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Pine Creek Falls
What's Left of Me
I refuse to fall for a grumpy cowboy.
I moved back to Pine Creek Falls to start over, to find my roots again without the heavy baggage of my past. I did not come back to be the verbal punching bag of my student’s father.
Despite his adorable son, Knox Waters has a constant scowl on his face and for some unknown reason, he hates me. I’ve tried every trick in my book to deal with him, yet nothing seems to make a difference.
Until the night he says F-it and kisses the hell out of me.
The complete one-eighty makes my head spin, but Knox proves time and again he’s not the man I thought he was.
Somehow, his jagged edges fit perfectly next to my broken pieces. I just hope our fractured pasts don’t cut us too deeply.
And I don’t mean that metaphorically.
**What's Left of Me is book two in the Pine Creek Falls series, but can be read as a stand-alone.
I moved back to Pine Creek Falls to start over, to find my roots again without the heavy baggage of my past. I did not come back to be the verbal punching bag of my student’s father.
Despite his adorable son, Knox Waters has a constant scowl on his face and for some unknown reason, he hates me. I’ve tried every trick in my book to deal with him, yet nothing seems to make a difference.
Until the night he says F-it and kisses the hell out of me.
The complete one-eighty makes my head spin, but Knox proves time and again he’s not the man I thought he was.
Somehow, his jagged edges fit perfectly next to my broken pieces. I just hope our fractured pasts don’t cut us too deeply.
And I don’t mean that metaphorically.
**What's Left of Me is book two in the Pine Creek Falls series, but can be read as a stand-alone.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 8, 2026
What’s Left of Me is the second book in the Pine Creek series, and I was completely hooked on Knox and Farrah’s story from the very beginning. This enemies-to-lovers romance has the perfect mix of tension, banter, heart, and small-town charm.
Farrah is a kindergarten teacher with the sweetest sunshine personality, while Knox is the grumpy cowboy single dad who absolutely cannot stop thinking about her… even if he’d rather pretend otherwise. To make things even messier? Farrah is his son’s teacher, and in a small town where everyone runs in the same circle, avoiding each other is basically impossible.
The chemistry between these two was so good. The tension, the sparks, the push-and-pull between them… Shelby Gunter knows exactly how to write characters that feel real and make you fully invested in their love story. Knox and Farrah completely stole my heart.
This was an easy 5-star read for me, and honestly, at this point I’ll read anything Shelby Gunter writes. Her stories always pull me in emotionally, make me fall in love with the characters, and leave me wanting more from Pine Creek. ✨📚
Farrah is a kindergarten teacher with the sweetest sunshine personality, while Knox is the grumpy cowboy single dad who absolutely cannot stop thinking about her… even if he’d rather pretend otherwise. To make things even messier? Farrah is his son’s teacher, and in a small town where everyone runs in the same circle, avoiding each other is basically impossible.
The chemistry between these two was so good. The tension, the sparks, the push-and-pull between them… Shelby Gunter knows exactly how to write characters that feel real and make you fully invested in their love story. Knox and Farrah completely stole my heart.
This was an easy 5-star read for me, and honestly, at this point I’ll read anything Shelby Gunter writes. Her stories always pull me in emotionally, make me fall in love with the characters, and leave me wanting more from Pine Creek. ✨📚
Review of advance copy
I really have enjoyed this series so far and Shelby gives us the small town feels in this series. This book has the grumpy cowboy and the girl that comes back home get together, even though they fight it all the way.
Farrah comes home to the place that she knows. She finds herself coming face to face with the grumpy cowboy more than what she wants. Knox and Farrah push each other's buttons and it will make you laugh at times. You can feel the tension and it all bubbles to the surface really quickly. Knox is the single dad that is just grumpy. He keeps most at an arm’s length to protect himself and his son. You can see the softer side of him with his son in every interaction. That may be the best side of him.
These two come together and it is worth the wait. You can tell from the start that there is so much there than the barbs they throw at each other.
If you are looking for a small town feels book with the spice and some broken pasts, this book is definitely for you.
Farrah comes home to the place that she knows. She finds herself coming face to face with the grumpy cowboy more than what she wants. Knox and Farrah push each other's buttons and it will make you laugh at times. You can feel the tension and it all bubbles to the surface really quickly. Knox is the single dad that is just grumpy. He keeps most at an arm’s length to protect himself and his son. You can see the softer side of him with his son in every interaction. That may be the best side of him.
These two come together and it is worth the wait. You can tell from the start that there is so much there than the barbs they throw at each other.
If you are looking for a small town feels book with the spice and some broken pasts, this book is definitely for you.
May 8, 2026
I am happy to be back in Pine Creek Falls; Shelby Gunter has built a terrific series around this friend’s group. The small town feels, and this story gives a grumpy/cinnamon role cowboy. Knox is a grump to the world. His son however, brings all the goodness and light to his life.
Farrah has returned home to reset, she has made some bad decisions in life. A teacher she loves her students, but there is one grumpy cowboy father she would like to avoid.
Both Farrah and Knox have had less than stellar childhoods, and disastrous partners. Neither needs love, their pasts have soured them.
But the two keep crossing paths, school, friends’ group, and then she purchases her grandparent’s property, that boarders his. Will they admit they have feelings? Can they put aside differences?
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Farrah has returned home to reset, she has made some bad decisions in life. A teacher she loves her students, but there is one grumpy cowboy father she would like to avoid.
Both Farrah and Knox have had less than stellar childhoods, and disastrous partners. Neither needs love, their pasts have soured them.
But the two keep crossing paths, school, friends’ group, and then she purchases her grandparent’s property, that boarders his. Will they admit they have feelings? Can they put aside differences?
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
May 8, 2026
Farrah is an elementary school teacher that moved back to Pine Creek Falls for a fresh start. Knox is a single dad. Farrah teaches Knox’s son. Farrah gets along with all the parents except Knox. They don’t get along until they do.
This was such a quick read for me considering I have been doing more audiobooks lately. I couldn’t put it down once I started. Knox and Farrah have a sweetness together of two people with difficult pasts growing together and falling in love.
The feelings between Knox and Farrah are a bit slow and confusing, but once they are clear on what they feel for each other it’s obvious and pretty hot. The ending had a surprise I didn’t expect.
This is another great book to the series. I am really enjoying Pine Creek Falls series, and am looking forward to the next book.
I was honored to receive an ARC
This was such a quick read for me considering I have been doing more audiobooks lately. I couldn’t put it down once I started. Knox and Farrah have a sweetness together of two people with difficult pasts growing together and falling in love.
The feelings between Knox and Farrah are a bit slow and confusing, but once they are clear on what they feel for each other it’s obvious and pretty hot. The ending had a surprise I didn’t expect.
This is another great book to the series. I am really enjoying Pine Creek Falls series, and am looking forward to the next book.
I was honored to receive an ARC
May 12, 2026
Knox and Farrah
FMC: Farrah Nelson
MMC: Knox Waters, Finn (6)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Pages: 269
Tropes: Small Town Romance, Grumpy/Sunshine, Single Dad, Cowboy Romance, Traumatic Pasts
Setting: Pine Creek Falls, Colorado
Thoughts: I thought this was a good read. It seemed pretty lighthearted for some of the topics it addressed. I liked the development of Farrah and Knox’s relationship and that the timing overlapped with Holt and Gia’s book. I loved the found family aspect and the relationship between all the guys. I thought the author did a good job focusing on the relationship between Farrah and Knox while still adding enough details about their relationship with Finn and their relationships with their friends. While I didn’t see the twist at the end, I thought it played out well and gave the book a little bit of suspense. Overall I enjoyed this book.
FMC: Farrah Nelson
MMC: Knox Waters, Finn (6)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Pages: 269
Tropes: Small Town Romance, Grumpy/Sunshine, Single Dad, Cowboy Romance, Traumatic Pasts
Setting: Pine Creek Falls, Colorado
Thoughts: I thought this was a good read. It seemed pretty lighthearted for some of the topics it addressed. I liked the development of Farrah and Knox’s relationship and that the timing overlapped with Holt and Gia’s book. I loved the found family aspect and the relationship between all the guys. I thought the author did a good job focusing on the relationship between Farrah and Knox while still adding enough details about their relationship with Finn and their relationships with their friends. While I didn’t see the twist at the end, I thought it played out well and gave the book a little bit of suspense. Overall I enjoyed this book.
April 28, 2026
Incredible!!
This book is about Knox and Farrah. Both of them have had a rough childhood and horrible marriages. When Farrah moves back and buys her grandmothers old house she becomes neighbors with Knox. They have the same friend group so they are familiar with each other but Knox is always a jerk to her. She also happens to be Knox’s son teacher. Once they set aside their differences they acknowledge their feelings for each other. But will their past ruin everything? I loved everything about this book.
I definitely recommend⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is about Knox and Farrah. Both of them have had a rough childhood and horrible marriages. When Farrah moves back and buys her grandmothers old house she becomes neighbors with Knox. They have the same friend group so they are familiar with each other but Knox is always a jerk to her. She also happens to be Knox’s son teacher. Once they set aside their differences they acknowledge their feelings for each other. But will their past ruin everything? I loved everything about this book.
I definitely recommend⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 8, 2026
What to expect:
💙Small-town
💙Found family
💙Cowboy
💙Suspense
💙Grumpy x Sunshine
💙Found family
💙Hate to lovers
💙Single Dad
Who can say no to a grumpy cowboy? Not me! Knox and Farrah are the sweetest together and gave me all the feels! This was a fun and easy book to read despite the MC'S troubled pasts. Shelby does a great job of keeping it mostly light and sweet while bringing in just enough suspense to keep it interesting. You will fall in love with his young son, Finn, along with the rest of the found family!
💙Small-town
💙Found family
💙Cowboy
💙Suspense
💙Grumpy x Sunshine
💙Found family
💙Hate to lovers
💙Single Dad
Who can say no to a grumpy cowboy? Not me! Knox and Farrah are the sweetest together and gave me all the feels! This was a fun and easy book to read despite the MC'S troubled pasts. Shelby does a great job of keeping it mostly light and sweet while bringing in just enough suspense to keep it interesting. You will fall in love with his young son, Finn, along with the rest of the found family!
May 10, 2026
So far this is my favorite in the series! This is a slow burn with more of a hate/dislike to love vibe.
I loved our grumpy mmc Knox! I knew under all the grumpy exterior he had a soft heart and was very protective over those he loved.
I loved seeing him with his son, and I loved seeing him soften toward Farrah, open up to her, and slowly start to fall for her.
These two, while being opposites, were perfect for each other.
Oh and did I mention he is pierced?!
Now I need Gray and Kylie's book!
I loved our grumpy mmc Knox! I knew under all the grumpy exterior he had a soft heart and was very protective over those he loved.
I loved seeing him with his son, and I loved seeing him soften toward Farrah, open up to her, and slowly start to fall for her.
These two, while being opposites, were perfect for each other.
Oh and did I mention he is pierced?!
Now I need Gray and Kylie's book!
May 8, 2026
Farrah and Knox clash from the start and push each other’s buttons, which brings so much amusement to this story. She is the elementary teacher of his son’s class and she tried to avoid the grumpy cowboy whenever she can. It takes one kiss to turn the simmering tension into something else.
I loved how Knox was with his son, he was a completely different person. Both Knox and Farrah had a past that kept them from opening up but once those walls came down, these two were the sweetest.
I loved how Knox was with his son, he was a completely different person. Both Knox and Farrah had a past that kept them from opening up but once those walls came down, these two were the sweetest.
May 20, 2026
Healing i didnt know i needed
Everyone of Shelbys books has healed me in one way or another. From the trauma the characters have had to go though and heal from to the love they find when they feel their trauma has made the possibility impossible. Im definitely looking forward to her next book in October 2026. Thank you shelby for showing us that love is always possible no matter what we've dealt with in life❤️
Everyone of Shelbys books has healed me in one way or another. From the trauma the characters have had to go though and heal from to the love they find when they feel their trauma has made the possibility impossible. Im definitely looking forward to her next book in October 2026. Thank you shelby for showing us that love is always possible no matter what we've dealt with in life❤️
May 7, 2026
I liked Farrah and Knox. They both were afraid to love but it was so enjoyable to see them overcome it together. I enjoyed their journey. The characters are a joy and I really liked the storyline. I didn't see the little twist that happened. I can't wait for the next book. Overall this was a really good read that I finished in a few hours.
May 12, 2026
I just finished this book and really loved it. It is a great continuation of the Pine Creek Falls series. It was moving to see Knox and Farrah grow and change throughout the book. There backgrounds are similar and they don't even know it but they understand that they both have had tramatic events. They both help each other learn how to allow someone else into their lives. I would recommend.
May 10, 2026
Grumpy bear Knox was protective and absolutely chefs kiss book boyfriend material!!! Farrah finally getting the life she wanted and deserved was so good. I love how she got to buy the house. But my favorite moment was the pond. IYKYK!!!
May 10, 2026
Loved it!
Oh wow I think this is my new favorite by this author. I absolutely loved Knox! Being a single mom makes me appreciate the single parent story line plus romantic suspense is my favorite! Can’t wait for the next book!
Oh wow I think this is my new favorite by this author. I absolutely loved Knox! Being a single mom makes me appreciate the single parent story line plus romantic suspense is my favorite! Can’t wait for the next book!
April 16, 2026
Holy Cowboy!!! I haven’t read a ‘hate-to-lovers’ trope in a long time and this definitely made me feel all the feelings!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews