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Seven Brides, Seven Brothers #2
Still the One
Christian Romance. Seven boys adopted from the foster care system by Alec and Maggie Donahue, a loving Irish couple living in Breeze Point, Cape Cod. Now grown men, the brothers are making their way in the world in their chosen professions, each hoping to find a love to last a lifetime. Faith. Family. Honor. And an abundance of love.
Seven Brides, Seven Brothers series
The Hero
Ryder Donahue, a Paramedic, lost his wife, Lena, to cancer four and a half years ago. Despite his devastating loss, Ryder has continued to make forward strides, earning himself the Hero title as he saves lives on a daily basis. When he begins to experience romantic feelings towards his best friend and paramedic partner, Tess Dailey, he resists putting his heart on the line a second time.
Tess Dailey has always been in love with her Paramedic partner and best friend, Ryder Donahue. She's hidden her feelings for six long years, but when an unexpected kiss occurs at a Donahue family wedding, things get complicated between them. Being in love with a man who's afraid to love again requires courage. Will she risk it all by staking a claim on the love of a lifetime?
Seven Brides, Seven Brothers Series
Seven Brides, Seven Brothers series
The Hero
Ryder Donahue, a Paramedic, lost his wife, Lena, to cancer four and a half years ago. Despite his devastating loss, Ryder has continued to make forward strides, earning himself the Hero title as he saves lives on a daily basis. When he begins to experience romantic feelings towards his best friend and paramedic partner, Tess Dailey, he resists putting his heart on the line a second time.
Tess Dailey has always been in love with her Paramedic partner and best friend, Ryder Donahue. She's hidden her feelings for six long years, but when an unexpected kiss occurs at a Donahue family wedding, things get complicated between them. Being in love with a man who's afraid to love again requires courage. Will she risk it all by staking a claim on the love of a lifetime?
Seven Brides, Seven Brothers Series
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2014
129 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
About the author
Belle Calhoune
95 books434 followersBelle Calhoune writes heartwarming, inspirational romance novels set in small, cozy towns. Married to her college sweetheart and living in southern Connecticut, she is the mother of two girls. Born and raised in Massachusetts, she is one of five children. Growing up across the street from a public library allowed her to become an avid reader who aspired to be a romance writer. When she isn't writing, she enjoys reading, spending time in Cape Cod, traveling and enjoying time with friends and family.
Belle hopes her books will provide readers with inspiration, entertainment and an escape from day to day life.
Belle hopes her books will provide readers with inspiration, entertainment and an escape from day to day life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 17, 2014
Wonderful love story
I loved Tess and Ryder what an awesome couple. This story is so well written that you are drawn in from the first line.
I loved Tess and Ryder what an awesome couple. This story is so well written that you are drawn in from the first line.
January 21, 2017
SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE
Tess came from a broken home. She didn't even know who her father was and would be willing to bet her own mother didn't either. She came to Cape Cod to start a new life, but troubles have a way of catching up with you and forcing you to face them eventually.
Ryder had been working with Tess as a paramedic for years. He thought of her as his best friend. When his wife died of cancer, it was Tess who helped pull him back. He could never think of her as anything but a friend. He couldn't take the chance that anything else might ruin what they already had.
The problem was, Tess already loved Ryder and had for a long time. She respected the time he needed to grieve, but she couldn't wait forever. Would Ryder ever love her though? Could he?
Then Seth, her younger brother, shows up. He's always running away from home and Tess can't blame him. They had the same mother after all, so he was having to live the same way she did, and that was why she left as soon as she could. But could she handle having him live with her? He was a troubled teenager about to enter his senior year, if she could convince him to take summer classes. Was she up for the challenge?
I enjoyed the first book, where we meet the first brother who finds his true love again, so it was nice to visit with the family again. All seven of the boys had been adopted and all came from troubled homes except one, whose parents died in a car accident, but they all had the same love for God and family and that's what kept them together and kept them strong through life's trials. Getting to know this family is proving to be fun and entertaining, with enough emotion thrown in to make you feel like these are real people and you're getting to know them. Ready for the next one.
Tess came from a broken home. She didn't even know who her father was and would be willing to bet her own mother didn't either. She came to Cape Cod to start a new life, but troubles have a way of catching up with you and forcing you to face them eventually.
Ryder had been working with Tess as a paramedic for years. He thought of her as his best friend. When his wife died of cancer, it was Tess who helped pull him back. He could never think of her as anything but a friend. He couldn't take the chance that anything else might ruin what they already had.
The problem was, Tess already loved Ryder and had for a long time. She respected the time he needed to grieve, but she couldn't wait forever. Would Ryder ever love her though? Could he?
Then Seth, her younger brother, shows up. He's always running away from home and Tess can't blame him. They had the same mother after all, so he was having to live the same way she did, and that was why she left as soon as she could. But could she handle having him live with her? He was a troubled teenager about to enter his senior year, if she could convince him to take summer classes. Was she up for the challenge?
I enjoyed the first book, where we meet the first brother who finds his true love again, so it was nice to visit with the family again. All seven of the boys had been adopted and all came from troubled homes except one, whose parents died in a car accident, but they all had the same love for God and family and that's what kept them together and kept them strong through life's trials. Getting to know this family is proving to be fun and entertaining, with enough emotion thrown in to make you feel like these are real people and you're getting to know them. Ready for the next one.
September 22, 2018
Belle Calhoune's "Still the One" is the 2nd book of the Seven Brides, Seven Brothers series. A series about an outstanding family, the Donahue's, made up of 7 brothers who were adopted by two kind souls (Alec & Maggie) who saw it as their life's mission to care for these youths who came from rough backgrounds. This book follows the story of Ryder Donahue and Tess Dailey two paramedics who have worked together for years and are now (well Ryder mostly) discovering their love for one another.
I loved the interactions between Tess and Ryder that clearly showed their deep-seated friendship. I loved that the character's emotions were so well described that I wanted to cry, yell, laugh, and feel what they were feeling too. The faith related aspects of the book were kept to a minimum. The characters are all Christians, but other than a few prayers or mentions of God here and there, faith is not a predominant theme in the book.
As far as content goes, the book was rather clean, no language or violence and no explicit intimacy. However, there was, to me, a great too many kissing scenes between two people who were not in a committed relationship; hence, 4 stars instead of 5.
Overall, beautiful writing, fantastic descriptions, and amazing characters.
I loved the interactions between Tess and Ryder that clearly showed their deep-seated friendship. I loved that the character's emotions were so well described that I wanted to cry, yell, laugh, and feel what they were feeling too. The faith related aspects of the book were kept to a minimum. The characters are all Christians, but other than a few prayers or mentions of God here and there, faith is not a predominant theme in the book.
As far as content goes, the book was rather clean, no language or violence and no explicit intimacy. However, there was, to me, a great too many kissing scenes between two people who were not in a committed relationship; hence, 4 stars instead of 5.
Overall, beautiful writing, fantastic descriptions, and amazing characters.
June 12, 2019
Picking up right where we left off with Blue's wedding, we meet another one of the Donahue boys and see where his past has left him. For Ryder, the pain is far more recent. He lost his first wife, the love of his life, Lena to cancer just four years ago. Unlike Blue he has loving memories of his past, but losing love over and over has made him more than a little hesitant to love again. Tess, his paramedic partner, has always held a flame in her heart for him, but isn't sure she can ever measure up to the ghost of love's past.
May 15, 2021
Best friends to more ❤
Ryder lost his young wife to cancer and doesn't want to lose another person he loves. His best friend, Tess, has loved him for years. I enjoyed this best friends to more love story very much! Both were lovely, strong characters who suited each other very well. The road to their happy ending wasnt easy, but it was fun reading about how they got to it. These Donahue brothers are great! Their parents are wonderful role models too.
Ryder lost his young wife to cancer and doesn't want to lose another person he loves. His best friend, Tess, has loved him for years. I enjoyed this best friends to more love story very much! Both were lovely, strong characters who suited each other very well. The road to their happy ending wasnt easy, but it was fun reading about how they got to it. These Donahue brothers are great! Their parents are wonderful role models too.
January 19, 2024
Still the One, the second book in the Seven Brides, Seven Brothers series, is a sweet love story. I loved getting to know the Donahue family! I have not read the first book in the series, but this second one worked well as a standalone. A smoothly flowing plot, wonderful characters, sweet romance, and a gentle faith thread combine to make an inspiring, satisfying read.
November 5, 2019
Plot: 2
Characters: 1.5
Writing: 1.75
Characters: 1.5
Writing: 1.75
May 16, 2020
Loved it!
You can't help but love the Donahue family and the way they love and support each other. This was a great story of going beyond fear.
You can't help but love the Donahue family and the way they love and support each other. This was a great story of going beyond fear.
Read
September 15, 2020Great. I am enjoying the series.
October 13, 2020
Sweet and predictable, like a Hallmark movie.
July 3, 2023
Too wordy, big paragraphs between sentences, and too much focus on “perfect” physical attributes.
August 28, 2025
Loved.this story of hppe
The way their disparate lives are woven together makes this tale come to life... leaving one anticipating way the next brother will find his soulmate.
The way their disparate lives are woven together makes this tale come to life... leaving one anticipating way the next brother will find his soulmate.
February 28, 2017
Still the one
Interesting story. Liked the characters. AmAzing how the couple did such a great job raising the brothers. Ryder was letting his past losses making him reluctant to admitting feeling for Tess and almost ruined their chances for a happy ever after. Luckily him woke up in time. Gave it 4 stars
Interesting story. Liked the characters. AmAzing how the couple did such a great job raising the brothers. Ryder was letting his past losses making him reluctant to admitting feeling for Tess and almost ruined their chances for a happy ever after. Luckily him woke up in time. Gave it 4 stars
February 27, 2017
Absolutely fantastic, I am in love with the Donahue family. Rhyder and tess are wonderful characters and I'm looking forward to reading about all the others and the people they find.
July 18, 2016
Still the One is book 2 in the Seven Brides Seven Brothers series by Belle Calhoune. The series is a series of romances of the seven Donohue brothers.
Alex and Maggie Donohue had adopted seven little boys who all had emotional problems with being left behind when their parents either left them or died. Alex and Maggie had big hearts and felt there was always room for one more. Ryder was the oldest of the boys and always felt like a peacemaker and hated confrontation which could lead to fighting. He had married Lena and then stood by her side as she fought cancer and lost. He had lost his parents, his Nana, and his wife. He just knew his heart could not take being broken again, so he was avoiding love.
Tess Dailey was from a dysfunctional home. She had finally broken away and had made her way through college on her own. She was an EMT along with Ryder. He had taken her under his wing when she first started and helped her become the best EMT she could be. She had been there for Ryder when Lena died and would be there for him for whatever else happened. They were best friends. Knowing how much he loved Lena, she knew they could be nothing but best friends.
Tess’s younger brother Seth shows up on her doorstep. He was running away from his mother. Tess could do nothing else but take him in and then argue with her Mother for her to allow Seth to live with Tess and finish high school. Seth was full of anger and showed lots of attitude and disrespect. Could Tess live with his attitude? What else could happen?
This book and the series are great. They are short enough to make good night reading or summer reading. Belle has a way of taking you right into the Donohue family.
Alex and Maggie Donohue had adopted seven little boys who all had emotional problems with being left behind when their parents either left them or died. Alex and Maggie had big hearts and felt there was always room for one more. Ryder was the oldest of the boys and always felt like a peacemaker and hated confrontation which could lead to fighting. He had married Lena and then stood by her side as she fought cancer and lost. He had lost his parents, his Nana, and his wife. He just knew his heart could not take being broken again, so he was avoiding love.
Tess Dailey was from a dysfunctional home. She had finally broken away and had made her way through college on her own. She was an EMT along with Ryder. He had taken her under his wing when she first started and helped her become the best EMT she could be. She had been there for Ryder when Lena died and would be there for him for whatever else happened. They were best friends. Knowing how much he loved Lena, she knew they could be nothing but best friends.
Tess’s younger brother Seth shows up on her doorstep. He was running away from his mother. Tess could do nothing else but take him in and then argue with her Mother for her to allow Seth to live with Tess and finish high school. Seth was full of anger and showed lots of attitude and disrespect. Could Tess live with his attitude? What else could happen?
This book and the series are great. They are short enough to make good night reading or summer reading. Belle has a way of taking you right into the Donohue family.
October 30, 2016
This is the second book in this series that I've read, though I don't think I've yet read the first one. The title seems more fitting to Blue and Sarah (who are likely the subjects of book 1 in the series).
I like the Donahue family. I admire that Alec and Maggie adopted older boys and raised them to be capable men. However, I grow weary of the romance plot of two people liking each other but each not wanting to admit to the other (or sometimes even to themselves) that they love each other and should be together. The interplay between Tess and Ryder got a bit old at times--to the point where you just wanted someone to shake them and say "get it together already".
I did like how Tess took in her brother Seth and how Ryder and the rest of the Donahue family supported her efforts in that.
I like the Donahue family. I admire that Alec and Maggie adopted older boys and raised them to be capable men. However, I grow weary of the romance plot of two people liking each other but each not wanting to admit to the other (or sometimes even to themselves) that they love each other and should be together. The interplay between Tess and Ryder got a bit old at times--to the point where you just wanted someone to shake them and say "get it together already".
I did like how Tess took in her brother Seth and how Ryder and the rest of the Donahue family supported her efforts in that.
June 29, 2016
The second book is about Ryder and Tess. Ryder lost his wife to cancer very young, and now is afraid to give his heart to any woman for fear of losing he, too. Tess has been in love with Ryder for over 6 years, but he only thinks of her, family support, trust, and dealing with fear. It is very well-written and the characters are so believable and realistic.
I did find two editing errors, but it did not spoil the story.
I did find two editing errors, but it did not spoil the story.
March 29, 2016
Sweet & Sentimental
This is my second book by Belle Calhoune and, for me, it was truly a great improvement in coherency. (There was only one contradiction this time about her having called someone on her cell then saying she didn't have their number.) However this was a truly touching and lovely romance and will indeed be continuing with this series!
This is my second book by Belle Calhoune and, for me, it was truly a great improvement in coherency. (There was only one contradiction this time about her having called someone on her cell then saying she didn't have their number.) However this was a truly touching and lovely romance and will indeed be continuing with this series!
November 20, 2014
Sweet story
I gave this a 3 because it was a solid, sweet story about two friends finding each other but there wasn't much extra. I will keep reading the series because of the sweetness and it's a quick read.
I gave this a 3 because it was a solid, sweet story about two friends finding each other but there wasn't much extra. I will keep reading the series because of the sweetness and it's a quick read.
February 22, 2015
Great book! Well written, a lovable family with a deep rooted faith, and characters who are trying to overcome some obstacle to get on the path God has set for them. I look forward to reading the entire series!
March 16, 2015
Great series
Love this family and the fun characters they are... filled with Grace, humor, honor and loyalty. Their sense of family and love makes me enjoy getting to know them more.
Love this family and the fun characters they are... filled with Grace, humor, honor and loyalty. Their sense of family and love makes me enjoy getting to know them more.
June 3, 2015
Good book
Ryder and Tess that a love story. Tess love Ryder for a long time, but his wife died a couple of years ago, and Ryder kiss Tess and he started to have feeling for her, which he try not to. But , after his talk with his dad, he finally admit, he loves her.
Ryder and Tess that a love story. Tess love Ryder for a long time, but his wife died a couple of years ago, and Ryder kiss Tess and he started to have feeling for her, which he try not to. But , after his talk with his dad, he finally admit, he loves her.
February 5, 2016
When Ryder lost the love of his life, he decided never to fall in love again. Ryder and Tess are partners at work and best friends. Watching Ryder fight his feelings for Tess is amazing. The Donahue family are beautiful people you will fall in love with. God is working throughout this whole book.
June 30, 2016
Cute
A great clean romance with a little bit of Christianity thrown in there (talk of God, and having faith in Him). I loved Ryder and Tess. It was a perfect in love with her best friend story.
Content: clean (no language, some kissing)
A great clean romance with a little bit of Christianity thrown in there (talk of God, and having faith in Him). I loved Ryder and Tess. It was a perfect in love with her best friend story.
Content: clean (no language, some kissing)
July 8, 2016
Seven boys adopted from the foster care system by Alec and Maggie Donahue, a loving Irish couple living in Breeze Point, Cape Cod. Now grown men, the brothers are making their way in the world in their chosen professions, each hoping to find a love to last a lifetime.
October 20, 2016
Good adopted children story.
Having adopted children of my own, I enjoy someone else's point of view, even if it is in a story. I really enjoyed the way the author had the character s work togeter
Having adopted children of my own, I enjoy someone else's point of view, even if it is in a story. I really enjoyed the way the author had the character s work togeter
October 23, 2016
Still the One
Sweet, satisfying Christian romance! Deals sensitively with issues of grief, family dysfunction, and sibling relationships. Wonderful, hopeful story. Glad it is a series; am looking forward to reading more about these people!
Sweet, satisfying Christian romance! Deals sensitively with issues of grief, family dysfunction, and sibling relationships. Wonderful, hopeful story. Glad it is a series; am looking forward to reading more about these people!
December 7, 2016
Wonderful Readind
This book is just as great as the first! I can't wait to read more in this series. God guides everyone even when not expected. Listening to hearts and prayers even if they don't get answered as quickly as people want them to!
This book is just as great as the first! I can't wait to read more in this series. God guides everyone even when not expected. Listening to hearts and prayers even if they don't get answered as quickly as people want them to!
November 17, 2014
Very cute and sweet. I picked this book up for free on Amazon, but I will be buying the rest of this series. <3
January 31, 2015
Letting go of fear
We're all afraid or in fear of something but sometimes we have stop being afraid and step out on Faith don't let fear keep you from happiness.
We're all afraid or in fear of something but sometimes we have stop being afraid and step out on Faith don't let fear keep you from happiness.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews