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Right Where You Left Me: A Brother's Best Friend Forced Proximity Romance
2004 was the year of MySpace, digital cameras, and pop punk—and the year Ivy met her brother’s best friend, Paxton.
What started as innocent teenage longing turned into years of near-misses, lingering glances, and what-ifs. One night, a kiss tipped everything over the edge, leading to a passionate lapse of judgment and a fallout that ended in heartache and silence.
Now in their thirties, Ivy and Paxton find themselves reunited in the most unexpected standing side by side in her brother’s wedding party.
For Paxton, life has taken a turn. Early retirement from the NHL and a devastating family health crisis have left him searching for solid ground. Seeing Ivy again sparks something familiar—comfort, longing, and the one thing he thought he hope.
But Ivy isn’t the girl he left behind. Fiercely independent and guarded, she’s not ready to hand over her heart to the man who once broke it.
Can they rewrite their story and find healing in the wreckage of the past? Or are some second chances meant to stay in the rearview?
Perfect for fans of second chances, brother’s best friend, and slow-burn romance, Right Where You Left Me is a heart-tugging love story about timing, healing, and the one that you never let go. Don’t miss your chance to fall for Ivy and Paxton—grab your copy today.
What started as innocent teenage longing turned into years of near-misses, lingering glances, and what-ifs. One night, a kiss tipped everything over the edge, leading to a passionate lapse of judgment and a fallout that ended in heartache and silence.
Now in their thirties, Ivy and Paxton find themselves reunited in the most unexpected standing side by side in her brother’s wedding party.
For Paxton, life has taken a turn. Early retirement from the NHL and a devastating family health crisis have left him searching for solid ground. Seeing Ivy again sparks something familiar—comfort, longing, and the one thing he thought he hope.
But Ivy isn’t the girl he left behind. Fiercely independent and guarded, she’s not ready to hand over her heart to the man who once broke it.
Can they rewrite their story and find healing in the wreckage of the past? Or are some second chances meant to stay in the rearview?
Perfect for fans of second chances, brother’s best friend, and slow-burn romance, Right Where You Left Me is a heart-tugging love story about timing, healing, and the one that you never let go. Don’t miss your chance to fall for Ivy and Paxton—grab your copy today.
456 pages, Paperback
Published February 6, 2026
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 31, 2026
♾️ stars!!! Do you ever read a book and just KNOW that it is going to stick with you for a long time? That’s what this book is for me. Holly Caste really puts us through it with this book and I just know that I am going to think about this one for a while.
🩷Y2K vibes
🩷Past and present timelines
🩷Brother’s best friend
🩷Second chance
🩷Forced proximity
🩷Rich x poor
Paxton and Ivy are two years apart, meeting when Pax was 14 and Ivy 12. They forced a unique friendship that grew over the years. Until they are of age and their relationship finally crosses that line, only for everything to fall apart.
Now here we are two decades later and they are in contact for the first time in all those years. Past trauma is still heavy, but the feelings are still there.
Holly really drags up through all the high highs and the low lows! I went from smiling with happiness to sobbing into my kindle. I loved the different relationships and friendships throughout this book. There were so many fantastic side characters that I also fell in love with!
If you love the 2000s and everything that came along with it, think burned cds and iPod nanos, then this book will certainly be for you!
🩷Y2K vibes
🩷Past and present timelines
🩷Brother’s best friend
🩷Second chance
🩷Forced proximity
🩷Rich x poor
Paxton and Ivy are two years apart, meeting when Pax was 14 and Ivy 12. They forced a unique friendship that grew over the years. Until they are of age and their relationship finally crosses that line, only for everything to fall apart.
Now here we are two decades later and they are in contact for the first time in all those years. Past trauma is still heavy, but the feelings are still there.
Holly really drags up through all the high highs and the low lows! I went from smiling with happiness to sobbing into my kindle. I loved the different relationships and friendships throughout this book. There were so many fantastic side characters that I also fell in love with!
If you love the 2000s and everything that came along with it, think burned cds and iPod nanos, then this book will certainly be for you!
January 30, 2026
Right Where You Left Me was my first book by Holly Caste and won’t be my last! 5 ⭐️ This book had me on an emotional rollercoaster with such throwback memories. I smiled, I laughed, I remembered the times, I recalled my own memories, I fought back tears, I felt my heart break for them, and then somehow all the pieces came together. I want more of Ivy and Pax.
January 29, 2026
I got an ARC and god was it needed because I have been waiting for more of HC’s work since I read Anything Rae Touches; and I’ve had to watch her live her life and go to Disneyland with her family instead of writing a book faster for me.
I adore second chance/first love and it’s often done so poorly where the history is told through conversations and we are just expected to know there’s a deep relationship there that we’re rooting for. HC nailed the then/now chapters (personally would have reshuffled some), and really built the yearning and teen angst. When I tell you that I had a visceral response to Ivy being in Pax’s MySpace top 8 😂
Ivy and pax felt a bit instalove in the „now” chapters but the „then” chapters do help with that issue. I would have loved to have seen more emotional connection for them in the now chapters.
Felt like a missed opportunity to not have Pax have the realisation or discussion around what Ivy saw when he got drafted to the NHL. This book desperately needed an epilogue and I hope HC sees this and writes one for her website because their schmexy time at Trent’s wedding is giving Daisy vibes. 🌼
Ps this book is spicy as shit for the gals about that lol
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I adore second chance/first love and it’s often done so poorly where the history is told through conversations and we are just expected to know there’s a deep relationship there that we’re rooting for. HC nailed the then/now chapters (personally would have reshuffled some), and really built the yearning and teen angst. When I tell you that I had a visceral response to Ivy being in Pax’s MySpace top 8 😂
Ivy and pax felt a bit instalove in the „now” chapters but the „then” chapters do help with that issue. I would have loved to have seen more emotional connection for them in the now chapters.
Felt like a missed opportunity to not have Pax have the realisation or discussion around what Ivy saw when he got drafted to the NHL. This book desperately needed an epilogue and I hope HC sees this and writes one for her website because their schmexy time at Trent’s wedding is giving Daisy vibes. 🌼
Ps this book is spicy as shit for the gals about that lol
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
My heart 😭 i loved this book. So freaking much. There was banter and spice and so much love. I love how there wasn't residual and overdrawn hatred. The past memories were PERFECTLY placed and helped me understand what exactly was happening. The feelings and reactions felt so genuine and real. This is my first book by this author.. she did amazing! Such beautiful writing!
Review of advance copy received from Author
5 ⭐️
“𝐼𝓃 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒹𝑒𝒸𝒶𝒹𝑒, 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝑒𝓇𝒶, 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒 - 𝐼’𝒹 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊, 𝐼𝓋𝓎.”
I was first introduced to Holly and her writing through book one of the Golden Bay Beach series, Anything Rae Touches (if you have not read this series, do yourself a favor and pick it up … but bring tissues). My book club was lucky enough to have Holly attend our discussion of the book. Holly mentioned she was working on something new, a 2000s/hockey themed book, so I’ve been (im)patiently awaiting this release!
🏒 Professional Hockey Player (MMC)
🌼 Second Chance
✨ Brothers Best Friend
📸 Y2K
🪩 Dual Timelines
🦋 Different Social Classes
Right Where You Left Me takes place over the course of two decades - past and present - following Pax & Ivy’s friendship, and lack thereof. Brought back into each other’s lives, Pax and Ivy try to navigate how to be around each other again … all while trying to avoid the biggest elephant in the room, their past. But there’s situations surrounding their past the other isn’t privy too. But the universal truth is, you never forget your first love. Especially if you’ve never actually fallen out of love with them. If a second chance came knocking at your door, would you answer?
RWYLM hit me in ALL the feels, so if you don’t like emotional rollercoasters this book is not for you. My heart broke for Ivy. My heart broke for Pax. My heart broke for the two of them, together. The highs are high and the lows are low. But Holly is a balance queen, so after every low there was also a follow up moment where I was kicking my feet giddy absolutely cheesing over the two of them. I’m a big fan of dual timelines and in stories like Pax and Ivy’s, I think it’s important to go back to the beginning and understand hesitancies that consumed both of them at different points in their lives.
Being a 30+ year old reader, the nostalgia this book brought back was an absolute vibe. I felt like I did a reverse 13 going on 30 and transported back to my teen years. Memories I had long forgotten about were suddenly popping back into my head. The mix CDs, the digital camera, MySpace - it truly was a trip down memory lane.
Whenever I finish a book from Holly, I am always rendered speechless – mostly in part because I am still trying to wrap my head around the masterpiece I’ve just read, but also because I’m trying to catch my breath after ugly crying for god knows how long. Holly is an incredibly talented writer and she’s able to successfully trigger a wide range of emotions in a reader - happiness, joy, sadness, heartbreak, empathy, etc. There are a handful of books I’ve read that I knew as soon as I closed the book that I’d be forever changed by it and that it would stay with me forever. Holly makes that list. She’s not afraid to tackle the hard topics, it’s refreshing when you see stories similar to your own and find a tiny bit of healing within someone else’s story.
I’d also just like to note, I knew I was going to love this book when the first three words of it were “men are idiots” .. amen.
*Please be sure to check the trigger warnings before reading*
Thank you to Luna Literary, Book Funnel and of course Holly Caste for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
“𝐼𝓃 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒹𝑒𝒸𝒶𝒹𝑒, 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝑒𝓇𝒶, 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒 - 𝐼’𝒹 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊, 𝐼𝓋𝓎.”
I was first introduced to Holly and her writing through book one of the Golden Bay Beach series, Anything Rae Touches (if you have not read this series, do yourself a favor and pick it up … but bring tissues). My book club was lucky enough to have Holly attend our discussion of the book. Holly mentioned she was working on something new, a 2000s/hockey themed book, so I’ve been (im)patiently awaiting this release!
🏒 Professional Hockey Player (MMC)
🌼 Second Chance
✨ Brothers Best Friend
📸 Y2K
🪩 Dual Timelines
🦋 Different Social Classes
Right Where You Left Me takes place over the course of two decades - past and present - following Pax & Ivy’s friendship, and lack thereof. Brought back into each other’s lives, Pax and Ivy try to navigate how to be around each other again … all while trying to avoid the biggest elephant in the room, their past. But there’s situations surrounding their past the other isn’t privy too. But the universal truth is, you never forget your first love. Especially if you’ve never actually fallen out of love with them. If a second chance came knocking at your door, would you answer?
RWYLM hit me in ALL the feels, so if you don’t like emotional rollercoasters this book is not for you. My heart broke for Ivy. My heart broke for Pax. My heart broke for the two of them, together. The highs are high and the lows are low. But Holly is a balance queen, so after every low there was also a follow up moment where I was kicking my feet giddy absolutely cheesing over the two of them. I’m a big fan of dual timelines and in stories like Pax and Ivy’s, I think it’s important to go back to the beginning and understand hesitancies that consumed both of them at different points in their lives.
Being a 30+ year old reader, the nostalgia this book brought back was an absolute vibe. I felt like I did a reverse 13 going on 30 and transported back to my teen years. Memories I had long forgotten about were suddenly popping back into my head. The mix CDs, the digital camera, MySpace - it truly was a trip down memory lane.
Whenever I finish a book from Holly, I am always rendered speechless – mostly in part because I am still trying to wrap my head around the masterpiece I’ve just read, but also because I’m trying to catch my breath after ugly crying for god knows how long. Holly is an incredibly talented writer and she’s able to successfully trigger a wide range of emotions in a reader - happiness, joy, sadness, heartbreak, empathy, etc. There are a handful of books I’ve read that I knew as soon as I closed the book that I’d be forever changed by it and that it would stay with me forever. Holly makes that list. She’s not afraid to tackle the hard topics, it’s refreshing when you see stories similar to your own and find a tiny bit of healing within someone else’s story.
I’d also just like to note, I knew I was going to love this book when the first three words of it were “men are idiots” .. amen.
*Please be sure to check the trigger warnings before reading*
Thank you to Luna Literary, Book Funnel and of course Holly Caste for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy
This book.. Holy sh!t. DEVASTATING...but also EXCEPTIONAL!!! This was such an intricately woven story with the littlest details that when you put the pieces together from past and present it completely shatters your heart. At least it sure as hell did for me.
First of all, this is probably the most millennial book I've ever read, in that ALL of the references were so accurately depicted to life in the early 2000s. MySpace, Ushers "Yeah", pirates of the Caribbean, fallout boy posters, the hair straightening, everythingggg!! Chef kiss, it was like reliving my teenage years.
This book bounces between past and present, telling the story of Ivy, Trents little sister, and Paxton, Trents best friend. The past chapters start from their first meeting at 12 and 14, and bounces through the years until their friendship suddenly ends at 18 and 20. The current day chapters start with them in their 30s, not speaking to each other but you don't know what happened. Between the flashback chapters and the present day chapters, you learn bits and pieces about their relationship, how it developed and how they secretly (although not so secretly to each other) desperately wanted to be together. Unfortunately, due to Paxs upbringing and Ivy's elitist parents, they never really had a true opportunity. Just ships in the night. And friends, it is so painful. My god, it was so hard to see how much they secretly cared about and craved each other, and could never act on it in the slightest. Except for one secret night, ages 18 and 20, that changes their life and relationship forever. Brought back together by Trents wedding some 14yrs later, which they are both part of, and Paxs ill uncle, Pax is determined to make things right with the one who got away, while Ivy is forced to confront their past that she ran from and never healed from.
The entire book was heartwrenching, but the last ~20%? Full on sobbing on my couch at 2am. I'm not ok. I've half a mind to reach out to author and beg, BEG for an extra bonus chapter just to heal my heart a little more for Ivy and Pax. Despite how painful it was to read this one, I cannot understate how moving their story is, how delicately the pieces of information fall together between past and present until it forms a fully formed image of the most shattered heart. This WILL be a book that I purchase a paper copy of for my personal library because I can't imagine not having it to hold as I hurt and weep for Ivy and Pax. You've been warned, make sure your box of tissues is ready to go.
Deeply thankful to Luna Literary Management, the publisher, and the author for allowing me to read and review; part of me will never be the same after this one ❤️🩹
First of all, this is probably the most millennial book I've ever read, in that ALL of the references were so accurately depicted to life in the early 2000s. MySpace, Ushers "Yeah", pirates of the Caribbean, fallout boy posters, the hair straightening, everythingggg!! Chef kiss, it was like reliving my teenage years.
This book bounces between past and present, telling the story of Ivy, Trents little sister, and Paxton, Trents best friend. The past chapters start from their first meeting at 12 and 14, and bounces through the years until their friendship suddenly ends at 18 and 20. The current day chapters start with them in their 30s, not speaking to each other but you don't know what happened. Between the flashback chapters and the present day chapters, you learn bits and pieces about their relationship, how it developed and how they secretly (although not so secretly to each other) desperately wanted to be together. Unfortunately, due to Paxs upbringing and Ivy's elitist parents, they never really had a true opportunity. Just ships in the night. And friends, it is so painful. My god, it was so hard to see how much they secretly cared about and craved each other, and could never act on it in the slightest. Except for one secret night, ages 18 and 20, that changes their life and relationship forever. Brought back together by Trents wedding some 14yrs later, which they are both part of, and Paxs ill uncle, Pax is determined to make things right with the one who got away, while Ivy is forced to confront their past that she ran from and never healed from.
The entire book was heartwrenching, but the last ~20%? Full on sobbing on my couch at 2am. I'm not ok. I've half a mind to reach out to author and beg, BEG for an extra bonus chapter just to heal my heart a little more for Ivy and Pax. Despite how painful it was to read this one, I cannot understate how moving their story is, how delicately the pieces of information fall together between past and present until it forms a fully formed image of the most shattered heart. This WILL be a book that I purchase a paper copy of for my personal library because I can't imagine not having it to hold as I hurt and weep for Ivy and Pax. You've been warned, make sure your box of tissues is ready to go.
Deeply thankful to Luna Literary Management, the publisher, and the author for allowing me to read and review; part of me will never be the same after this one ❤️🩹
February 8, 2026
“I asked what love looked like in the two-thousands and what it looks like now. It’s us, Ivy. I have loved you since we were young, and I never stopped.”
Right Where You Left Me is that book that encapsulates your heart and soul and it’ll stay there forever. Such emotional turmoil and heartbreaking situations that you will feel in your bones while reading.
Ivy small and fierce but so broken. Growing up with extremely controlling parents that planned how her life would turn out from the minute she was born. Becoming close with her brother’s best friend Paxton at an early age. Their relationship continued to be platonic despite how desperately she wanted I to be more.
Paxton, playboy in the NHL, ego to go with his charming good looks. Also a broken guy being raised by his uncle after being abandoned. Paxton has zero time for relationships and promises that will never change.
These 2 have a tumultuous relationship at best. So much hurt and heartbreak but so much soul shattering love.
This was definitely a top read for me. I completely fell in love with Paxton and Ivy and they will live in my bookish heart forever! Highly recommend this one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Received as an ARC, thank you Luna Lit 💜
I am such a sucker for a second chance + brothers best friend combo and this one hit the spot!!!
It all starts in 2004, they meet when they are 12 & 14 💘
Then it time hops to the present when they run into each other on a flight after not seeing each other since she was 18 and he broke her heart.
When they are younger she crushes on him from the start but it takes him a bit longer to notice her the same way but once he does the internal battle begins because no matter how bad he wants her, he can’t have her because she’s the off limits little sister of his bestfriend…..
This takes you on a rollercoaster of yearning, jealously, a bit of toxicity, secrets, miscommunication but also soul mates it’s always been you vibes 🥰
Can’t forget to shoutout Uncle Jeff!! I love that man. when Paxton says “take care of daisy for us”….
Done. Goodbyeeee 😭
The detailed 2000’s nostalgia was everything in this book!!
i.e. top 8 on MySpace and blink 182
4 ⭐️
I am such a sucker for a second chance + brothers best friend combo and this one hit the spot!!!
It all starts in 2004, they meet when they are 12 & 14 💘
Then it time hops to the present when they run into each other on a flight after not seeing each other since she was 18 and he broke her heart.
When they are younger she crushes on him from the start but it takes him a bit longer to notice her the same way but once he does the internal battle begins because no matter how bad he wants her, he can’t have her because she’s the off limits little sister of his bestfriend…..
This takes you on a rollercoaster of yearning, jealously, a bit of toxicity, secrets, miscommunication but also soul mates it’s always been you vibes 🥰
Can’t forget to shoutout Uncle Jeff!! I love that man. when Paxton says “take care of daisy for us”….
Done. Goodbyeeee 😭
The detailed 2000’s nostalgia was everything in this book!!
i.e. top 8 on MySpace and blink 182
4 ⭐️
Review of advance copy
Wow! The connection… Electrifying!
I loved this book so hard and a few times at the end tears were coursing down my cheeks.
Adored the present intermingled with the past which really added to this wonderful storyline.
Brilliantly written I connected straight away with all the characters loving Pax, Ivy, her brother Trent and Uncle Jeff.
Felt for Ivy with her horrible parents and the way she was treated as a commodity and not as a real person.
Even though Pax and Ivy had many obstacles to overcome their reconnection was inevitable and they deserved happiness, if only Ivy would let down her barriers.
I would highly recommend this book if you love second chance stories with a little bit of angst, steamy scenes and a love never forgotten that spans many years.
I’d also love to hear this in audiobook.
Thank you to Holly Caste and Luna Literary for the opportunity to read this amazing story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
I loved this book so hard and a few times at the end tears were coursing down my cheeks.
Adored the present intermingled with the past which really added to this wonderful storyline.
Brilliantly written I connected straight away with all the characters loving Pax, Ivy, her brother Trent and Uncle Jeff.
Felt for Ivy with her horrible parents and the way she was treated as a commodity and not as a real person.
Even though Pax and Ivy had many obstacles to overcome their reconnection was inevitable and they deserved happiness, if only Ivy would let down her barriers.
I would highly recommend this book if you love second chance stories with a little bit of angst, steamy scenes and a love never forgotten that spans many years.
I’d also love to hear this in audiobook.
Thank you to Holly Caste and Luna Literary for the opportunity to read this amazing story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
January 29, 2026
My good god! This book has been far one of my favourite reads ever! I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reader copy from the author and lads when I say I spent the day laughing, I mean it. All my millennials will appreciate this book. Down to every last detail. Reminding us of our own youth and our own relationships without taking anything from the story. This story with Ivy, Trent & Paxton has just been amazing. The friendship between the three of them was unmatched and blurring the line between friendship and love has always been a hard pill to swallow. What happens when you fall for your best friend’s sister? You keep her at arms length until it’s too late. This story has made me cry and I can’t remember the last time I cried reading a book. I’m so so excited to have been given the opportunity to read this book and honestly I’ll never stop recommending it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I adored this book. I loved this story line and I loved these characters. I wanted to shake Pax. I wanted to hold Ivy. The heartbreak. The angst. The years lost. This book was amazing. I love a second chance romance and brothers best friend is my favorite trope, but this book really was something special. I love how we had flash backs through time and had overlap of view points. I loved Uncle Jeff and HATED Meredith. Sweet and innocent Trent getting the shock of his life at his wedding. And the Daisy heartbreak. Oh. So many feelings. This book was seriously great.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Another great read by this author! I've loved every book of hers that I've read and I knew with the tropes on this one that it would be good! The brother's best friend will always pull me in and I totally would have been crushing on Pax too, if I were Ivy. The early 2000s nostalgia was real and I loved how we got past and present chapters, to really see how things began (and ended) for them before. The build up in the earlier years was so good. I felt like the present chapters may have been a little insta-ish, so there was a point where I felt like my attention drifted a bit, but it picked right back up and had me emotional. Great book!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
ARC review
This was such an easy but captivating read. i loved the back and forth between the past and the present both in dual POV.
The twist and turns that allow you to learn more about the characters are really well done and even though the end was quite quick I would fully recommend this book to others
This was such an easy but captivating read. i loved the back and forth between the past and the present both in dual POV.
The twist and turns that allow you to learn more about the characters are really well done and even though the end was quite quick I would fully recommend this book to others
February 5, 2026
AHHHH HOLLY CASTE YOU ARE A MASTER
Pax & Ivy —- ARC Received
I was blown away with how amazing this was written, I love the writing style the fast paced but you never got lost, the time jumps but they were easy to follow. I loved that I felt like I was actually In the book—(the nostalgia was wild with this one)
I loved the second chance love. The growth within the book was seamless!!
Honestly I didn’t want this book to end I could have read about them forever. The ending had me laying in bed SOBBING! Thank you for this masterpiece 🩵
5/5 ⭐️
3.5/5 —— I’m giving a lil more because the tension made the spice that much better
Pax & Ivy —- ARC Received
I was blown away with how amazing this was written, I love the writing style the fast paced but you never got lost, the time jumps but they were easy to follow. I loved that I felt like I was actually In the book—(the nostalgia was wild with this one)
I loved the second chance love. The growth within the book was seamless!!
Honestly I didn’t want this book to end I could have read about them forever. The ending had me laying in bed SOBBING! Thank you for this masterpiece 🩵
5/5 ⭐️
3.5/5 —— I’m giving a lil more because the tension made the spice that much better
February 1, 2026
HELP IM STILL AT THE RESTAURANT.
But omg??? I didn’t expect to love this story and these characters the way that I did!
But omg??? I didn’t expect to love this story and these characters the way that I did!
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