The Billionaire I Left Behind

by Josie Frost

A Sweet Second Chance Romance

I loved him. And then I left him. So now why am I living with him?

I had no choice when I broke his heart. My father’s betrayal left me drowning in debt and shame.

Staying meant facing the whispers… and him. So, I ran—far from the man who once held my heart in his hands.

Now, I’m back. Not because I want to be here, but because I have nowhere else to go. And fate has one cruel twist—I thought I was inheriting my grandmother’s beach house.

Instead, a legal clause forces me to share it with him for three months. If I walk away, I lose everything.

And now I’m falling for him all over again.

He’s colder, successful, and devastatingly gorgeous. But sometimes I see glimpses of the boy I loved.

There's a late-night storm. A kiss that shouldn’t have happened.

Then I find what I think is proof that he’s betraying me.

I broke his heart once. Now, I guess it’s my turn to be destroyed.

This is the second stand-alone book in the Billionaires of Ocean Bay Series starring Bryan and Emma. You met Brian’s sister Liz, his best friend Nate and his adorable nephew Max in book “Not” Engaged to the Grumpy Billionaire is a Single Dad Sweet Romance. Watch for book three coming up soon.

Genres: Romance

214 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2025

Reviews

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️

Josie Frost never fails to deliver stories that pull at your heartstrings, provide tension and heat, and a guaranteed happy ending. Her books are always a welcome read and seem to always come into play when I am needing to read a book that is overall a feel good read. The Billionaire I Left Behind is no different and just like in the past, this clean romance is exactly what I needed. The second installment in her Billionaires of Ocean Bay, there is character crossover, but it can be read as a standalone. However, of course I will highly recommend reading book one as well.

Having walked away from the man she loved was the hardest thing Emma has ever done. Until she had to return home for a funeral that would bring her face to face with Bryan again. Knowing she broke his heart in more than one way, she isn’t sure if she can be honest with him after all these years or if he can ever forgive her.

Bryan never knew the truth behind Emma leaving him and their hometown behind. Having worked hard to become the man he is today, he isn’t ready to see her again after ten years apart. However, he’s never been able to forget her or his feelings and her being back in town isn’t allowing old feelings to stay buried. As he spends more and more time with her, he remembers why he loved her, but when the truth comes out to why she left, will he let the past lie or will it be too much to forgive in the present?

This story, as all of Josie’s are, is well written, paced perfectly, and the storyline remains clear and focused. Watching Emma and Bryan undo ten years of hurt kept me captivated and wanting to know what would happen next. I am a hopeless romantic at heart, so when people belong together, I am all for them finding a way to be together. Beyond their love story, it was great to see characters from book one again and get to know the small town a bit more. There is going to be a third book in this series and I am so excited!

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
💖Second Chance Romance
💖Billionaire Romance
💖Coming Home
💖She Walked Away

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This contemporary billionaire enemies-to-lovers second chance romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building in Ocean Bay, and characters that are alpha, exuding power and wealth, gorgeous, colder, successful, sassy female, a veterinarian, captivating, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with the billionaire I left behind, tame sweet second chance romance with an age-gap, humor, drama, heartfelt emotions, I broke his heart, father's betrayal left me growing in debt and shame, staying meant facing the whispers, ran far away from the man who once held my heart in his hands, fate has one cruel twist, I thought I was inheriting my grandmother's beach house, a legal clause forces me to share it with him for three months, if I walk away, I lose everything, sometimes I see glimpses of the boy I knew, a late-night storm, a kiss that shouldn't have happened, find proof that he's betraying me, I broke his heart once, now I guess it's my turn to be destroyed, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with the billionaire I left behind and a clean, sweet second chance romance that is sure to transport readers into a world that is sweet, humorous, and unforgettable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[greenapplemojito · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent read with the cliche granny meddling from the afterlife, forced-proximity, second-chance romance. iI would have loved it if there were more to this book - more pining/grovelling, more spark/connection between the MCs. I couldn't connect with them, nor could I understand the full extent of their relationship from the past, nor was I convinced that it was that easy to still be in love or fall back into the old ways after not being in touch for so long, especially when we did not hear anything about any of them reaching out or fighting - felt like the MMC didn't put up a fight. The "billionaire" in this billionaire romance wasn't much but okay. I just hated the amount of miscommunication and the number of times the FMC "happened to hear" something out of context and bring up a fight. This book personally wasn't it for me but for someone who hasn't read a book with similar trope or genre, might be good to give it a try as it captures the essense of most of the books in that space.

[Jeffrey Aitken · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel delivers a rich second-chance romance.

The plot is well-structured, blending romantic tension with deeper themes of grief, forgiveness, and personal growth.

Frost’s writing is smooth and engaging, filled with warm detail and strong dialogue.

The secondary characters, especially Stella and Nate, add charm and community flavour, enriching the world of Ocean Bay.

That said, the pacing sags in the middle, and the final emotional payoff feels a bit rushed. A longer buildup to reconciliation would strengthen the ending.

Still, The Billionaire I Left Behind is a heartfelt, well-written romance that readers will enjoy for its emotional depth and charming setting.

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best if read in order. Characters overlap throughout the series. Seeing his ex for the first time in years after she left without a word would have been jarring no matter what. Having it happen at her grandma's funeral makes it even harder. Learning that she has to split her grandma's estate with her ex was shocking. The stipulations and alternative is unbelievable. What was her grandma thinking? Will she be able to get along with him? How does he react when he learns the full truth on what she has been dealing with? Can they move forward after all of the secrets?.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debdutch · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Billionaire I Left Behind” by Josie Frost

A second-chance romance for Bryan and Emma filled with grief, secrets, and the sting of unfinished love. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Ocean Bay shines with rich detail and endearing side characters like Stella and Nate. Though the pacing dips, the emotional layers and heartfelt reunion still resonate.

A moving, well-crafted story of forgiveness, with depth, charm, and coastal warmth. A nice contribution to the series.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Emma's father gets into trouble his betrayal has her leaving town to get away from the chaos created by him and as a result devastating the man she loves. She has returned intime for her grandmother's funeral and gets a cold reception from her ex-boyfriend but when her grandmother's will stated that they have to live together in order for them to inherit it, will they put aside their differences. This smalltown romance is filled with drama centering around betrayal heartache and second chances.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Book Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bryan and Em’s romance is a second-chance after Em walked away. The author weaves a tale of vulnerability, independent and living with grief. With humour and determination the main characters face their past and their needs…. Building a future together. The interweaving of past characters in Ocean Bay builds a very real narrative. Enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[C.Y. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josie has once again delivered an outstanding performance. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Bryan and Emma. The clever strategy devised by Grandma to "get the house" was indeed ingenious, and she ultimately got her wish when the couple achieved their happily ever after. With Buddy added to the mix, the story becomes even more charming.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another well written sweet, clean romance read by Frost. Great characters and a smooth flowing storyline that is fun and entertaining from start to finish. I enjoyed this enemies to more second chance romance with the emotions Frost pulls from me by dealing with deeper themes. Love this world of Ocean Bay as well. A great read you're sure to enjoy!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous book by Josie Frost !!!!! I love her books … I recommend her books if you have never read any !!! I love this story… so good to watch Emma and Bryan find themselves back to each other !!! I’m loving how and where he proposed to her … kind of made you laugh a little !! This was an ARC book !!! I recommend it !!!!

[Ineta · Rating 4 out of 5]

After 13 years she is back in Ocean Bay, ready to make her dream come true. Do Emma and Bryan have their second chance for good?
Emotional second chance romance, wonderful characters and great community and friends who support them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

So excited to be back in Ocean Bay again! Bryan and Emma’s story was so sweet and I love the second chance! As always - perfectly executed HEA!

[T'Odes · Rating 1 out of 5]

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