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The Heartbreak Brothers #2
Still The One
Nobody expects to meet the love of their life on their first day at school, but from the moment Tanner Hartson set his eyes on Savannah Butler, she stole his breath away.
She was beautiful, wild and free. And though her life was hard, she made everything feel easy.
As they grew up, they were best friends.
Then sweethearts.
And finally lovers.
Until he broke her heart in the worst way.
They haven’t spoken for the last ten years. But now she’s returned to their small home town and he can’t fight the intense attraction that keeps pulling them together.
He wants her back. And this time he won’t take no for an answer.
Doesn’t true love deserve a second chance?
She was beautiful, wild and free. And though her life was hard, she made everything feel easy.
As they grew up, they were best friends.
Then sweethearts.
And finally lovers.
Until he broke her heart in the worst way.
They haven’t spoken for the last ten years. But now she’s returned to their small home town and he can’t fight the intense attraction that keeps pulling them together.
He wants her back. And this time he won’t take no for an answer.
Doesn’t true love deserve a second chance?
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2020
1319 people are currently reading
2878 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Elks
70 books2,229 followersCarrie Elks is an international bestselling author of traditionally-published and self-published novels. Her books are sweet yet sexy contemporary small town romance stories. You can find her in all these places:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 259 reviews
nope-nope-nope
September 20, 2020$4 to read about a guy who sleeps with another girl right in front of the heroine....not today satan 😂
August 13, 2020
I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntarily, honest review of it.
‘Still the one’ is the second book in the ‘The heartbreak brothers’ series and after reading and loving the first book ‘Take me home’ I was very curious about the other books in this series. Because in the first story we met not only Gray Hartson but also his 3 younger brothers and sister. And his fun and handsome brothers certainly left a wonderful impression on me and I wanted more of them. This story is about Tanner, the youngest brother, who just like all his brothers left their small town but just like his oldest brother Gray, he has come back to it, but he is not the only who has come back to their hometown, his childhood best friend Savannah ‘Van’ Butler has come back too.
‘Still the one’ is a story about friendship, about two people that met as young children and from the first moment, they formed a bond. They were best friends growing up but then emotions and some misunderstanding broke these two lovely people apart. Now, ten years later, they have a second chance on love, will the past repeat itself or are they older and wiser now to make the right decision and have a future together?
It was such a sweet and emotional story! I loved the two main characters, Tanner and Van very much. Tanner is a great guy, intelligent, caring, with a good heart and Van is lovely too, she’s sensitive but also strong. They had a very special bond so it was very sad to read what had happened in the past between them but I can also understand why it happened. Van is very loyal and she feels very responsible for her sick mother and her little sister Zoe (who is a great character too). In life we have to make difficult decisions and sometimes we make the wrong ones, that is reality. The importance is that we learn from it and both Van and Tanner luckily did.
This story is more than just romance, it’s also about growing up in a small town and standing up for yourself.
I was delighted to see all of the Hartson brothers again and to see more of Maddie too and how she and Gray were doing. The bond between the brothers and their sister is strong, warm and filled with emotions but also with laughs and jokes.
The story is told in both POV’s and I’m already curious to read the next story in this series.
‘Still the one’ is the second book in the ‘The heartbreak brothers’ series and after reading and loving the first book ‘Take me home’ I was very curious about the other books in this series. Because in the first story we met not only Gray Hartson but also his 3 younger brothers and sister. And his fun and handsome brothers certainly left a wonderful impression on me and I wanted more of them. This story is about Tanner, the youngest brother, who just like all his brothers left their small town but just like his oldest brother Gray, he has come back to it, but he is not the only who has come back to their hometown, his childhood best friend Savannah ‘Van’ Butler has come back too.
‘Still the one’ is a story about friendship, about two people that met as young children and from the first moment, they formed a bond. They were best friends growing up but then emotions and some misunderstanding broke these two lovely people apart. Now, ten years later, they have a second chance on love, will the past repeat itself or are they older and wiser now to make the right decision and have a future together?
It was such a sweet and emotional story! I loved the two main characters, Tanner and Van very much. Tanner is a great guy, intelligent, caring, with a good heart and Van is lovely too, she’s sensitive but also strong. They had a very special bond so it was very sad to read what had happened in the past between them but I can also understand why it happened. Van is very loyal and she feels very responsible for her sick mother and her little sister Zoe (who is a great character too). In life we have to make difficult decisions and sometimes we make the wrong ones, that is reality. The importance is that we learn from it and both Van and Tanner luckily did.
This story is more than just romance, it’s also about growing up in a small town and standing up for yourself.
I was delighted to see all of the Hartson brothers again and to see more of Maddie too and how she and Gray were doing. The bond between the brothers and their sister is strong, warm and filled with emotions but also with laughs and jokes.
The story is told in both POV’s and I’m already curious to read the next story in this series.
July 25, 2020
OMG I truly adore this story, the romance, the small town of Hartson’s Creek, the Hartson family and Van and Zoe, the drama, gossip, angst and all the warmth and heart and love. And I definitely understand why the Hartson brothers have the nickname “The Heartbreak Brothers” because swoon just swoooon they are just amazing all through.
Carrie Elks has a way of pulling you into her writing and her small towns where you just want to stay and I actually miss the atmosphere and the people of Hartson’s Creek now that I finished the book.
I really can’t wait for the next book in the “Heartbreak Brothers” so I can return.
Van and Tanner are such a gorgeous couple and I just felt with them through all of their struggles dealing with a mother’s death, a mother’s alcoholism and depression, gossip, feeling alone and inadequate and fighting to make their dreams come true when anxiety can destroy everything they work for.
They meet in their first day of school and become best friends and it is so fun to actually reminisce with them throughout the book about all the mischief they made together, when they fell in love and what happened to make them not talk for 10 years and how they get back together.
She worked in the town’s drive in movie theater and there are references to a lot of eighties and nineties movies and quotes and Tanner uses a very known eighties movie scene To grovel at the end.
I can definitely recommend this book.
I got this arc from the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 13, 2020
This is another Heartbreak Brothers story, and this one was a charming read too. Very well written and a great storyline, this one had me hooked. With plenty of good back story to keep me guessing and some twists and turns, I definitely did not see coming; it was a riveting read.
This is Tanner’s story, the youngest of the brothers. He and his long-ago best friend Van, are both back in town after not talking for ten years. I loved these two characters and their back story, the passion you could feel between these two was palpable. Throw in the rest of the Hartson family and the town’s residents and there was a cast that made for some really interesting scenes.
If you are looking for a really easy read, with great characters and some real heat, then I would recommend this one. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series.
This is Tanner’s story, the youngest of the brothers. He and his long-ago best friend Van, are both back in town after not talking for ten years. I loved these two characters and their back story, the passion you could feel between these two was palpable. Throw in the rest of the Hartson family and the town’s residents and there was a cast that made for some really interesting scenes.
If you are looking for a really easy read, with great characters and some real heat, then I would recommend this one. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series.
July 25, 2020
No reforming this guy. Stolen from another review because it summed it up so well. When I have calmed down from what this douchebag did, I will try to write my own but right now I want to just pretend I have never seen this book!
“What Tanner did to Van was VERY painful. I can understand and see why she stayed away for 10 years. I never felt like Tanner knew or felt the the depth of pain he caused. If he knew Van so well, then he would have known there was a real reason she couldn’t go with him to Duke. Instead of getting to the truth, he chose to act out in the worst way possible. What he said to her at the door was inexcusable. She already felt she was not good enough. He just compounded it. That would be VERY hard to overcome and forget. Even 10 years later, Van kept her mind in denial to the degree of pain Tanner caused her.
🗣 Tanner said they needed to talk about what happened at Duke. Well, to me, his explanation was weak and shallow, and Van again was in denial. Surely she didn’t forget those painful words … words he calmly said to her that morning at the door. And how about the words his lover used when she basically told Van to get lost. And, from what Tanner said, they sure weren’t finished as the morning was young and he made sure Van knew he wanted more of what he had the night before... WITH SOMEONE BETTER THAN VAN. He even laughed at her as he put her down and watched her tearfully run away. He doesn't give her a second thought as he goes back to his lover and continues on in the bedroom. Nope, he brushed over all of that when he ‘talked’ about that night at Duke and what happened. Words are painful…. they may not break bones but they form and embed scars that don’t heal. Tanner couldn't be more cruel. There's a difference between hurting the one you love and being cruel. “
“What Tanner did to Van was VERY painful. I can understand and see why she stayed away for 10 years. I never felt like Tanner knew or felt the the depth of pain he caused. If he knew Van so well, then he would have known there was a real reason she couldn’t go with him to Duke. Instead of getting to the truth, he chose to act out in the worst way possible. What he said to her at the door was inexcusable. She already felt she was not good enough. He just compounded it. That would be VERY hard to overcome and forget. Even 10 years later, Van kept her mind in denial to the degree of pain Tanner caused her.
🗣 Tanner said they needed to talk about what happened at Duke. Well, to me, his explanation was weak and shallow, and Van again was in denial. Surely she didn’t forget those painful words … words he calmly said to her that morning at the door. And how about the words his lover used when she basically told Van to get lost. And, from what Tanner said, they sure weren’t finished as the morning was young and he made sure Van knew he wanted more of what he had the night before... WITH SOMEONE BETTER THAN VAN. He even laughed at her as he put her down and watched her tearfully run away. He doesn't give her a second thought as he goes back to his lover and continues on in the bedroom. Nope, he brushed over all of that when he ‘talked’ about that night at Duke and what happened. Words are painful…. they may not break bones but they form and embed scars that don’t heal. Tanner couldn't be more cruel. There's a difference between hurting the one you love and being cruel. “
August 20, 2020
Let me begin by saying that I love Carrie Elks’s books. Even though I wish she could turn it up the hot scenes, I like the romance aspect in it.
But I am not loving this series. And I have a lot of problems with Van and Tanner’s story.
1) Why are the guys always rich? Never the girl. Always the guy, why is that?
2) We know they were friends whom became lovers and had a bad breakup. We don’t know why at the beginning but even people saying that he hurt her like hell, included Tanner, she still speaks to him like nothing happened. He offers her a job and they have sex like they don’t have history at all. No one behaves like that towards an ex-boyfriend.
3) I hate the most that he gave her a job. It is because she was his friend, because he felt guilt about the past and because he wanted to sleep with her again. It was not because of her credentials or successful career because those don’t exist in the book. She talks like she doesn’t need anyone but accepts a job from the person who hurt her the most.
4) Someone warns Tanner about trusting Van running the business and he asks himself if that was what she had to deal with and I am like “what kind a friend were you if you didn’t know this? “ Seriously! He didn’t know she wanted to leave because she was mistreated?
5) After Van finds out who her father is she decides to ends things with Tanner and he keeps saying that she is leaving him just like she had in the past. And I am like “did I miss the part where she broke his heart?” Because up until now he broke her heart. I don’t understand. At the end we find out that she left him at college to help her family and when she regretted and came back he was in bed with another woman. So, he blames her for sleeping with another woman? That’s fucked up. She left him and she has to deal with that, but he slept with someone else and that on him. Not her.
6) He keeps telling her that they shouldn’t care about what other people say and I want to punch him in the face! I mean, come on, don’t you see that she doesn’t have friends there? Or that her mother is constantly making bad decisions and she is the one who has to deal with? Or that her sister had been bullied at school? For God’s sake for someone that clams to be intelligent he is very dumb.
7) Also, I don’t understand why he doesn’t suggest that the two of them move somewhere else. Money isn’t a problem and they can work everywhere, so if he loves her so much, why doesn’t he try to protect her and move them away?
8) Tanner says: “why wasn’t she willing to fight for him” God this man is self centered.
9) At the end they sit down and have a talk like they should’ve had done ten years ago and live happily ever after.
I tried to like it and I can’t believe I am saying this about a book from one of my favorite writers but I hated it.
But I am not loving this series. And I have a lot of problems with Van and Tanner’s story.
1) Why are the guys always rich? Never the girl. Always the guy, why is that?
2) We know they were friends whom became lovers and had a bad breakup. We don’t know why at the beginning but even people saying that he hurt her like hell, included Tanner, she still speaks to him like nothing happened. He offers her a job and they have sex like they don’t have history at all. No one behaves like that towards an ex-boyfriend.
3) I hate the most that he gave her a job. It is because she was his friend, because he felt guilt about the past and because he wanted to sleep with her again. It was not because of her credentials or successful career because those don’t exist in the book. She talks like she doesn’t need anyone but accepts a job from the person who hurt her the most.
4) Someone warns Tanner about trusting Van running the business and he asks himself if that was what she had to deal with and I am like “what kind a friend were you if you didn’t know this? “ Seriously! He didn’t know she wanted to leave because she was mistreated?
5) After Van finds out who her father is she decides to ends things with Tanner and he keeps saying that she is leaving him just like she had in the past. And I am like “did I miss the part where she broke his heart?” Because up until now he broke her heart. I don’t understand. At the end we find out that she left him at college to help her family and when she regretted and came back he was in bed with another woman. So, he blames her for sleeping with another woman? That’s fucked up. She left him and she has to deal with that, but he slept with someone else and that on him. Not her.
6) He keeps telling her that they shouldn’t care about what other people say and I want to punch him in the face! I mean, come on, don’t you see that she doesn’t have friends there? Or that her mother is constantly making bad decisions and she is the one who has to deal with? Or that her sister had been bullied at school? For God’s sake for someone that clams to be intelligent he is very dumb.
7) Also, I don’t understand why he doesn’t suggest that the two of them move somewhere else. Money isn’t a problem and they can work everywhere, so if he loves her so much, why doesn’t he try to protect her and move them away?
8) Tanner says: “why wasn’t she willing to fight for him” God this man is self centered.
9) At the end they sit down and have a talk like they should’ve had done ten years ago and live happily ever after.
I tried to like it and I can’t believe I am saying this about a book from one of my favorite writers but I hated it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2020
So men are trash in the real world and not even in fantasy they can be stand up guys, Tanner didn't deserve to even glance in Van's direction. He slept with someone else, rub it in her face and was so callous about it but of course, we must believe he loves her and bla bla bla, yeah right as somebody already said not today Satan.
How are we supposed to believe he couldn't grasp as to why she suddenly broke up with him? Really he didn't know about the savior complex Van had for her drunken and promiscuous mother?
Disclaimer this was me, maybe for you the book is different it touches subjects of real life, abuse whether physical or psychological, secrets, family, friendship, learning how to trust and how to overcome the emotional scars of abuse, it's just that the romance wasn't for me.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
How are we supposed to believe he couldn't grasp as to why she suddenly broke up with him? Really he didn't know about the savior complex Van had for her drunken and promiscuous mother?
Disclaimer this was me, maybe for you the book is different it touches subjects of real life, abuse whether physical or psychological, secrets, family, friendship, learning how to trust and how to overcome the emotional scars of abuse, it's just that the romance wasn't for me.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 28, 2021
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads
========================
I was already at 64% of reading and I still didn't know what had happened to separate the couple. I thought about giving up, but persevered and finished reading.
They were on a break, she had broken up with him and during a college party he got drunk and had sex with OW. Our heroine regrets and goes after him, but when she gets there in the morning, she finds him in the bedroom waking up with another woman who is wearing his shirt. She concludes what happened and is heartbroken. He stands there with the other woman beside him and says nothing and does not go after her.
Technically, he didn't cheat, because they were separated.
They spent 10 years apart.
She is forced to go back to their city, because her mother is always drunk and her husband left her. Her little sister needs her.
Our hero is also back and they both reconnect, but the old issues are still there to cause problems between them.
More dramalhama and we have an HEA.
========================
I was already at 64% of reading and I still didn't know what had happened to separate the couple. I thought about giving up, but persevered and finished reading.
They were on a break, she had broken up with him and during a college party he got drunk and had sex with OW. Our heroine regrets and goes after him, but when she gets there in the morning, she finds him in the bedroom waking up with another woman who is wearing his shirt. She concludes what happened and is heartbroken. He stands there with the other woman beside him and says nothing and does not go after her.
Technically, he didn't cheat, because they were separated.
They spent 10 years apart.
She is forced to go back to their city, because her mother is always drunk and her husband left her. Her little sister needs her.
Our hero is also back and they both reconnect, but the old issues are still there to cause problems between them.
More dramalhama and we have an HEA.
For a long time, he’d been the only one who’d seen beneath the armor she wore. And now he was a stranger.
Wanted to taste her, touch her, make her sigh. It had been way too long since he’d touched a woman. That’s what being a workaholic did to you.
She’d let herself fall for him once, and look what happened. This time, she was determined they’d stay friends.
Logan laughed. “Your silence told me all I need to know. So what’s going on? Is she over what happened? Everything you did?”
Tanner frowned. “Maybe it’s better to forget it all, you know? Leave it in the past. What I did… it was bad. And I learned from it.”
“I don’t believe you were a monk for ten years.” “I didn’t say I was. I had… needs.” He winced.
She was Johnny Fairfax’s daughter, and everybody knew. All the hard work she’d put in meant nothing. She was still Kim’s bastard child. The kid everybody looked down on. The one that people whispered about as she walked along the street.
“I was okay in Richmond. I’d built a life. I had a good job. I was respected.” Her whole body was trembling. “But here, it’s like I’m that kid again and nobody will let me grow up. I’ll always be paying for the sins of my mother.”
October 30, 2020
Favorite Quotes:
She’d always been obsessive about saving. Maybe somewhere deep inside she’d known her mom was a ticking time bomb. It was a matter of when, not if, she’d detonate.
“I have a sprinkle next weekend. Would you like to come?” “A sprinkle?” Van asked, biting down a smile. It sounded like some kind of incontinence problem. “What’s that?” “It’s like a baby shower, but without all the gifts.” Regan shrugged. “After three kids I have almost everything I need. And anyway, Mrs. Fairfax said it would be bad form to ask for gifts for the fourth time around.” She blinked, then forced a smile on her face.
My Review:
I am enjoying this series, but then I always enjoy reading Carrie Elk’s work. She implants me so easily into her characters’ vortex, I was so thoroughly engaged I could smell the popcorn and taste the smores. The storylines were entertaining and smirk-worthy and cast with a bevy of quirky yet complicated characters who rippled with wit and snark. I seemed to have inhaled this tale and feel more than ready for even more Carrie Elk goodness with her latest missive idling on my Kindle.
She’d always been obsessive about saving. Maybe somewhere deep inside she’d known her mom was a ticking time bomb. It was a matter of when, not if, she’d detonate.
“I have a sprinkle next weekend. Would you like to come?” “A sprinkle?” Van asked, biting down a smile. It sounded like some kind of incontinence problem. “What’s that?” “It’s like a baby shower, but without all the gifts.” Regan shrugged. “After three kids I have almost everything I need. And anyway, Mrs. Fairfax said it would be bad form to ask for gifts for the fourth time around.” She blinked, then forced a smile on her face.
My Review:
I am enjoying this series, but then I always enjoy reading Carrie Elk’s work. She implants me so easily into her characters’ vortex, I was so thoroughly engaged I could smell the popcorn and taste the smores. The storylines were entertaining and smirk-worthy and cast with a bevy of quirky yet complicated characters who rippled with wit and snark. I seemed to have inhaled this tale and feel more than ready for even more Carrie Elk goodness with her latest missive idling on my Kindle.
July 28, 2020
So Good, I Didn’t Want It To End
This book has so much to it, it’s hard to describe. Its not merely heartwarming, it literally tugs at the heart strings. It’s has just enough angst to make you want to keep tissues handy. It’s sad and what makes it even more sad is that it could be real life. BUT…. it also shows how people can grow, how they can change and how they can learn to face their fears rather than keep denying them.
So, what is this book about? It’s about survival. It’s about love. It’s about acceptance. Some in this book succeed …. some don’t.
Camouflaging abuse takes special skills. I’m talking about emotional abuse.It requires excellent denial skills, It requires accepting loss of people and of things, regardless of the pain that comes with that loss. It’s needed in order to keep walls up that started erecting as a child.
What would you do to survive? Here, both Van and Tanner have perfected those skills and didn’t even know it. Following their journey to healing, to realizing the truth, to finding love is a journey worth taking. Enjoy!
👁 OBSERVATIONS … (may contain spoilers):
😱 Van’s mother had me cringing. Van was her enabler for way too long. It finally took the truth revealed to make her mother see she needed help. Mama held on to secrets way too long…. and papa? Well, I wanted to see his downfall. I wanted to see him as the scourge of the community at those weekly Chairs meet-ups. Pride goeth before the fall and that man’s pride needed to go… followed by his fall.
🤯 What Tanner did to Van was VERY painful. I can understand and see why she stayed away for 10 years. I never felt like Tanner knew or felt the the depth of pain he caused. If he knew Van so well, then he would have known there was a real reason she couldn’t go with him to Duke. Instead of getting to the truth, he chose to act out in the worst way possible. What he said to her at the door was inexcusable. She already felt she was not good enough. He just compounded it. That would be VERY hard to overcome and forget. Even 10 years later, Van kept her mind in denial to the degree of pain Tanner caused her. Did Tanner cheat on Van or not? That's up to you, the reader, to decide. Sometimes actions and choices are not black and white.
(Spoiler paragraph follows)
🗣 Tanner said they needed to talk about what happened at Duke. Well, to me, his explanation was weak and shallow, and Van again was in denial. Surely she didn’t forget those painful words … words he calmly said to her that morning at the door. And how about the words his 'new friend' used when she basically told Van to get lost. And, from what Tanner said, he and his 'friend' sure weren’t finished as the morning was young. He made sure Van knew he wanted more of what he had the night before... WITH SOMEONE BETTER THAN VAN. He even laughed at her as he put her down and watched her tearfully run away. He doesn't give her a second thought as he goes back to his lover and continues on in the bedroom. Nope, he brushed over all of that when he ‘talked’ about that night at Duke and what happened. Words are painful…. they may not break bones but they form and embed scars that don’t heal. Tanner couldn't be more cruel. There's a difference between hurting the one you love and being cruel.
⚖️ Tanner had a lot to make up for ... and 10 years later he does his best to do just that. He also suffered from what he did/said to Van that morning. He suffered for those 10 years, reliving daily the damage his words/acts caused. I wish we could have 'seen' some of that daily remorse he suffered during that 10 year absence. Maybe I would 'see' Tanner in a better light. Yes, I do believe he knows he was wrong but I just didn't get to see him living it. Logan alludes to it in the book but would have liked to have felt Tanner's remorse better.
⚡️Must say, I agree with Grey…. Tanner was an a$$hole. And, just who was the one there for Tanner on the worst night of his life, the night his mother died? It was Van. But when she needed him…. where was he? Certainly not with her, as she found out in the crudest of ways.
❣️Loved seeing Grey, Maddie, Logan, Cam etc. again. They played a real role in the story, not simply cameo appearances.
🤔 As for Nora…. I have mixed feelings. She was treated badly by her husband too. If she knew what he was doing and accepted it, then shame on her. But if she was blindsided, that’s a different story. I got the feeling she knew but for how long, I’m not sure. She made her choices so it’s hard to feel badly for her.
I received an advance copy of this book for an honest review
(Edited to clarify portions of the OBSERVATIONS section of review regarding Tanner)
August 20, 2020
This story doesn't really warrant a rating at all. Not only was it melodramatic and unoriginal, the heroine was a weak-willed ninny when it came to the hero - who, incidentally, was a big, fat twat.
It's so tiresome when a character twists things around to make the situation about them, instead of paying attention to what is going on with someone they claim to know and love. And then to take it one step further and hurt the person who was already hurting in the first place? No. Fuck that and fuck him. You can't tell me that Tanner missed the brutal truth of how Van grew up given they'd known one another since the age of 6. He was just an entitled wanker. No way I'd tell someone to read this contrived bollocks.
But I knew I would probably have issues with this book anyway and only read it out of curiosity, so it's not a revelation that I can't be arsed with it. What actually pissed me off about it was the piss poor editing and the fact that as many books as this writer has published her grasp of proper grammar and punctuation is so shite.
When someone states their age, it is done thusly - "I'm twenty years old."
It is NOT stated "I'm twenty-years-old."
This error appeared several times in this story so I know that the writer must think it's correct.
But it isn't and it made me want to do a mischief each time I saw it. Poor grammar is a ginormous pet peeve of mine and if a writer can't be bothered to polish her work after multiple publications, I can't be bothered to pay for - or read - said work.
Bye.
It's so tiresome when a character twists things around to make the situation about them, instead of paying attention to what is going on with someone they claim to know and love. And then to take it one step further and hurt the person who was already hurting in the first place? No. Fuck that and fuck him. You can't tell me that Tanner missed the brutal truth of how Van grew up given they'd known one another since the age of 6. He was just an entitled wanker. No way I'd tell someone to read this contrived bollocks.
But I knew I would probably have issues with this book anyway and only read it out of curiosity, so it's not a revelation that I can't be arsed with it. What actually pissed me off about it was the piss poor editing and the fact that as many books as this writer has published her grasp of proper grammar and punctuation is so shite.
When someone states their age, it is done thusly - "I'm twenty years old."
It is NOT stated "I'm twenty-years-old."
This error appeared several times in this story so I know that the writer must think it's correct.
But it isn't and it made me want to do a mischief each time I saw it. Poor grammar is a ginormous pet peeve of mine and if a writer can't be bothered to polish her work after multiple publications, I can't be bothered to pay for - or read - said work.
Bye.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2021
Auch Band 2 der ,Hartson’s Creek’-Reihe hat mir unglaublich gut gefallen und fällt absolut in die Kategorie Wohlfühlbuch.
Eine ,friends-to-lovers‘-Story, die mit einer verrückten Kleinstadt, einer entspannten, liebevollen Atmosphäre, romantischen Momenten und wahnsinnig liebenswürdigen Charakteren punktet.
Tanner und Savannah haben mein Herz höher schlagen lassen und ich freu mich jetzt schon auf weitere Geschichten der ,Heartbreak Brothers‘ 🤍
Eine ,friends-to-lovers‘-Story, die mit einer verrückten Kleinstadt, einer entspannten, liebevollen Atmosphäre, romantischen Momenten und wahnsinnig liebenswürdigen Charakteren punktet.
Tanner und Savannah haben mein Herz höher schlagen lassen und ich freu mich jetzt schon auf weitere Geschichten der ,Heartbreak Brothers‘ 🤍
August 26, 2020
I really enjoyed this one. I only wish that some scenes were shown, not told, like the whole reason that they didn’t speak to each other for ten years. That moment definitely should have had more weight.
July 13, 2020
I’ve been waiting to read this book since I read the first in the series, and fell in love with Tanner.
Tanner and Van’s story is not only glorious, but heartbreaking at times. Their shared history goes back to when they were kids, and their connection is wonderful. Throughout this book, the characters and their relationships, both romantic and otherwise, shine through. The way Elks has written them makes them feel real and makes me want to be their friend.
Now, I need Logan’s story!
Tanner and Van’s story is not only glorious, but heartbreaking at times. Their shared history goes back to when they were kids, and their connection is wonderful. Throughout this book, the characters and their relationships, both romantic and otherwise, shine through. The way Elks has written them makes them feel real and makes me want to be their friend.
Now, I need Logan’s story!
August 18, 2020
*************Spoilers Ahead**********
Book has zero cheating although a drunken mistake does occur when the heroine suddenly and callously breaks up with her sweetheart without a reason or telling him why thus obliterating their teen dreams of attending the same college together.
Van is a heroine with a savoir complex who continues rescuing a drunken promiscuous mother hellbent on continuously ruining her daughter's life in the small town that they reside in.
It's a savoir pattern that religiously plays itself out throughout her entire life right into adulthood.So no surprise when the heroine breaks up with the hero for a second time in blind emotional panic and yes because of her alcoholic mother.
Strangely the heroine loyally stuck with her free spirited mother like glue without running permanently for the hills yet lacked any true staying power with the hero when the seas got rough as a result of actions caused yet again by that very same woman she enabled by not putting her in a rehab ages ago.
Book has zero cheating although a drunken mistake does occur when the heroine suddenly and callously breaks up with her sweetheart without a reason or telling him why thus obliterating their teen dreams of attending the same college together.
Van is a heroine with a savoir complex who continues rescuing a drunken promiscuous mother hellbent on continuously ruining her daughter's life in the small town that they reside in.
It's a savoir pattern that religiously plays itself out throughout her entire life right into adulthood.So no surprise when the heroine breaks up with the hero for a second time in blind emotional panic and yes because of her alcoholic mother.
Strangely the heroine loyally stuck with her free spirited mother like glue without running permanently for the hills yet lacked any true staying power with the hero when the seas got rough as a result of actions caused yet again by that very same woman she enabled by not putting her in a rehab ages ago.
April 26, 2023
Tanner and Van. Childhood best friends turned lovers . I found this book weak in the male character. His character did not match his portrayal. Also the author several times would contradict her writing. I had to go back and check to see if I read it wrong.
August 19, 2020
In Still The One, Carrie Elks brings us a story about selflessness and forgiveness. The second book in her Heartbreak Brothers series is a beautiful second chance love story, where once high school sweethearts Savannah "Van" Butler and Tanner Hartson must face the fallout from their break-up following Van's path to college being ripped away, and Tanners grave mistake of breaking her heart.
Van has returned to Hartson Creek to take care of her mother Kim, and young sister Zoe. Circumstances for this family are pretty dire, as her mother spirals further into an alcohol induced depression. Tanner too has returned to town and while the once best friends resume the tenuous friendship side of their relationship and partner on a new endeavor, the pull of their long lost "something more" is very hard to resist. But Hartson's Creek is not a great place for Van as some locals have long looked down on her mother, and Van finally learns who her father is. Perhaps the biggest surprise is what teenager Tanner did that drove Van away, and how she is challenged to trust again.
"For so long love had meant weakness in her world. But now she knew it didn't. It brought a strength that no army could break down. It was solid. It was true."
I thought this was a great story about family and forgiveness. I really loved Van's relationship with Zoe, her dedication to making her sisters life and childhood a better one then she endured. Her very presence allows her mother to seek the help she needs, and gives the small family a good foundation in the community. Also, I couldn't root harder for Tanner in his quest to win back her heart and their HEA. 4 Stars and recommendation!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Van has returned to Hartson Creek to take care of her mother Kim, and young sister Zoe. Circumstances for this family are pretty dire, as her mother spirals further into an alcohol induced depression. Tanner too has returned to town and while the once best friends resume the tenuous friendship side of their relationship and partner on a new endeavor, the pull of their long lost "something more" is very hard to resist. But Hartson's Creek is not a great place for Van as some locals have long looked down on her mother, and Van finally learns who her father is. Perhaps the biggest surprise is what teenager Tanner did that drove Van away, and how she is challenged to trust again.
"For so long love had meant weakness in her world. But now she knew it didn't. It brought a strength that no army could break down. It was solid. It was true."
I thought this was a great story about family and forgiveness. I really loved Van's relationship with Zoe, her dedication to making her sisters life and childhood a better one then she endured. Her very presence allows her mother to seek the help she needs, and gives the small family a good foundation in the community. Also, I couldn't root harder for Tanner in his quest to win back her heart and their HEA. 4 Stars and recommendation!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
July 25, 2020
a beautiful story.
Savannah [Van] Butler and Tanner Hartson.
Van moves back home to Hartson's Creek after ten years away .
her mom and sister Zoe need her after her mom's husband Craig has left, she is needed, the run down cottage is in despair with her mom's drink problems , she hasn't seen her sister since she was two years old. its a small silence town where everyone will know of her arrival, even Tanner, Van will always be the love of his life, so is a second chance on the cards?
i loved how this book is told from their childhood and up to adult's ten years later.
beautifully written, its the second book in the heartbreak brothers,
and i loved every bit of it.
Savannah [Van] Butler and Tanner Hartson.
Van moves back home to Hartson's Creek after ten years away .
her mom and sister Zoe need her after her mom's husband Craig has left, she is needed, the run down cottage is in despair with her mom's drink problems , she hasn't seen her sister since she was two years old. its a small silence town where everyone will know of her arrival, even Tanner, Van will always be the love of his life, so is a second chance on the cards?
i loved how this book is told from their childhood and up to adult's ten years later.
beautifully written, its the second book in the heartbreak brothers,
and i loved every bit of it.
July 30, 2020
Oooo a small town romance, friends to lovers and second chance all thrown into one... what's not to love. They've both made mistakes, yes, but what makes this story and this couple so wonderful is that actually neither of them have ever got over each other and the chemistry and pull towards each other is just so magnetic !!
Second in the series, these brothers and their extended family are so lovable.. another group added to my list of wannabe fantasy friends !! I want to live in any of the worlds that Carrie creates !!
Written as superbly as ever, again proving that a story written in third person can give you all points of view and perspectives when written so well.
Cannot wait for Logan's story.. then Cam's.. then Becca's lol !!
Second in the series, these brothers and their extended family are so lovable.. another group added to my list of wannabe fantasy friends !! I want to live in any of the worlds that Carrie creates !!
Written as superbly as ever, again proving that a story written in third person can give you all points of view and perspectives when written so well.
Cannot wait for Logan's story.. then Cam's.. then Becca's lol !!
July 23, 2020
Love this series
Van and Tanner grabbed my heart and squeezed
Broken emotional heart stopping intense love story
Ready for Logan
Van and Tanner grabbed my heart and squeezed
Broken emotional heart stopping intense love story
Ready for Logan
August 19, 2020
I want to say I enjoyed this because I did and not everything in life is black and white. Tanner had me reeling and wanting to throw my Kindle at the wall for what he did. The author does a great job of trying to show his growth from what he did to Van but I feel like we needed to see more of it. I didn't see his guilt or suffering and that would have gone a long way to me loving him. It's a story with so many feelings it will have you going from blushing, to smiling, to angry and back all over again.
January 7, 2024
First off...as soon as I read the first few paragraphs I wanted to stop. I hate reading books if they are not in the first person. I thought...it seems like a good story with maybe a little angst.
Nope. Pretty boring story. So boring that I was determined to finish the story but I was skimming a lot. What a waste of time.
Should of just listened to my gut at the first page. Took me 3 days to finish because I didn't like this book
Nope. Pretty boring story. So boring that I was determined to finish the story but I was skimming a lot. What a waste of time.
Should of just listened to my gut at the first page. Took me 3 days to finish because I didn't like this book
January 21, 2024
Childhood lovers? Lovers to enemies to lovers? Second chance? You're mine? Touch her and d*e? Give it to me as this book has it all. Tanner, from the moment in the school playground when he knocked over innocent Savannah Butler to helping her write her name in kindergarten to being the guy around who her life revolved around....going straightaway to not talking to each other for 10 years and actively ignoring each other whenever destiny made them cross paths. But what happens when the universe makes a 180 degree and Van and Tanner find no other option but standing in front of each other, their desires overflowing the cauldron, their feelings busting through locks and locks over closed doors, for them to fall head over heels for each other again only for havoc to split them apart until they both go against their very own younger selves and rush through hurdles and poison to get back their love? This book was a beautiful mixture of love, romance, agony, past, pain....you name it, it had it. Out of all the Hartson brothers, I was most interested about Tanner because he is the life of the party, always goofing around, joking and making sure he is there for everybody. Without him? Hartson Creek is silent, let alone Hartson brothers only. I loved the way the past mingled with their present, the author beautifully portrayed Savannah's pain and it was refreshing to see Tanner fight through every demon and rock that came his girl's way only to prove to her that every damn opinion of the whole town didn't matter. What matter was herself and herself only. It was a sweet book taking us through another life lesson to prioritize ourselves over literally everybody or like these two lovebirds.....you are bound to waste a decade of your life just because of some misunderstanding.
Loved the childhood romance slowly transitioning to them finally being husband and wife, and tbfh? I couldn't have asked for better. The suspense, the twists and turns, the comedy, the plot, the surprises? All well and much needed to give life to this book. One hundred percent recommended.
-------🖤💞🖤💞🖤
“I’ll wait for you.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to,”
---
“She hates you because you’re real, Because you’re stronger, cleverer, and more beautiful than she is. You’re worth ten of her. You always were. It was always you, Always.”
---
“You make my heart race like nothing and no one else,”
---
“Shut up and let me kiss you again.”
---
“You’re beautiful, You know that. And guys want you. Why wouldn’t they? You’re like a piece of fucking sunshine that’s fallen to the ground.”
“A piece of sunshine?”
“I’m a mathematician, not a poet.”
---
“You’re an idiot, you know that?”
“Yeah, but I’m your idiot.”
---
“I’ve loved you from the moment we first met. Before, maybe. It’s like there’s always been a Van-shaped hole in my life. And it grows bigger every year. Sometimes you filled it, heck sometimes you were way too big for it. But now, you fit it just right. You make me happier than I have a right to be.”
---
“It was always you, Van. Always. And I’m so damn glad you came home.”
---
“Savannah Butler. Beautiful, clever woman. Love of my whole damn life.”
Loved the childhood romance slowly transitioning to them finally being husband and wife, and tbfh? I couldn't have asked for better. The suspense, the twists and turns, the comedy, the plot, the surprises? All well and much needed to give life to this book. One hundred percent recommended.
-------🖤💞🖤💞🖤
“I’ll wait for you.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to,”
---
“She hates you because you’re real, Because you’re stronger, cleverer, and more beautiful than she is. You’re worth ten of her. You always were. It was always you, Always.”
---
“You make my heart race like nothing and no one else,”
---
“Shut up and let me kiss you again.”
---
“You’re beautiful, You know that. And guys want you. Why wouldn’t they? You’re like a piece of fucking sunshine that’s fallen to the ground.”
“A piece of sunshine?”
“I’m a mathematician, not a poet.”
---
“You’re an idiot, you know that?”
“Yeah, but I’m your idiot.”
---
“I’ve loved you from the moment we first met. Before, maybe. It’s like there’s always been a Van-shaped hole in my life. And it grows bigger every year. Sometimes you filled it, heck sometimes you were way too big for it. But now, you fit it just right. You make me happier than I have a right to be.”
---
“It was always you, Van. Always. And I’m so damn glad you came home.”
---
“Savannah Butler. Beautiful, clever woman. Love of my whole damn life.”
August 19, 2020
A decade later Van finds herself returning to her hometown where she was left devastated when her best friend hurt her in the worst possible way. She is loyal to the family that needs her help so she will not only face the people in town but Tanner as well but she isn’t about to let him close enough to hurt her again.
Tanner has recently returned to town as well to be close to his family. There is nothing that he regrets more than the way he treated Van and he wants to not only make amends for the past but wants a second chance as well. Will he be able to convince her that he is no longer the man that broke her heart or is the pain of the past too much to overcome?
This is a sweet and sexy story about love, family and healing from the past. Although Tanner’s behavior in the past was hurtful the feelings that they had for each other endured despite the physical and emotional distance.
Tanner has recently returned to town as well to be close to his family. There is nothing that he regrets more than the way he treated Van and he wants to not only make amends for the past but wants a second chance as well. Will he be able to convince her that he is no longer the man that broke her heart or is the pain of the past too much to overcome?
This is a sweet and sexy story about love, family and healing from the past. Although Tanner’s behavior in the past was hurtful the feelings that they had for each other endured despite the physical and emotional distance.
August 19, 2020
I was very kindly offered an ARC of this in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. I have given it 5 stars.
Oh my goodness, I loved it!!! I did not want it to end, I haven't had a book hangover like this for a long time.
I'm not going to lie, it took a little while to get into it but once I did, I was completely captivated.
Our two main characters are Van and Tanner, once childhood sweethearts but they haven't spoken in 10 years. Initially we are lead to believe that it was Van who broken Tanners heart but in actual fact, what Tanner did was a 100 times worse. For a while there, I disliked him a lot but he made things right in the end.
This story is full of angst and drama, in particular for poor Van!
Overall this story is rather sweet and charming and I loved every single word.
Well done Carrie.
Oh my goodness, I loved it!!! I did not want it to end, I haven't had a book hangover like this for a long time.
I'm not going to lie, it took a little while to get into it but once I did, I was completely captivated.
Our two main characters are Van and Tanner, once childhood sweethearts but they haven't spoken in 10 years. Initially we are lead to believe that it was Van who broken Tanners heart but in actual fact, what Tanner did was a 100 times worse. For a while there, I disliked him a lot but he made things right in the end.
This story is full of angst and drama, in particular for poor Van!
Overall this story is rather sweet and charming and I loved every single word.
Well done Carrie.
August 19, 2020
After reading a review that particularly hated the hero, I was worried what my reaction to this book was going to be. I was quite surprised. I loved Tanner. I loved him in the previous book, and I love him here in his own book. Yes, he does some stupid things, but he was young, and stupid, and didn’t really know any better at the time. Van rubbed all my baggage the wrong way. With alcoholics in my own history, I have an intimate understanding of all the things Van is doing wrong and it made me want to yell and scream at my reader. I guess it just goes to show how deeply into the story the author pulled me. In spite of my reservations going in, I loved this book.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Booksprout.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Booksprout.
August 5, 2020
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. This is the second book I have read by this author and I loved it just as much as the first.
This is the second book in the Heartbreaker Brothers series. It's a second chance romance with a HEA ending.
Savannah or Van as everyone calls her has to return home to help with her little sister after her mom's husband leaves her and she's on a drinking binge again. Van always hated this town and didn't think she would ever come back after having her heart smashed. She's stronger now and can handle the gossiping chairs.
Tanner doesn't know what to do now that he sold his business. When an opportunity comes along that will not only benefit the town but get him closer to Van he can't pass it up. He has to make it right with her.
I am loving these Hartson Brother's and can't wait for the next book. Hopefully the little sister gets her own book too.
This is the second book in the Heartbreaker Brothers series. It's a second chance romance with a HEA ending.
Savannah or Van as everyone calls her has to return home to help with her little sister after her mom's husband leaves her and she's on a drinking binge again. Van always hated this town and didn't think she would ever come back after having her heart smashed. She's stronger now and can handle the gossiping chairs.
Tanner doesn't know what to do now that he sold his business. When an opportunity comes along that will not only benefit the town but get him closer to Van he can't pass it up. He has to make it right with her.
I am loving these Hartson Brother's and can't wait for the next book. Hopefully the little sister gets her own book too.
August 18, 2020
Tanner and Van both had strong characters. It was a great second chance for two people who needed each other more than they realized it.
The entire book was a great read. The only problem I had was the reason why they first separated. That was NOT OK...but I'm writing it up to them being young and stupid so there's that. Do I wish the events happened differently? Yes I do, but that would take away the lesson they both needed to learn about life and about who they are.
Overall it was a pleasure to read this and I'm looking forward to reading the next book by the author.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on th the behalf of OMGReads Blog***
The entire book was a great read. The only problem I had was the reason why they first separated. That was NOT OK...but I'm writing it up to them being young and stupid so there's that. Do I wish the events happened differently? Yes I do, but that would take away the lesson they both needed to learn about life and about who they are.
Overall it was a pleasure to read this and I'm looking forward to reading the next book by the author.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on th the behalf of OMGReads Blog***
July 27, 2020
I was so thrilled to get an ARC of this little gem from Carrie through her reader group, that I dove right in on the day that I got it. I am new-ish to Carrie Elks but I have liked everything I have read so far from her. This story can be added to this list for sure. It's got some sweet charm- and second chance love, all wrapped up in a great romance.
Van (short for Savannah) Butler and Tanner Hartson both end up back in their small little home town after 10 years living life without each other. Van is returning to help out her not so "mom" parent, and get her act together for Van's little sister. While Tanner is back to take a break and spend time with his family, after selling his company he spent all his time building.
They were best friends at one time, then lovers, then both were heart broken and they went their separate ways. Tanner is one of those characters you immediately love and swoon over. He is genuine, funny, and owns his mistakes. Van is healing from living with an alcoholic mom, helping raise her little sis, and coping with the sigma her mom has created in a very small town. She doesn't recognize her strengths and resilience, so you are voting that she will come out on top. Tanner immediately wants to rectify the past and make amends with his best friend Van. While Van has moved on and would prefer to stay distant. As you you know though, that's now how a good love story it goes!!!
This was a great quick romance read, and I will absolutely read the other books around this one. There is a book before this, that I will read before the next book comes out. However, I read this as a stand alone and it wasn't lacking a thing!
Van (short for Savannah) Butler and Tanner Hartson both end up back in their small little home town after 10 years living life without each other. Van is returning to help out her not so "mom" parent, and get her act together for Van's little sister. While Tanner is back to take a break and spend time with his family, after selling his company he spent all his time building.
They were best friends at one time, then lovers, then both were heart broken and they went their separate ways. Tanner is one of those characters you immediately love and swoon over. He is genuine, funny, and owns his mistakes. Van is healing from living with an alcoholic mom, helping raise her little sis, and coping with the sigma her mom has created in a very small town. She doesn't recognize her strengths and resilience, so you are voting that she will come out on top. Tanner immediately wants to rectify the past and make amends with his best friend Van. While Van has moved on and would prefer to stay distant. As you you know though, that's now how a good love story it goes!!!
This was a great quick romance read, and I will absolutely read the other books around this one. There is a book before this, that I will read before the next book comes out. However, I read this as a stand alone and it wasn't lacking a thing!
August 24, 2020
Still the One by Carrie Elks is such a sweet and realistic romance. Although the characters in the book were charming, it also portrayed real-life issues.
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Savannah and Tanner portrayed the perfect example of allowing fear and pain overshadow good moments and people.
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I enjoyed this book and loved seeing the story come together in the end.
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Savannah and Tanner portrayed the perfect example of allowing fear and pain overshadow good moments and people.
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I enjoyed this book and loved seeing the story come together in the end.
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