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The One I Want Back

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509 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2026

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Jordy Robins

2 books46 followers

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5 stars
118 (64%)
4 stars
47 (25%)
3 stars
15 (8%)
2 stars
2 (1%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Amanda Readss.
56 reviews
May 19, 2026
3.5⭐️ I was so excited for Cole and McKenzie’s story, but I wasn’t ready for the heartbreak they both faced! I’m not going to lie, Cole made me so mad! lol!
It was hard to pull myself away from this one. The heartbreak, the growth, and the longing they both felt for each other kept me invested!
Profile Image for Kayla  Kitchens.
47 reviews
June 4, 2026
There are books you enjoy, books you love, and then there are books that completely consume you. The One I Want Back by Jordy Robins is one of those rare reads. There is a LONG future ahead for this author. 100% make sure you read the trigger warnings!

I've read over 200 books just this year and I can honestly say that this book made me more emotional than any other book I've picked up. It absolutely wrecked me in the best possible way. There were moments when my heart physically hurt for these characters. I was heartbroken, frustrated, hopeful, and completely invested in every page of their journey.

McKenzie and Cole's story is so much more than a second-chance romance. It's a story about sacrifice, regret, grief, forgiveness, and the lingering impact of a love that never truly died. From the moment we learn what happened between them ten years ago, the emotional weight of their separation hangs over every interaction. Knowing that both of them spent a decade carrying the consequences of one life-altering decision made every reunion scene feel charged with emotion.

McKenzie was such a compelling heroine. She fought for her dream of becoming a doctor, achieving something that often felt impossible, yet despite all of her success, there was still a part of her that remained broken. Watching her return to Spring Creek and confront the life she thought she'd lost was both beautiful and painful.

And then there's Cole.

Cole completely shattered my heart. Learning why he made the choices he did and seeing the devastation those choices caused him over the years was gut-wrenching. His love for McKenzie never felt performative or over-the-top—it felt unwavering, selfless, and deeply human. His struggles, his mistakes, his rock-bottom moments, and his determination to become someone worthy of her again added so much depth to his character. He wasn't perfect, and that's exactly why I loved him.

What stood out most to me was the emotional maturity of this story. These aren't teenagers trying to find their way anymore. They're adults carrying scars from decisions made long ago. The author doesn't rush their healing or their reconciliation. Every conversation, every memory, every painful truth feels necessary. You can feel the years between them. You can feel the love that never disappeared. And you can feel how badly they both want a future together while fearing they'll only hurt each other again.

The suspense element added another layer to the story, creating tension that kept me turning pages, but for me, the emotional journey was the true star. There were scenes that left me with tears in my eyes and others that filled me with so much hope that I couldn't stop smiling.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was the soundtrack Jordy Robins included throughout the story. Music plays such an important role in shaping emotions, and the songs selected felt like an extension of McKenzie and Cole's relationship. Instead of simply serving as background inspiration, the soundtrack helped tell the story alongside the characters. Several songs perfectly captured moments that words alone couldn't fully express, making the reading experience feel even more immersive and emotional. I found myself listening along, and it elevated an already powerful story into something truly unforgettable.

This book is heartbreaking. It's beautiful. It's frustrating. It's hopeful. It's devastating. It's healing.

Most of all, it's a reminder that sometimes the right person can come into your life at the wrong time—and that finding your way back to them may require surviving years of pain, growth, and forgiveness.

If you love second-chance romances with incredible emotional depth, unforgettable characters, and a love story that will put your heart through the wringer before stitching it back together, The One I Want Back is a must-read.

This wasn't just a five-star read for me.

This was one of the most emotionally impactful books I've read all year.
329 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy
May 23, 2026
4.5⭐️
This store is about McKenzie and Cole. This is a second chance romance so you will start the book at age 14 when they meet until present day. Just be prepared there are heavier topics in this one. I loved them so much. You get to see more of the McKinley boys and there is no way you wont fall in love with all of them.

Cole aka Clone, Nine Lives, Husband
McKenzie aka Baby, Doll face, Kenz, Wife

What you will get:
🤠 Professional Bull rider MMC
❤️‍🩹 Doctor FMC
🤠 Touch her and 💀
❤️‍🩹 Stalker ex boyfriend
🤠 Second chance
❤️‍🩹 Always been you and Soul mates
🤠 Slow Burn with so much tension
❤️‍🩹 Ten years apart
🤠 Small town Texas
❤️‍🩹 McKinley Brothers
🤠 Vegas Wedding

This book will have you on a heck of a roller coaster with your emotions. One minute you will be laughing, swooning, and kicking your feet. Next you will be in the fetal position wondering how a fictional character can break your heart like they did. Finally you will be able to see the pages again and continue to the beautifully love story of soulmates. They went through everything and was able to find themselves again.

Chapter 7 got me. Damn!t Cole why did you have to say those 2 words?? Then we change to McKenzie’s POV and she’s hit with another round of devastating news. This chapter was hard 😢 You will need tissues

Then chapter 11 comes and it will gut you in a different way then chapter 7. Let this one sink in:
I’m not going anywhere. I just want to sleep for a little while to forget her and our past.

The dedication sums this book up perfectly:
To those who have hit rock bottom and still picked themselves back up—this one’s for you.

One of my favorite sayings by McKenzie:
He just gave me lady blue balls; he’ll pay for it.

I wanted Cole to get the following as a secret tattoo. Once you read the book you will completely understand.
* 8 seconds. No big deal.

There is a lot of different things going on in this book. Which makes the story amazing. I do think it could have been at least 50-100 pages less and got the same emotions. Yes, I stayed hooked with all 500 pages but some might think it is to long for them to pick up. This is the author's second book so I am giving grace while she is figuring out her writing style.

Please check trigger warnings. This one is going to be heavier than the first.

Thank you Jordy Robins for the early copy. Above are my honest thoughts.
Profile Image for Kimberly.
6 reviews
June 1, 2026
**ARC Review**
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

"To those who have hit rock bottom and still picked themselves back up, this one's for you."

This book wrecked me in the best possible way.

Cole and McKenzie were childhood sweethearts who fell in love at fourteen and never truly stopped. One lie tore them apart for ten years, but some people are written into your soul so deeply that distance, time, and heartbreak aren't enough to erase them.

What I loved most about this story was the overwhelming feeling that fate never stopped pulling them back together.

As teenagers, McKenzie described her dream house to Cole while standing in their special spot. Years later, after losing her, he quietly built that exact house and kept it hidden from almost everyone.

If that doesn't scream soulmate energy, I don't know what does.

But this story isn't just romance.

It's grief. It's healing. It's forgiveness. It's learning how to trust again.

Cole's struggle with addiction after losing McKenzie was heartbreaking, and watching him fight his way back from rock bottom made me root for him even harder.

And can we talk about the twins?

The bond between Cole and Colt was one of my favorite parts of the entire book. The intuition, the loyalty, the way Colt always knew when something was wrong with his other half... Jordy absolutely nailed that relationship.

I also loved that this story gave us more than romance. The family dynamics were incredible, the banter between the brothers had me laughing, and the suspense surrounding McKenzie's ex kept me turning pages because I genuinely needed to know what would happen next.

My heart completely belonged to these two.

"Because we're soulmates, McKenzie."

And honestly?

By the end of this book, I believed him.

If you love:
🤠 Cowboy romance
❤️ Second chances
✨ Soulmates
🏡 He built her dream house
👨‍👦‍👦 Strong family dynamics
😂 Brother banter
❤️‍🩹 Addiction and recovery
😱 Suspense and protective heroes

Add this one to your TBR immediately.

Thank you, Jordy Robbins, for trusting me with an ARC. Cole and McKenzie will stay with me for a very long time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jessica Kalman.
38 reviews
June 1, 2026

Jordy does it again 👏🏻🔥✨

This book had me completely hooked from start to finish. If you love second-chance romance, small-town charm, emotional angst, and a hero who never stopped loving his girl, this one delivers all of it and more.👏🏻🤠
Cole and McKenzie's story is packed with heartbreak, longing, and the kind of love that refuses to stay buried, even after ten years apart. Learning the truth behind the lie that tore them apart was absolutely gut wrenching, and watching them navigate the pain, resentment, and lingering feelings made every page impossible to put down.
Cole "Nine Lives" McKinley stole my heart. Beneath the fame and rough exterior is a man who sacrificed everything for the woman he loved, and seeing him fight for a second chance had me rooting for him the entire time. McKenzie is equally easy to love. Her determination, strength, and vulnerability made her such a relatable heroine, and I loved watching her return home and rediscover the future she once dreamed of. The chemistry between these two never faded, and the tension, the SPICE 🌶️ , protective moments, and emotional reunions had me fully invested. Add in the small-town Texas setting, family dynamics, suspense surrounding McKenzie's “boyfriend” and a romance that feels destined from the very beginning, and you get a story that keeps you turning pages late into the night.
Heartfelt, emotional, and full of hope, this was a beautiful reminder that sometimes the right person comes back when the timing is finally right. 🤍
Profile Image for Katey Olson.
62 reviews
June 3, 2026
-Bull Rider x Doctor
-Small Town Romance
-Slow Burn
-Second Chance
-Stalker ex boyfriend

I am not even sure where to begin. I have been waiting for McKenzie and Cole’s story and it did not disappoint. I absolutely LOVED this book. I love that it started with the backstory instead of switching back and forth throughout the book. Such an incredible romance story and plot. This book kept me on my toes and the suspense was killing me. I truly went on an emotional journey and this book wrecked me in the best ways!

Cole is perfection. I am not even sure there is a better word for him. He had to let go of the love of his life, he hit rock bottom, and then he was determined to never let her go again. He is possessive, sweet, thoughtful, and reckless. He is exactly what you would want in a cowboy. He will go to the ends of this earth to protect his girl.

McKenzie goes through so much from the start to this book until the end. She overcomes so much loss and heals in this book. It’s true that Cole heals her in ways she never expected. She is so brave and strong, Jordy truly captured such an amazing FMC.

I absolutely devoured this book and the ending was pure perfection! I truly can’t wait for the next book !!
1 review
June 11, 2026
Jordy Robbins is an exceptionally talented writer who has a gift for bringing her characters to life. The One I Want Back completely captivated me from beginning to end. The character development is incredible—each character feels authentic, with their emotions, experiences, and personal histories woven so beautifully into the story.

I found myself deeply invested in every character and their journey. Jordy has a remarkable ability to make you feel exactly what her characters are feeling, which made the story even more powerful and engaging. The storyline is compelling, emotional, and impossible to put down. Every chapter left me wanting more.

After reading her first book, I eagerly anticipated this release, and it exceeded my expectations. I especially love how detailed she is when exploring her characters’ thoughts, emotions, and relationships. It creates such a rich reading experience and makes it easy to become completely immersed in the story.

If you’re looking for a beautifully written, emotionally engaging romance with unforgettable characters, The One I Want Back is a must-read. I cannot wait to see what Jordy Robbins writes next!
Profile Image for Emmalee Burford.
246 reviews9 followers
June 4, 2026
MAJOR SPOILERS FOR MY NOTES



Her dad calls him and gets in his head.. so He lies to her and tells her he cheated so they can break up… TW she has a miscarriage
Also he proceeds to become a huge man whore.. multiple scenes of him with others. He is an addict states he sleeps with the team doctor so she will prescribe pills it’s honestly all really sad.. Not a fan of the him breaking up with her to become better then be a whore and sleep with tons of buckle bunny’s.. after he gets sober you think then he would stop sleeping with others if he’s trying to be better for her… nope.. it’s stated he has a couple of girls he hooks up with occasionally.. not exactly my favorite trope

She dates around too but it’s made very clear she would never be serious with anyone it was always him

They get married in Vegas, get 7777 tattoos because of fate having them win two games in a casino it was cute
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Alex Odom.
19 reviews
June 4, 2026
This book had me feeling all the feelings! Swooning, crying, laughing, holding my breath, bawling and loving every moment of it. If you love a down bad cowboy who gave up his girl to ensure she chased her dream even when it almost broke him, keeps all his promises and stops at nothing to protect those he loves, Cole Stetson McKinley is for you. If you love a strong woman who chases her dreams, when life got tough she proved she was tougher and never gave up on love, Dr. McKenzie Graham is for you. You also can not forget Colt's Playlists that hit everytime!
11 reviews
June 2, 2026
I loved The One for Me and didn’t think you could top Colt McKinley, but COLE. Aside from the mishaps in the beginning, he was 😍😍. I knew the ending would be happy but the rollercoaster of emotions in the beginning…whew. I’m hoping the other brothers get their own books as well🤞🏼

I started yesterday, stayed up until 2am, and finished this morning🤦🏻‍♀️
I’m partial to an author who is from South Texas, like myself. I love authentic writing that doesn’t seem forced to put on a “cowboy” front.
2 reviews
June 5, 2026
Favorite couple so far! 😍 ❤️

The One I Want Back by Jordy Robins is one of my favorite book so far. I felt so many emotions when it came to Cole and McKenzie story. From Young love, heartbreak, finding each other again when they are adults and finally getting their HEA. I couldn't put this book down. Keep writing Jordy Robins. I can't wait to read the next book in this series ❤️❤️
Profile Image for Autumn .
8 reviews
June 18, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was everything I hoped it would be. I couldn't put it down! Highly recommend! The characters chemistry is incredible! Can't wait to finish this series! Jordy Robins is one of my new favorite authors! This series has helped get me out of a book slump and her writing will get you hooked!
1 review
June 4, 2026
Jordy Robins did it again. I absolutely loved this book. Cole and McKenzie's story had some heartbreaks but they never stopped loving each other. Once I started this book it was hard to put down. It was good from start to finish.
Profile Image for Heather Zazueta.
14 reviews1 follower
June 6, 2026
Truly didn’t think anyone could top Colt McKinley but dang it Cole might just be my new favorite out of the McKinley brothers. Knowing Jordy though one of the other two brothers will come and take the spot from Cole soon 😂 excited for book 3!
Profile Image for WASSAMATTAYOU BOOKSLOOT.
682 reviews
June 12, 2026
my poor heart

McKenzie and Cole filled my heart, then ripped it out and stomped on it, and eventually put it back together. I am obsessed with this book and with the entire series so far. The slice is amazing, the story is amazing and thank god I got my happy ending!
Profile Image for Karly Colton.
77 reviews1 follower
June 19, 2026
Sunny

I loved this story! I’m a sucker for a bull rider! The suspense with Liam was the perfect amount of tension. The only thing holding this back from being five stars is the amount of times they say twinny and clone. It’s annoying.
Profile Image for Karson A.
37 reviews
June 19, 2026
This series really makes you fall in love with the characters! This book was a roller coaster of emotions but so worth it! It had a bit of miscommunication trope but it was done in a good way! I loved it! This one had some thrill and suspense in it a bit which i love!!

10/10 would recommend
4 reviews
June 1, 2026
Amazing read! Absolute must read. The one for me leads into this one and keeps the family story going. Love the idea of someone waiting for you and meaning so much!
Profile Image for Amery.
1 review
June 5, 2026
Devoured C & K’s story!!!
I loved every single thing about this book!
Profile Image for Ashley Keimig.
71 reviews
June 9, 2026
Wasn’t prepared for the heartbreak that happens in this book but the heartbreak redeems itself. Such a good story of love, loss, heartbreak, resilience, and finding your way back.
Profile Image for Heather Tucker.
34 reviews
June 13, 2026
😍

I thought I loved Alan and Colts story but Cole and McKenzie 😍 a story of second chances along with a little crazy!
Profile Image for ReadWithPeaches.
311 reviews23 followers
2026
June 12, 2026
✨ ARC Review✨
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
🌶️ 🌶️

This was my first book by Jordy Robins and I absolutely loved it! I truly couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to go back and read her first book (The One For Me).

If you like emotional roller coasters, this is it! McKenzie and Cole have gone through it all. But their love for each other was perfect. How protective Cole is over McKenzie was perfect!

When the spice spices I couldn’t get enough! I was melting reading pages. Two scenes were just HOT. I was straight blushing!

One thing I highly recommend is checking the trigger warnings. She does a great job at mentioning them at the beginning of each chapter but always review and keep your mental health priority.

What you will get:
🤠 Professional Bull rider MMC
❤️‍🩹 Doctor FMC
🤠 Touch her and 💀
❤️‍🩹 Stalker ex boyfriend
🤠 Second chance
❤️‍🩹 Always been you and Soul mates
🤠 Slow Burn with so much tension
❤️‍🩹 Ten years apart
🤠 Small town Texas
❤️‍🩹 Vegas Wedding

Thank you so much Jordy for allowing me to read this eARC! I loved it and can’t wait to read more by you! I’m looking forward chatting again! Ha.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews