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Angel Ridge #1
Only You
Only You by Deborah Grace-Staley Book One of the Angel Ridge Series Homespun Hearts Hometown girl made good, Josie Allen, has returned to Angel Ridge after years away at school. All too soon, the new Dr. Allen finds that being the director of the town's prestigious library won't be easy. With the debt of her education hanging over her head in the form of her benefactor breathing down her neck, Josie barely has time to concentrate on the new computer system giving her almost as many problems. She definitely has no time for the distractions of a man from the wrong side of the Ridge-no matter how handsome he is. Cole Craig, the town handyman, is a blue collar constant in the small town. For as long as anyone remembers, he and his family have worked hard and kept to their own kind, but things aren't always as they appear. Cole has a secret! When Josie comes back to town, Cole can't keep his mind on business or his eyes off the girl of his youthful dreams. Determined to win Josie over, Cole sets a course for romance-the old fashioned way. Even with years of history and attraction forcing them together, social pressures and politics threaten to keep Josie and Cole apart. Can the guiding hands of the town's legendary angels and quirky residents keep love on track or will two hearts pay the price of prejudice?
215 pages, Paperback
First published May 8, 2004
113 people are currently reading
767 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Grace Staley
25 books49 followersDeborah Grace Staley is an Amazon and Barnes & Noble #1 best-selling author and winner of the HOLT Medallion. Her novels have been published worldwide in a variety of formats. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing, teaches, and is a freelance editor. Originally from East Tennessee, she makes her home in South Florida with her husband and two adorable rescued dachshunds. She loves to connected with readers on Facebook and Instagram @deborahgracestaley.com. Sign up for her newsletter for exclusive giveaways and first looks at new work at www.deborahgracestaley.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
August 20, 2009
This is the first of the Angel Ridge series and introduces the reader to Angel Ridge, Tennessee. Angel Ridge is an old community that has its own version of those from the "wrong side of the tracks." The McKays and the Craigs have been fueded ever since anyone can remember...the McKays have the money and the Craigs are the laborers. This is the story of Cole Craig and Josie Allen.
Josie Allen, now Dr. Josephine Allen, left Angel Ridge for college. Now she has returned with a PhD in library science and is running the town library, which is run by the McKay foundation.
Cole Craig is the local handyman. No one pays too much attention to him, but he is well liked. When Josie returns, he has eyes only for her and plans to woo her. Unfortunately, his plans are not well received by some in the community.
This is a cute story about Cole & Josie. Sometimes things (and people) aren't always what they seem to be on the outside. The book is all very sweet and innocent in the relationship between the two. There are no mentions of sex, although thoughts are implied on many occasions.
The characters are very 2 dimensional and there really isn't much depth. I liked the characters, but didn't have any connection to them. Josie seemed a little too cold most of the time and Cole a little too "backwoods" (with the implication of "slow"). I felt very little actual growth of more in the characters at the end of the story.
I liked this book because it was sweet and innocent with a cute romance, but it wasn't at the top of my favorites. I would recommend this book for a young adult or for someone who likes very tame romances.
There are more books to come in the Angel Ridge series and I will probably give them a read, too.
Josie Allen, now Dr. Josephine Allen, left Angel Ridge for college. Now she has returned with a PhD in library science and is running the town library, which is run by the McKay foundation.
Cole Craig is the local handyman. No one pays too much attention to him, but he is well liked. When Josie returns, he has eyes only for her and plans to woo her. Unfortunately, his plans are not well received by some in the community.
This is a cute story about Cole & Josie. Sometimes things (and people) aren't always what they seem to be on the outside. The book is all very sweet and innocent in the relationship between the two. There are no mentions of sex, although thoughts are implied on many occasions.
The characters are very 2 dimensional and there really isn't much depth. I liked the characters, but didn't have any connection to them. Josie seemed a little too cold most of the time and Cole a little too "backwoods" (with the implication of "slow"). I felt very little actual growth of more in the characters at the end of the story.
I liked this book because it was sweet and innocent with a cute romance, but it wasn't at the top of my favorites. I would recommend this book for a young adult or for someone who likes very tame romances.
There are more books to come in the Angel Ridge series and I will probably give them a read, too.
July 4, 2009
Come meet the town folks of Angel Ridge, Tennessee. The town was founded by some of the richest families around...The McKays, the Wallaces, the Houstons, the Joneses, and, the Craigs. You could say that these people all had a rival with each other in the aspects of which family had more money. One way for them to show their wealth is to build this building or that building or to make the largest contribution. The only family that didn't spend their money frugally was the Craigs. They were happy living the simple life.
Josie Allen has returned home to work as a librarian for the Angel Ridge Library. Josie receives a phone call at work from a man named Cole Craig. Cole is the local handyman. He tells her that he noticed that there was water running from her home. It seems she has a busted water pipe.
After the first visit, Cole decides that he wants to get to know Josie better. It takes a little while to get Josie to warm up to him but eventually he wins Josie over and she agrees to go out on a date with him. Now all Cole needs to do is figure out where to take Josie. Luckily for him Dixie Ferguson, owner of Ferguson's Diner and match maker extraordinaire has stepped in to help Cole. Will Cole and Josie be a perfect match in heaven?
Only You is the first book in a brand new series by Deborah Grace Staley called The Angel Ridge Series. Only You is a charming and sweet story. At first you think that Cole and Josie come from two totally different walks of life but after getting to know them you realize that they aren't that so different. This book reminded me of the hit television show...The Gilmore Girls. Josie is Lorelai but not as kooky. Cole is Luke. The quiet, simple but sexy guy next door. Anyone looking for a good romanctic read, so try Only You. This series can only get better from here!
Josie Allen has returned home to work as a librarian for the Angel Ridge Library. Josie receives a phone call at work from a man named Cole Craig. Cole is the local handyman. He tells her that he noticed that there was water running from her home. It seems she has a busted water pipe.
After the first visit, Cole decides that he wants to get to know Josie better. It takes a little while to get Josie to warm up to him but eventually he wins Josie over and she agrees to go out on a date with him. Now all Cole needs to do is figure out where to take Josie. Luckily for him Dixie Ferguson, owner of Ferguson's Diner and match maker extraordinaire has stepped in to help Cole. Will Cole and Josie be a perfect match in heaven?
Only You is the first book in a brand new series by Deborah Grace Staley called The Angel Ridge Series. Only You is a charming and sweet story. At first you think that Cole and Josie come from two totally different walks of life but after getting to know them you realize that they aren't that so different. This book reminded me of the hit television show...The Gilmore Girls. Josie is Lorelai but not as kooky. Cole is Luke. The quiet, simple but sexy guy next door. Anyone looking for a good romanctic read, so try Only You. This series can only get better from here!
October 9, 2010
Lately I have been downloading a bunch of free books from Amazon, but I had not read any of them. So I decided this would be my first.
It was a nice story about two people from different sides of the tracks.
I liked the authors writing style and will probably read more of her books.
It was a nice story about two people from different sides of the tracks.
I liked the authors writing style and will probably read more of her books.
June 17, 2025
This ebook has been on my kindle, which I assume I got as a freebie, for YEARS and I finally cracked it open! I expected a very light contemporary, wholesome romance and that's what I got.
It was ... fine(ish) but definitely not a book that fits my current reading tastes. The story has a dated feel - like one of your grandma's paperbacks from the 1980's. It's simple, saccharine-sweet, with a small-town feel and one-dimensional characters and was a very easy read.
The book nerd in me liked that there was a librarian character with a simple plot that has romance - but what it does with great relish is focus on the issue of class (sweet town librarian meets handyman from the wrong side of the tracks - gasp!) It got a bit tiresome with how much page time was devoted to Josie, a grown woman with a PhD, worrying about what the locals will think of her 'fraternizing' with Cole.
Not my cuppa tea, but it delivered what it promised - a wholesome, simple, small-town story that's a quick read. Probably a good pick for fans of Debbie Macomber.
November 29, 2011
I'm trying to figure out why this story doesn't have higher ratings on here. I totally loved it. Maybe after all the smut I normally read, it was simply nice to read something that was nothing other than a sweet love story between two opposites who somehow make it work. Yes, it was unrealistic in a lot of places but who cares? It's fiction. How much fiction is actually all 100% realistic anyway?
I fell in love with Cole right off. There was something about him and his character that was very appealing to me. Josie was a little uptight but she had to be or the story would not have worked. There are a couple of things that I am iffy about........ mainly the way Josie discovered who Cole really was. Granted, I know the rest of the story really would not have worked had it been done the correct way, so I learned to live with it. Any problems I may have had with the story disappeared with the way everything came together in the end.
Again, great book. Added to my favorites shelf and that is rare. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
Very soon.
I fell in love with Cole right off. There was something about him and his character that was very appealing to me. Josie was a little uptight but she had to be or the story would not have worked. There are a couple of things that I am iffy about........ mainly the way Josie discovered who Cole really was. Granted, I know the rest of the story really would not have worked had it been done the correct way, so I learned to live with it. Any problems I may have had with the story disappeared with the way everything came together in the end.
Again, great book. Added to my favorites shelf and that is rare. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
Very soon.
January 16, 2013
A good read about Cole Craig and Josie Allen in Angel Ridge. It's basically a light romance in my mind and I'm okay with that. It was well written and like other Ms. Staley books had great characters that made you want to find out more.
It had a nice twist in the plot when you find out late in the story that Mr. Craig is not what or whom he seemed to be and it almost had terrible consequences on his relationship with Josie. Will they be able to recover from his big secret? Will she finally give in and surrender to love instead of being a bookworm? Will Mrs. McKay, Josie's boss, ever treat her right and let her live her own life or will she always hold it against her that they paid for her graduate school?
Read "Only You" to find out, it's worth your time.
It had a nice twist in the plot when you find out late in the story that Mr. Craig is not what or whom he seemed to be and it almost had terrible consequences on his relationship with Josie. Will they be able to recover from his big secret? Will she finally give in and surrender to love instead of being a bookworm? Will Mrs. McKay, Josie's boss, ever treat her right and let her live her own life or will she always hold it against her that they paid for her graduate school?
Read "Only You" to find out, it's worth your time.
April 25, 2012
This is one of those books that's just pure entertainment. I usually enjoy books where the small town location is as important as any character, especially if the small town is in Appalachia, so I was naturally drawn to this first book of a series featuring Angel Ridge, Tennessee, population 345. There's a bit of a magical fairy tale feel to the story, where everything isn't as it seems, and endings are happy. It's a quick, enjoyable read, the kind you want to curl up with in a comfy chair and just relax.
August 30, 2011
I liked this book.
I liked how a young man who had to drop out of school because of his dad's illness, comes back with a business of his own to help the library where the girl of his dreams works. He donates money to the library so she can have computers there since she is having such a hard time using the ones the library has now.
She is a brainiac who just wants to do her own things and not what other people expect her to do.
Loved it.
I liked how a young man who had to drop out of school because of his dad's illness, comes back with a business of his own to help the library where the girl of his dreams works. He donates money to the library so she can have computers there since she is having such a hard time using the ones the library has now.
She is a brainiac who just wants to do her own things and not what other people expect her to do.
Loved it.
February 2, 2013
Only You sat unread on my kindle for a very long time. This past week I stumbled on it while looking for something to read. Totally predicable storyline but I loved every minute I spent reading it! My first book by this author but definitely not my last as I've already looked up more by this author for the future. It was a nice romance with very like able characters that just makes one wish for a life in such a town.
December 18, 2010
Just a very light romance that was nothing special except it was written by a Tennessee author and takes place in a fictional town near Fort Loudon, which I visited just a few weeks ago. So I really enjoyed the setting. Plus the main character was a librarian! Reminded me of the books I loved to read when I was a teenager.
July 11, 2011
Read this book in a day. It was a wonderfully quick, easy, and relaxing read. It is a love story about two individuals who knew each other from a distance when they were younger and then crossed paths again as adults in their hometown. The story is mostly about the chase of their relationship and it is fun to see where it goes with a few twists in between.
October 19, 2010
Looking for something to read yesterday, and this book popped up for free on Amazon, so I thought it would be good enough. I actually enjoyed it very much. A story about prejudice and love and small towns. It is quite cliche, but it was a fun read.
February 13, 2011
I enjoyed this book. I do not read many romance novels, this was a nice switch since it was a clean romance novel. It had other elements I enjoy - a small town and interesting characters. It certainly kept my interest and was uplifting. It would have been a good summer read.
March 26, 2013
Heartwarming. Love finding it's way through a towns worth of obstacles. Our Heroine is the little bookworm who made it good and the man who has loved her from afar for years. This is a joyous happy short and a great intro into what must be a great series. I can't wait to buy book 2!
October 19, 2010
This was a very very very easy read nothing deep about this book but it was entertaining.
October 19, 2010
Fun, light-hearted book. Quick read.
December 23, 2010
It was an awesome book. I had a hard time putting it down. . I just wish it had a better or more lenghty ending :)
January 20, 2011
Very cute, sweet story. A fast read.
March 22, 2011
A nice happy ever after book.
July 31, 2012
Quick pleasant read through. The characters are charming and the story wholesome.
August 14, 2012
Two-haiku review:
New librarian
Falls for wrong-side-of-tracks guy
He's got a secret
Class differences
And marriage expectations
Made me empathize
New librarian
Falls for wrong-side-of-tracks guy
He's got a secret
Class differences
And marriage expectations
Made me empathize
January 10, 2013
An easy read. Fairly clean romance. Good commentary about social and economic inequalities in a small town and the predjudices they create.
February 2, 2013
I got this one for $1.99 as a daily find. It takes place in Tennessee and they talk hillbilly like me so of course I loved the whole thing. A love story. No need to say more!
March 2, 2013
A nice story in a new series I just discovered. If you like Debbie Macomber, Susan Wiggs or the like, you will enjoy this book. Looking forward to reading the 2nd book.
November 25, 2019
This is one of those light-hearted, quick, easy-to-read books, the kind I like when I'm on vacation and just looking for something fun to read. Without giving too much away, this one is about a young lady who has her education paid for by a local library society (she studied library science) and comes back to implement a software system she has developed. She runs into Cole, a local handymen she knew previously. Cole, according to some of the townspeople is from the wrong side of the tracks, but we learn more about him as the story develops. It's your basic love story, but I thought it ended kind of quickly. It could have used a little more story at the end. Overall though, it was nice vacation read.
September 5, 2020
This story is set in a small town in TN called Angel Ridge. A short story at the end of the book tells how it got its name.
Dixie Ferguson is the story teller who relates about Josie Allen and Cole Craig.
Charlotte McKay financed Josie's education so she would return and be librarian to the town. But Charlotte thinks she owns and can control Josie's life. Charlotte is now a wealthy bigoted snot though she came from nothing.
Cole lives on the other side of the ridge where all the "lower class" of people live. He masquerades as a handyman and is pretty much looked down on.
In spite of Mrs. McKay's nasty warnings, Josie and Cole are strongly attracted to each other, and things just do not work out like the rich snob wanted! Lots of surprises here.
It was a good read.
Dixie Ferguson is the story teller who relates about Josie Allen and Cole Craig.
Charlotte McKay financed Josie's education so she would return and be librarian to the town. But Charlotte thinks she owns and can control Josie's life. Charlotte is now a wealthy bigoted snot though she came from nothing.
Cole lives on the other side of the ridge where all the "lower class" of people live. He masquerades as a handyman and is pretty much looked down on.
In spite of Mrs. McKay's nasty warnings, Josie and Cole are strongly attracted to each other, and things just do not work out like the rich snob wanted! Lots of surprises here.
It was a good read.
September 24, 2020
I don't typically read Romance only books, but this has been in my Kindle library for a while now, and I needed to read something encouraging and positive. I would call this book a cozy romance, because it has a great setting, quirky characters, and a librarian, but without the murder that you find in cozy mysteries. I was just what I needed.
January 14, 2020
This is an easy, light read. In a small town, the librarian finds love.
August 31, 2020
What a terrible “romance.” Review to come.
September 14, 2021
Great book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews