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Where You Left Me: A Small Town Second Chance Romance
Mia Cappella.
At one time she was my world. My everything. She owned my heart.
But that was a long time ago.
When Mia left town eight years ago, she took that pathetic loser with her. And I swore I’d never be whipped again.
I call the shots. Who I date. Who I screw. It’s my business.
And just because Mia has turned up in Maple Ridge again doesn’t mean I’m about to change. Even if she still looks as beautiful as she did the day she walked out on me.
She’s back for the summer to help run her dad’s sporting goods store. And even though the two of us used to run around in the same circle, we decide to keep our distance. But as luck would have it, she and I get stuck organizing Maple Ridge’s biggest summer Bikes and Beers.
Being tossed back into Mia’s orbit forces me to remember feelings I’ve pushed down for years. Memories of both peak ecstasy and the lowest of pits. But being with Mia is like a car crash I can’t look away from. Her infectious smile, gentleness, and sultry laugh sucks me back in.
And before I know it, we’re caught up in our familiar love affair.
The only problem is, we have unfinished business. We share a secret; a deep, dark grief that neither of us have truly recovered from. Being together is painful. It’s a constant reminder of our heartache.
But maybe being apart is even worse?
At one time she was my world. My everything. She owned my heart.
But that was a long time ago.
When Mia left town eight years ago, she took that pathetic loser with her. And I swore I’d never be whipped again.
I call the shots. Who I date. Who I screw. It’s my business.
And just because Mia has turned up in Maple Ridge again doesn’t mean I’m about to change. Even if she still looks as beautiful as she did the day she walked out on me.
She’s back for the summer to help run her dad’s sporting goods store. And even though the two of us used to run around in the same circle, we decide to keep our distance. But as luck would have it, she and I get stuck organizing Maple Ridge’s biggest summer Bikes and Beers.
Being tossed back into Mia’s orbit forces me to remember feelings I’ve pushed down for years. Memories of both peak ecstasy and the lowest of pits. But being with Mia is like a car crash I can’t look away from. Her infectious smile, gentleness, and sultry laugh sucks me back in.
And before I know it, we’re caught up in our familiar love affair.
The only problem is, we have unfinished business. We share a secret; a deep, dark grief that neither of us have truly recovered from. Being together is painful. It’s a constant reminder of our heartache.
But maybe being apart is even worse?
- GenresSecond Chance
242 pages, Paperback
Published September 12, 2024
1 person is currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 8, 2024
ARC Review: 4.5⭐️
Thank you LeAnne for this ARC!
Mia and Jones had a heartbreaking and beautiful love story. Jones and Mia haven’t seen each other since she left Maple Ridge 8 years ago. Now, she’s back to care for her father and there is a lot to work out with Jones. Jones is angry with Mia and she knows she didn’t handle things well. But, she needed to grieve their loss in her own way.
After spending time together planning the Bikes and Brews fundraiser together, their old feelings are right back where they left them. Mia plans to leave at the end of the summer, but being back home with Jones and her friends has her second guessing.
If you want to read about first loves and surviving loss, check this one out on 9/12!
Thank you LeAnne for this ARC!
Mia and Jones had a heartbreaking and beautiful love story. Jones and Mia haven’t seen each other since she left Maple Ridge 8 years ago. Now, she’s back to care for her father and there is a lot to work out with Jones. Jones is angry with Mia and she knows she didn’t handle things well. But, she needed to grieve their loss in her own way.
After spending time together planning the Bikes and Brews fundraiser together, their old feelings are right back where they left them. Mia plans to leave at the end of the summer, but being back home with Jones and her friends has her second guessing.
If you want to read about first loves and surviving loss, check this one out on 9/12!
September 12, 2024
Yall I have literally no words for how perfect Mia and Jones’s story was. I have been intrigued by Jones since the first book in the series, so I was ECSTATIC when LeAnne put out the release date!
When I found out my sweet Jones has been heart broken for 8 years it hurt me so bad, especially due to what him and Mia went through (please check triggers before reading).
After 8 years, Mia returns home to help out with her parent’s business because her dad had a stroke and recovering. The tension was HIGH the moment Mia and Jones saw each other for the first time in all those years. You could tell immediately that they still loved each other, especially due to the dual POV and knowing their inner thoughts. JONES IS A BIG OL
SIMP! They definitely couldn’t stay away from each other.
LeAnne did not mentally prepare me for the dirty mouth that Jones had, I was BLUSHING so hard! Your honor I love this man 🧎🏻♀️Their chemistry was OFF THE FREAKING CHARTS. I also love that Mia gave him a hard time. The banter between them was so flirty and fun!
There were cameos from characters from the other books and they just made the book so much more fun! Mia was best friends with Cammie and Rosie before she left and the moment she came back it was like she never left. I also loved the dynamic between Jones, Maverick and Nico blossomed!
Hands down my favorite book from this series. I’m so sad it’s come to an end, but I cannot wait to see what LeAnne comes up with next!
When I found out my sweet Jones has been heart broken for 8 years it hurt me so bad, especially due to what him and Mia went through (please check triggers before reading).
After 8 years, Mia returns home to help out with her parent’s business because her dad had a stroke and recovering. The tension was HIGH the moment Mia and Jones saw each other for the first time in all those years. You could tell immediately that they still loved each other, especially due to the dual POV and knowing their inner thoughts. JONES IS A BIG OL
SIMP! They definitely couldn’t stay away from each other.
LeAnne did not mentally prepare me for the dirty mouth that Jones had, I was BLUSHING so hard! Your honor I love this man 🧎🏻♀️Their chemistry was OFF THE FREAKING CHARTS. I also love that Mia gave him a hard time. The banter between them was so flirty and fun!
There were cameos from characters from the other books and they just made the book so much more fun! Mia was best friends with Cammie and Rosie before she left and the moment she came back it was like she never left. I also loved the dynamic between Jones, Maverick and Nico blossomed!
Hands down my favorite book from this series. I’m so sad it’s come to an end, but I cannot wait to see what LeAnne comes up with next!
September 12, 2024
4.5 stars
A new to me author, and I plan to get caught up with the previous books in the series!
Mia and Jones have a second chance, but can they get past their history? Eight years, that has been how long it has been since Mia up and left Maple Ridge. She has returned to help her father, but can she heal the relationships she abruptly severed? She and Jones had made plans for the future, but one event changed them.
Mia and Jones have an emotional journey, suffering alone, but can they repair the damage for the summer she is there? Can love heal all?
This story is touching and an emotional rollercoaster, but real. Read the trigger warnings if you need to.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
A new to me author, and I plan to get caught up with the previous books in the series!
Mia and Jones have a second chance, but can they get past their history? Eight years, that has been how long it has been since Mia up and left Maple Ridge. She has returned to help her father, but can she heal the relationships she abruptly severed? She and Jones had made plans for the future, but one event changed them.
Mia and Jones have an emotional journey, suffering alone, but can they repair the damage for the summer she is there? Can love heal all?
This story is touching and an emotional rollercoaster, but real. Read the trigger warnings if you need to.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
September 12, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️ . 75
I was so excited to be back in Maple Ridge! I have enjoyed this series so much and this was one I have been highly anticipating! I have wanted Mia and Jones’s story since I met them in Best Part of Me (which if you haven’t read, you need to)!
Mia and Jones dealt with a terrible loss but handled it differently. No one really knows what happened between them. Mia decided that she needed to leave their small town and start fresh but Jones stayed. Now years later Mia is back and everything comes to light.
This was such an emotional but beautiful story! I fell in love with Mia and Jones instantly and couldn’t put this down! I love Leanne’s writing and this series has my entire heart 🫶
Mia and Jones get their second chance as they fall back in love with one another. Time has passed but the way they feel about each other hasn’t! If you are looking for a best friend’s brother, second chance romance with all the angst, and spice that will have you blushing.. look no further, this is the book for you!
TROPES:
💜Second chance romance
💜Small town vibes
💜Forced proximity
💜All the summer heat
💜Shared secret grief
💜It’s always been you
💜He braids her hair
💜Secret tattoo
💜All the spice
🌶️🌶️ . 75
I was so excited to be back in Maple Ridge! I have enjoyed this series so much and this was one I have been highly anticipating! I have wanted Mia and Jones’s story since I met them in Best Part of Me (which if you haven’t read, you need to)!
Mia and Jones dealt with a terrible loss but handled it differently. No one really knows what happened between them. Mia decided that she needed to leave their small town and start fresh but Jones stayed. Now years later Mia is back and everything comes to light.
This was such an emotional but beautiful story! I fell in love with Mia and Jones instantly and couldn’t put this down! I love Leanne’s writing and this series has my entire heart 🫶
Mia and Jones get their second chance as they fall back in love with one another. Time has passed but the way they feel about each other hasn’t! If you are looking for a best friend’s brother, second chance romance with all the angst, and spice that will have you blushing.. look no further, this is the book for you!
TROPES:
💜Second chance romance
💜Small town vibes
💜Forced proximity
💜All the summer heat
💜Shared secret grief
💜It’s always been you
💜He braids her hair
💜Secret tattoo
💜All the spice
September 15, 2024
This is series I’ve enjoyed this year! I was happy to see Jones get his story, especially a second chance. I’m not a huge second chance girlie, but I was really looking for the grief and heartbreak that I knew would come with these two. After a loss, Mia leaves town for 8 years 😮💨 She left Jones with a lot of heartache, while they both worked through the grief. This turned him into such a playboy, and it became his new identity in the small town. Now, she’s back to help with her dad, and they can’t avoid each other. I was surprised by the level of spice in this one. I think it was a big cover up to their feelings of the past, so I would’ve loved to see those type of conversations more played out. But this one has so many good moments: dancing in the kitchen, he braids her hair, and he remembers her favorite things. Such cute, worth-while moments. I also missed the girl group in this one. With that being said though, it’s still such a good, spice filled read. For anyone who hadn’t read Leanne yet, seriously jump in with this series.
Tropes you’ll find: small town, second chance, forced proximity, shared grief, always been you
Micros: he braids her hair, secret tattoo
‼️ Please check CW, TW!
Tropes you’ll find: small town, second chance, forced proximity, shared grief, always been you
Micros: he braids her hair, secret tattoo
‼️ Please check CW, TW!
October 3, 2024
Such an incredible heartwarming book!
Mia & Jones are one of the most real and incredible couples. I’m not often always the biggest fan of a second chance, but the way that this was written had me hooked from the get go. The grief, the real portrayal of heartbreak and the agonizing length of time it took for the MMC in particular to grieve on his own? It absolutely gutted me. I truly felt the depth of emotion.
The tension when the MMC and FMC were initially in the same room again? It was epic & intense beyond belief. The chemistry was freaking off the charts & hotter than belief. Their banter was epic and so fiery! And oh my word - i was not prepared for the mouth that Jones had! I was blushing!
There is nothing more special than the “it’s always been you” and seeing it actually coming true? It’s just a beautiful thing.
Thank you so much to Leanne August for trusting me with her work by sending me this ARC!
Mia & Jones are one of the most real and incredible couples. I’m not often always the biggest fan of a second chance, but the way that this was written had me hooked from the get go. The grief, the real portrayal of heartbreak and the agonizing length of time it took for the MMC in particular to grieve on his own? It absolutely gutted me. I truly felt the depth of emotion.
The tension when the MMC and FMC were initially in the same room again? It was epic & intense beyond belief. The chemistry was freaking off the charts & hotter than belief. Their banter was epic and so fiery! And oh my word - i was not prepared for the mouth that Jones had! I was blushing!
There is nothing more special than the “it’s always been you” and seeing it actually coming true? It’s just a beautiful thing.
Thank you so much to Leanne August for trusting me with her work by sending me this ARC!
January 7, 2025
Jones and Mia!!!
I just love their story so so much!!
Second chance romance at its finest!!
Leanne writes the spiciest books you guys. This one even has a headboard scene!! Jones and Mia have ALOT of sexy fun!!
🥵🥵🥵🥵
But more than the action in bed, this story is filled with the best characters from the most amazing small town that I have come to love from Leanne’s Maple Ridge series!! You get to know Jones as this cocky player, but boy is he so much more, especially with Mia, who is incredibly strong! And what Jones did for Mia’s dad!! 😭😭❤️❤️
The grief in this story is strong, it’ll be hard to not tear up in some parts. But it becomes such a beautiful story of two strong and in love characters getting their together forever like they both deserve ❤️
And the epilogue!!!!! I’m so happy! It’s perfect!! 😍😍
My number one will always be Leanne’s first novella for the Maple Ridge series, Come Back to Me. If you want to let out a good cry, read it!!!
I just love their story so so much!!
Second chance romance at its finest!!
Leanne writes the spiciest books you guys. This one even has a headboard scene!! Jones and Mia have ALOT of sexy fun!!
🥵🥵🥵🥵
But more than the action in bed, this story is filled with the best characters from the most amazing small town that I have come to love from Leanne’s Maple Ridge series!! You get to know Jones as this cocky player, but boy is he so much more, especially with Mia, who is incredibly strong! And what Jones did for Mia’s dad!! 😭😭❤️❤️
The grief in this story is strong, it’ll be hard to not tear up in some parts. But it becomes such a beautiful story of two strong and in love characters getting their together forever like they both deserve ❤️
And the epilogue!!!!! I’m so happy! It’s perfect!! 😍😍
My number one will always be Leanne’s first novella for the Maple Ridge series, Come Back to Me. If you want to let out a good cry, read it!!!
September 11, 2024
This was an emotional second chance love story. It was hard because it dealt with the aftermath of child loss and how it can change everything. Jones and Mia were young lovers who had their lives planned out when she got pregnant and subsequently loss their baby. Mia was devastated and decided to leave town. Her decision not only affected her but it broke Jones. Fast forward eight years later and Mia is back. Her return disrupts her life and Jones’ life. Despite all the hurt and heartache, they are still drawn to the other. They still have a strong connection and they still love each other. They have to deal with the past and learn how to forgive each other.
This was a beautiful story but it was also real and a bit painful at times. I loved the family dynamics and the friendship circle. I just loved this book! 5 stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a beautiful story but it was also real and a bit painful at times. I loved the family dynamics and the friendship circle. I just loved this book! 5 stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 28, 2025
Definitely enjoyed this book, but I must be honest Mia annoyed the living daylights out of me. I literally wanted to smack her even though her grief was justifiable. Her keeping on insisting leaving Maple Ridge to go to a life in Connecticut that she didn’t really care about was ridiculous. And her insisting that she didn’t want to drop everything and change her life again for jobs was stupid. Because let’s be honest she was just denying the inevitable that she was in love with her and he had nothing to do with the fact she left the first time. But I’m glad she came to her senses in the end and realized she couldn’t live without Jones. As for Jones I admire him because he had a lot of patience with her and anyone could tell he was head over heels for her. I definitely recommend this book and this whole series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2024
4.25⭐️ Mia and Jones had a love story you write songs about. Until they experienced a devastating loss together and Mia decided to start her life over somewhere else leaving everyone and everything behind. It’s eight years later and she’s back in town to help with an event and her family. But Jones was always her person and no amount of time or pain could truly keep them apart.
This was an emotional rollercoaster! I’ve never seen two people more in love, but also more determined to live apart. A summer fling could never be enough and Jones is the ultimate book boyfriend proving over and over again why they are perfect for each other. I love this series and all the character dynamics. I’m truly going to miss them!
Thank you, LeAnne and Author PR, for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
This was an emotional rollercoaster! I’ve never seen two people more in love, but also more determined to live apart. A summer fling could never be enough and Jones is the ultimate book boyfriend proving over and over again why they are perfect for each other. I love this series and all the character dynamics. I’m truly going to miss them!
Thank you, LeAnne and Author PR, for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
September 20, 2024
⭐️ 3.5 ⭐️
Oh my goodness! All the feels, so much emotion, and a second chance with your first love! Sign me up! That’s what you get with @authorleanneaugust’s newest release, Where You Left Me.
Mia & Jones were each other’s first loves but life happened and it tore them apart for 8 years. Now they find themselves together again in the small town of Maple Ridge. This was so sweet and beautiful to read. Mia and Jones have been through so much together than really shaped so much of who they have become. To see them come back together at a time when they both need it was a full circle moment. There is something so special about an “it’s always been you” moment in a romance book. If that is what you’re in the mood for, this is the book for you!
Thank you @authorleanneaugust for an arc!!!
Oh my goodness! All the feels, so much emotion, and a second chance with your first love! Sign me up! That’s what you get with @authorleanneaugust’s newest release, Where You Left Me.
Mia & Jones were each other’s first loves but life happened and it tore them apart for 8 years. Now they find themselves together again in the small town of Maple Ridge. This was so sweet and beautiful to read. Mia and Jones have been through so much together than really shaped so much of who they have become. To see them come back together at a time when they both need it was a full circle moment. There is something so special about an “it’s always been you” moment in a romance book. If that is what you’re in the mood for, this is the book for you!
Thank you @authorleanneaugust for an arc!!!
September 11, 2024
Tropes:
-second chance
-all the spice
-"it's always been you"
-small town
-forced proximity
-shared secret grief
Where You Left Me is book three in the Maple Ridge series and is Jones and Mia's story.
Mia and Jones find themselves in the same town after 8 years apart. Mia is back home to take care of her father and Jones is still mad at Mia from years ago. After spending time together, feelings come back.
This is an emotional rollercoaster of a story, and I just love this! I have been looking forward to reading this and it did not disappoint! I just love the characters and this series!
Releasing September 12, 2024. I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
-second chance
-all the spice
-"it's always been you"
-small town
-forced proximity
-shared secret grief
Where You Left Me is book three in the Maple Ridge series and is Jones and Mia's story.
Mia and Jones find themselves in the same town after 8 years apart. Mia is back home to take care of her father and Jones is still mad at Mia from years ago. After spending time together, feelings come back.
This is an emotional rollercoaster of a story, and I just love this! I have been looking forward to reading this and it did not disappoint! I just love the characters and this series!
Releasing September 12, 2024. I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 17, 2024
Wow! What an amazing way back to the Maple Ridge series! I've read all the books in the Maple Ridge series, and was so excited for book three in the series to come out. Where you left Me (Book 3, which can be read as a standalone) is a small town romance, and a second chance romance. We meet the FMC Mia, and I was obsessed with her! I loved Mia! She was such a great character, and I found her so relatable!
I don't want to give away too much on this book or Mia's journey, but what I can say is that if you love Leann's other books or love a small town or a second chance, you will be obsessed with this emotional, beautiful tale!
I don't want to give away too much on this book or Mia's journey, but what I can say is that if you love Leann's other books or love a small town or a second chance, you will be obsessed with this emotional, beautiful tale!
September 14, 2024
I was so excited to be back in Maple Ridge. I have loved this series and was so excited for Mia and Jones' story. It was such an emotional read, but a beautiful story. Their chemistry was off the charts and the spice…skyrocketing! I enjoyed the appearances of past characters as well. If you haven't checked out this series, I highly recommend you do so. Thank you to Leanne August for the opportunity to read this ARC. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next, maybe Hayden and Amelia?!
September 22, 2024
This has been such an incredible series. I really have enjoyed it as a reader. This book definitely didn’t at all. I really enjoy this authors writing style. She writes characters that are relatable and ones you can connect with. She’s quickly become a personal favorite of mine. I enjoyed Mia & Jones story. It definitely was a roller skating rink of emotions. The characters had plenty of chemistry as well. Just a beautifully written story one that will stick with me for quite some time. I am thoroughly looking forward to what she writes next.
September 10, 2024
If you want a quick, emotional second chance romance with a fun friend group, then you’ll enjoy this one! Set in a small town, Mia and Jones find themselves in the same town together after 8 years apart. They’ve got a shared history that they’ve both been healing from and when they find themselves starting right back where they left off it’s easy to see what they’ve been missing. This was emotional, but I loved seeing them realize their potential together and grow as a couple!
September 16, 2024
I have had the pleasure of reading the entire maple ridge series as it has come out, and I am so sad to see it come to an end, it took me a minute to read, because I didn’t want it to end, Jones and Mia’s story was such an interesting one to read, watching them deal with grief and trust and all the real issues that comes with relationships, I just loved them, and loved this whole series! Definitely check it out! I cannot wait to read more by this author ❤️❤️❤️
September 27, 2024
. Mia tuvo un aborto, la pobre estaba tan mal que lo único que pudo hacer fue irse por salud mental . Ocho años después ella regresa a Maple ridge y Jones la trata mal, una y otra vez.
No se como terminaron juntos de nuevo.
Él se volvió el mujeriego del pueblo y ella tendrá que aguantar encontrarse con todas sus conquistas que son muchas, no dejo a nadie. Y para colmo tiene sexo sin condon a pesar de su historial. 😬
Todo gira en torno al sexo.
No se como terminaron juntos de nuevo.
Él se volvió el mujeriego del pueblo y ella tendrá que aguantar encontrarse con todas sus conquistas que son muchas, no dejo a nadie. Y para colmo tiene sexo sin condon a pesar de su historial. 😬
Todo gira en torno al sexo.
September 12, 2024
I just love Leanne's books. They are so cute but also can be super sad with a happy ever after. I was so happy to see Mia and Jones get their second chance, and fall more in love with each other. A lot of years have passed with them being apart but once they get back together it's like there was no time that had passed. This love is most definitely one for the story books.
September 18, 2024
I have to say I have read all of Leanne’s books and love all of them. Jones and Mia’s story is no different. I love the friends group and how they have all had a story. A second chance romance that makes you want to read more of all of their stories. Can’t wait to read more….4.5 ⭐️ and 2🌶️🌶️thank you for the Arc! ❤️❤️❤️
September 14, 2024
THANK YOU LEANNE FOR LETTING ME BE AN ARC READER
I love Jones and Mia's story. Leanne handles grief realistically while still adding in romance. I don't want this series to be over but I think it wrapped up beautifully.
I love Jones and Mia's story. Leanne handles grief realistically while still adding in romance. I don't want this series to be over but I think it wrapped up beautifully.
September 23, 2024
This was just OK for me. It needed a lot of editing (tons of typos) and there was really no plot, just lots and lots of smut. Which is normally amazing for me, but I felt that the story got lost in all the steamy parts.
However, I DID enjoy seeing Rosie and Nico and Cammie and Maverick again, as well as how Leanne handled heavier topics like miscarriage and strokes with care.
However, I DID enjoy seeing Rosie and Nico and Cammie and Maverick again, as well as how Leanne handled heavier topics like miscarriage and strokes with care.
October 1, 2024
LeAnne! You cant keep doing this to us! My beautiful Maple Ridge has all of its completed love stories and I will forever hold them close to my heart. This story is filled with love and second chances and how to forgive and had me sobbing in my bed at times. Mia and Jones deserve the world and are also way better at holding in secrets than me. Definitely check this out and I am so thankful to have been on the journey with this series 💜
September 21, 2024
This second chance at 'first love' filled me with all the warm fuzzies. Separated after a tragic event years before, Mia returns to their home town of Maple Ridge for the first time and the fire they once felt can't help but rekindle 🔥
Author LeAnne August's writing has easily been my favourite in 2023/2024 and I can't wait to continue the series in future!
Author LeAnne August's writing has easily been my favourite in 2023/2024 and I can't wait to continue the series in future!
November 3, 2024
Late eARC Review: 4.5⭐️
This book was different from other books that I've read.
I liked that it was easy to visualize what it could look like if the book was a movie instead of words.
This was the first I read from the series. It's one of my favourite books of the year.
This book was different from other books that I've read.
I liked that it was easy to visualize what it could look like if the book was a movie instead of words.
This was the first I read from the series. It's one of my favourite books of the year.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews