When We Were Legends

by Shelbie Mae

Closed door romance - Small Town - She has amnesia - He's keeping secrets - Murder Mystery - Love Triangle - Forced Proximity - Sunset Kiss - Magical Realism



He might be in love with a flesh-and-blood ghost.



She might be falling for his worst enemy.



Washed-up Country star Levi Shaw is heartbroken when his ex-fiancé weds another man. Unable to bear his grief, he retreats to his beloved Ghost Mountain to nurse his sorrow. While there, he writes the ballad of a beautiful woman. A few hours later, a girl resembling the one he wrote about knocks on his door.


Marigold can’t remember her past. The mysterious Levi Shaw takes her in, but she can’t shake the feeling that he knows something about her. Something he's not sharing. When Levi’s friend-turned-enemy Ezra King offers to help her discover her origins, she finds herself torn between two wildly different men.


As Levi peels back the layers of the Ghost Mountain legends, he realizes he holds the key to Marigold’s memories. But the truth might tear them apart. Will telling her about her origins bring her closer to him or drive her into the arms of the man how believes murdered his father?


When We Were Legends is a southern, small town, love-triangle, mystery, with a dash of magical realism. When We Were Legends is the first in a series that will leave you wanting to devour the next book.

333 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 27, 2024

About the author

Hi, I'm Shelbie Mae! I live with husband and mostly blind Boston Terrier on the West Coast but I'm really an East Coast girl. I love writing new books, baking fresh chocolate chip cookies, running, reading, exploring new places, meeting new friends, and, of course, chilling on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and a movie. You can connect with me on Instagram @shelbiemaewrites or on my Website shelbie-mae.com. I'd love to hear from you!

Reviews

[Savannah Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good read. The author is able to immerse you into the town of Sutton and Ghost Mountain with vivid and life giving detail. The story fallowing Levi, Marigold and Ezra will keep you wondering what is going to happen next. I like the magical realism as well, I have not read many books with magical realism but really enjoyed this aspect of the story. All in all it is a great read and I can’t wait to read what happens next, this book definitely leaves you wanting more pages to read.

[Kellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mystery of this book had me hooked from beginning to end — I read it quickly! — and I loved the magical realism! Shelbie does a great job of suspending disbelief by creating a myth and legend that explains all of the impossible away, which I loved because the “impossible” that is totally possible in the world she creates kept me wondering how the plot was going to play out. The love triangle, the small town gossip, the southern charm… all very fun and enjoyable. As someone in love with the art of books and writing, I also loved the homage to creating characters that she tucks into the story. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!!

[Katie Nieuwsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read many books with magical realism in them, so I wasn’t sure I’d like it, but once I got in to the book it was good! It’s a very different premise from anything else I have read recently, which was refreshing. The writing style makes it easy to visualize what was happening. Good pacing and an easy one to keep reading.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a creative mystery/romance with Faith truths mixed in. Can't wait for the next one.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal! Can’t wait to read the second book.