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You're Still The One: A Second Chance, Late-in-Life Sapphic Romance
A twenty-five-year-old heartbreak. A chance reunion. A love that never truly faded.
Natalie Shultz is a success in business but not in love. She’s built an empire of female-empowering sex toy stores, yet when it comes to her own heart, she’s been standing still ever since she ran from the girl she loved twenty-five years ago.
Sadie Swanson is no longer the girl Natalie remembers. Now an elegant, controlled high-class escort, Sadie keeps her heart firmly guarded—even as she offers intimacy on her own carefully chosen terms. Seeing Natalie again cracks the armour she’s spent decades perfecting, awakening a desire she never truly extinguished.
As past and present collide, old memories resurface alongside unresolved hurt. The chemistry between them burns as fiercely as ever—but trusting it again means risking the one thing neither of them can afford to their heart.
Brimming with longing, sensual tension, and emotional depth, You’re Still the One is a poignant second-chance sapphic romance about first love, reinvention, and finding the courage to choose happiness—no matter how long it’s been.
Natalie Shultz is a success in business but not in love. She’s built an empire of female-empowering sex toy stores, yet when it comes to her own heart, she’s been standing still ever since she ran from the girl she loved twenty-five years ago.
Sadie Swanson is no longer the girl Natalie remembers. Now an elegant, controlled high-class escort, Sadie keeps her heart firmly guarded—even as she offers intimacy on her own carefully chosen terms. Seeing Natalie again cracks the armour she’s spent decades perfecting, awakening a desire she never truly extinguished.
As past and present collide, old memories resurface alongside unresolved hurt. The chemistry between them burns as fiercely as ever—but trusting it again means risking the one thing neither of them can afford to their heart.
Brimming with longing, sensual tension, and emotional depth, You’re Still the One is a poignant second-chance sapphic romance about first love, reinvention, and finding the courage to choose happiness—no matter how long it’s been.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 14, 2024
90 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Claire Highton-Stevenson
44 books369 followersAward-Winning and best selling, Claire Highton-Stevenson is an Independent author of contemporary romance and crime novels.
Having worked for many years in emergency services, Claire now spends her time writing, traveling, researching ancestry, following Liverpool FC and enjoying life as much as possible.
She lives in West Sussex, UK. Along with her wife and fur babies.
Having worked for many years in emergency services, Claire now spends her time writing, traveling, researching ancestry, following Liverpool FC and enjoying life as much as possible.
She lives in West Sussex, UK. Along with her wife and fur babies.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 27, 2024
Totally swoon worthy. I've always loved second chance romances, so of course I had to grab this one. There's an extra zing to this story owing to the fact that one MC leads a sex toy conglomerate, and the other is an escort - the navigation of this part of their love story is tastefully done, and I love the sex positive approach to it. The tension and connection between the leads was palpable as they were inching back towards each other, and I couldn't put this book down at all.
August 17, 2024
Belief in lasting love.
Intricate themes of growing up, found family, liberation, forgiveness & more.Natalie and Sadie and others just mesh. Book reenforces female empowerment. Take charge of yourself. Sex is not shameful but fulfilling. It presents the inhumane treatment by some to others but also the reverse, love and kindness. It’s worth taking chances to find your happiness. References to other characters in some of her other books are fun to discover. A definite read from Claire. You won’t be disappointed.
Intricate themes of growing up, found family, liberation, forgiveness & more.Natalie and Sadie and others just mesh. Book reenforces female empowerment. Take charge of yourself. Sex is not shameful but fulfilling. It presents the inhumane treatment by some to others but also the reverse, love and kindness. It’s worth taking chances to find your happiness. References to other characters in some of her other books are fun to discover. A definite read from Claire. You won’t be disappointed.
August 19, 2024
Young Love is True Love 💕
Claire Highton - Stevenson takes this story through many phases. Two young adults, Sadie and Natalie, meet in a bar. Both come from difficult families, one is from rich, one from poor, one is in school, one works in a bar. Despite their backgrounds there is a connection. An attraction that fully develops over eight months into love. But with a heavy heart, Natalie is put in a no win situation and breaks up with Sadie. Professing her love but saying she had to do this, Natalie leaves and then disappears. The story is told in a present and past timeline for each chapter. Starting in the present when Natalie swears she saw a woman in the hotel lobby she was staying in during a convention that looked exactly like Sadie, almost thirty years later. CHS takes us back to what happened then as we are moving forward. It is a story that is heartwarming and heartbreaking. It is a story empowering women. It is a story that questions decisions made in one’s life. It is a story that makes you feel good. Great Read!
Claire Highton - Stevenson takes this story through many phases. Two young adults, Sadie and Natalie, meet in a bar. Both come from difficult families, one is from rich, one from poor, one is in school, one works in a bar. Despite their backgrounds there is a connection. An attraction that fully develops over eight months into love. But with a heavy heart, Natalie is put in a no win situation and breaks up with Sadie. Professing her love but saying she had to do this, Natalie leaves and then disappears. The story is told in a present and past timeline for each chapter. Starting in the present when Natalie swears she saw a woman in the hotel lobby she was staying in during a convention that looked exactly like Sadie, almost thirty years later. CHS takes us back to what happened then as we are moving forward. It is a story that is heartwarming and heartbreaking. It is a story empowering women. It is a story that questions decisions made in one’s life. It is a story that makes you feel good. Great Read!
September 4, 2024
A beautiful second chance love story, twenty five years later. Natalie and Sadie met at 18, Sadie bartending and Natalie there to drink. They were inseparable until Natalie disappeared one day. Now 25 years later they meet and they're different but still the same. A FAVORITE! 5 stars!
September 20, 2024
I love a second chance and Claire does them soooo well
September 2, 2024
amazing
Finding the one love you lost. Fate will always put you where you need to be. In our journey to finding a HEA.
Finding the one love you lost. Fate will always put you where you need to be. In our journey to finding a HEA.
August 28, 2024
Another one...
I truly enjoy Claire's books. This one was very emotional and understandably so. Just when you think the shoe is going to drop...
I truly enjoy Claire's books. This one was very emotional and understandably so. Just when you think the shoe is going to drop...
February 12, 2025
Nope. DNF, stopped at chapter 12.
This is so much about..sex. But not in a sexy way, and barely in a romantic way: in a really superficial way like that's the center of their world. One character is the CEO of a sex toy store, the other one is literally an escort. I mean, sorry, but gross. She literally spends her days having sex with women one after the other (like a few hours in between). I'm not ashamed to judge. I couldn't get into it, don't understand the appeal.
As for the glimpse we get of their relationship 20 years ago...
On the one hand 18 year old Natalie really sounds quite naive - I get it was the late 90s but still. On the other hand, Sadie seemed really.. forward and pushy, it made me a bit uncomfortable.
The flashbacks are surface level at best, very short. Definitely not enough to really understand how they fall in love with each other. However what we do get is SEX. Well.. the authors tells us about sex, barely shows us. So if you're hoping for a really immersive beautiful intimate scene where they make love - you're not gonna get it from this (btw using sex toys at 18 is a little too much for me).
Just, meh, blah.
This is so much about..sex. But not in a sexy way, and barely in a romantic way: in a really superficial way like that's the center of their world. One character is the CEO of a sex toy store, the other one is literally an escort. I mean, sorry, but gross. She literally spends her days having sex with women one after the other (like a few hours in between). I'm not ashamed to judge. I couldn't get into it, don't understand the appeal.
As for the glimpse we get of their relationship 20 years ago...
On the one hand 18 year old Natalie really sounds quite naive - I get it was the late 90s but still. On the other hand, Sadie seemed really.. forward and pushy, it made me a bit uncomfortable.
The flashbacks are surface level at best, very short. Definitely not enough to really understand how they fall in love with each other. However what we do get is SEX. Well.. the authors tells us about sex, barely shows us. So if you're hoping for a really immersive beautiful intimate scene where they make love - you're not gonna get it from this (btw using sex toys at 18 is a little too much for me).
Just, meh, blah.
February 2, 2026
I must be in the minority because I really don't understand how this book has received such highly rated reviews. I found the story to be very drawn out, and there was no chemistry between the characters for me. The flashbacks, which were meant to support how the two main characters fell in love, didn't achieve that at all. It felt more like a first time crush level relationship. As a result, it was hard to believe in their connection again 20 years later.
Overall, the story felt flat, and I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters. I was disappointed, especially since I had high hopes for this given the good reviews. Additionally, when there were intimate scenes, they lacked detail and felt very dry, as if they were an afterthought. I found myself checking how much longer I had to read every chance I got. Unfortunately, this book didn't meet my expectations.
Overall, the story felt flat, and I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters. I was disappointed, especially since I had high hopes for this given the good reviews. Additionally, when there were intimate scenes, they lacked detail and felt very dry, as if they were an afterthought. I found myself checking how much longer I had to read every chance I got. Unfortunately, this book didn't meet my expectations.
August 25, 2024
Second chances
Sadie and Natalie meet again after their young love affair was abruptly ended due to manipulative outside pressure from family. A chance meeting brings the two back together and the two are faces with working through past trauma to see if the love they still felt could blossom into what they'd both dreamed of. It was refreshing to see a story written where the MCs were faced with a challenge to their relationship and responded by working through it using open communication and the support of good friends.
Sadie and Natalie meet again after their young love affair was abruptly ended due to manipulative outside pressure from family. A chance meeting brings the two back together and the two are faces with working through past trauma to see if the love they still felt could blossom into what they'd both dreamed of. It was refreshing to see a story written where the MCs were faced with a challenge to their relationship and responded by working through it using open communication and the support of good friends.
September 12, 2024
loved it
CHS has once again knocked it out the park. This book is absolutely fantastic.
From the very beginning you can see the love these two characters have for each other, the time spent apart doesn’t change that. Even though both characters have changed they still have that connection, which is highlighted after, well, read it to find out.
CHS has once again knocked it out the park. This book is absolutely fantastic.
From the very beginning you can see the love these two characters have for each other, the time spent apart doesn’t change that. Even though both characters have changed they still have that connection, which is highlighted after, well, read it to find out.
October 23, 2024
Second Chance
Twenty-five years of separation and suddenly Natalie and Sadie meet again in a bar. Natalie had been coerced by her father into leaving Sadie behind. Sadie had never recovered and neither had ever found someone else to love. A touching story of separation, reunion and healing. Great author bb
Twenty-five years of separation and suddenly Natalie and Sadie meet again in a bar. Natalie had been coerced by her father into leaving Sadie behind. Sadie had never recovered and neither had ever found someone else to love. A touching story of separation, reunion and healing. Great author bb
November 30, 2024
Great book
Claire has the best books around. I feel like all of her characters are well-rounded, and you learn about them fully. Sadie and Natalie are the same. It was an upcoming young love who was torn apart, but somehow they were able to find each other, get past obstacles, and know they have always been it for each other. Enjoyed reading it.
Claire has the best books around. I feel like all of her characters are well-rounded, and you learn about them fully. Sadie and Natalie are the same. It was an upcoming young love who was torn apart, but somehow they were able to find each other, get past obstacles, and know they have always been it for each other. Enjoyed reading it.
October 9, 2024
It was an okay read, fairly far fetched story but a second chance romance between two 18 year old sapphics that lasted 8 months before homophobia family ties removed them from each other. Chance meeting to rekindle u-haul style love. Quick and easy to read but not really a believable storyline!
November 1, 2024
enlightening
If true love exists, this book and the protagonists are exemplary. It’s hard to conceive of the two very different characters meaning so much to each other. Blanca is a very special secondary character. This would make a very engrossing movie! 🎥
If true love exists, this book and the protagonists are exemplary. It’s hard to conceive of the two very different characters meaning so much to each other. Blanca is a very special secondary character. This would make a very engrossing movie! 🎥
January 19, 2025
I loved this, and all the books centered around the community in Amberfield and Bath Street. This book is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time,; the anxieties and emotions beautifully expressed such that at times I literally filled up! Thank you Clare, more please?!
September 6, 2024
So sweet
I usually don’t like the back and forth in time, but this one worked. There were things that needed to be said, mistakes were made but it was a HEA. Enjoy
I usually don’t like the back and forth in time, but this one worked. There were things that needed to be said, mistakes were made but it was a HEA. Enjoy
September 9, 2024
Fantastic
Claire saying this book was fantastic is one major understatement. I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to many more to come.
Claire saying this book was fantastic is one major understatement. I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to many more to come.
September 27, 2024
well who’d have though
The past to the present a live that never died reunited and together for ever loved reading this and recommend it🌈
The past to the present a live that never died reunited and together for ever loved reading this and recommend it🌈
October 13, 2024
ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL
I liked every moment of this story. These characters proved to be someone I would enjoy knowing.
Natalie’s parents were the worst ever.
I liked every moment of this story. These characters proved to be someone I would enjoy knowing.
Natalie’s parents were the worst ever.
February 14, 2025
3.5/4 ⭐️
September 8, 2024
Wonderful second-chance story… twenty five years later, wow. It’s sometimes hard to make all the pieces work — whatever long-ago breakup there was, why they’re both still available after so much time, how they get back together without the past getting in the way — and this book handled all those things well. It wasn’t exactly angsty, but it wasn’t smooth sailing, either. It took the Universe some time to put Sadie where she belonged, I guess Blanca would say.
The only reservation I have was that Sadie’s professional arc was pretty predictable. It would have been nice to have some twists or surprises in there? I mean, Natalie was extremely considerate about it, more so than you’d maybe expect, but even so. I don’t want to say “you’ve read one, you’ve read them all”… but I just feel like that story always goes the same way.
Anyway, that was a a small bit of it on the whole. Sadie and Natalie were great characters, with Blanca and Harry (and Muffy the cat) by their sides. The main story was a great slow burn. But it was accompanied by chapter set in the past, which I loved. It was great — and to a point, almost necessary — to see how things played out in the past in order to understand how they both react to the second chance they’re given. That part was really well done.
All in all, I enjoyed this a lot, and I’ll be happy to read more by this author.
The only reservation I have was that Sadie’s professional arc was pretty predictable. It would have been nice to have some twists or surprises in there? I mean, Natalie was extremely considerate about it, more so than you’d maybe expect, but even so. I don’t want to say “you’ve read one, you’ve read them all”… but I just feel like that story always goes the same way.
Anyway, that was a a small bit of it on the whole. Sadie and Natalie were great characters, with Blanca and Harry (and Muffy the cat) by their sides. The main story was a great slow burn. But it was accompanied by chapter set in the past, which I loved. It was great — and to a point, almost necessary — to see how things played out in the past in order to understand how they both react to the second chance they’re given. That part was really well done.
All in all, I enjoyed this a lot, and I’ll be happy to read more by this author.
September 16, 2024
I know I say this every time but there is no such thing as a bad book from Claire Highton-Stevenson.
This one is no exception.
It is a second chance romance in the currently popular type where one of the couple just ups and goes and vanishes before popping back up at some time in the future. With no explanation having been given at the time.
This story centres around the sex industry. The story has many flashbacks to when they first had a relationship allowing us to see their back history and what went wrong.
Natalie now has a thriving sex shop business while Sadie is a sex worker.
There will be plenty of scope for misunderstandings, mistaken identity and also for them to reconnect.
And who better to understand about working in the sex industry than the queen of the sex shops herself.
I liked the fact that there was no stigma attached to being a sex worker - other than by a client who bridged both worlds.
I struggled to understand why Natalie's parents had bothered to have a child. But it's a story and people can be horrible to their kids and money doesn't make you a better parent.
There is an epilogue - more sex and a bar open for business.
Definitely enjoyed this - recommend it.
This one is no exception.
It is a second chance romance in the currently popular type where one of the couple just ups and goes and vanishes before popping back up at some time in the future. With no explanation having been given at the time.
This story centres around the sex industry. The story has many flashbacks to when they first had a relationship allowing us to see their back history and what went wrong.
Natalie now has a thriving sex shop business while Sadie is a sex worker.
There will be plenty of scope for misunderstandings, mistaken identity and also for them to reconnect.
And who better to understand about working in the sex industry than the queen of the sex shops herself.
I liked the fact that there was no stigma attached to being a sex worker - other than by a client who bridged both worlds.
I struggled to understand why Natalie's parents had bothered to have a child. But it's a story and people can be horrible to their kids and money doesn't make you a better parent.
There is an epilogue - more sex and a bar open for business.
Definitely enjoyed this - recommend it.
August 18, 2024
The main characters are believable when they first get together. Later on in the story, Natalie is a lot more understanding than most of us women would be. The author explains their story very well in the timeline she sets forth. In my opinion this is a fantastic way to explain what happens between each character and there is no way you could get lost while reading. I loved the story and the happy ending.
August 25, 2024
So good
September 27, 2024
I run to purchase books by Claire Highton-Stevenson because she writes characters in such a way that I always care about them.
January 9, 2026
Sexy, emotional, and utterly captivating. This romance is exactly what I was craving!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews