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The One #2
The First One
Ali and Flynn were high school sweethearts. Eager to see the world and leave behind their small Georgia hometown, they’d planned for an exciting new life together after they finished school. But on graduation day, only one of them hit the road. Eight years down that road, an unexpected loss brings Flynn home again. He’s a big-shot photo journalist, and he’s made most of his plans reality. But he’s done it alone. Is it too late for his biggest dream to come true? Ali’s spent those years working hard, raising a daughter and helping her brother keep their family farm alive. Thinking about Flynn and what might have been is a pain she tries to avoid. . .even when it’s impossible to forget. Flynn’s return brings back feelings Ali thought were long dead and hopes she’d abandoned. Finding their way back to each other will change them forever, opening old wounds and stirring up memories. Can the first love be the one that lasts forever?
238 pages, Paperback
First published February 8, 2015
267 people are currently reading
613 people want to read
About the author
Tawdra Kandle
147 books777 followersTawdra Kandle is the author of over 140 contemporary and paranormal romances. Her engaging characters and realistic worlds lure return readers to devour the steamy love stories she spins.
Tawdra writes stories just like real life . . . only spicier!
Fan favorites include The Anti-Cinderella Chronicles, Love in a Small Town, and The Sexy Soldiers Military Romances.
Tawdra lives in central Florida with her husband, a sweet pup, and a snarky cat. Assorted grown children and two perfect granddaughters live nearby.
You can FOLLOW Tawdra here to receive updates on her releases. You can also visit her website at http://tawdrakandle.com for more information, and subscribe to her newsletter https://tawdrakandle.substack.com/sub... for sales announcements, special exclusive content, and promotions!
Tawdra writes stories just like real life . . . only spicier!
Fan favorites include The Anti-Cinderella Chronicles, Love in a Small Town, and The Sexy Soldiers Military Romances.
Tawdra lives in central Florida with her husband, a sweet pup, and a snarky cat. Assorted grown children and two perfect granddaughters live nearby.
You can FOLLOW Tawdra here to receive updates on her releases. You can also visit her website at http://tawdrakandle.com for more information, and subscribe to her newsletter https://tawdrakandle.substack.com/sub... for sales announcements, special exclusive content, and promotions!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
November 5, 2015
4 stars!****
I adored the second book in the series. It was about second chances, trying again, forgiveness, hope and finding compromises in situations that seem hopeless and final.
Ali and Flynn were inseparable in highschool. For four years nothing could break them up and then they broke it themselves. Flynn wanted to leave Burton, travel and work as a photographer and Ali was supposed to go with him. But she changed her mind and wanted to stay at home and help her brother Sam with their farm. Flynn gave her an ultimatum. Him or the farm. She chose the farm. And Flynn disappereared the next day and didn't come back for nine years.
Nine years and one divorce later Ali is a mother to eight year old girl. A girl who never met her father because he wasn't around. Because he didn't even know about her.
Nine years later Flynn comes back to bury his father. He doesn't want to stay in Burton for long, but when Ali finally tells him that he's a father he decides to stay for a while.
There were some things that I didn't really get in the book. How come that Flynn didn't even get mad when he find out that he's got a daughter? Yeah, he was pissed but he got over it really quickly. He jumped right back in almost as if he never left.
And Ali just let him. Yes, she was a bit sceptical in the beginning but after a while she warmed up to him rather quickly too.
They never really talked about past. There were some talks, but they were short and never seemed to resolve anything.
If somehing like this happened to me I'd be furious. If I were Flynn I'd be so damn angry for missing out on my daughter's life. I'd never be understanding or even trying to take the blame (well, it was partly his fault, but still). And if I were Ali I'd make him grovel more, I'd make him prove himself that he's not going to leave again.
But overall it was a sweet story with a cute ending. Sometimes I thought it was bit rushed and that there was a lot of pretending that the past never happened but most of the times it felt natural and real life-ish.
I liked that it showed that you can have your happy ending. That a compromise is a solution and can result in something amazing. That a real love is worth waiting for.
Another thing: what is the obssession in USA about homeschooling? I really don't believe that parents could teach their children everything they'd learn in highschool and what about social interaction? Won't the child be lonely and shy or socialy awkward around other kids and adults later on? As an european I really don't get it.
I adored the second book in the series. It was about second chances, trying again, forgiveness, hope and finding compromises in situations that seem hopeless and final.
Ali and Flynn were inseparable in highschool. For four years nothing could break them up and then they broke it themselves. Flynn wanted to leave Burton, travel and work as a photographer and Ali was supposed to go with him. But she changed her mind and wanted to stay at home and help her brother Sam with their farm. Flynn gave her an ultimatum. Him or the farm. She chose the farm. And Flynn disappereared the next day and didn't come back for nine years.
Nine years and one divorce later Ali is a mother to eight year old girl. A girl who never met her father because he wasn't around. Because he didn't even know about her.
Nine years later Flynn comes back to bury his father. He doesn't want to stay in Burton for long, but when Ali finally tells him that he's a father he decides to stay for a while.
There were some things that I didn't really get in the book. How come that Flynn didn't even get mad when he find out that he's got a daughter? Yeah, he was pissed but he got over it really quickly. He jumped right back in almost as if he never left.
And Ali just let him. Yes, she was a bit sceptical in the beginning but after a while she warmed up to him rather quickly too.
They never really talked about past. There were some talks, but they were short and never seemed to resolve anything.
If somehing like this happened to me I'd be furious. If I were Flynn I'd be so damn angry for missing out on my daughter's life. I'd never be understanding or even trying to take the blame (well, it was partly his fault, but still). And if I were Ali I'd make him grovel more, I'd make him prove himself that he's not going to leave again.
But overall it was a sweet story with a cute ending. Sometimes I thought it was bit rushed and that there was a lot of pretending that the past never happened but most of the times it felt natural and real life-ish.
I liked that it showed that you can have your happy ending. That a compromise is a solution and can result in something amazing. That a real love is worth waiting for.
Another thing: what is the obssession in USA about homeschooling? I really don't believe that parents could teach their children everything they'd learn in highschool and what about social interaction? Won't the child be lonely and shy or socialy awkward around other kids and adults later on? As an european I really don't get it.
February 15, 2015
Review by Natasha Gentile
When I read the blurb I was caught right away. I mean who doesn’t love stories about high school sweethearts?
Meet Ali and Flynn -high school students looking forward to taking on the world. Flynn is the photojournalist for the high school paper. Little did he know that when he would be meeting the reporter for the school's paper she would bring along her friend. It all started with a look and in the end a look is all it takes, right?
She’d turned toward me, and for the first time, I looked at her. Really looked. Huge, gorgeous brown eyes gazed back at me, and I was gone.
And with that history was made. The friendship quickly escalated to love and let's be honest, at 16 you think that you will be with that person forever. They had all their plans laid out for them; go away to college together, travel the world together, get away from their small town. It was going to be all or nothing.
Except on graduation day, only one of them left. Flynn would not be stuck in this little town no matter if he left his heart there.
Eight years later, eight long years later, Flynn is coming back to town. He comes back to town the big honcho photo journalist, he made all his dreams come true. The only problem is that he did it all alone. He has it in his mind to get in and get out, just one problem. Actually it’s an eight year old problem!
“You weren’t here.” I covered my face with my hands. “You were gone, and you’d told me that night that nothing and no one was going to hold you back. When I asked you to stay with me, you told me that if you did, you’d end up hating me. Resenting me. So strangely enough, the idea of asking you to come back was not very appealing.”
When he comes face to face with Ali and her eight-year-old daughter, he is shocked and utterly speechless. For eight years he thought that she didn’t love him, he thought she didn’t choose him. For eight years she thought he forgot all about the girl who held his heart.
So now lays another dilemma, does he leave everything behind again or does he finally choose the girl who he loves, does he chose the first one; the first one he gave his heart to, the first one he spoke about his dreams to, the first one who loved him and can give him everything!
When I read the blurb I was caught right away. I mean who doesn’t love stories about high school sweethearts?
Meet Ali and Flynn -high school students looking forward to taking on the world. Flynn is the photojournalist for the high school paper. Little did he know that when he would be meeting the reporter for the school's paper she would bring along her friend. It all started with a look and in the end a look is all it takes, right?
She’d turned toward me, and for the first time, I looked at her. Really looked. Huge, gorgeous brown eyes gazed back at me, and I was gone.
And with that history was made. The friendship quickly escalated to love and let's be honest, at 16 you think that you will be with that person forever. They had all their plans laid out for them; go away to college together, travel the world together, get away from their small town. It was going to be all or nothing.
Except on graduation day, only one of them left. Flynn would not be stuck in this little town no matter if he left his heart there.
Eight years later, eight long years later, Flynn is coming back to town. He comes back to town the big honcho photo journalist, he made all his dreams come true. The only problem is that he did it all alone. He has it in his mind to get in and get out, just one problem. Actually it’s an eight year old problem!
“You weren’t here.” I covered my face with my hands. “You were gone, and you’d told me that night that nothing and no one was going to hold you back. When I asked you to stay with me, you told me that if you did, you’d end up hating me. Resenting me. So strangely enough, the idea of asking you to come back was not very appealing.”
When he comes face to face with Ali and her eight-year-old daughter, he is shocked and utterly speechless. For eight years he thought that she didn’t love him, he thought she didn’t choose him. For eight years she thought he forgot all about the girl who held his heart.
So now lays another dilemma, does he leave everything behind again or does he finally choose the girl who he loves, does he chose the first one; the first one he gave his heart to, the first one he spoke about his dreams to, the first one who loved him and can give him everything!
May 5, 2020
***4.5 Stars***
Ali and Flynn were high school sweethearts who were deeply in love. They had their adventurous future all planned out, leaving as soon as they graduated high school. Unfortunately only one of them left town with the other left heartbroken, destroyed, and pregnant.
Flynn is a hot-shot photo journalist and eight years after leaving he returns home after a grievous loss. Ali has spent those year working hard to help her brother make a success of their farm and raising her daughter, Flynn's daughter that he knows nothing about. She tries her best to steer her thoughts away from what might have been with Flynn because it still causes her so much pain.
It's quite a bumpy ride when Flynn finds out about his daughter and the fact that she was kept from him and his family. Ali had her reasons and she tried to call him right after he left to let him know she wanted to meet up and go with him...but a young woman answered his phone and that was the end of that.
I really enjoyed this book. Have some hankies at the ready because it does get emotional.
Ali and Flynn were high school sweethearts who were deeply in love. They had their adventurous future all planned out, leaving as soon as they graduated high school. Unfortunately only one of them left town with the other left heartbroken, destroyed, and pregnant.
Flynn is a hot-shot photo journalist and eight years after leaving he returns home after a grievous loss. Ali has spent those year working hard to help her brother make a success of their farm and raising her daughter, Flynn's daughter that he knows nothing about. She tries her best to steer her thoughts away from what might have been with Flynn because it still causes her so much pain.
It's quite a bumpy ride when Flynn finds out about his daughter and the fact that she was kept from him and his family. Ali had her reasons and she tried to call him right after he left to let him know she wanted to meet up and go with him...but a young woman answered his phone and that was the end of that.
I really enjoyed this book. Have some hankies at the ready because it does get emotional.
Want to read
May 2, 2024🎁Love in a Small Town Box Set 1 (The One #1-3) is FREE on Amazon & on Apple Books today (11/8/2020)!🎁
January 18, 2020
I was in the mood for a good, old fashioned story. The First One, which, ironically, is the second standalone novel in The One series, provided that in spades. Flynn and Ali planned to leave their small town and travel the world. But Ali's brother needed her help to run the farm. She decides not to leave with Flynn. They argue and nine years pass before Flynn returns to the town of Burton, Georgia. I don't want to drop any spoilers: you need to just soak up the small town atmosphere and enjoy this emotional read.
February 10, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a beautifully executed romance that managed to change around all my preconceived notions about Flynn and Ali from the previous book. I started the book determined to hate Flynn all the way through for abandoning his family, but somewhere along the line I began to hope for happiness between these two. Amazing!
We met Ali in the previous book and she was the picture perfect single mother. She has an adorable daughter that she’s raised on her own because she didn’t reach out to tell the ex for abandoned her that she was pregnant. When a funeral brings Flynn back to town, it’s very obvious that now’s the time for Ali to come clean about her daughter’s father. The small town hasn’t managed to put it together, but it’s only a matter of time. Luckily, Ali has a good support system to help her through this troubling time. Just as lucky for her, Flynn has never actually stopped loving her.
These two are adorable in an almost high school way. They have to find a way to co-parent, but they end up going way beyond that. Where they end up is so much better than where they would have been had he stayed, so I’m ok with everyone forgiving him. I love these two and was super happy about this HEA.
This was a beautifully executed romance that managed to change around all my preconceived notions about Flynn and Ali from the previous book. I started the book determined to hate Flynn all the way through for abandoning his family, but somewhere along the line I began to hope for happiness between these two. Amazing!
We met Ali in the previous book and she was the picture perfect single mother. She has an adorable daughter that she’s raised on her own because she didn’t reach out to tell the ex for abandoned her that she was pregnant. When a funeral brings Flynn back to town, it’s very obvious that now’s the time for Ali to come clean about her daughter’s father. The small town hasn’t managed to put it together, but it’s only a matter of time. Luckily, Ali has a good support system to help her through this troubling time. Just as lucky for her, Flynn has never actually stopped loving her.
These two are adorable in an almost high school way. They have to find a way to co-parent, but they end up going way beyond that. Where they end up is so much better than where they would have been had he stayed, so I’m ok with everyone forgiving him. I love these two and was super happy about this HEA.
April 15, 2015
Not as good as the first one, but still an enjoyable read.
May 31, 2024
And another asshole.
I really tried but it was just bad.
Dnf
I really tried but it was just bad.
Dnf
February 22, 2015
Review by Natasha Gentile
When I read the blurb I was caught right away. I mean who doesn’t love stories about high school sweethearts?
Meet Ali and Flynn -high school students looking forward to taking on the world. Flynn is the photojournalist for the high school paper. Little did he know that when he would be meeting the reporter for the school's paper she would bring along her friend. It all started with a look and in the end a look is all it takes, right?
She’d turned toward me, and for the first time, I looked at her. Really looked. Huge, gorgeous brown eyes gazed back at me, and I was gone.
And with that history was made. The friendship quickly escalated to love and let's be honest, at 16 you think that you will be with that person forever. They had all their plans laid out for them; go away to college together, travel the world together, get away from their small town. It was going to be all or nothing.
Except on graduation day, only one of them left. Flynn would not be stuck in this little town no matter if he left his heart there.
Eight years later, eight long years later, Flynn is coming back to town. He comes back to town the big honcho photo journalist, he made all his dreams come true. The only problem is that he did it all alone. He has it in his mind to get in and get out, just one problem. Actually it’s an eight year old problem!
“You weren’t here.” I covered my face with my hands. “You were gone, and you’d told me that night that nothing and no one was going to hold you back. When I asked you to stay with me, you told me that if you did, you’d end up hating me. Resenting me. So strangely enough, the idea of asking you to come back was not very appealing.”
When he comes face to face with Ali and her eight-year-old daughter, he is shocked and utterly speechless. For eight years he thought that she didn’t love him, he thought she didn’t choose him. For eight years she thought he forgot all about the girl who held his heart.
So now lays another dilemma, does he leave everything behind again or does he finally choose the girl who he loves, does he chose the first one; the first one he gave his heart to, the first one he spoke about his dreams to, the first one who loved him and can give him everything!
When I read the blurb I was caught right away. I mean who doesn’t love stories about high school sweethearts?
Meet Ali and Flynn -high school students looking forward to taking on the world. Flynn is the photojournalist for the high school paper. Little did he know that when he would be meeting the reporter for the school's paper she would bring along her friend. It all started with a look and in the end a look is all it takes, right?
She’d turned toward me, and for the first time, I looked at her. Really looked. Huge, gorgeous brown eyes gazed back at me, and I was gone.
And with that history was made. The friendship quickly escalated to love and let's be honest, at 16 you think that you will be with that person forever. They had all their plans laid out for them; go away to college together, travel the world together, get away from their small town. It was going to be all or nothing.
Except on graduation day, only one of them left. Flynn would not be stuck in this little town no matter if he left his heart there.
Eight years later, eight long years later, Flynn is coming back to town. He comes back to town the big honcho photo journalist, he made all his dreams come true. The only problem is that he did it all alone. He has it in his mind to get in and get out, just one problem. Actually it’s an eight year old problem!
“You weren’t here.” I covered my face with my hands. “You were gone, and you’d told me that night that nothing and no one was going to hold you back. When I asked you to stay with me, you told me that if you did, you’d end up hating me. Resenting me. So strangely enough, the idea of asking you to come back was not very appealing.”
When he comes face to face with Ali and her eight-year-old daughter, he is shocked and utterly speechless. For eight years he thought that she didn’t love him, he thought she didn’t choose him. For eight years she thought he forgot all about the girl who held his heart.
So now lays another dilemma, does he leave everything behind again or does he finally choose the girl who he loves, does he chose the first one; the first one he gave his heart to, the first one he spoke about his dreams to, the first one who loved him and can give him everything!
February 9, 2015
I think I knew from reading The Last One that I would love The First One. Ali is such a strong character that you can't help but love her. While you want to completely hate Flynn for taking off and leaving like he did, you can't help but fall in love and swoon at the man he has become. This story switches back and forth between present and past as we learn more of Ali & Flynn's story and what lead to the current state of disaster. I sometimes don't like this style of writing, but Tawdra managed to make it seamless and a wonderful read. It's a story of love, loss, secrets and lies. Naturally we get our HEA which is what makes the story all worthwhile. I found myself arguing both sides of the story and shaking my head at times. I cried more than a few tears with this one - have your tissues handy!
As always, I loved getting the glimpse into Meghan & Sam's lives again and making guesses at who the next installment will be about! ( I know who it is ... do you? )
If you are looking for a well written romance, look no further than one of Tawdra's stories! I highly recommend this series. Although this could be read and enjoyed as a stand alone, I recommend reading The Last One first :)
*I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. *
As always, I loved getting the glimpse into Meghan & Sam's lives again and making guesses at who the next installment will be about! ( I know who it is ... do you? )
If you are looking for a well written romance, look no further than one of Tawdra's stories! I highly recommend this series. Although this could be read and enjoyed as a stand alone, I recommend reading The Last One first :)
*I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. *
February 9, 2015
Tawdra Kandle is an amazing author!!! She knows how to compose a story which will keep you on the edge of your seat and asking for more!!!
This is the second book in The One Trilogy -- so if you haven't read The Last One, you will find it beneficial to read it before The First One. This way you will be fully away of what is going on when you start The First One.
In The Last One, we get to read about San and Meghan's story. And since Meghan and Ali are good friends, the spinoff has Sam and Meghan involved in it also. Flynn and Ali's story has a lot of flashbacks which take you from their present back to their past. Each memory explains more about their relationship and how it fell apart. I don't write spoilers - so from here I will say that you have to read the book!!!!
While reading this book, I found it extremely hard to stop reading. I would put the book down and have to pick it up as quickly as possible -- that is how good the story is!!!
I received an advanced copy of The First One in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
This is the second book in The One Trilogy -- so if you haven't read The Last One, you will find it beneficial to read it before The First One. This way you will be fully away of what is going on when you start The First One.
In The Last One, we get to read about San and Meghan's story. And since Meghan and Ali are good friends, the spinoff has Sam and Meghan involved in it also. Flynn and Ali's story has a lot of flashbacks which take you from their present back to their past. Each memory explains more about their relationship and how it fell apart. I don't write spoilers - so from here I will say that you have to read the book!!!!
While reading this book, I found it extremely hard to stop reading. I would put the book down and have to pick it up as quickly as possible -- that is how good the story is!!!
I received an advanced copy of The First One in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
October 16, 2016
This was a good book. I did enjoy reading about these characters again. It was nice that even after all that time they could be so in love still. The ending was wonderful and everybody from both books got a happily ever after. We also got introduced the main character of the next book. Which I'm looking forward to reading.
December 5, 2021
Ali and Flynn had been high school sweethearts. When it was time to move on post-graduation, Ali was poised to go off with Flynn, but then decided to stay home to continue to help her brother Sam on the family farm. Both were devastated and so angry with each other. In fact, Flynn basically doesn’t even come home anymore. But when his father dies unexpectedly, he is forced to. And that is when we finds out that he is actually the father of Ali’s daughter. Actually, everyone finds out. Not even Sam knew the truth.
ARGH! I hate it when women lie about their children’s parentage. The secret baby trope is one of my least favorites. But I love Ali so much that I easily forgave her, especially after she shared her story. It probably helped that I had gotten to know her in the first book in the series.
[Side note: You can totally read this as a standalone.]
And God bless Flynn, he is angry but steps right up to being a father. It helps that Hannah is such a good-natured child and was so excited to finally have her father.
Coparenting means that the two of them have to spend a lot of time together. And a relationship as strong and intense as theirs was, even at a young age, really doesn’t necessarily fizzle out. Their situation creates a lot of drama that they must overcome, but also allows them to rediscover each other. It’s beautiful to watch.
We get to see some familiar faces and catch up on what they are doing. We also get to meet more new people, whom you know will be featured in the future. I have to say that I got thrown off when Mason suddenly had a chapter from his point of view. I know the purpose is to basically introduce the next book. But it was weird in the middle of Ali and Flynn alternating the whole way through.
For the heat police, the bulk of this story is fairly “clean” but gets heated toward the end. You will have some open door action.
But this story did give me the warm fuzzies. I really enjoyed Ali and Flynn’s story and look forward to more from Burton.
ARGH! I hate it when women lie about their children’s parentage. The secret baby trope is one of my least favorites. But I love Ali so much that I easily forgave her, especially after she shared her story. It probably helped that I had gotten to know her in the first book in the series.
[Side note: You can totally read this as a standalone.]
And God bless Flynn, he is angry but steps right up to being a father. It helps that Hannah is such a good-natured child and was so excited to finally have her father.
Coparenting means that the two of them have to spend a lot of time together. And a relationship as strong and intense as theirs was, even at a young age, really doesn’t necessarily fizzle out. Their situation creates a lot of drama that they must overcome, but also allows them to rediscover each other. It’s beautiful to watch.
We get to see some familiar faces and catch up on what they are doing. We also get to meet more new people, whom you know will be featured in the future. I have to say that I got thrown off when Mason suddenly had a chapter from his point of view. I know the purpose is to basically introduce the next book. But it was weird in the middle of Ali and Flynn alternating the whole way through.
For the heat police, the bulk of this story is fairly “clean” but gets heated toward the end. You will have some open door action.
But this story did give me the warm fuzzies. I really enjoyed Ali and Flynn’s story and look forward to more from Burton.
February 28, 2018
My goodness!!!!!......I LOVED THIS SECOND BOOK
Life sometimes gives you those second chances. But in between the first chance and second chance we learn so much about the self. Loving someone teaches how to sincerely forgive and compromise. I am on Ali and Flynn’s team all the way. These two started the inseparable relationship in high school. They were so open and honest with each other that they were able to establish friendship and love. Now who doesn’t want that in life! But things happen as you grow and life starts calling you for different things. Flynn wanted to live the small town Burton and travel the world with the woman he dearly loved. Ali wanted to live her life with the dream love of her life…
The night before graduation, Ali and Flynn went all the way with their love. Right after graduation, the plan was to tell her brother that she wanted to leave town and go with Flynn. But she felt obligated to stay behind and help her brother. Ali’s parents had passed away, and she felt obligated to her brother to stay and maintain the home and farm business their parents left behind. She made a huge sacrifice.
Flynn was devastated and left town….Ali was devastated as well. But she didn’t know she was pregnant with Flynn’s child. Neither spoke to each other….
Nine years later, Ali is a divorced mother raising a smart eight year old child and Flynn came back to town to bury is father. The avoided each other for as long as possible. But Ali had to tell Flynn the truth. After getting over the hurt of knowing he was a father, he still loved his only Ali and Ali still loved her only Flynn.
This is a must read. I would recommend this story to those who can admit that life happens but there is NOTHING more powerful than LOVE!
This is a beautiful romance novel that gives you hope!
Life sometimes gives you those second chances. But in between the first chance and second chance we learn so much about the self. Loving someone teaches how to sincerely forgive and compromise. I am on Ali and Flynn’s team all the way. These two started the inseparable relationship in high school. They were so open and honest with each other that they were able to establish friendship and love. Now who doesn’t want that in life! But things happen as you grow and life starts calling you for different things. Flynn wanted to live the small town Burton and travel the world with the woman he dearly loved. Ali wanted to live her life with the dream love of her life…
The night before graduation, Ali and Flynn went all the way with their love. Right after graduation, the plan was to tell her brother that she wanted to leave town and go with Flynn. But she felt obligated to stay behind and help her brother. Ali’s parents had passed away, and she felt obligated to her brother to stay and maintain the home and farm business their parents left behind. She made a huge sacrifice.
Flynn was devastated and left town….Ali was devastated as well. But she didn’t know she was pregnant with Flynn’s child. Neither spoke to each other….
Nine years later, Ali is a divorced mother raising a smart eight year old child and Flynn came back to town to bury is father. The avoided each other for as long as possible. But Ali had to tell Flynn the truth. After getting over the hurt of knowing he was a father, he still loved his only Ali and Ali still loved her only Flynn.
This is a must read. I would recommend this story to those who can admit that life happens but there is NOTHING more powerful than LOVE!
This is a beautiful romance novel that gives you hope!
May 26, 2017
4 Stars-Great (had my attention and I enjoyed it),
This is the second book to The One Trilogy. Can be read as a standalone. Each book in this series has it's own HEA, but they are characters you meet within the books, so I suggest if you don't want and ending ruined by reading it out of order start from book 1 - The Last One. This book is about Sam's sister which you are introduced to in book 1.
Loved this read. I battled with myself because I felt the pain and weariness the characters had. Though I times I wanted to jump in the book, tie the characters up and lock them in a room together so that they can work out their issues. I enjoyed the pace, the beginning, end and everything in between. Also enjoyed that I got to see Sam and Meghan's story evolve even more in this book.
Story is about Ali, single mother to an eight year old daughter, little sister to Sam from book 1. Ali has always been in love with her high school sweetheart, Flynn, and they along with everyone else in town thought they would end up together. But one night, one ultimatum, one decision changed it all. Now Ali is raising her daughter alone trying to avoid her past and not deal with it. Flynn is back in the town her swore he would never come back to. Ali and Flynn have to face their past and deal with the consequences their decisions made 9 years ago.
This is the second book to The One Trilogy. Can be read as a standalone. Each book in this series has it's own HEA, but they are characters you meet within the books, so I suggest if you don't want and ending ruined by reading it out of order start from book 1 - The Last One. This book is about Sam's sister which you are introduced to in book 1.
Loved this read. I battled with myself because I felt the pain and weariness the characters had. Though I times I wanted to jump in the book, tie the characters up and lock them in a room together so that they can work out their issues. I enjoyed the pace, the beginning, end and everything in between. Also enjoyed that I got to see Sam and Meghan's story evolve even more in this book.
Story is about Ali, single mother to an eight year old daughter, little sister to Sam from book 1. Ali has always been in love with her high school sweetheart, Flynn, and they along with everyone else in town thought they would end up together. But one night, one ultimatum, one decision changed it all. Now Ali is raising her daughter alone trying to avoid her past and not deal with it. Flynn is back in the town her swore he would never come back to. Ali and Flynn have to face their past and deal with the consequences their decisions made 9 years ago.
March 25, 2020
This is my second time reading this book. It's just one of those ones where you don't really have to think too much - you can just get lost in the characters world. I remember when I first read this, I was so absorbed and thought Flynn and Ali were the cutest things ever. I love the second chance romance and this book is definitely that.
Reading it the second time, I did realise how cringe some of it was. It's very intensely so, and very fast moving. One second Flynn is back after 9 years and the next they're getting it on. He forgives very quickly. Which makes sense I guess, in relation to their romance because they did know each other for so long.
It's a very easy read. If you like second chance romances, then you'll like this one. There's not much baggage to it really, it's all surface level but it'll still hit you right in the feels.
Reading it the second time, I did realise how cringe some of it was. It's very intensely so, and very fast moving. One second Flynn is back after 9 years and the next they're getting it on. He forgives very quickly. Which makes sense I guess, in relation to their romance because they did know each other for so long.
It's a very easy read. If you like second chance romances, then you'll like this one. There's not much baggage to it really, it's all surface level but it'll still hit you right in the feels.
March 23, 2021
Pretty Good
I’m a fan of Tawdra’s writing. I also love second chance romances, so reading The First One was s no-brained for me. I enjoyed the story quite a bit. The only thing I didn’t like was the secret child element. First, because I think it’s unforgivable to keep a child from her parent (unless you think then dangerous). Second, as someone who grew up in a small town I don’t (not for one second) believe that everyone doesn’t already know whose baby she was carrying. Someone would’ve told him and there would’ve been whispers everywhere that his sister would’ve heard.
I’m a fan of Tawdra’s writing. I also love second chance romances, so reading The First One was s no-brained for me. I enjoyed the story quite a bit. The only thing I didn’t like was the secret child element. First, because I think it’s unforgivable to keep a child from her parent (unless you think then dangerous). Second, as someone who grew up in a small town I don’t (not for one second) believe that everyone doesn’t already know whose baby she was carrying. Someone would’ve told him and there would’ve been whispers everywhere that his sister would’ve heard.
April 23, 2021
The story started ok and the main characters are nice, especially Bridget.
The development of their reunion was good.
What I didn’t like was Ali’s reaction to Flynn’s job offer. Every relationship is about compromise, sometimes you don’t get it immediately who is compromising but we cannot go without it. How many compromises do you make with yourself? Yeah... that’s it, life would be boring without
The development of their reunion was good.
What I didn’t like was Ali’s reaction to Flynn’s job offer. Every relationship is about compromise, sometimes you don’t get it immediately who is compromising but we cannot go without it. How many compromises do you make with yourself? Yeah... that’s it, life would be boring without
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2024
Cute story
Very little drama. Just weird that Flynn never met anyone to have a relationship with. He must have never been still but to stay away from family. This reminds me of a book Off Beat where the guy left his girl to be a musician and stayed away nine years to come back for his goals funeral and found out he had an eight yr old son. Why nine years? It never made sense to me for that much time to go by and no relationships. Very good story and good ending.
Very little drama. Just weird that Flynn never met anyone to have a relationship with. He must have never been still but to stay away from family. This reminds me of a book Off Beat where the guy left his girl to be a musician and stayed away nine years to come back for his goals funeral and found out he had an eight yr old son. Why nine years? It never made sense to me for that much time to go by and no relationships. Very good story and good ending.
November 16, 2017
So like what the hell?
There seemed to be a lot of details skipped that could have been added but no I got lost a couple of time reading this too. The flash back confused me just a little. But like love there's is strange. I have to say there was a time or two that I wanted to bash some heads together. And Bridget just is like yeah more family.
There seemed to be a lot of details skipped that could have been added but no I got lost a couple of time reading this too. The flash back confused me just a little. But like love there's is strange. I have to say there was a time or two that I wanted to bash some heads together. And Bridget just is like yeah more family.
April 18, 2018
The First One by Tawdra Kandle
Tawdra Kandle is a terrific storyteller. This second book in the series is as well written as the first. Meghan and Sam's story mixed in with Flynn and Ali in such a wonderful way. I never lost track of the characters and followed where they led. This one did drop a star for editing, but it did not detract from the story at all.
Tawdra Kandle is a terrific storyteller. This second book in the series is as well written as the first. Meghan and Sam's story mixed in with Flynn and Ali in such a wonderful way. I never lost track of the characters and followed where they led. This one did drop a star for editing, but it did not detract from the story at all.
May 24, 2018
This book is full of heartbreak and love. It is about second chances, trying again, forgiveness and most of all love triumphing in the end. It is about compromises and making the right decisions after making a few bad ones. You will need tissues for this book but it does have a happy ending. I am really enjoying this series.
March 18, 2021
Second chances
An absorbing story of high school lovers who part and regret their lost love. They have a child that she has not revealed to him. When he returns to their small town when his dad passes away, he finds out about their daughter and they get a second chance to find their love again
An absorbing story of high school lovers who part and regret their lost love. They have a child that she has not revealed to him. When he returns to their small town when his dad passes away, he finds out about their daughter and they get a second chance to find their love again
March 20, 2021
This is the story of Ali and Flynn. High School Sweethearts who had the world in front of them and then they didnt. Circumstances intervened. Nine years later circumstances are involving again. Flynn has to come back to small town Burton where he swore he would never come back to. Ali is still working the farm with her brother but with a surprise, do they meet up again. You need to read this emotional but really good story of second chances. I loved this book
April 10, 2021
Sweet
A sweet, small town romance. This was everything you would expect. An easy read and a great family feeling. With a little tidy up in editing it would be for sure a 5 star read.
A sweet, small town romance. This was everything you would expect. An easy read and a great family feeling. With a little tidy up in editing it would be for sure a 5 star read.
February 7, 2022
I like a good second chance story but I think Flynn forgave too easily & Ali made childish decisions. Bridget grew up with a loving family close by that she never knew about until she was 8. I understand in some ways but it seemed a bit petty to keep the secret for so long
October 16, 2022
I basically cried through this whole book. I don't think that was supposed to happen, but good grief it was just so sad even in a "we've come to terms with it but don't feel whole" way. The flip from hate to love happened too quickly for me, but it was still good.
March 6, 2024
fun story
The First One by Tawdra Kandle
Easy to be engrossed in the story except for minor editing fails. I liked the MCs and the supporting characters. Looking forward to Rilla & Mason's story.
The First One by Tawdra Kandle
Easy to be engrossed in the story except for minor editing fails. I liked the MCs and the supporting characters. Looking forward to Rilla & Mason's story.
April 10, 2024
A great romance book
The characters were so fun and interesting in this book. The love of family and friends was very enlightening. The 2nd chance romance was adorable. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
The characters were so fun and interesting in this book. The love of family and friends was very enlightening. The 2nd chance romance was adorable. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
April 18, 2018
Cute and sweet, even if a bit overly done.
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