition: We keep it a secret.

I’ll do anything for her, even this.

But I can’t help but want to shout to the world that the woman of my dreams is finally mine.

I inadvertently do it when her ex-husband rolls back into town.

A man I’ve hated since high school.

He riles me up and I blurt out Amelia and I are engaged.

We’re not.

Now, we have to pretend to plan a wedding while our meddling town watches.

I’ve waited over twenty years for my chance.

Will this cost me the one I love?

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2024

217 people are currently reading
3430 people want to read

About the author

Chelle Sloan

25 books1,193 followers
Known for her witty sense of humor, Chelle Sloan is a former sports reporter who recently completed her master's degree in journalism, and is now putting that to good use — one happily ever after at a time.

An Ohio native, she’s fiercely loyal to Cleveland sports, is the owner of way too many — yet not enough — tumblers and will be a New Kids on the Block fan until the day she dies. She does her best writing at Panera, or any place that's not her office. Oh, and yes, you probably saw her on TikTok.

As for her own happily every after? Maybe one day...

Follow me!
Newsletter: https://geni.us/ChelleNewsletter
Facebook: https://geni.us/ChelleFacebook
Facebook Reader Group: https://geni.us/ChelleSquad
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TikTok: https://geni.us/chelleTikTok


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Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
Profile Image for Jen ♥.
1,771 reviews989 followers
did-not-finish
January 30, 2024
DNF @ 14%


Friends-to-lovers stories are either a hit or a miss for me. I almost compared this one to (A Little Luck) but at least in that book, both MCs were celibate. Obviously, this is a ME problem, and if other readers are fine with the MCs sleeping with other people, good for them and to each their own as always.

Anyway, this was his line that made all my hopes vanished.

"I’ve never seriously dated. No one besides Amelia interested me in high school, so I didn’t see the point in dating. In my twenties, I was in the Army, so women consisted of the tag chasers hanging out at the bars around base for a quick night of fun.

When I moved back to Rolling Hills after my tours, there was only one woman I wanted—and she was married. After her divorce, I could have said something, but I didn’t want to rock the boat. I never felt like it was the right time to tell her how I felt. So lowkey flings are it. Or, were it."


I did skim the story to make sure that maybe I misinterpreted it, or, you know, maybe he was celibate after all. But when they did the deed at Chapter 13 (35%-38%), and Amelia said it's been a long time for her, he didn't say it was the same for him. I read everything in that scene, even though I'm already uncomfortable knowing that I was right, and not even once did he mention that there has been no one else for him either.

So yeah, I'm not going to continue this. Again, this is my preference, and in my romance I want both MCs to be faithful to each other. And by faithful, I mean not being involved with anyone else, be it casual or a "fling." Unrealistic? Maybe. But hey, this is fiction, and that's what I want in the stories I read. Either they're both celibate or they've been with other people, there's no in-between. 🤷‍♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Chelle Sloan.
Author 25 books1,193 followers
Read
January 18, 2024
Available now

The One I Love is a best friends to lovers, secret relationship, small town romance. But that’s not all this book has…

💞 Single Mom
💍 Fake engagement
💞 He falls first
💍 First love
💞 Found family
💍 “My wife” vibes

Grab your copy: https://geni.us/TOIL - read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
Add to your Goodreads TBR: https://geni.us/TOILGR













Profile Image for Ashley.
874 reviews121 followers
January 18, 2024
I love a good childhood friends to lovers and this delivered! I really enjoyed the single mom aspect because most romances I've read with that trope are single dads. This was done so well.
I loved her kids! The banter was great. I found all the characters loveable. Their friend group dynamic was great.
This is my first book by Chelle and really like her writing style. Def plan to go back and read her previous books!

Thank you for the arc, all thoughts are my own!
Profile Image for Mandy’s Spicy Book Reads.
668 reviews64 followers
January 18, 2024
Loved, loved, loved Shane and Amelia’s story!!! So many emotions with their story. The conversation her kids have with Shane is priceless. I will always think of this book when watching Avengers. #superhero Chelle Sloan is amazing with her words and the characters she brings to life. It’s always a win when you don’t want story to end. Can’t wait for next book!

Tropes:
Best friends to lovers
Fake engagement
Found family
Small town
Secret relationship
Single mom
He falls first
Profile Image for Stephanie.
406 reviews85 followers
January 24, 2024
I loved everything about this book omg🥺 Shane and Amelia were the cutest ever🫶🏻 and the friend group!? Don’t even get me starteddd I loved their friend group with my whole heart!!😭 the guys were so adorable and hilarioussss😭 definitely recommend reading this one🥺
Profile Image for Christie Hardin.
202 reviews57 followers
July 25, 2025
Shane & Amelia = swoon, swoon

Shane knew what he wanted for 20 years and that was Amelia. He wanted all of her and that included her two kids (teenagers).

One kiss at a wedding puts it all in motion. Amelia wasn’t that hard to convince but she had some baggage from a teenage pregnancy and a bad divorce.

It all end with a HEA!

Takeaways:
Friends to lovers
Hulk
Police force
Nurse
Secrets
Motorcycle
Beaches
Baggage
Mom(s) - instigators
Small town news travels fast
Boo to Paul (he sucked ass)
The childhood friends again
Oliver to the rescue

Spice: 2/5

Love this series. Don’t miss out on the bonus epilogues.
Profile Image for Zabeth.
867 reviews8 followers
January 15, 2024
⭐️3/5 📚8/240

🇺🇸The first half of this book was amazing. The tension and the longing between the two characters were so on point. The fact that Shane has been in love with Amelia for years and just refrained himself for the sake of their friendship and had to watch her have kids and marry her sh!tty excuse of a husband was so painful to read but at the same time it gave so much depth to their relationship and his feelings.

The spice was great as well, and I love the way they communicate with each other once the cat’s out of the bag and Shane snaps.

What I didn't like though, was the involvement of the small town/neighbors/other friends/mothers. It’s getting to a point that is almost ridiculous and some moments kinda pissed me off (the second half of the book) but I guess that if you love small-town romance, it won’t bother you like it bothered me.

🇫🇷La première moitié de ce livre était incroyable. La tension entre les deux personnages était très bien écrite. Le fait que Shane soit amoureux d'Amelia depuis des années et qu'il se soit retenu pour le bien de leur amitié et qu'il ait dû la regarder avoir des enfants et épouser son minable de mari était si douloureux à lire, mais en même temps, cela donnait tellement de profondeur à leur relation et à ses sentiments.

Le spice était excellent aussi, et j'adore la façon dont ils communiquent entre eux une fois que Shane révèle ses sentiments.
Profile Image for Amanda.
2,462 reviews104 followers
February 1, 2024
Shane is top book boyfriend material and I love him... that is all....

Just kidding I'll say more lol Shane is seriously the best, he loves Amelia and her children unconditionally. He is swoony and spicy. I seriously have zero complaints with him. My next favorite aspect fo the story was the found family group of friends that was goals ( I can not wait to read all their books ) . Lastly, I adored Amelia's two children, they were wonderful young adults who had good heads on their shoulders and were protective of their momma.

You may be thinking, what about our heroine Amelia? I liked her, I did. She made the best out of an unplanned situation and survived a shitty marriage. She was anincredible mother and sweet. However, I won't get into details because #spoilers, but I really feel like she took Shane for granted and didn't take his feelings into consideration. I understand where she was coming from, but she went about things in the wrong way.

Overall The One I Love >is a great small town romance between childhood best friends with plenty of steam, family, friends, and a HEA. I seriously can't wait for Simon's book and already downloaded Oliver's !
Profile Image for Julie Booklover.
2,112 reviews104 followers
January 17, 2024
4.5 Stars

This book has everything I love, small town, secrets, single mom, found family, and a Dolly Parton reference. The relationship Amelia has with her kids is well written.

I love Shane and Amelia’s friends to lovers story. I was hooked from the first page, I would love to be friends with both of them. Amelia is a great single mom, and Shane is just swoon-worthy.
The two have great chemistry, but the relationship has some rocky moments. As the two have known each other for some time, they will get it all figured out.

This is book three in the Rolling Hills series. It does stand alone, but I recommend reading them all. Simon is next, and I am looking forward to his story.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Profile Image for Serena.
775 reviews21 followers
January 6, 2024
5/5⭐️
4/5🌶

WOW! I could not put this down. Chelle Sloan had me drooling over Shane the whole book!
Secret crush on his best friend Amelia for his entire life 😯 afriad of unrequited Love 🥺 Watching the woman you Love being mistreated and picking up the pieces and your heart breaking in the process 😭 Shane is every woman's dream. I wanted to have him and call him mine from the discovery for his heart at the very beginning!

Amelia & Shane were the best examples of right person wrong time and throughout this whole book I was swooning harder that I thought I would.
Amelia is the strong one always over thinking about EVERYTHING and still getting over the emotional and mental health damage her ex-husband inflicted. This woman deserves the greatest HEA and then some!

Throw in the absolute hilarious banter of the 5 besties and the ribbing and shenanigans and I was laughing through my tears.

Chelle Sloan had a hold on me since the beginning of The One I Love and I absolutely love it!

5 glorious Stars!


Profile Image for Bibliophile  Chloe .
1,256 reviews105 followers
January 9, 2024
Welcome back to Rolling Hills!

Dear readers, let me tell you, that while this story can be read as a stand-alone; I highly encourage you to read the entire series.

This is Shane and Amelia's story. It's a friends-to-lovers story at its finest.

My favorite type of hero is Shane. He is quiet and when he does speak it's worth hearing. When he speaks to Amelia it's like a one-way ticket to swoon city! 

Amelia is a woman I could totally empathize with. She is finding her groove as a single mom who has learned from her past and does not want to repeat the mistakes she made.

The relationship between Shane and Amelia could be considered an insta love, but it's been built over a lifetime of friendship.

I absolutely love this series; the characters really draw you into the world that Ms. Sloan has created and I could totally see myself in Rolling Hills!
Profile Image for Jennifer Bowland.
130 reviews25 followers
January 8, 2024
This was the perfect way to start off the year. This was such a good story. I am still new to Chelle Sloan, this is only my third book. This is the first in the series for me and I definitely plan on going back and reading the others. I loved the cameo from a couple characters from a book that I have read.

I loved all of the best friends, but I especially loved the moments with their moms!

Thank you Chelle for the opportunity to read an ARC! I can’t wait for the next one ♥️
Profile Image for Biggs_bookshelf.
1,607 reviews27 followers
January 5, 2024
What a fun love story! This second chance romance was heartbreaking and swoon worthy all rolled into one. Shane sprites my heart from the beginning and I was cheerleading for them all the way through.

Minus Paul, this entire band of characters are a hoot! I love the dynamics of each of these characters and how they all interact.
Profile Image for Vannessa Vogel.
58 reviews
January 5, 2024
Friends to lovers ,pining, funny best friends and, meddling moms and kids. Chelle Sloan thought if everything when writing this book. From the spicy scenes to the shit show fake engagement the arguments and the grand gesture. I am so excited to see this series through.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Debi Williams.
2,588 reviews5 followers
July 10, 2024
Loved It

I loved it!!! Having a secret relationship is sometimes hard to do. But Shane and Amelia made it work after a few cliches. It was a great read. Looking forward to reading the next book
Profile Image for Jocelynereadsromance.
877 reviews41 followers
January 23, 2024
Unrequited Love, he falls first, it’s always been you, made for each other! Chelsea Sloan wraps all these tropes up in a delightful package, in this third installment of her Rolling Hills series. Sloan’s writing is clear and engaging, I was quickly swept up into her story and her characters lives. This novel is charming and low angst trickled through with sweet moments and endearing interactions. Sloan’s characters are relatable and interesting and people I could be friends with. While this novel is the third in this series it was very easy to read as a standalone, as this is the first novel I have ever read from Sloan. I am so glad to have read this novel and I can’t wait to dig into the two preceding ones and I am so excited for the fourth installment coming later this year!

This romance is between two best friends who have know each other their entire lives. This is a romance between a single mom and her safety net. This is a romance between a man who has been in love with this woman for the past 18 years. If you are looking for a heart warming and body tingling romance, then look no further. Chelle Sloan beautiful unwinds the tension and chemistry that bubbles on the surface of the romance between Amelia and Shane. Shane is such a swoon worthy hero, he loves Amelia and her kids with all that he is and when he finally gets the courage to pursue her, he is all in and the sweetest partner. Sloan shows their relationship beautifully through all of their little interactions and their rediscovery of who they are to each other. There is care and understanding that is born from the deep trust these two have and Sloan made me believe and understand every moment of their romance. Their relationship is also sensual and steamy and such a beautiful that helps to show Amelia’s agency and awakening of who she is as a woman and how she is beyond desirable in Shane’s eyes.

If you are looking for a romance that is going to leave you with a smile on your face then pick up this book! If you love a hero who is so in love and would do anything for his woman, pick up this book! I definitely would highly recommend this novel and am so excited to dig into Sloan’s backlist!

Thank you so much to Valentine PR for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jennifer Reed.
26 reviews2 followers
January 18, 2024
If you have been following the Rolling Hills series, the story of Shane and Amelia has had a lot of us waiting with baited breath for this release!

If you are new to the series, this book can be read as a standalone. There are characters and references to events from previous books. However, you do not need to read the books in order to dive in and consume the deliciousness of Shane and Amelia's story.

First, let me preface this by saying I am typically HARD on heroines. I find some of them to be VERY annoying, especially when it comes to circumstances that are similar and/or parallel in my own life.

Amelia is the TITS!

This is because Chelle's ability to take a hard subject (narcissistic ex's) and weave a beautiful story exposing truth, and the hardship from a female perspective, navigating the aftermath that stays with you years after the relationship. Some of this book resonated at such a deep level for me. I was put on edge, but I was so entranced in the characters and the story that I kept going and boy I was rewarded!

Our new book boyfriend, Shane, is so relatable. If I was building my next real boyfriend, Shane would be a lot of him. He is a strong man who finally faces fears. I think we all want that.

With every Chelle Sloan book, there is her uncanny sense of humor that literally has you laughing out loud, in the middle of work, while you are reading on break, because you can't put the book down. Chelle has easily become one of my favorite authors. Yes, I have been following since Day 1 of Reformation, but the fact that so many of us have followed since Day 1 is a true testimony of how fabulous Chelle's storytelling is.

This isn't a super spicy, HEA, but it has enough heat to satiate your Thirst!

I have received an Advanced Reader Copy, but as always, this is my honest review. RUN, go grab this book my friends! It's a fun, very easy read.
Profile Image for What.Nikki.Reads.
939 reviews68 followers
January 18, 2024
The One I Love
By @chelle_sloan
🗓️ Out now!
Book 3 in the Rolling Hills series
(Interconnected standalones)

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
🔥Hot

💓 Small Town romance
💓 Single mom
💓 Best friends to lovers
💓 Childhood friends
💓 Ex military/ police officer MMC
💓 Medical field FMC
💓 He falls first
💓 It's always been you
💓 Secret relationship

💖 Shane + Amelia 💖

I loved getting back to the Rolling Hills world. This group of friends is top tier and I always know I'll laugh out loud with them.
Shane kissed Amelia back in highschool and since that moment it's always been her. But she got pregnant and married to someone else, which ended ugly. But Shane stood by and immersed himself in their lives always being the helping hand when needed.
Shane with her kids 🫠.
It takes Amelia a bit to fully understand Shane's love for her but once she realizes how much he means she falls hard as well.

This was such a good read and I can't wait for the next one 😍.

Thank you @chelle_sloan and @valentine_pr_ for this ARC
Profile Image for Tracy.
377 reviews
January 18, 2024
I am loving this Rolling Hills series! A small town, found family, best friends to lovers, he falls first, second chance romance that has it all, including a Thirst Trip star.

Shane, ex-military, strong silent type has been best friends with Amelia since they were kids & in love with her since high school, where she got pregnant by her future ex-husband. Shane steps up when Amelia wises up & leaves Paul’s cheating, dead-beat dad @$$. Loving her without strings until he finally breaks down & confesses his truth at her thirst trap brother’s wedding. Chelle once again delights us with her words & story-telling skills in leading Amelia & Shane towards their happily ever after even with the obstacles they must overcome. I love, love, loved Shane & Amelia’s children, Luke & Mariah are awesome!! Amelia however was not my favorite character but this friend group, this little town & Shane love her so who am I to judge. Another great story with the perfect amount of steam!
Profile Image for jaycie.
245 reviews329 followers
January 10, 2024
4 stars! This was my first Chelle Sloan book and I loved the pacing and writing style of this book. I love interconnected stand-alone series because you can really jump in wherever. Shane and Amelia’s story was just what I needed. I was GIGGLING while reading this book several times🤭. I went through all of the emotions while watching their story unfold and I adored every second of it. I loved how they communicated and handled life’s obstacles thrown their way. I enjoyed the connection I felt to all of the side characters and how I know I would love to read their love stories in the other books in this series. Can’t wait for Simon’s book!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
169 reviews11 followers
January 18, 2024
I always say that each book is better than the last, and it’s no surprise that The One I Love fits those same words.

This is one of my favorite types of romance to read. Friends to lovers, and single parent. Amelia is a single mom, after being divorced from her not so great ex. Shane has loved her for years, but always stood by as just her friend.

With the usual small town, family vibes, The One I Love is another favorite Chelle Sloan book.
Profile Image for Nyx.
136 reviews
January 26, 2024
2.75⭐ rounded up to 3

I loved Shane and Amelia together. I really enjoyed the story until towards the end. It was obnoxious that Amelia and Shane were worried about what the people in town would think, instead of taking their own relationship into their own hands. I can understand worrying about telling their mothers right away, because let's face it, they were annoyingly overbearing. I was annoyed with Shane when he just didn't understand or even want to try to understand the reason why Amelia didn't want to get married right away. Also, what's up with the epilogue not even being about nor having anything to do with Shane or Amelia?! I understand that the next book starts where this one ends, but I hate it when I don't get an epilogue in the point-of-view from the characters in the book that I just finished reading. Ugh!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Courtney Laird.
68 reviews16 followers
January 17, 2024
ARC BOOK REVIEW ✨
Title: The One I Love
Author: Chelle Sloan
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Release Date: January 18th

This was my first book my Chelle and it had ALL the small town romance feels🥰 I loved that the whole group of friends were so close that they were all family. Through the weird stages of highschool up until they had families of their own; four guys and one girl have been best friends forever.

Shane and Amelia are a perfect example of right person wrong time. They have been friends since childhood. I love everything about Shane. Especially how he had so much love for Amelia and how he let her live her life how she wanted while he sat in the friend-zone and became Uncle Shane for so long. Amelias kids admire Shane in a fatherly way.

Is now the time they start working on their feelings for each other? Being a single mom to two teenage kids and having an ex husband from hell makes her question her dating life. Rolling Hills may be a small town, but everyone there has big opinions.

Thank you @chelle & @valentinepr for the ARC🖤

Tropes:
💍 Small Town
💍 Friends to Lovers
💍 Single Mom
💍 Secret Relationship
💍 He Falls First
💍 “My Wife”
Profile Image for Lorelle.
20 reviews
January 21, 2024
I loved this book and had to sit and digest it for a few days before I could put my thoughts down to review!
Chelle Sloan's books and characters just keep getting better and better! How can I move to Rolling Hills, TN and become part of their friend group because #friendshipgoals lol
I didn't think I could fall for a book boyfriend harder than I did for sweet Oliver in The One I Need, but then Chelle hits us with Shane!
Quiet, broody, sexy, steadfast, a veteran and carrying a secret torch for his best friend for over 20 years!
I love Shane and Amelia's story. They deserved to get their happily ever after. Of course there are bumps along the way, but what's meant to be finds its way!
Read this book!
You'll fall in love too!
Profile Image for Karie Gibson.
2,153 reviews15 followers
January 29, 2024
All the feels

This book brought out so !any feelings for me. I love this couple and their life long friendship. Shane and Amelia were destined to be together. Shane was the sexiest alfa hero with a big heart. His love for his bestfriend and het children are amazing. This book kept me so enraptured I couldn't put it down. I simply can't wait for the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Christy Drew.
100 reviews2 followers
January 19, 2024
Rolling Hills book #3. While part of a series, this book can be read as a stand alone. I received an advanced copy of this book and I am so glad that I did. This story brought me to tears. I want to grab Shane for myself and never let him go! The family dynamic was fun and enjoyable. This group of friends just keeps getting better and better! Amelia and Shane’s story will have you binge reading for sure!
Profile Image for Allison Steelman.
178 reviews3 followers
January 21, 2024
This novel is everything you could want, in a friends to lovers trope. Best friends for years who have secretly loved each other through out the years is chefs kiss. When these two finally come together the spice is off the charts. Highly recommend!
Enjoy!
Profile Image for Kristen McClellan.
193 reviews3 followers
January 8, 2024
Thank you valentine PR and Chelle Sloan for the arc copy in exchange for an honest review

Unfortunately this one just fell a little flat for me. I liked the tropes but I don’t know, the whole story just felt subpar. A lot happened but also not much of anything happened?

I found myself having a hard time paying attention because of SOOO many characters. I kept trying to remember who was who and who got married and what kid was whose. It got confusing for being a standalone.

Overall I think it was cute, but just didn’t do much for me unfortunately. :(
Profile Image for Theresa Galbraith.
38 reviews
February 12, 2024
The One I Love? The One I definitely loved!

This is the story of a grumpy, quiet sheriff in love with his best friend since they were children and his jealousy of any man who pays her any attention. All the while keeping it secret from their other three best friends. This a recipe for fun hijinks. Oh, and don’t forget her teenage children and ex-husband.

This story was so much fun to read and it caught my attention and held on so hard that I couldn’t put it down. Ms Sloan’s wit and humour kept me hooked. I love her writing style. I read the series out of order, starting with this book. I have since gone back to read the rest of this series and have love every bit of it!

I can’t wait until the next book comes out!

I was given an Advance Copy of this book for an honest Review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews

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