Because You Loved Me

Trickle Creek #4

by Elena Aitken

After almost hooking up with a gorgeous blonde stranger as a misguided way of dealing with his problems, Asher Carlson needs to escape. Discovering he has inherited a remote mountain cabin provides the perfect solution. The last thing he expects is for a runaway bride—that same beautiful blonde woman—to jump in the cab of his truck and demand to go wherever he is going.

Alone together with her almost hookup in a cabin with only one bed, Noa Briggs knows she can't ignore the mess she left behind when she left her best friend at the altar. But she doesn't love her intended groom the way you are supposed to love the man you marry. The spark she feels for the stranger who rescued her is stronger than anything she ever hoped to have in her marriage, and how sad is that?

Especially when Asher gives off vibes that while their chemistry is incredible, it's not going to be forever. A playboy who has actively avoided relationships, he's the perfect rebound. Their chemistry is undeniable, and they don't hold themselves back...until Noa catches the exact kind of feelings Asher has made it clear he will never have for her.

For the second time in mere weeks, she has no choice but to run away from a man who can't give her what she needs. And this time, it hurts so much more than she ever imagined.

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 11, 2024

About the author

Elena Aitken is a USA Today Bestselling Author of more than forty romance and women’s fiction novels. Living a stone’s throw from the Rocky Mountains with her teenager twins, their two cats and a goofy rescue dog, Elena escapes into the mountains whenever life allows. She can often be found with her toes in the lake and a glass of wine in her hand, dreaming up her next book and working on her own happily ever after with her very own mountain man.

Read a free novella — https://dl.bookfunnel.com/vxuimdz0j8

Reviews

[Becky Claxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope to have the words to get across how good this book was for me. If you have been reading the series, you will remember that the Carlson’s father passed away and for all the children to inherit, they had to come back to their home, and each had to perform something he deemed for them to do for six months. Asher’s life had been his job and loved it. Asher met Noa, the bride to be married soon at the resort but doesn’t realize it is her. After Asher learns he has to leave his job as CEO of the resort he leaves, as he is leaving Noa runs out in her bridal gown and gets inside his truck. There was a back story of Noa and Ryan, Nora’s fiancée, that was interesting and different. Asher inherited a cabin he knew nothing about before his dad passed away, and that’s where the two ended up. Ms. Aitken painted such a picture of the two getting to know each other that it touched me so much that I could see it all. There were times that it was hard for me to hold my tears back. Those two were meant to be together, but each had so much baggage they had to work through. This book will touch your heart and make you believe in love. I strongly encourage you to read the book.

[Leann McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is one of finding one self……finding the courage to follow your own path and falling in love. Asher is a workaholic who only has his family’s interests in mind. Noa is trying to right some wrongs in her family. Together they realize that you have to follow your own path to make true happiness. Loved this story!

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!! This was the love story of Asher and Noa. It was Asher's time to see what his father had in store for him in the will. Who knew he would have a run away Bride tag along with his self-discovery and find true love in the process.

[Karry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Knew I Was Gonna Love Asher’s Book!!

I absolutely adored how unexpectedly everything happened and how unconventionally it all played out. I positively freaking loved this for Asher. I already had a soft spot in my heart for him after all the previous books and his behavior in those.

Him getting his very own crazy, non traditional, HEA was enough to push him well over the line as my family favorite.

Noa couldn’t have been more perfect for him. I hate to be utterly cliché, but yin & yang could be their nicknames, they compliment and complete each other, so well. Her strength, heart, feisty independence, drive to do anything for her family, quick wit, and fiery passion all mimic Asher, to a tee.

Fantastic story. zero complaints. If anything, I wish there was more with these two. I truly didn’t want it to end. The only saving grace in being the conclusion is knowing that Kat’s book is next, and after how insane this one was, I’m all kinds of twisted trying to figure out what’s coming. I hope, with the emphasis always being Kat took their dad’s loss the worst, that it’s the most happy and powerful story of them all. But that opinion will have to wait for that story. Until then, I’m just gonna let Asher and Noa’s amazing HEA tide me over.

Go get your copy whenever you can. You can definitely read it as a stand alone, but it will enhance your experience if you read the previous books in the series, first. Not necessary, but helpful.

K. Birnley

[Lilpep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asher is the latest Carlson sibling to be the subject of an odd 6 month requirement contained in their father's will. Effectively banished from the family business for the duration, he finds himself relegated to a remote cabin he didn’t know it owned, dreading every minute. When runaway bride, Noa, slams into his life, things definitely get more interesting!

Two dramatically different personalities give us the push and pull we expect from an “opposite attract” trope. Ms. Aitken treats us to family drama, emotional highs and lows, just enough heat, and even a bit of intrigue as the story unfolds. We easily feel in tune with the characters as they navigate the convoluted path to HEA.

This book reads fine as a stand-alone but as the 4th in the Trickle Creek series, you get a bit more from the story if you've read it's predecessors. So treat yourself, get all 4 books. You'll be glad you did!

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asher is the CEO of the Carlson Corporation and now it's his turn to be given his father's instructions, he learns that he has to give up his job and penthouse for six months, he's a workaholic and his father wants him to take a leave of absence, he's amazed that his father would make him do that. Noa's family have gone through a bad time, her brother and his wife were killed a few years ago, and now Noa and her brother's brother in law, who have been friends for years, have decided to get married, to cheer the family up. Will this work?
Then Asher is leaving the hotel and a bride rushes out and jumps in his truck!! He carries on to the cabin his father has left him. The chemistry between them is amazing but neither have had a proper relationship. What's going to happen?

A great read in the series from Elena, Kat's next!

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because You Loved Me is book 4 in the Trickle Creek series by Elena Aitken and another great read!

Up next is Asher and Noa’s story. Each Carlson sibling must follow the reading of their father’s will and step away for 6 months and now it’s Asher’s turn when he get a cabin in the woods that they didn’t know about. After rushing out of the reading he almost runs over a bride…she jumps in his truck and demand he take off! Down the road he stops and realizes it’s the woman from the day before he kind of rescued…Noa. What happens next is steamy chemistry, avoiding relationships, running away, baggage, opening up and so much more…

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great addition to the Trickle Creek series! Asher is not impressed with what his father has planned for him for the next 6 months then Noa enters his life and turns everything he believed in upside down. This book is filled with intrigue, intense chemistry, laughter and tears. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking for to Kat's story.

This book can be read as a stand alone book but I highly recommend reading the 3 previous books as they are equally as entertaining and enjoyable.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve loved this series and Asher and Noa’s story fits right in. They’re both struggling with personal issues, neither thinking they ever wanted real love or romance. Together they do a lot of soul searching and bring out the best in each other. Were things always easy? Absolutely not! Plenty of drama and sexy times as these two figure out what’s most important. Next up? Kat’s story… will she get the letter from her dad she’s hoping for? Time will tell.

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful chapter of the Trickle Creek series and it is a story of the runaway bride, Noa, and Asher Carlson, who is running the Carlson corporation and hotel. A fun story whereas Asher’s deceased father continues to rule from beyond and each sibling has a project to accomplish in 6 months. Asher’s was that he couldn’t work for the corporation for 6 months and needed to find something to live for besides work. Noa appears and sets up a fun romance. I really enjoyed the story and Asher and Noa end up having the perfect romance after some setbacks.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asher Carlson is the next in line to find out what his father had planned for him in his will. What he didn't envisage was being made to stop working. He lived to work. Not only that as he got in his truck to drive away, he gained an unexpected passenger, Noa. She was trying to escape some family drama and bad decisions. However, she found more drama in the immediate chemistry between her and Asher. As did Asher. This is a fun, steamy and very romantic addition to this series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love a book that’s been written by Elena Aitken. It’s an automatic click for me! This is the 4th book in the Trickle Creek series and it’s not necessary to read the books in numbered order to be able to enjoy them.

Asher is the unlucky sibling that is up next in the family drama of “What crazy demands has father put on us now?”

Noa is a guest at the ski lodge that Asher runs in Trickle Creek, but she’s not there alone. Noa and Ryan love each other enough to want to make their parents happy, but just how much happiness should a child give up for their parents?

Asher just happens to be in the right place at the right time to rescue the runaway bride!

So many feels!!!! Absolutely loved it!

[Lynn Sell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! I got pulled into the story quickly and couldn’t stop reading. The main characters Asher and Noa are great together as they both truly find out what the want for their lives in this story. I found myself falling in love with, swooning, laughing, crying, and then so happy with the ending. This book had a great storyline that kept me intrigued.

[Kym · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful addition to the Trickle Creek series! If you’ve read the previous three stories, you know that Asher is all work and no play and a true playboy who doesn’t do commitment.

Noa is literally running away from her own wedding. Realizing she’s made a mistake, she literally jumps into the truck cab of the first person she sees that can help her make a quick getaway. Her accomplice is none other than Asher!

So begins a fast-paced, at times hilarious and other times poignant story of two people who least expect to end up together. But desperate times…and all!

Enjoyable, couldn’t-put-it-down kind of story!

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! It is finally Asher’s turn and I always thought he would be a tough nut to crack lol. I loved his love story with Noa. I love the whole premise of this series and look forward to Kat’s story ❤️

[suze joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dad has really done it this time. Asher is not impressed, he really believes the family business cannot exist without him. Then Noa enters his life and turns it upside down. I really enjoyed Because You Loved Me. It is very entertaining and fun to read

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Asher and Noa in Because You Loved Me by Elena Aitken, book four in her Trickle Creek series featuring the Carlson siblings; an emotional, heartwarming story, sizzling with chemistry along with a runaway bride. This time the focus is on Asher, the workaholic who took over the family business.

Asher, the CEO of the Carlson Corporation, is the latest Carlson sibling to receive his father's instructions; he learns that he has to give up his job and penthouse for six months. Asher is a workaholic and having his father wanting him to take a leave of absence stunned him; leaving him directionless and homeless. Asher then learns that he was also left a remote cabin no one in the family knew about. Noa's family has gone through a difficult time, losing her brother and his wife a few years ago. Believing it would cheer up their parents, Noa and Ryan, her brother's brother in law and good friend for years, decided to get married; despite not being in love with each other. It would be more a marriage of convenience. As the ceremony gets approaches, Noa realizes she cannot marry Ryan. As Asher is leaving the hotel, a bride rushes out, jumps in his truck and demand he take off. Down the road he stops and realizes it’s the woman from the day before who he kind of rescued from a bridal shower, Noa. He continues on to the cabin his father left him, taking her with him, where they continue to explore the steamy chemistry between them.

Ms. Aitken wrote a wonderful and amazing story that is not to be missed: filled with magnetic attraction, sizzling chemistry, clever banter, and endearing characters supporting and cheering Asher and Noa. These two were meant to be together, but each had to work through their baggage before getting their happy ending. This book will touch your heart and make you believe in love. I can’t wait for Kat’s story.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back in Trickle Creek and the Carlson siblings. For the first time in years, their father’s will has them all in town. Already three of them have gotten a letter and a decree they had to follow in order to keep the company within the family. In doing so, those that have gone through their father’s orders, have also found love.
Now it’s Asher Carlson , CEO of the company and the one in charge of the resort, who gets his orders. For a man whose life IS work , his father’s demands have turned Asher’s life upside down.
Meanwhile, Noa Briggs and her family and friends are staying at the resort for a Christmas wedding. A wedding that has Noa questioning her reasons for the nuptials.
What happens when Asher, who is one his way to the cabin his father has sent him to live for the next 6 months away from work, finds himself with a runaway bride who has jumped into his truck asking to be taken away? The same woman he had met the night before and had an unexpectedly attraction to?
From that moment on, these two not only find a sense of peace, but also reveal who they are and what they want.
But things come to a halt and Noa finds herself running away once more.
Will this be the end of a future that could be had with Asher, or will life, hope an a new year bring them back together where they belong?
I have enjoyed the previous stories in the series, but I have to say, this one is my all time favorite. The plot was engaging and the troubled characters were real and wonderful.
Can’t wait for the last sibling to find their HEA.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Sue Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Work isn't everything

Book 4 of the series is Asher's story. He's the workaholic brother. Since his childhood, his interest in the family business had defined him. His family saw him in no other way and he molded his life and lifestyle in such a way that he became that person. Meeting Noa, a woman who had molded her own life into the person who made everyone around her happy, without concern for herself, changed both of them forever. This story, for me, has been the most tender in the series. It's a good reminder that we all deserve love and it's much healthier to be yourself rather than let others define who you are. Asher and Noa are by far my favorite characters despite three preceding books giving the impression that Asher was a shallow person, one dimensional, and with few redeeming qualities. He is so much more! Meeting Noa saved him but, more than that, the genuine Asher saved Noa when only her grandmother seemed to notice that she needed saving.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying the Trickle Creek series where the Carlson family have one by one been set a task by their father, from the grave, that took them out of their comfort zones and brought love into their lives.
This time it's Asher's turn to learn about himself and what he wants out of life by being banished from running the family company for the next six months.
In this we get a runaway bride, an isolated cabin in the woods, and the instant chemistry between Asher and Noa that gives us witty banter, plenty of spice but also many heartwarming and emotional scenes. The emotional growth from both our main characters takes us on a journey I found hard to step away from.
This was probably my favourite of the series so far, and in the previous three books, I didn't really like Asher so much, that Ms. Aitken made me love this character, is testimony to her skills as a storyteller.

[Reads lotsa stuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A forced vacation. The fourth in line for the will with life changing stipulations. This time it affects Asher, the middle child, the acting CEO of Carlson iIndustries. As with his siblings, he has a task to complete and six months to do it or forfeit the entire estate. In comparing notes the siblings all acknowledge that each task has brought extra blessings into their lives. This time an envelope is also given to him at the will reading, it contains further secrets kept by their father. The changes are all encompassing. There are many surprises. They involve silly games. Fierce competition. Food in multiple arenas. Parents both dead and alive. Characters that may make even whiskey look good. The search for what will make you happy, find a way to bring joy back, to have a future worth living and a grandmother with magic of her own.

[Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s Asher Carlson’s turn! He’s the CEO of Carlson Corporation and next up on Dad’s (last will and testament) list. I’ll just say...he’s not really ready for this. (Mild understatement!) No spoilers but he “runs into” Alessandra, or Noa as he comes to know her, and helps her with HER immediate problem.

To say these two have some heavy decisions to make is too easy. Both their backstories are heart-wrenching, and to read how their relationship and trust grows is amazing. I loved both these characters – so selfless when thinking of and helping other people, and so willing to sacrifice their own happiness...

Loved them. Loved their story. And dear old dad knew what he was doing, again. And a big shout-out to Grandma Rose!

[Silke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because You Loved me is the 4th book in the Trickle Creek series. It could be read as a standalone, but reading the books in order will add to the enjoyment with additional nuggets of information about the Carlson siblings and their town. Asher and Noa's story is an absolutely adorable and awesome addition to the series. There's sorrow and tears, fun and laughter, sugar and spice. I loved everything about the book, including the wonderful side characters. Asher's letter from his Dad brought tears to my eyes and the epilogue made me smile from ear to ear. Can't wait for Kat's story!
I was fortunate to have received an advanced copy from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily and honestly.

[Susanne M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an ARC reader, this is my honest opinion. I had the absolute pleasure of reading "Because You Loved Me".

Another wonderful 5 ⭐ story! I look forward to seeing what dad has to say to each of his kids in the letters he's left for them. A father who really knows his kids and while imparting the individual guidance, he assured each of his love, pride, and respect he had for them. Asher and Noa made a fun couple and well matched. Between the passion, wonderful characters, and lessons learned, I couldn't put this amazing story down. No Cheating or cliffhanger and you do get the Happy Ending! Enjoy

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trickle Creek is a place I’d like to live and book 4 just adds to that thought. Asher and Noa make the perfect couple but they have to jump thru hoops to get their HEA. These books are perfectly written, add in a touch of suspense, love triangles, hot sex, family drama, and other complications you don’t want to miss. This book can be read as a stand alone but reading the books in order makes for a better experience as the whole family continues throughout the series. Enjoy 😊 Elena is an excellent author and knows how to spin a story.

[Ric · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was waiting to read about Asher!!

Having been following this series, I was awaiting Asher’s story. I was not disappointed. The task that Asher has is interesting. Nora has her own healing to do. This so far has been the hardest task and the most heartwarming to read! Kudos Elena Aitken!

[Kirstie Ibrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved Asher and Noa. Just a fun story with two very different people, yet they fit so well.

[Mary Jane McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great series about the Carlson siblings. I absolutely loved Asher and Noa’s story. Each of these stories just seem to get better than the one before. I anxiously await Kat's story.

[Maryann Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting for what feels like forever for Asher’s story but I was still completely unprepared for everything that came with him! Each of Carlson siblings have had such different perspectives on their upbringing but Asher’s story answered so much for me from the earlier books in this series about his relationship with Chase.

I don’t know what I was expecting with Noa but OMG the wild drama she brought to the table was so entertaining!! There were parts of her journey that were so incredibly sad but her resilience and compassion were just so inspiring.

I really loved these two together. I’m not ready for the end of the Carlsons but I can’t wait for Kat’s book!