The One Who Got Away

Murdock Brothers #4

by Taryn Quinn

Gus The LoyalShe was my best friend. She was also way too good for me.

Eloise Cross was valedictorian, voted most likely to succeed, and had all the plans to get out of Indigo Valley.

I wasn't going to be the guy to hold her back.

I was her cheerleader and her safe friend. Before I said something stupid DON'T GO.

I was the one who left.

I lost myself in foreign lands and learned everything there was to help build houses and structures. I worked my a$$ off to give other people a place to call home.

Until that one night on a beach in Costa Rica.

I thought a bottle of rum would numb all the pain. Because it was her birthday and I was missing her.

And the riptide almost killed me.

Now I have a second chance at life and I'm going after her. No matter where I have to go to find her.

Only to find out she was the one who never left.

Now it was time to show her that I've always been the man for her. And I'll never leave again.

Falling for his best friend was the easiest thing Gus ever did, but making Eloise believe it would be the real work. Indigo Valley is full of hope and new starts. The Murdock Brothers fall hard and fast, but a scorching HOT happily ever after is guaranteed.

These are quick stories served best with a glass of wine or a cup of tea before bed. Or if you’re feeling extra spicy, you can read one of these books on your lunch break!

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance

98 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2025

About the author

USA Today bestselling author, Taryn Quinn, is the bestie combo of bestselling authors Taryn Elliott and Cari Quinn.

We’re both fur moms and happily single.

We bonded over our love of music and reading and love to incorporate our crazy ideas into sprawling, shenanigan-filled books where an HEA is a promise. If you love found families, you’re guaranteed to find ones you wish were your own by the end of our books.

☕️ Pour a cup of coffee and join us. We’re glad you’re here.


Reviews

[lovestoread · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful new town with a whole bunch of new people to get to know! Indigo Valley sounds like a cute litte town.

Gus has come home and started working with his brothers again. He'd been travelling the world and keeping busy, but missing his best friend.

Eloise has come home to help her mom. Sudden change in home life is pretty stressful and mom is not dealing well. Eloise has taken up her old job to keep busy and get out of the house. She too is missing her best friend.

Lo and behold, Gus and El take up where they left off, best friends. They could be so much more but communication needs to occur!

Quick, fun read. Get out of the rat race for a while and delve into Indigo Valley.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazon

Gus has finally come home. He got the same call that all hands on deck were needed for his and his brothers' construction company, so he finally came home from across the world. He has a small (OK, huge) secret that he's keeping, and doesn't see himself revealing it anytime soon. But then he sees his childhood best friend again and all those feelings come bubbling to the surface. Now he knows why he really came home - for Eloise. She's here and he means to keep her this time even if it means letting her know what happened to him on the beach that has his head (and body) all kinds of messed up.



Eloise did what she was destined, what Gus had hoped for her - went out and got that degree to help land her dream gaming job. And she was there for awhile learning the ropes. But then she too got a call to come home. Only she's home to help her mom after her dad up and leaves. Seeing her old best friend again wasn't on her to do list, but now that she's seen Gus again, it's like time hasn't passed, and that comfort and familiarity is there again. Along with other, more than friendly feelings ... he just might be the one to convince her to stay, and enjoy their small hometown and the love that only longtime friends can have.



There's probably not anything sweeter than friends realizing there's more than just friendship between them. Gus and Eloise's journey from friends to soulmates seemed insta on paper, but reading between the lines, it was really a long trip with years in between. But they couldn't have been sweeter or sexier as they realized just how much they really loved each other, how they laid bare their inner demons the way only the closest friends can, and fell headlong. I adore Indigo Valley and the Murdock Brothers - Cameron's and Maxine's story, Keeping My Wife: A Fake Marriage Small Town Romance, is up next and I can't wait!



ARC provided by the authors for an honest review.
Ebook also purchased through Amazon.

Review: Live Through Books Blog.

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[Lisa Cahill · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are now onto brother #4 Gus. I am reviewing him under his given name, Angus!! He is much more manlier than being called Gus!
Angus is back home to help his brothers and their construction company as they are overwhelmed with work. After having a near death experience he is trying to get his life and his physical self back to normal. When he goes into a sandwich shop to pick up lunch, standing before him is his best friend from high school Eloise. She went away to college to design video games and he went to travel the world after they graduated and he has not seen her since. WOW she looks incredible as she has filled out in all the right places. He has always wanted something more with her and this time he is not letting her get away.
Eloise has come home from Chicago to help out her mother who is very depressed and clingy after her father left and divorced her mother. She wants to spend as much time as she can with Angus but her mother is making it very difficult as she is constantly keeping track of her. This is finally her chance with her best friend to take their friendship to the next step. These two do not waste time getting this relationship into overdrive and make up for the relationship that could have been. Great characters that you will fall in love with as I did!!
Loving the Murdock brothers as each of their stories are wonderful!

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taryn Elliott and Cari Quinn are the queens of small town romance that warms the heart and all the parts and just makes me really really happy. Crescent Cove (one of my faves!), Winchester Falls, Kensington Square, Turnbull, I love them all, and now, Indigo Valley, home of the Murdock brothers.

I say with each of the ladies' books that it's my new favorite, and it's true, but THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY, Gus' and Eloise's story, truly has my heart. There's just something about the friends-to-lovers trope, and when you throw in lifetime friendship, unrequited love, and the special family that are the Murdocks, well, there's no way NOT to love this book.

The ease between Gus and Eloise, the communication that comes from years of knowing someone and that makes years apart meaningless, their familiarity and ability to drop back into best friend (plus more!) mode, make their segue from friends to lovers seamless. These two are perfect for each other, and I adore them together.

The books in this series are short, sweet, and sexy, and just perfect. Grab this one, and the rest if you haven't read them, and find your next happy place.

[Reading Addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

These Murdock Brothers stories are so much fun and The One Who Got Away is another great addition to the series! Gus Murdock was best friends with Eloise Cross growing up in Indigo Valley. Gus knew that Eloise was always meant for "more" than Indigo Valley could offer. He was so proud that she was offered a scholarship to an impressive college and wanted nothing but the best for her even though his heart was breaking a bit inside. As the years went by, Gus went on to travel the world and hone his construction skills while Eloise went on to work for a major gaming manufacturer in Chicago. Years later they find themselves both back in town and Gus knows that this is his opportunity to finally make his move and come clean to El. What Gus doesn't realize is that Eloise has always had a thing for him but never thought that he desired her in that way. So, can these two open up to each other and move forward together or will they be two ships that pass in the night? Give this cute story a read and all the questions will be answered! It was told from dual POV and was sweet with a bit of heat.

[Teresa Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The One Who Got Away: A Best Friend's to Lovers Small Town Romance (Murdock Brothers Book 4) by Taryn Quinn is a love story about former best friends Gus Murdock and Eloise Cross, who friend-zoned each other as teenagers but both secretly felt something more. Eloise went to college to become a programmer at a gaming company. Meanwhile, Gus used his building skills to travel the world, eventually settling in the last few years to build houses in Costa Rica. Before his older brother called all the brothers to come home, Gus spent three weeks in a foreign hospital after a close encounter with death from a riptide and multiple jellyfish stings. He returned home to answer his brother’s call, feeling it was time. On the other hand, Eloise left her city job to return home because her mom was emotionally overwhelmed after her father left without any explanation, accompanied by divorce papers. After running into each other at the “Bite Me” Sandwich shop, where Eloise was working, they started to reconnect. Their romance begins to blossom as hidden feelings and desires come to light while they navigate family drama that threatens to ruin their growing relationship. Taryn Quinn delivers romance with this novella, which can be read in one sitting, offering a yummy afternoon delight.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving the Murdock Brothers stories. This one didn’t disappoint and is another great additional to the series. Gus has come back home to help out his brothers in their construction company, as they need some extra experience hands. After a trauma life event, he is trying to get his life back to some type of normal. One day he stops to pick up a sandwich for lunch and finds himself standing in front of his high school best friend Eloise. Eloise has come back to help her mother, who isn’t dealing well with the fact that her father has ended their marriage. Eloise cann’t believe she has connected with her high school friend again and really wants to spend time with Gus, but her mother isn’t giving her any room to breathe. Have to say when these two do connect, they don’t waste time and the pages just sizzle! These two are so good for each other and it is too bad that life didn’t have them together sooner. You cann’t help but love these characters and their reconnecting story.

[litljen · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** I received an advanced copy and chose to review it ***
** 100% spoiler-free review **
* 5 stars *

Taryn Quinn returns to Indigo Valley with the fourth book in their Murdock Brothers series. This story focuses on Gus and Eloise, two best friends who drifted apart as their lives took different paths after high school. When both return to Indigo Valley, they reconnect, and the story takes off from there. Gus and Eloise, unbeknownst to them, both had feelings for each other when they were younger. Now that they have reunited, the sparks have ignited once again, and these two embark on a steamy, swoony romance.

The One Who Got Away is a quick, easy read that will keep you invested throughout. It's funny, sweet, swoony, sexy, and heartwarming. I cheered for Gus and Eloise from the very start. Quinn's Murdock Brothers books are so much fun to read, and I can't wait for the next story to come! 5 stars

[Trace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the Murdock Brother's series. The couple in this one is Gus and Eloise.
They have been best friends since elementary school. As they got older they both had crushes on each other but never told or acted one it.
Gus was working in the rain forest when Sully asked to come home but he was dealing with a very serious injury but never told anyone from home.
Eloise came home for her job in Chicago to help her mom out when her dad took off and filed for divorce out of the blue. Her mother became very clingy.
Eloise works at the Bite Me diner where Gus comes in for a lunch order.
They talk and he asks if he can see her again. After almost dying he has made a decision that he wants her finally. After a dinner and old movie night at her place he kisses and tells he it wasn't a mistake.
The more the spend together and finally letting it out how much they want each other they finally come together.
This is one of the cutest books in the series.

[Gab Mce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gus is such a sweetheart and Eloise is the one that got away. This novella continues the journey of the Murdock Brothers finding love and it is such a quick and beautiful read. I enjoyed that there was history between Eloise and Gus and that even though that history was not romantic it cemented a friendship that would last a lifetime. Love sometimes blooms out of those friendships and taking the first step in the will they or won’t they like me back is always fun to read. Gus, out of all the brothers, really has this need to love Eloise and show her that their lives could be different together. And Eloise has had success in her job and now is home helping mom out with life' s challenges, but she gets to see that Indigo Valley just might have the happily ever after she has been chasing. Like I have mentioned before, these Murdock Brothers bring the heat and their novellas are a joy to read! And guess what, there is one more brother to come.

[Alison Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gus Murdock is back home after a call from his brother that he needed help with the family business. No one knew that the call came at the right time, Gus had just been through a life altering event which he was hiding from everyone.

He is a strong, thoughtful, Alpha male, who has been in love with his high school best friend Eloise forever. He never acted on the impulse so that she could have her dreams, but now that they are both back home ........

Eloise is a bright, nerdy, computer programmer, who has had to leave her high flying programming job, to return to look after her Mum for a while.
She has always wanted more with her high school bestie, Gus, but was afraid that if it didn't work out she would lose her one real friend.

She finds herself back home, in her old room, and meeting up with her old bestie, maybe, just maybe its time she followed her heart rather than her head ?.......

[Pennie Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one left me with a smile and a sigh. I have fallen in love with this hard working family and I think Gus most of all. He came back to town not looking as he did when he left. He looked sickly and we get the story why (I'm not going to tell you) when he runs into his high school best friend, Eloise, and his heart nearly stops. He has been pining for her secretly forever. Eloise is back in town to help her mother after her father walked on their marriage and she fell apart. Eloise is working back at the sandwich shop as she did in high school and living in her old room and is her mom's support system. When Gus comes into Bite Me all bets are off and the chemistry is off the hook. It was fun watching them find their way and once Gus took the first step there was no turning back. Definitely my favorite one so far!

[Fedora · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY is the fourth in Taryn Quinn’s Murdock Brothers’ series, set in charming Indigo Valley. Gus Murdock comes home to help his brothers with the booming construction company after traveling the world and discovers that what (or rather who) he was looking for has been there all along. Eloise Cross comes home also, to help her mother deal with the shock of her change in situation, and finds that reconnecting with an old friend is just what she needed.

Taryn Quinn’s story is sweet and hot, and it’s a good time to watch Eloise and Gus figure out that sometimes coming home is truly everything you’ve ever wanted. Their families and friends give them the loving support they need to find their own way. A keeper!

[Melissa Carlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angus, or Gus as he is called, returns home to Indigo Valley to help his brothers with their construction business in the small town. His childhood best friend, the lovely and talented Eloise, returns home to help her very emotionally distressed and clingy mother get over a divorce from her father. The friendship between Gus and Eloise is just as strong as ever, but the years apart and the closeness they share now makes it very clear that there is a pull between them that is much stronger than friendship. Readers will enjoy rooting for them as they face meddling family members and friends, mother nature, and small town challenges that try to keep them apart. The author writes the characters and town so well that it is an addictive read that will leave you wanting more.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much! Gus and Eloise’s story is so sweet, entertaining and, of course, sexy.

Gus and Eloise have the best second chance ever when Gus finds out the girl that got away has returned home and he might have a chance to make things right. After a recent frightening experience he isn’t taking any chances. He plans to let Eloise know exactly how he feels.

When Eloise returns home to help her mother she finds the boy she loved in high school is all man and back home in Indigo Valley. She made peace a long time ago when it was clear they were just friends. But something has changed with Gus and she’s afraid to hope their relationship may finally be more.

I was gifted an advance copy of this book and freely offer this review.

[Renaye hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The One Who Got Away is another quick, heart-warming read in the Murdoch Brothers series.

After suffering a near death experience  Gus heads home to Indigo Valley with a new look on life. While at home, he comes face to face with the only girl who has ever held his heart, his best friend Eloise. 

Eloise is home helping her mom pick up the pieces from a failed marriage. Can these best friends see  past themselves to realize they are the best thing to happen to each other?

This story is a gentle reminder that sometimes love doesn't need to be found - it just needs to be welcomed home.



Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device

[Donna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eloise and Angus. I adore these friends. For so many years they have been friends. For so many years, they have had feelings for each other. Everyone has seen it...but them. I loved this story. They were best friends in high school but they both thought the other wanted out of their small town. They did, sort of. Eloise had dreams of computer programming. Angus had dreams of El. He knew he couldn't follow her so he let her go. El took it the way any one would and didn't look back. Until her mom needed her. Until her family fell apart. This story got to me because of the directness that they impart on each other. Gus knows what he wants and is not going to give up easily.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story. I enjoy best friends to lovers stories especially as it establishes they have a past and know each other, so jumping into a relationship already has a foundation, and this one touched my heart. Not too long or overly dramatic, it gave us sighworthy moments as they re-establish their previous friendship and find there perhaps has always been something more.

Loved the locations and settings - Taryn Quinn write small town romances as good as any author. Each new business is interesting and I want to go and live there, and eat there, and hang out with these people. Highly recommend, can't wait for the next installment in this series.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I received this ARC in exchange for a honest voluntary review** Our next swoony, blue collar hero! Gus has been away from the family & finally makes his mysterious return. Eloise is Gus's former childhood bestie & gamer who has also returned to Indigo Valley from her bigwig video game designing firm to help her clingy mother recover from her father's abrupt leave. El & Gus have always had secret feelings for one another. Now it's finally time to shoot each other's shot & be together, but there's a couple wrenches in getting their HEA. I always enjoy a friends to lovers romance. This story is a quick & low angst read that will keep you satisfied.

[Jean Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Murdock brothers and Gus is no exception! The Murdock brothers own a construction business and they've all been called back home to help out with the booming business. Gus returns after a stint in Costa Rica where he almost loses his life (although he never mentioned this to his family). He's happy to be back and hoping to find Eloise, the one that got away.

Eloise and Gus were best friends forever. Neither one moved it past the friend zone even though both wanted to. Now they're both back in town. Is it too late? What a great sweet read!

[Perrin Larton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gus and Eloise. Best friends during their high school years. After each went their own way after graduation, they're now back in town. Eloise due to a family crisis, and Gus helping the family business. I was happy to finally find out what Gus and gone through during his time in Costa Rica. Now he and Eloise have to make decisions that will determine their future!

I am so loving this series. The books are fun, quick and easy to read, and totally make sense! A nice lunch read if you're so inclined.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite Murdock brother book, so far.
Gus is a sweet, considerate, alpha man character. Who never acted on his feelings for El until a life changing event.
Eloise is a wonderful, lucky, compassionate main female character. Her love for Gus has lasted for years.
Two childhood friends who have always had feelings beyond friendship, buf neither acted.
Both are back home because of family issues. Seeing each other again takes them right back to the wonderful relationship they had as teens.
Neither got away they just got sidetracked.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friends since they were kids, even though they mostly lost touch for a while, get back in each other’s orbits when they both move back to their hometown. Angus and Eloise have always wanted each other, just both kept it under wraps as best they could for their friendship. And then it explodes out. I loved watching the quick transition. I can’t even imagine having to hide in vehicles and whatnot for a small amount of privacy as a full-fledged adult. Her mom is a serious mess, but they are very sweet and understanding with her. I also think the length was perfect for the story.

[Andrea Smierciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Murdock brother finds his happiness. Gus and Eloise have been best friends since they were kids. These two have loved each other forever but never said anything. A must read to find out after ten years what pulls Gus and Eloise back to Indigo Valley. A love never acknowledged, instant chemistry, drama and traumas in their lives will have you reading until the end. This book has it all even in so few pages.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exceptional feel good story. Gus is home helping his brothers in their construction business. When he sees Eloise, the one who got away, he’s stunned. He didn’t know she had come home to help her mother. Gus is not letting Eloise get away this time. This is such a beautiful story, I loved Gus and Eloise. It’s fast paced, sweet and steamy and I recommend it to anyone who loves a great romance. It’s a perfect read.

[Donna Hatridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gus Murdock is back in town to help his brothers in their construction company. He's been quiet about what took him so long to come home. On a lunch run, he notices a redhead who has changed a little since they were best friends in high school. Eloise left Indigo Valley for college and for her career, but now she's back to help her mom. When these two get a chance to spend time together, we get a Sweet, emotional, sexy, romantic love story. This is a short, easy-to-read story that's just right.

[Laci Wimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the Murdock brothers series, and I love visiting Indigo Valley and these brothers every chance I get! Gus and Eloise are the definition of a missed connection, as they were best friends in high school, had hidden feelings for each other, but also had the need to explore the world outside of their hometown. Once they are both move back to town, the sparks start flying. This is a sweet, story that I read in an afternoon. I can’t wait for book number 5 in this series!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read

Think I’ve jumped into the middle of this series before reading one and two. Nevertheless I really liked both main characters and their story. This author never puts a foot wrong and she has superb storytelling skills. What you see is what you get with El and Gus, and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. Hoping that the rest of the boys get as good a soulmate as these two.

[Lori Zakrzewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a funny, sweet and fast paced story that's easy to finish in one sitting. You won't want to put it down, so that's a good thing. Gus and Eloise were always friends, but they both had to leave home and return back to Indigo Valley for family before getting their chance at their HEA. I love this whole series and can't wait for the next brother to fall in love.

[GMW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Gus & Eloise were childhood best friends who drifted apart after high school. They're both back in Indigo Valley now helping out their respective families. They have lots of catching up & confessing to do. Loved this steamy short story with a happy ending! Looking forward to the next book in the series!