The One Who Never Left: Colter

by Marina Adair

Colter Callahan loves three animals, work, and women—not necessarily in that order. Which is why owning the local animal hospital should be a dream come true. That is, until his vixen of a vet tech shows up—smart, sassy, and absolutely impossible to ignore. The problem? She’s his employee, a single mom, and off-limits in every way that counts. Did he mention the age gap?

Sutton Rose has her own secrets. She’s raising a little girl no one expected her to keep. Thanks to a clinic mix-up, the intended parents vanished, leaving surrogate Sutton stuck with the kid. And the kicker? The baby’s biological dad is… Colter. Only he has no clue. So Sutton slides into his world under the guise of his new intern, trying to figure out if he’s the man she wants—for her daughter, and maybe herself.

Of course, secrets have a way of coming out swinging. When Colter finally pieces it together, he’s furious, confused, and more than a little smitten. But as chaos, laughter, and sparks fly, Colter and Sutton have to do they play it safe, or dive headfirst into the messy, irresistible family life waiting just for them?

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2026

About the author

Marina Adair is a New York Times author whose fun, flirty contemporary romances have sold over a million copies. She has hit #1 overall in Amazon Kindle Paid and her St. Helena Vineyard series was optioned and made into the original Hallmark Channel Vineyard movies: Autumn in the Vineyard, Summer in the Vineyard, and Valentines in the Vineyard. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She holds a MFA from San Jose University and currently lives in Northern California with her husband, daughter, and two neurotic cats. Please visit her online at MarinaAdair.com and sign up for her newsletter at www.MarinaAdair.com/newsletter.

TikTok: Tiktok.com/@marinaadair

Instagram: instagram.com/authormarinaadair

Facebook: facebook.com/marinaadairaauthor

BookBub: bookbub.com/authors/marina-adair

Reviews

[bookswithcorey]

This is my second book by Marina, and once again, I found myself happily endeared to another fun couple! 💕 And this one comes with small-town Montana, horse country, farmhouse vibes, found family, and a ridiculously adorable 4-year-old.

Sutton’s story starts with her planning to become a surrogate for a family to make some extra money, only for things to take a very unexpected turn. Fast forward 4+ years, and she’s tracking down her daughter’s father, trying to chase the dreams she once had for herself, and attempting to find a sense of community, something she never really had growing up as a foster kid.

Enter Colter, the town veterinarian… and Sutton just happens to be his “Dream Girl.” 👀 If you know, you know!

I freaking LOVED the small-town Montana setting. Give me horses, farms, a little country charm, and a community that rallies around its people, and I am VERY happy. 🤠🐴

Colter’s brothers also added so much to the story. Their family dynamic was hilarious, especially when they were giving him a hard time, and I loved watching Sutton build friendships and start creating the community she’d never had.

And then there’s Lynlee. 🥹 This adorable little 4-year-old honestly made the story even more enjoyable for me. She brought so much personality, humor, and heart to the pages!

There are plenty of warm and heartwarming moments, a fundraiser that brings the whole town together, farmhouse coziness, family shenanigans, and, of course, a warm and happy happily-ever-after. 💕🏡

If you’re looking for a sweet small-town romance with found family, country charm, adorable kiddo moments, and a feel-good ending, definitely add this one to your TBR!

[Patti Lucas]

Who does not love a cowboy love story? I absolutely loved The One Who Never Left: Colter by Marina Adair, the second book in her new Callahan Legacy series! Marina Adair has done it again! The One Who Never Left: Colter is an incredible small-town single mother/surprise daughter love story, which filled me with a rollercoaster of emotions. I was hooked from the first page, and it was impossible to put it down. I loved every moment on every page of this page turner. You might need to have Kleenex nearby on occasion. It is one of my favorite books that I have read recently. I love this incredible love story, the Bridlewood, Montana, and the amazing characters that feel like family! The One Who Never Left: Colter is a love story between Sutton Rose, vet tech and single mother of four-year-old, Lynlee and Colter Callahan, veterinarian and owner of Full Barn Animal Clinic. Sutton contracted to be a surrogate for a couple in California while in college, unfortunately there was a mishap at the lab and the parents backed out of the deal. Sutton grew up in the foster care system, so for her the only choice was to have the baby and raise the child herself. Through research Sutton discovered that Colter was the father of her daughter, she went to vet tech school and got her degree. She reached out to Full Barn Animal Clinic for an internship position and got the position. Sutton and Lynlee head to Bridlewood, Montana to determine what kind of father Colter would be. Sutton and Lynlee stop and shop at Granny’s Grocer and Grain and run into Colter. Colter is shocked to learn that Dream Girl from the grocery store is his new intern. I love the chemistry between them. Conversation between Colter and Sutton flows so easily, with easy banter and flirting, and dirty talking Colter and boss in the bedroom Sutton. I love everything that they do together at work. As they spend time together at work things start to change between them, their relationship changes, and things heat between them. Sutton knows that she needs to tell Colter the truth and keeps postponing it. She is concerned with his reaction and what he will do. I love Lynlee’s relationship with Colter and all the Callahans, Lynlee is my favorite part of the story, especially her role as the bad work police and her excitement over Sutton and Colter’s sleepover. I love the nickname that Colter has for Sutton, “Freckles.” One of the saddest parts of the story is how Sutton keeps track of the lies that she is telling to everyone around Bridlewood and it brought back the feeling of not being wanted as a child. Sutton volunteers to chair the Paws for the Cause fundraiser that benefitted Bridlewood’s animal rescue. I love the changes that Sutton made to the fundraiser and how successful the event was. One of my favorite parts is Sutton’s friendship with Vivi and Jo, and also how Colter buys coffee for Sutton. I love the heart-to-heart conversation that take place in The One Who Never Left: Colter, especially when Sutton reveals how she grew up in the foster care system, but did not reveal the details of Lynlee’s birth. An unexpected plot twist threatens their relationship, but I love their reconciliation. I love the ending of Sutton and Colter’s love story, and the changes that take place so that they can have a life together, especially the new breeding program that they created at the ranch, a dream of their late father. I love the changes that they are each willing to make to have a life with one another. My favorite part of The One Who Never Left: Colter is the epilogue that takes place six months later, it is the perfect ending of their love story, so happy it revealed that they got engaged and the other surprise revealed. The One Who Never Left: Colter was an amazing small-town single mother/he falls first love story; I am so glad that Sutton and Colter got their happily ever after. Marina Adair definitely does not disappoint her readers with all the feels in The One Who Never Left: Colter and has once again delivered an amazing story filled with everything that I have come to love about and expect from her books. Who does not love hot sexy cowboys, strong, passionate females, big loving families, and caring friends, who always support each other? I love how Marina always manages to create the "perfect" heroine, who is a strong, sassy woman on her own, to balance out the sexy, swoon worthy cowboy. Marina Adair continues to deliver all that and so much more. I love the storyline of The One Who Never Left: Colter, the romance, and the family dynamics, it was such an enjoyable book to read. I love that Marina chooses dialogue that stays true to her characters. The One Who Never Left: Colter is filled with all the heartbreaking and heartwarming moments, plot twists, and surprises that I have come to love and expect in a Marina Adair love story as well as moments that make me laugh. Marina Adair continues to prove that she is an incredible storyteller. I love that she writes her stories from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting inside their minds and knowing their thoughts and how they really feel. I love all the characters in The One Who Never Left: Colter, especially Lady Rea, the Callahan’s grandmother. They feel like family and friends. I enjoy the Callahan family and all the interactions between the Colter and his brothers, Boone, and Eli and the family dynamic, it feels like real family love and makes me laugh at their teasing. I love the family text stream. I love Sutton’s friendship with Vivi and Jo. I love the descriptions of Bridlewood. Who does not love family and friends that always have each other’s backs? I loved every moment. I cannot wait to read Eli’s love story. I received an advanced copy from the author.

[Emma Ashley]

🩷 Blurb-
Colter Callahan loves three things: animals, work, and women—not necessarily in that order. Which is why owning the local animal hospital should be a dream come true. That is, until his vixen of a vet tech shows up—smart, sassy, and absolutely impossible to ignore. The problem? She’s his employee, a single mom, and off-limits in every way that counts. Did he mention the age gap?
Sutton Rose has her own secrets. She’s raising a little girl no one expected her to keep. Thanks to a clinic mix-up, the intended parents vanished, leaving surrogate Sutton stuck with the kid. And the kicker? The baby’s biological dad is… Colter. Only he has no clue. So Sutton slides into his world under the guise of his new intern, trying to figure out if he’s the man she wants—for her daughter, and maybe herself.
Of course, secrets have a way of coming out swinging. When Colter finally pieces it together, he’s furious, confused, and more than a little smitten. But as chaos, laughter, and sparks fly, Colter and Sutton have to decide: do they play it safe, or dive headfirst into the messy, irresistible family life waiting just for them?
🩵 Review -
This was the first book that I have read by the author and I will definitely be reading more by them. Even though I hadn't read the first book in the series, I still enjoyed the story. I found the story easy to follow and there was a great cast of characters. I loved Colter and Sutton's chemistry and I wanted them to have their happy ending. Overall an enjoyable read that I highly recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
🧡 Thank you to the author Marina Adair for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Iris]

✨ 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 |𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘧𝘵: 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘈𝘥𝘢𝘪𝘳 ✨

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

"𝗜'𝗺 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗦𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗻. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗜 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝘁."

This book was so hard to put down, which honestly happens to me quite a lot with Marina Adair's books. From the very beginning, I was completely invested in Sutton, Colter, and Lynlee, and I absolutely adored the relationship that started to develop between Colter and Lynlee. Lynlee is such a smart and adorable little girl, and the dirty word jar had me laughing.

Sutton quickly became one of my favorite parts of the story. I absolutely adore her, and watching her slowly learn to trust Colter and let him into her life was beautiful to read. And Colter calling her “Freckles”? I loved it.

The slow burn and tension between these two was so good. You could feel it building and building until they finally gave in, and let's just say… worth the wait. One of my favorite moments was the scene halfway through chapter 19.

I also loved seeing Sutton throw herself into the fundraiser and watching her make it such a huge success.

There was so much heart in this story, and I definitely shed a few tears along the way.

This was my first cowboy romance, and I can confidently say that I am not disappointed in the slightest. Marina Adair has officially made me want to dive straight into the rest of the Callahan Legacy series, and I cannot wait!

📅 𝘙𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 3𝘳𝘥!

💌 A huge thank you to 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗿 for sending me this e-ARC and for trusting me to share my honest thoughts and review. It truly means so much to me!

[her nose stuck ina book]

Title: The One Who Never Left: Colter
Author: Marina Adair
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ / 🌶️🌶️

Thank you to the author for the gifted eARC! My review and thoughts are my own.

This is a contemporary small town romance between a single mom with a secret and a commitment-phobe veterinarian.

Sutton moves to town on a mission that involves wanting to give her daughter the life and family Sutton never had. This starts with a accepting a position at Colter's veterinary practice.

The cast of characters overall are a good time - I enjoyed the girl friends who help Sutton settle in and Colter's family is hilarious (looking at you Lady Rea). I liked Colter and loved his relationship with Lynlee. Not a big fan of Sutton though.

My issue developed the longer Sutton kept her secret from Colter. I did not like it from the beginning, but I understood why she wanted to learn more about Colter and his family before sharing her circumstances. The longer that went on the more put off I was with Sutton. On the one hand I tried to keep in mind her age (24) but the whole time we are told how mature she is and how she had to grow up and be a mom - who is lying to everyone who is becoming a part of her life, which is a huge turn off for me. Colter deserved better. He fell for her honestly and she let it happen knowing she was keeping huge things from him.

I would definitely pick up more of Marina's books. There were so many cute scenes and funny dialogue in this book! I enjoyed it overall despite trying to actively ignore Sutton's dishonesty.

[Lindy Dierks]

Dare I say...that this might be my absolute favorite Marina Adair book! Did this book beat Kissing Under The Mistletoe? There is no doubt that I fell in love with the small town, Bridlewood, and the Callahan ranch in Boone’s book, but this book. This book I loved even more! This is the second book in the Callahan Legacy series. Colter is one of the Callahan brothers. I thought the premise was unique with so much good conflict to keep me reading. I’m actually a vet tech so when I read that the heroine is a vet tech and the hero, Colter, is a vet, I was sold on reading the ARC. One of the best parts of Marina Adair books is the emotional ride. This book hit me in All. The. Feels.

Sutton, our vet tech heroine, and her adorable daughter, Lynlee, arrive in Wyoming with secrets! I loved the secrets. They always come out. The plot was amazing. The banter was fantastic. It wasn’t just the banter between Sutton and Colter either. The brother banter was hilarious and fun. And the spice to plot ratio was perfect. I devoured this book. The tension between Colter and Sutton sizzled, but the connection sold it for me. There is an age gap between our H/h. The character growth was so good. Both characters were well developed with great backstories. We always get a well crafted book! This book was dynamite! If you love authors like Jill Shalvis, Megan Crane/Caitlin Crews, Sloane Fletcher, Bailey Hannah or Maggie Gates, you will love Marina Adair. I cannot wait for Eli’s book.

[MN Book Lady]

I could not put this book down!

Sutton just wanted to get to know the man that Colter was before she dropped the news on him and his family, so becoming his vet tech seemed the logical choice. At first, it seemed like she made the right choice in not telling him, as he was quite a playboy and not ready to settle down. Though it seems like Colter is drawn to Sutton and her little girl and helps them more often than not. Slowly, they get to know each other, and Sutton sees that maybe not everything was what it was it seemed with Colter. So what happens when she tells him the truth?

Sutton and Colter get their happy ending in this standalone book in a series.

These two were so much fun, and I love how well Sutton fit in with Vivi and Jo. Her daughter was so adorable as well, and I loved but also hated how well she made friends with everyone in town. It's a good thing that everyone who came across her was a good person; otherwise, that could have ended badly. I do wonder how Colter would have reacted to Sutton telling him if she would have when she got to town rather than when they were going to try a relationship. I don't think he would have reacted as well as he did after he calmed down this time.

I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Linda Carlson]

Sutton & Colter

A heartwarming journey in 3 different ways.

I was impressed with Sutton’s tenacity and determination to go forward into a scary and unknown future. She showed a level of maturity that most 19 year olds don’t yet possess. I love how chatty and extroverted Lynlee is for one so young. She shows no fear and is not shy about getting her dollar when someone swears. Cute kid.

Colter is a self-admitted player, but deep down, he’s just afraid of caring too much and getting hurt. He still suffers grief from the unexpected death of his parents, which adds to his wariness.
I enjoy his persistence in his continued pursuit of Sutton. He doesn’t realize he’s falling for her and Lynlee despite denying such a thing.

The story is a serious subject matter. The steps Sutton takes are extreme, but for a realistic and loving purpose. I don’t know if I would have what it takes to make the decisions Sutton made and the bravery to follow through with them, knowing the consequences could be catastrophic.
Love these characters and their story!

[Anne]

This is the second book in the series, and although I didn’t read the first one, I had no trouble jumping right in. There was plenty of background information about the family, so I never felt lost.

This is a nice small-town romance series centered around a ranching family. In this book, Colter, one of the sons, is the local vet. Sutton comes to town to work for him as a vet tech, but she also has another reason for being there involving her daughter.

I really enjoyed the banter between Colter and Sutton and thought they had some fun moments together. There’s also a little suspense and drama surrounding a dog rescue that added some excitement to the story.

The story did move a little slowly for me at times, and I would have liked a bit more happening to keep me completely invested. Overall, though, this was an enjoyable small-town romance with likable characters, family connections, and just a touch of suspense. I’d be interested in continuing the series.

[Julia David]

A touching story with very likable characters. Sutton, abandoned as a child and raised in the foster system, dreamed of becoming a pediatrician and had her life carefully planned—until she chose to become a surrogate mother to help pay for medical school. When a mistake came to light, the couple backed out, leaving Sutton with the choice to abort, give the baby up for adoption, or keep her. Refusing to let another child be abandoned, she put her dreams on hold and became a mother. Now, with her daughter at four years old, Sutton wants her to know her family. She hires a PI to track down information and devises a plan to see if her daughter’s donor is worthy. Colter, known for his player reputation but also his protective and generous nature, slowly wins their hearts. But will he return their love? How can she tell him he has a daughter—and how will he take it?

[Melanie Holden]

This book grabbed me from the first page and never let go. I laughed – the kind of laugh that makes the other people in the room look at you funny. I cried – fortunately by myself. I got so invested in the characters that I really wanted the book to go on for a lot longer. The story is about Sutton, a girl with an interesting and sad back story, Sutton’s daughter and Colter, the second of the Callahan brothers. He is the town veterinarian. We met his older brother Boone in the first book of the series. I don’t want to include any spoilers so I will just say this book really belongs on your ‘Must Read’ list. I can’t wait to read Eli’s story in the third book.

I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Shari]

This is a story that I couldn't put down. Colter the small town vet, who loves his job until a new vet tech is hired, Sutton. Sutton is new to town with her ten year old daughter, Lynlee. Sutton has a big secret from Colter, his daughter, Lynlee. Sutton was a surrogate but the family changed their minds, so Sutton instantly became a single mom. It turns out that Colter is the father of Lynlee. Sutton and Colter work side by side but soon the chemistry that they share can not be denied. A slow burn romance but will the secret deny their HEA.

This book is part of a series but can easily be read as a stand alone. I loved these characters, perfect small town romance. I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Amanda M]

I absolutely loved this book. It was my first by this author and it's not going to be my last. It was an incredible story. A small town romance with a whole lot of heart and emotions. The characters were lovely. I loved the relationship that formed between them. Colter and Sutton were fantastic together plus when you add in Lynlee, it makes a whole other kind of dynamic that's even more special. I liked how the whole single parent component played into the overall story. It was done very well. Aside from that the slow burn and tension was so good. This cowboy romance was fantastic. I cannot not recommend it more than enough. It's that good of a story and it's not going to disappoint in my opinion. Loved every bit of this book.

[Beth]

Sutton rolled into town with one big secret — and left with something she never saw coming. She's here to find out if Lyndee's biological dad is worth knowing... she just didn't plan on the magnetic pull between herself and the town's sexiest bachelor vet.


Colter Callahan does "no strings attached." Until Sutton and her pint-sized sidekick crash into his life and suddenly all he wants is strings — and a whole family to go with them. 


Slow burn, sky-high tension, and chemistry that sizzles off the page. Add in the whole swoon-worthy Callahan brothers, a small town full of colorful characters, and a fierce girl gang who has everyone's back — and I was HOOKED.

[Karen]

This book is a wonderfully imaginative combination of snark, yearning, and secrets. I loved every minute of it. Colter first meets Sutton and her four-year-old daughter Lynlee (great name!) in the grocery store in the small town of Bridlewood, Montana. It's a terrific meet/cute, and the snark between them starts right away, with Lynlee as the enforcer of the "no bad words" rule. Colter's family clearly has the banter gene; many chapters begin with text conversations full of sibling teasing. The idea of the secret of Lynlee's parentage is so creative: it has a "slow burn" life of its own that drives the story and is so intriguing. Colter and Lynlee had a mysterious connection right from the start, and I was on tenterhooks waiting for the explanation to come out in the story. I was feeling impatient for resolution, but at the same time loved reading about Colter and Sutton's lives, and about the rest of the secondary characters in Bridlewood. There's something about Ms. Adair's writing - the charm, the banter, the clever turns of phrase - that completely engaged me. I am looking forward to visiting Bridlewood again soon!
I was given an ARC and volunteered to write a review.

[KristieReadsBooks]

This is an amazing read! Marina beings humor, heartfelt moments and a beautiful love story to the page. This is the first time I’ve read this trope and it’s amazing.

Colter and Sutton are a hoot…I love their interactions, banter, amazing hearts and their journey to love. What starts off as “hands off” …turns into more….they can’t deny the chemistry. It’s not just the chemistry but they have an amazing connection, help each other work through challenges and find way to amazing HEA.

The setting is amazing. The family is wonderful. The groups texts will have you laughing until you cry. Lol

[Cindy]

I am obsessed with all 3 Callahan brothers after reading this book and can’t wait to read the first one now! I am in love! This will have you laughing out loud with witty banter, angry and wanting to shake some sense into some of these characters (including side characters), and crying like a baby! This book gave me all the feels and I was so sad when I finished the book because I was so invested! Easy 5 stars for me! I can’t wait to read the other books in the series

[Isha Coleman]

Adair has a way with hearts. In the midst of life's drama and Hope's secrets, Colter and Sutton chart a course for irresistible. With an ironic sense of humor and a simmering sense of heartache, love is the the surprise the soul never saw coming. The One Who Never Left is destined to be a classic, because it dares to be vulnerable in the most haunting way.

[Danielle]

Wow!! What a fabulous book!! Sutton had had a truly horrific beginning beginning. Foster care, surrogacy that went wrong only finding out who the sperm donor was. She wants to make sure he’s a good enough guy before her daughter gets too attached only to fall in love with him. He finds out that she deceived him and freaks out but his brothers help him through it. Perfect ending!!

[Kayla Carlino]

This book had so much potential and the concept was fantastic I just feel like despite it being a fairly average length book the relationship development wasn’t there and felt rushed. I found myself skim reading a lot of parts that felt unnecessary to the story. Especially sad because I was so excited for this story when I heard the concept :(

[Kristi Kopydlowski]

Loved it. Sutton and Colter are so relateable. This is a sweet romance with family twists. Written like you are part of the story and one of the friends trusted enough to watch it happen.

[Caitlin Warrow]

This book was good. I got a little bored with it at moments but overall it was a good story. Thank you to the author for sending me an early copy of this book.

[Cheryl]

💕💕💕💕💕

Great story. Loved the characters especially the precocious little girl. Looking forward to Eli’s story and more fun with the brothers.

[Maddie Tosti]

3.5⭐️

It was a great book, needs to be checked over for plot errors. They are minor and don’t hurt the plot beyond a pebble in the ocean! Can’t wait for Eli and Jo’s story!

[Sheila Adldoost]

Enjoyed Colter

Story and characters were enjoyable and real. The relationship development was intriguing. I especially liked the little girl in the story.

[Rachael]

Colter and Sutton's story was so good. The storyline was unique, and I loved the Callahan family. Can't wait for Eli and Jo's story!