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What was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life turned into my worst nightmare.
After losing my wife, my daughter is all I live for.
Well, her and the ranch.
Between work and my family, I keep myself busy.
I don’t have time for relationships, nor do I even want one.
It’s the way I like it. The way I need it.
If I don’t open up, I won’t love.
If I don’t love, I can’t lose.
My soul has deep scars.
Unfortunately, all it takes is a pretty little nurse to bandage my daughter’s knee for my heart to wake up from where it lay dormant for seven years.


I needed a change. A slower pace from the busy city.
Thanks to a friend, I found myself in Cameron Falls.
What I didn’t expect was to be swept off my feet by a precious little girl
Or her incredibly hot father.
I wasn’t prepared for the storm he created
Or the broken heart he left in his wake.
He warned me.
I should’ve listened.

249 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 24, 2021

166 people are currently reading
372 people want to read

About the author

T.C. Matson

25 books380 followers
TC Matson is an international best-selling contemporary romance author with a passion for all things romance. Love is never perfect and easy, so her stories share all the ups and downs of finding that spark and falling hard while bringing heat, heart, laughs, and swoony moments to every couple.

She lives in the peaceful Piedmont area of North Carolina with her husband, kids (#boymom), and her spazzy Doberman.

When TC isn’t writing or forced into adulting, you can find her feeding her coffee addiction with her Kindle in hand. She often wins employee of the month for her stay-at-home mom and housewife duties and has won the award for “Mom’s dinner is awesome!” countless evenings.



Find TC Matson all over starting here:
www.tcmatson.com
www.facebook.com/authortcmatson



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5 stars
336 (45%)
4 stars
259 (34%)
3 stars
113 (15%)
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28 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
Profile Image for M..
510 reviews736 followers
March 25, 2021
My theory say that the single dad trope with an adorable little girl always makes for a fun sweet romance, and yes, I'm right again!

Rhett has been a widower for a few years now and only has eyes for his little girl, but when said little girl has a little accident and meets the new nurse in town? of course she's gonna talk her father's ear off about this beautiful woman who healed her wounds. And her father is gonna fall for her too, obvs.

This was an easy-to-read sweet romance with so much more than a love story to offer. This was an easy-to-read sweet romance with much more than a love story to offer, with some of my favorites being the bond between Presley and Hadley, the side characters, and some emotional moments that gave this story a bittersweet and kinda realistic touch.

ARC provided by author in exchange for honest review.
Profile Image for QuinnReads.
3,778 reviews218 followers
October 22, 2025
TC Matson Cameron Falls bk 01 Back to Me

Growing Stronger

Hadley (Pipsqueak, Hads) and Rhett Helms immediately stole my heart. He is such a caring and loving father. They are so sweet, and she's very perceptive, as children tend to be. It leads to some hilarious moments that make me want to gobble them up, as my gran used to say. 🥰🦃🥰

As for Presley, she's another one that's easy to like. She has an obvious affection for people that just reels me in. That doesn't stop both of them from making mistakes.

I’m stuck staring, hypnotized by her. Damn, she’s beautiful.
-- Rhett Helms

The small-town feel comes shining through with everyone knowing everyone else's business and the (mostly) friendly greetings. We get to meet a lot of the people who are likely to be important throughout the series, and I like that.

I read along with the audio book. The narrators, Scott Rose and Kat Auden, do a good job with these characters. Hadley's exuberance was possibly the best part. 🎧💛🎧

Story: 4 stars
Narration: 3.5 stars
Listening Speed: 1.8x

H = 31; h = 20s?
Profile Image for Jackie Wright.
6,614 reviews137 followers
March 20, 2021
I really can’t believe this is the first book I have read by T.C. Matson, Back to Me is book one in the Cameron Falls Series and I highly recommend to all small town romance lovers, it’s a beautifully written romance with wonderful characters and I fell hook, line and sinker for their story.
Rhett has built his life around Hadley his adorable little girl, he lost his wife in childbirth and he is determined to always put his daughter first, he isn’t looking for love and he thought he was happy living life as a single dad, working on the family ranch, that is until a new nurse arrives in town.....
Presley has moved to Cameron Falls looking to slow her life down and the last thing she expects is to fall for the first hot cowboy she comes across.
A couple not looking for love find it when they least expect it, an adorable little girl who delivers some classic one liners that only a child does well, all go towards making this a very special read but it’s the beautifully written story that takes this book to another level, it’s the love, the trust, the secondary characters who also play their part well that made this a great read. This book ticked all my boxes and I’m excited for future visits to Cameron Falls as well as checking out other works by Ms Matson.
Profile Image for Julie Booklover.
2,161 reviews105 followers
June 2, 2021
I am not sure why this author has not been on my radar, but I will fix this pronto! I loved this book! Hadley was the star of this book; I love it when a 7-year-old can carry a story!

