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The Men of Sierra Falls
Ever the Same
Callan and Colby were brought together as children by fate. They became best friends, and confidants, only to be torn apart by tragedy.
When they meet again, their relationship changes from the innocence of childhood love to the passion of soulmates. It will be tested by the lingering pain of the past and the uncertainty of the future.
Can two people meant for one another appreciate the circumstance that first brought them together or ultimately allow it to tear them apart?
When they meet again, their relationship changes from the innocence of childhood love to the passion of soulmates. It will be tested by the lingering pain of the past and the uncertainty of the future.
Can two people meant for one another appreciate the circumstance that first brought them together or ultimately allow it to tear them apart?
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2023
42 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Steffanie Blais
11 books96 followersSteffanie Blais crafts captivating romantic suspense you can’t put down. Heavily influenced by her father, who was a small-town sheriff for three decades, Steffanie comes by her love of mystery and suspense honestly. When she's not weaving stories with surprising turns, she works as a Registered Dietitian. In rare moments of downtime, Steffanie enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, binge-reading romance and thrillers, or baking while listening to '80s music. For all the latest news, releases, and behind-the-scenes action, subscribe to Steffanie Blais’ newsletter today!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 6, 2025
Callan is a 7-year-old boy, neglected by his bickering parents and sitting in a hospital cafeteria playing video games to distract himself from the fact that his older brother is upstairs fighting for his life against cancer, when 6-year-old Colby sees him and says hello. She hates so badly seeing him there alone that, when her father has their food and is ready to leave, she leaves her beloved teddy bear with him for company.
This story follows Callan and Colby through their unshakable childhood bond, through the painful separation during adolescence, pausing for a brief time as they reconnect in the teenage years before tragedy spins Callan into numb despair and terrible life choices that culminate in a moment of heartbreaking betrayal at Callan’s 18th birthday party, a moment of shittiness so profound that it prompts Callan to do better. A year later, when Callan discovers Colby is attending the same university as he, he seizes the chance to draw her back into his life. But is he too damaged to be the kind of man Colby deserves?
The first 60% of this novel is close to perfection. It unfolds with straightforward but competent prose and deep emotionality, with lighthearted moments sprinkled among uglier truths: real life, in all its unpredictable messiness.
The novel sustains the reader’s emotional connection to the story to the end, and it’s absorbing and moving—I cried more than once—and felt authentic and it hurt.
***spoilers***
BUT…
The momentum of and my immersion in the story stalled when Callan and Colby began having sex. While it seemed likely that these two almost-20-year-olds would move their emotional connection to a sexual level, it felt like the author was ticking off a checklist of sexual positions: missionary, check, from behind, check, cunnilingus, check, girl-on-top, check, fellatio, check. On the floor, on the bed, on the kitchen counter, in the shower, check, check, check. Of course a couple of young adults madly in love are going to want to try everything, everywhere, and often, but did it have to read like an explicit textbook?
Then the whole lone-sojourn-in-the-desert thing. Maybe? Maybe there are people who could get emotional healing from going camping, not eating, not showering, and talking to the dead. But it felt a little OTT and I felt a little manipulated, even while I was crying with Callan over his brother’s letter. So this section didn’t really work for me, but that could be personal depending on how much a reader is into the metaphysical.
Callan’s confrontation with his parents needed to happen. But no way, NO WAY, do these two oblivious failures as parents suddenly drop to their knees, miraculously all about loving on Callan and wailing their mea culpa’s.
So it gets 4 stars instead of 5 but it’s a lovely YA book that isn’t lame, stupid, or phony and well worth the reading time.
This story follows Callan and Colby through their unshakable childhood bond, through the painful separation during adolescence, pausing for a brief time as they reconnect in the teenage years before tragedy spins Callan into numb despair and terrible life choices that culminate in a moment of heartbreaking betrayal at Callan’s 18th birthday party, a moment of shittiness so profound that it prompts Callan to do better. A year later, when Callan discovers Colby is attending the same university as he, he seizes the chance to draw her back into his life. But is he too damaged to be the kind of man Colby deserves?
The first 60% of this novel is close to perfection. It unfolds with straightforward but competent prose and deep emotionality, with lighthearted moments sprinkled among uglier truths: real life, in all its unpredictable messiness.
The novel sustains the reader’s emotional connection to the story to the end, and it’s absorbing and moving—I cried more than once—and felt authentic and it hurt.
***spoilers***
BUT…
The momentum of and my immersion in the story stalled when Callan and Colby began having sex. While it seemed likely that these two almost-20-year-olds would move their emotional connection to a sexual level, it felt like the author was ticking off a checklist of sexual positions: missionary, check, from behind, check, cunnilingus, check, girl-on-top, check, fellatio, check. On the floor, on the bed, on the kitchen counter, in the shower, check, check, check. Of course a couple of young adults madly in love are going to want to try everything, everywhere, and often, but did it have to read like an explicit textbook?
Then the whole lone-sojourn-in-the-desert thing. Maybe? Maybe there are people who could get emotional healing from going camping, not eating, not showering, and talking to the dead. But it felt a little OTT and I felt a little manipulated, even while I was crying with Callan over his brother’s letter. So this section didn’t really work for me, but that could be personal depending on how much a reader is into the metaphysical.
Callan’s confrontation with his parents needed to happen. But no way, NO WAY, do these two oblivious failures as parents suddenly drop to their knees, miraculously all about loving on Callan and wailing their mea culpa’s.
So it gets 4 stars instead of 5 but it’s a lovely YA book that isn’t lame, stupid, or phony and well worth the reading time.
November 17, 2025
4.5 stars
At my age, I am usually no longer attracted to NA/ Coming of Age novels nor expect them to keep my attention. But somehow this little jewel did it all for me. It was so beautifully emotional in a quiet, graceful and unassuming way!! 🥰
Similar plots have probably been written before and the writing may be sometimes candid, but SB somehow made it all work, adding all the gentle and bittersweet feels to it. I literally ugly cried at so many places (both for the childhood traumas of the main character and his angsty push-pull with the heroine). So cathartic!
As far as I am concerned, 💯 recommended!
P.S. Other similar genre/ vibes novels that swept me off my feet in a similar way in the recent past that I would recommend: With You in Wild Orchards and The Cost of All Things 😍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2023
This book was super sweet and sad and lovely. Childhood friends to lovers and second-chance romance are my two favorite tropes and Ever the Same brought me both of those. I read it in a day. The beautiful cover roped me right in and the angst inside held me hostage.
There were a couple areas that felt slow to me, and I was craving some descriptive help through a lot of the dialogue. It was sometimes hard to connect to the scene, but overall -- I felt a lot of this heartwrenching story in my chest, so it's an automatic win.
My only other issue was the grammatical errors (mostly punctuation) throughout the e-book. I normally don't feel compelled to point that out. But, unfortunately, it was fairly noticeable and a bit distracting for someone like me who can't easily tune it out.
There were a couple areas that felt slow to me, and I was craving some descriptive help through a lot of the dialogue. It was sometimes hard to connect to the scene, but overall -- I felt a lot of this heartwrenching story in my chest, so it's an automatic win.
My only other issue was the grammatical errors (mostly punctuation) throughout the e-book. I normally don't feel compelled to point that out. But, unfortunately, it was fairly noticeable and a bit distracting for someone like me who can't easily tune it out.
May 10, 2023
This book is a complete 180 from Steffanie’s debut novel, but it still packs all the emotions! I devoured this book in one day because I just needed to see how Callan and Colby’s story was going to end! I love how Steffanie broke this book up into three parts and how each section followed a timeline that was imperative for the reader to understand the journey for these characters. Steffanie did a beautiful job with the character and story development as the book progressed from childhood to adulthood. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘢𝘮𝘦 is centered around true love and the rises and downfalls of life that interject and make it seem like it is so far out of reach even when it’s right there in their grasp. It appears like the timing is never right until it finally is.
𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒄𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒉. 𝑴𝒚 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔. 𝑴𝒚 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆.
Callan and Colby are destined soulmates from a very young age when they meet in a hospital cafeteria. The situations that have placed them there at that exact moment are both happy and heartbreaking. My heart broke so much for these two and the situations they had to endure at such young ages, and figuring out how to navigate them as they got older that left a lasting impression on my heart and soul. I wept right along with them and wanted to reach in so many times to hug them and tell them everything was going to be ok.
Callan had a lot that he needed to figure out in life, and even though it appeared, he always ran away from his problems rather than facing them head on was an important aspect to his healing. Colby was always forgiving and there for him when he needed, even when it meant putting her heart on the line with the risk of having it broken. These two will consume you from beginning to end and will make you believe in true love.
“𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒌 𝒊𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒓𝒖𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔, 𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒌?”
𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒄𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒉. 𝑴𝒚 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔. 𝑴𝒚 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆.
Callan and Colby are destined soulmates from a very young age when they meet in a hospital cafeteria. The situations that have placed them there at that exact moment are both happy and heartbreaking. My heart broke so much for these two and the situations they had to endure at such young ages, and figuring out how to navigate them as they got older that left a lasting impression on my heart and soul. I wept right along with them and wanted to reach in so many times to hug them and tell them everything was going to be ok.
Callan had a lot that he needed to figure out in life, and even though it appeared, he always ran away from his problems rather than facing them head on was an important aspect to his healing. Colby was always forgiving and there for him when he needed, even when it meant putting her heart on the line with the risk of having it broken. These two will consume you from beginning to end and will make you believe in true love.
“𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒌 𝒊𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒓𝒖𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔, 𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒌?”
May 4, 2023
I read this book in less than 24 hours because I couldn’t put it down, it made me feel all the emotions! I fell in love with all of the characters and cannot wait to read more books by Steffanie!
June 9, 2023
Childhood best friends to lovers. It was at times an emotional read but loved it. Callan and Colby are perfect for each other.
October 14, 2024
amazing
I absolutely adored this book. The childhood friends to lovers trope is a favorite of mine! There is some triggers thrown in there, but this story is such an amazing one. This story is just sweet and delightful!
I absolutely adored this book. The childhood friends to lovers trope is a favorite of mine! There is some triggers thrown in there, but this story is such an amazing one. This story is just sweet and delightful!
May 16, 2023
I did not want Callan and Colby’s story to end. I feel like I grew up with them both. Two tiny children who met by fate through a valley in life that grew up together - became teenagers together - to eventually be separated through life’s obstacles.
Even after colliding into each other’s lives after years of separation, their bond remained just as strong, even if they didn’t want to acknowledge it.
Dive into a story of the hard knocks of life. A story of best friends turned young love. A story of tragedy. A story of trying to find love and purpose after.
“Don’t ever feel that way. You’re the most important to me,”
“Life is too short to waste on missed chances.”
So this playlist to this story is killer, so you better load it up and dive in so don’t be a Twerp and miss out on that music goodness. Let those lyrics soak in as you enjoy this journey. Steffanie killed it with this story…. Tugging all of those heartstrings.
P.S.S. Do you have a song you listen to these days? 😉
Even after colliding into each other’s lives after years of separation, their bond remained just as strong, even if they didn’t want to acknowledge it.
Dive into a story of the hard knocks of life. A story of best friends turned young love. A story of tragedy. A story of trying to find love and purpose after.
“Don’t ever feel that way. You’re the most important to me,”
“Life is too short to waste on missed chances.”
So this playlist to this story is killer, so you better load it up and dive in so don’t be a Twerp and miss out on that music goodness. Let those lyrics soak in as you enjoy this journey. Steffanie killed it with this story…. Tugging all of those heartstrings.
P.S.S. Do you have a song you listen to these days? 😉
October 13, 2023
This book is SO different than her other book, I was honestly so surprised.
I love the second chance romance trope so this was right up my alley. I loved how it followed them from childhood to adulthood. I honestly loved the plot. The timing was just never right for Callan and Colby, and by the time it was…it could have been too late for Colby’s heart.
The reasons for 3 stars:::I seriously loved this plot and the characters were really well written . But I had alot of questions, that never got answered. The grammatical errors really bothered me on this one. I hate that it did, but there were just a lot. Also, as I said above, I loved that it started off in early childhood. But some of the way those chapters from when they were 6-7 read, 6-7 year olds don’t talk/think like that.
All in all, a solid read and I don’t regret reading it!
I love the second chance romance trope so this was right up my alley. I loved how it followed them from childhood to adulthood. I honestly loved the plot. The timing was just never right for Callan and Colby, and by the time it was…it could have been too late for Colby’s heart.
The reasons for 3 stars:::I seriously loved this plot and the characters were really well written . But I had alot of questions, that never got answered. The grammatical errors really bothered me on this one. I hate that it did, but there were just a lot. Also, as I said above, I loved that it started off in early childhood. But some of the way those chapters from when they were 6-7 read, 6-7 year olds don’t talk/think like that.
All in all, a solid read and I don’t regret reading it!
May 23, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A truly sweet and emotional story. I definitely was all up in my feels throughout. Childhood best friends, turned strangers, turned lovers. A story on dealing with love, loss, grief, heartbreak, and just some of the overall struggles of life.
The progression of this story was beautifully done, with starting during childhood, into teenager and then adulthood surrounding two destined soulmates. While the circumstances of their meeting was heartbreaking and even beautiful, it was destined to happen. Despite some of those circumstances, a connection between two families was born, in turn giving us the friendship of Colby and Callum.
I read this book in less than a day as it was one of those that instantly captivates and brings you in. Would definitely recommend.
A truly sweet and emotional story. I definitely was all up in my feels throughout. Childhood best friends, turned strangers, turned lovers. A story on dealing with love, loss, grief, heartbreak, and just some of the overall struggles of life.
The progression of this story was beautifully done, with starting during childhood, into teenager and then adulthood surrounding two destined soulmates. While the circumstances of their meeting was heartbreaking and even beautiful, it was destined to happen. Despite some of those circumstances, a connection between two families was born, in turn giving us the friendship of Colby and Callum.
I read this book in less than a day as it was one of those that instantly captivates and brings you in. Would definitely recommend.
May 29, 2023
It was an ok read.
I did like it. I liked Colby, i loved Marcus, i loved James, Nolan. I was on bench with Callan. I knew what he went through. I even empathised with him. I have been there but i would have loved it if he didn't spend so much time in his head. Colby deserved better. Being an optimistic one tends to be taken advantage of! But moving forward I'm so excited for the next book. It's my favourite trope of all!!?
I did like it. I liked Colby, i loved Marcus, i loved James, Nolan. I was on bench with Callan. I knew what he went through. I even empathised with him. I have been there but i would have loved it if he didn't spend so much time in his head. Colby deserved better. Being an optimistic one tends to be taken advantage of! But moving forward I'm so excited for the next book. It's my favourite trope of all!!?
May 28, 2023
Soulmates
This book took me on a rollercoaster ride!!! Happy, sad, happy again, tears… it was so beautifully written. Watching the two of them grow and watching a love story for the ages unfold was perfection. The torment he endured for all those years and the love she brought out of him was only what a soulmate could accomplish!
This book took me on a rollercoaster ride!!! Happy, sad, happy again, tears… it was so beautifully written. Watching the two of them grow and watching a love story for the ages unfold was perfection. The torment he endured for all those years and the love she brought out of him was only what a soulmate could accomplish!
June 11, 2023
This book was amazing. From start to finish I was hooked and loved the characters.
Callan and Colby meet at the craziest times of their lives and form a bond that lasts years. Tween years broke them apart with years of going back and forth until Colby finally can’t take any more. These two characters learn to grow up apart and together to complete their lives.
Callan and Colby meet at the craziest times of their lives and form a bond that lasts years. Tween years broke them apart with years of going back and forth until Colby finally can’t take any more. These two characters learn to grow up apart and together to complete their lives.
June 17, 2023
Break out your tissues for this one!!
Such a good book!! It's a beautiful love story, with some heartbreaking moments! Have a tissue ready! I loved it and will for sure read her other books!
Such a good book!! It's a beautiful love story, with some heartbreaking moments! Have a tissue ready! I loved it and will for sure read her other books!
May 28, 2023
Que bonita historia acabo de leer.
June 7, 2023
Ever the Same Love through time
Callen and Colby meet when they are 7 and 6 years old in the hospital cafeteria. Callen’s brother Nolan has cancer and Colby’s new sister, James has just been born. Even if they didn’t know it, Callan and Colby’s lives were going to be interconnected through time and space. When baby James’ stem cells are used to help save Nolan, their futures are forever fused together. Callan is the forgotten child who is often overlooked because his parents are busy caring for his older brother. Colby is the talkative, energetic, and precocious girl who refuses to let him fall by the wayside. She lives and breathes through her emotions, willingly being a free spirit. Their younger years are marked with letters sent throughout months as they each grow older and face the changes of aging. Despite that, the one thing that remains is each other and at different points, it’s each other's presence that makes the difference.
This book is more than the relationship between these two people. It’s really about a boy born into a circumstance beyond his control and how he learns through the brokenness of his relationships. Callan was born to be a solution and donor of stem cells for his brother. When that solution doesn’t work and Nolan remains sick, his family, in dealing with Nolan's cancer, forgets that he is just a boy in need of the same love, affection and care that any child needs. As brothers, Nolan was always Callan’s biggest supporter. I think Nolan always knew that even though his parents treated him as the special child because of the sickness, Callan was a champion and it was just going to take “time” for him to learn how “to fly.” This story also reflects on the relationship between Callan and his parents. He clearly holds resentment for them because they neglected him but losing them completely after losing Nolan was the icing on the grudge cake. He is lonely and sad as his parents treat him as if he isn’t good enough because his purpose for existing failed Nolan. He hides his darkness, hoping to forget the pain that he holds from his brother’s death and the regrets that he knows his parents have. It took letting go of his anger at Nolan’s death for him to realize that his brother truly loved him and he is never alone. Even if Nolan is not there in person, his words, his kindness, his love, and his support will always be there. In understanding this, he is able to forgive his parents for the way they treated him, not for them, but for himself. I enjoyed reading all the intricacies of the different types of love that we as humans can have. It gives hope, even in dark times
Callen and Colby meet when they are 7 and 6 years old in the hospital cafeteria. Callen’s brother Nolan has cancer and Colby’s new sister, James has just been born. Even if they didn’t know it, Callan and Colby’s lives were going to be interconnected through time and space. When baby James’ stem cells are used to help save Nolan, their futures are forever fused together. Callan is the forgotten child who is often overlooked because his parents are busy caring for his older brother. Colby is the talkative, energetic, and precocious girl who refuses to let him fall by the wayside. She lives and breathes through her emotions, willingly being a free spirit. Their younger years are marked with letters sent throughout months as they each grow older and face the changes of aging. Despite that, the one thing that remains is each other and at different points, it’s each other's presence that makes the difference.
This book is more than the relationship between these two people. It’s really about a boy born into a circumstance beyond his control and how he learns through the brokenness of his relationships. Callan was born to be a solution and donor of stem cells for his brother. When that solution doesn’t work and Nolan remains sick, his family, in dealing with Nolan's cancer, forgets that he is just a boy in need of the same love, affection and care that any child needs. As brothers, Nolan was always Callan’s biggest supporter. I think Nolan always knew that even though his parents treated him as the special child because of the sickness, Callan was a champion and it was just going to take “time” for him to learn how “to fly.” This story also reflects on the relationship between Callan and his parents. He clearly holds resentment for them because they neglected him but losing them completely after losing Nolan was the icing on the grudge cake. He is lonely and sad as his parents treat him as if he isn’t good enough because his purpose for existing failed Nolan. He hides his darkness, hoping to forget the pain that he holds from his brother’s death and the regrets that he knows his parents have. It took letting go of his anger at Nolan’s death for him to realize that his brother truly loved him and he is never alone. Even if Nolan is not there in person, his words, his kindness, his love, and his support will always be there. In understanding this, he is able to forgive his parents for the way they treated him, not for them, but for himself. I enjoyed reading all the intricacies of the different types of love that we as humans can have. It gives hope, even in dark times
June 14, 2023
Callan and Colby meet as children at a time when Callan is suffering from something horrible, and Colby is having one of the most magical days ever. As their worlds collide in some very special ways they learn to love one another. Eventually the universe rips them apart, but the universe has a long-term plan to bring them back together. Their happily ever after is just around the corner.
Colby is perfect. She seems to be a whole person right from the start of the story. It seems like the author really wanted the focus of the story on Callan. If you are looking for a story where the main character has a lot of growth and change then read this for Callan's story. His older brother is dying at the start of the story. Callan and his brother are best friends and would do anything for each other. Due to a miracle, he makes it through the illness. The story shows how the illness of a child can wreak havoc on a family, especially younger siblings. Callan's drive to perfection and his belief that he isn't good enough permeates the story. He has to fall all the way to the bottom of his grief before he can gain perspective and pull himself out. It's a good story of finding your own strength and believing in yourself.
There were a couple of things that jumped out at me while reading the story. I don't fully understand the timeframes in some parts of the story. Is Callan 1 year or 2 years ahead of Colby in school? Is Colby a mind reader? She "knows" some things about Callan's motivations that I don't know how she would know.
This is a quiet love story about two people who are just meant to be together. There's no big explosion. There's no cheating. The author juxtaposes two families, one happy and one unhappy. I will read more from this author in the future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Colby is perfect. She seems to be a whole person right from the start of the story. It seems like the author really wanted the focus of the story on Callan. If you are looking for a story where the main character has a lot of growth and change then read this for Callan's story. His older brother is dying at the start of the story. Callan and his brother are best friends and would do anything for each other. Due to a miracle, he makes it through the illness. The story shows how the illness of a child can wreak havoc on a family, especially younger siblings. Callan's drive to perfection and his belief that he isn't good enough permeates the story. He has to fall all the way to the bottom of his grief before he can gain perspective and pull himself out. It's a good story of finding your own strength and believing in yourself.
There were a couple of things that jumped out at me while reading the story. I don't fully understand the timeframes in some parts of the story. Is Callan 1 year or 2 years ahead of Colby in school? Is Colby a mind reader? She "knows" some things about Callan's motivations that I don't know how she would know.
This is a quiet love story about two people who are just meant to be together. There's no big explosion. There's no cheating. The author juxtaposes two families, one happy and one unhappy. I will read more from this author in the future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 18, 2023
This is my book I have read by the Author Steffanie Blais, but I have to say it was a very intriguing book. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I sat and read the entire day and before I knew it, I was finished. WOW that word just seems like it should be enough to describe the way I feel about this book. But I know you need more so here goes.
They meet at a sad yet happy intersection in their lives. Callen is at the hospital for his brother for what feels like forever, while Colby is getting herself a new sister. They meet while he is in the cafeteria playing his ds and she is getting herself some food with her dad. She feels pained seeing him alone and leaves him with her brown bear.
Their friendship is like most they start to have different interests as they grow up, then as sometimes happens, they drift apart. Never forgetting the other, but not talking. So as time goes on, they find each other over and over. Her heart breaking every time he ends all communication. But she could never just give up on their relationship.
After a devastating event in his life Callen just shuts down, he stops doing everything and enjoying everything he used to do, including being returning Colby’s texts and phone calls.
So, do they finally get things going and move past all the obstacles that have threatened their friendship in the past?
You can read more about this on our blog https://cuzweread.wordpress.com/2023/...
They meet at a sad yet happy intersection in their lives. Callen is at the hospital for his brother for what feels like forever, while Colby is getting herself a new sister. They meet while he is in the cafeteria playing his ds and she is getting herself some food with her dad. She feels pained seeing him alone and leaves him with her brown bear.
Their friendship is like most they start to have different interests as they grow up, then as sometimes happens, they drift apart. Never forgetting the other, but not talking. So as time goes on, they find each other over and over. Her heart breaking every time he ends all communication. But she could never just give up on their relationship.
After a devastating event in his life Callen just shuts down, he stops doing everything and enjoying everything he used to do, including being returning Colby’s texts and phone calls.
So, do they finally get things going and move past all the obstacles that have threatened their friendship in the past?
You can read more about this on our blog https://cuzweread.wordpress.com/2023/...
October 18, 2024
I was absolutely thrilled with being able to listen to this insanely amazing book on audio. I loved the narrators that voiced Callan and Colby. I feel as though they were the perfect fit for these characters. I love the friendship that Callan and Colby had from a very young age. I hated that Callan felt alone. The way his parents treated him was heartbreaking. I love that he had such an amazing bond with his brother Nolan. That had to have been the most devastating loss. When I was listening to this I sometimes was just like “what is wrong with you Callan?” Colby was so patient with Callan. I was glad that she became close with Marcus as well. Marcus was the best support system for Callan. There were so many moments where I wanted to just cry. This is a story that is going to stay with me. I loved how eventually Callan got himself together and allowed Colby in. Colby’s family was simply wonderful. I was glad to see Callan finally being able to tell his parents how he felt through all of his childhood. That was hard to listen to because as a parent myself, I couldn’t ever dream of being the way his parents were with him to my kids. In the end everything worked out. I am looking forward to reading the next book within the series.
March 6, 2025
childhood lovers
This was my first by this author. Childhood friends to lovers with a ton of growing in between isn’t a trope I’ve read much of. I enjoyed watching their growth and hurt for Colby each time happiness was yanked away because of unresolved issues. Callan and Colby met at a hospital when they were children with his older brother having cancer. Colby’s sister was a match and ultimately gave him many more years of quality life. They were joined at the hip starting then. Families are messing especially when faced with tragedy. Therapy is the best way to face the beasts head on from trauma. All the running and covering up Callan did only sunk him further. After knowing you mean the world to someone, acknowledging a problem, starting the healing process, and truly loving they were able to get their HEA.
“All you need is a couple of people who will love you when you can’t even love yourself. If you find that, you’re lucky in this life.”
…”Or do you feel like you just don’t deserve her so you are going to treat her like …. until she breaks up with you? What exactly is the issue here, because I’m not buying the whole ‘I’m busy ...”
This was my first by this author. Childhood friends to lovers with a ton of growing in between isn’t a trope I’ve read much of. I enjoyed watching their growth and hurt for Colby each time happiness was yanked away because of unresolved issues. Callan and Colby met at a hospital when they were children with his older brother having cancer. Colby’s sister was a match and ultimately gave him many more years of quality life. They were joined at the hip starting then. Families are messing especially when faced with tragedy. Therapy is the best way to face the beasts head on from trauma. All the running and covering up Callan did only sunk him further. After knowing you mean the world to someone, acknowledging a problem, starting the healing process, and truly loving they were able to get their HEA.
“All you need is a couple of people who will love you when you can’t even love yourself. If you find that, you’re lucky in this life.”
…”Or do you feel like you just don’t deserve her so you are going to treat her like …. until she breaks up with you? What exactly is the issue here, because I’m not buying the whole ‘I’m busy ...”
October 20, 2024
Ever the Same by Steffanie Blais is book three in the Men of Sierra Falls series. If you like best friends to lovers, childhood friends, football, dual POV, and second chance romance then you will love this book.
Callan and Colby met when they were around 6 or 7. They were in a hospital where Callan’s older brother Nolan was getting treatment for cancer and Colby’s little sister James was born. They were inseparable after that until life got in the way.
In this story Steffanie broke my heart several times and waited until the end to put it back together. She did such a great job with this storyline and plot. I thought she did such an amazing job with the characters and capturing young love and heartbreak. My heart broke for Callan and in the same breath I was so mad at him. I loved when Marcus called him out for treating Colby the way he was. Colby was so strong and I love how she never gave up and her loyalty never wavered. Marcus is the best!! My favorite scene is the escape room…I’d suffer from PTSD after that lol. I’m so glad I was given the chance to listen to this audiobook. Ava Erickson and Gideon Frost did an amazing job with the narration and capturing all of the emotions. Thank you Steffanie Blais for letting me listen to this audiobook.
Callan and Colby met when they were around 6 or 7. They were in a hospital where Callan’s older brother Nolan was getting treatment for cancer and Colby’s little sister James was born. They were inseparable after that until life got in the way.
In this story Steffanie broke my heart several times and waited until the end to put it back together. She did such a great job with this storyline and plot. I thought she did such an amazing job with the characters and capturing young love and heartbreak. My heart broke for Callan and in the same breath I was so mad at him. I loved when Marcus called him out for treating Colby the way he was. Colby was so strong and I love how she never gave up and her loyalty never wavered. Marcus is the best!! My favorite scene is the escape room…I’d suffer from PTSD after that lol. I’m so glad I was given the chance to listen to this audiobook. Ava Erickson and Gideon Frost did an amazing job with the narration and capturing all of the emotions. Thank you Steffanie Blais for letting me listen to this audiobook.
October 2, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥🔥🔥
❤️childhood best friends
❤️grief/loss
❤️college romance
❤️football romance
❤️found family
Oh my heart!!! Callan and Colby’s story is just perfection. As usual, Steffanie Blais managed to make me cry, laugh, and feel just about every possible emotion while reading one of her books.
Callan was treated so poorly by the people who were supposed to love him the most. He feels unseen, unworthy and unloved. Colby fights to be there for him and make him realize just how untrue that is. I thought Colby was the sweetest FMC. I just loved her so much! She and her family were truly the best thing for Callan. I loved how she accepted him and never gave up. Callan’s journey to forgiveness and self love was profound. I honestly don’t know if could have done all he did near the end of the book. (I’m being vague on purpose so I don’t spoil it for you!). He is so strong.
Steffanie, another 5 stars! I’m so excited to dig into the rest of this series!!!
🔥🔥🔥
❤️childhood best friends
❤️grief/loss
❤️college romance
❤️football romance
❤️found family
Oh my heart!!! Callan and Colby’s story is just perfection. As usual, Steffanie Blais managed to make me cry, laugh, and feel just about every possible emotion while reading one of her books.
Callan was treated so poorly by the people who were supposed to love him the most. He feels unseen, unworthy and unloved. Colby fights to be there for him and make him realize just how untrue that is. I thought Colby was the sweetest FMC. I just loved her so much! She and her family were truly the best thing for Callan. I loved how she accepted him and never gave up. Callan’s journey to forgiveness and self love was profound. I honestly don’t know if could have done all he did near the end of the book. (I’m being vague on purpose so I don’t spoil it for you!). He is so strong.
Steffanie, another 5 stars! I’m so excited to dig into the rest of this series!!!
January 24, 2024
The cover of this book is what made me grab it. I'm often guilty of buying a book that has a beautiful cover. This time... it was worth it.
Colby and Callan's story is real, raw, and full of emotions. They met in a hospital cafeteria at 6 and 5 and would become a HUGE part of each others lives.
Ever the Same takes us through the timeline of their friendship, loss, love, hurt.. it's beautifully written and the entire time I felt like I was right there witnessing the entire thing. I felt every emotion they felt up until the end.
Her writing reminded me a lot of Micalea Smeltzer's and I will definitely be reading more of her work.
While this story is beautiful it is also very real. There's talk of sibling loss and the grief that comes with that, while also learning about family secrets. So keep that in mind before you grab this one.
Colby and Callan's story is real, raw, and full of emotions. They met in a hospital cafeteria at 6 and 5 and would become a HUGE part of each others lives.
Ever the Same takes us through the timeline of their friendship, loss, love, hurt.. it's beautifully written and the entire time I felt like I was right there witnessing the entire thing. I felt every emotion they felt up until the end.
Her writing reminded me a lot of Micalea Smeltzer's and I will definitely be reading more of her work.
While this story is beautiful it is also very real. There's talk of sibling loss and the grief that comes with that, while also learning about family secrets. So keep that in mind before you grab this one.
October 17, 2024
Using Callan and Colby’s story, Steffanie reaches directly into your chest and tugs at every last heartstring. This is an incredibly emotional novel, very different from the first book I read by Steffanie but equally amazing! When you get so much insight to characters—listening/reading their story from childhood—you feel as if you know them, and I really loved that.
Though they parted ways due to life and its obstacles, once they reconnect, it’s as if no time has passed at all. I definitely did not want this story to end. Ava and Gideon’s expert narration of Ever The Same was an absolute game-changer. Their chemistry on the mic was palpable. How they expressed such emotion while recording and weren’t literally sobbing (or maybe they were) shows just how amazing they are. Definitely a 5 ⭐️ listen!
Though they parted ways due to life and its obstacles, once they reconnect, it’s as if no time has passed at all. I definitely did not want this story to end. Ava and Gideon’s expert narration of Ever The Same was an absolute game-changer. Their chemistry on the mic was palpable. How they expressed such emotion while recording and weren’t literally sobbing (or maybe they were) shows just how amazing they are. Definitely a 5 ⭐️ listen!
May 15, 2024
A beautifully heartbreaking beginning for two kids who’s lives connect with their siblings forever. The growth of their relationship from best friends to first love, to heartbreak and second chances. This is a book that will make you laugh, cry and love and then do it all over again along with the characters. The relationships with their families, friends and especially each other is a roller coaster of emotions. Sometimes you don’t realize the impact of every choice you make, but these characters live it. I also fell in love with the secondary characters too and I’m looking forward to reading their stories, especially Marcus. This book has it all from tragedy to love. Callan and Colby have a young love story I definitely recommend.
June 29, 2023
he idea of the story was great, but the execution was a bit lacking.
The initial 2 chapters has the age, the future chapters have the year and I actually had to write it down from when she was 10, to work out what their ages was every time we moved forward. And the childhood years stretched out too long and the language didn’t match the ages. They were too mature.
But it was a sweet story, no angst between them once they got sorted. A few hiccups and it was all better. Marcus sounds fun! I’ll read his story :)
Sad though. Nawww Noah.
And 2 boy names starting with C, I couldn’t read quickly with this one, I had to slow down on the names to make sure I had the right one.
The initial 2 chapters has the age, the future chapters have the year and I actually had to write it down from when she was 10, to work out what their ages was every time we moved forward. And the childhood years stretched out too long and the language didn’t match the ages. They were too mature.
But it was a sweet story, no angst between them once they got sorted. A few hiccups and it was all better. Marcus sounds fun! I’ll read his story :)
Sad though. Nawww Noah.
And 2 boy names starting with C, I couldn’t read quickly with this one, I had to slow down on the names to make sure I had the right one.
January 1, 2026
Absolutely Beautiful Story!! I didn't know what this one was about going into it, but oh my goodness. I laughed, I cried and I cried some more. This story following Colby and Callen through their childhood friendship and how it progressed through the years was so good. There were so many missed moments. So many times you thought "this is it" and it wasn't. All the angst and heartache and family trauma wrapped together. It was an absolutely beautiful story of coming of age and falling in love with your very first best friend.
May 24, 2023
A perfect story of childhood friends to lovers.
I loved this book!
Callen and Colby stole my heart and were perfect for each other. Their friendship especially when they were younger is so cute and heartwarming.
This story was more emotional than I expected it to be, and it hit very close to home for me. I connected with Callen so much with everything he had been dealt with in his life. I just wanted to give him a big hug.
Looking forward to reading more books by this author.
I loved this book!
Callen and Colby stole my heart and were perfect for each other. Their friendship especially when they were younger is so cute and heartwarming.
This story was more emotional than I expected it to be, and it hit very close to home for me. I connected with Callen so much with everything he had been dealt with in his life. I just wanted to give him a big hug.
Looking forward to reading more books by this author.
June 24, 2023
This book was such an emotional experience- taking the reader from the innocence of juvenile adoration through to lifelong enduring love. The Characters are not rushed in their development and we are able to watch their journey bloom petal by petal - through letters, calls and meet ups. Colby is a beautiful spirit who really carried the story for me. Tissues required!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 28, 2023
Callan and Colby meet in childhood, and became best friends, only to be torn apart by tragedy. These two were destined to be soulmates, and I love how their relationship evolved over the years.
This is a well written emotional roller coaster, with heartbreak, family, friendships, tragedy, healing, romance, second chances, and love, which leads to a heartfelt and addictive page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a well written emotional roller coaster, with heartbreak, family, friendships, tragedy, healing, romance, second chances, and love, which leads to a heartfelt and addictive page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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