Rhett has known love, and that love produced Hadley. He has also known loss, as the same day he lost his wife. Does he deserve to love again?

Presley is the new nurse in town and fixed up Hadley after a minor mishap. Nothing ice cream will not fix! She manages to shake up Rhett’s well-ordered world.

I loved reading this book, second chance at love and a cowboy! I cannot wait to read more about this family.

Thank you to Booksprout and the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Profile Image for The Book Lover.
2,070 reviews32 followers
March 23, 2021
one of the best single parents books that I've read in a while, Miss Matson is a new author for me, but it won't be my last time reading her! I loved this story!
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.8k reviews367 followers
June 5, 2021
Letting Love In . . .

Rhett has been closed off from any relationship for 7 years as he grieves his deceased wife. All of the love in his heart goes to his sweet daughter, Hadley. He was content with the way things were. At least until the new nurse at the hospital made his heart react and come to life again.

Presley is a new nurse in town who chose a small town so that she could have the more relaxed pace that encouraged more interaction with her patients. Hadley had a minor injury and Presley turned on her caring and charm to give the child a positive experience. She also rattled Rhett when he found himself noticing her.

The story line is excellent and the feelings evoked by the characters are absolutely real and vivid. The reader will care for these folks. They are special and worthy of lots of love. Can Presley help heal Rhett’s heart? Can she be a loving mom-figure to Hadley? These three could make a perfect family, but Rhett has to journey back to living fully again. With the two females in his life, I don’t think it will be a long journey.
1,582 reviews28 followers
August 25, 2021
Well darn!!...

... didn't Rhett just make my heart happy!!!

I started this series at book 3 instead of this one (oops!) so I knew the basics of Rhett's story but hearing it here...swoon, smile, cry, smile, swoon some more!!!

Presley is the new nurse in town and has to patch Hadley up after a fall - Hadley will steal your heart before you even realise!!!! Anyway, as soon as Rhett sees her, it stirs something and it scares the absolute wits outta him!!!

This is a story of recovery from heartache and trying to face your fears.

I loved it and can't wait to read the next one!!
Profile Image for Tammi.
2,188 reviews30 followers
March 26, 2021
So sweet! So touching! A perfect mix of heartbreaking and heartwarming. Happy tears and sad tears.
A beautiful second chance at love for a man who had his world taken away just as he received God's greatest gift.
That gift was named Hadley and she is the cutest bundle of energy. She stole the show and my heart!
I loved this book so much. I am overly excited to see it will be a series because there are characters I want to know more about.
Profile Image for zen_s.
2,015 reviews17 followers
June 12, 2021
[1.5 star] *yawn* honestly, the book makes me wanna sleep. i read her "taking chances" series previously and thought they were okay however this book wasn't able to pull me into it as much as i hope.

additionally, i don't feel anything special about it because plot like this is kind of dime in a dozen. cliché plot in general i suppose? overall, not an exciting read.
626 reviews4 followers
May 3, 2023
Rhett is a single dad and rancher. His wife passed away when his daughter was born. What heartache to gain a beloved child only to lose the love of your life. He is emotionally tied to his deceased wife, and invests all of himself into his daughter and the ranch. The little girls is well loved and cared for by her dad, and their extended family. This sweet little girl is the one to bring Presley into the picture. Presley is the new nurse in town, and helps clean up Hadley after a minor injury. One thing leads to another, and Rhett and Presley hit it off. Love that Presley is not jealous or threatened by the deceased spouse. Love that Hadley has such a big open heart that she welcomes Presley into the family. This is a sweet romance with a beautiful story. The story was well written, and loveable characters. Narration was great.

I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Profile Image for Sara Oxton.
3,818 reviews18 followers
March 13, 2021
Back to Me T.C. Matson a fantastic five-star read. This is number one in the Cameron Falls (small town romance) series and honestly, I cannot wait for number two, as I am not ready to say goodbye to Cameron Falls and the people who call her home. This was the story of a strong man who had lost the love of his life while bringing another great love into his life, he wouldn’t have thought he would be worth getting another love, that would just be greedy, but sometimes life surprises you. When a pretty nurse needed some peace in her life her bestie told her about a job in her hometown, well she found so much more than a job. I for one hope we get to know more about the bestie in future as her and her jumping intrigued me. But I will be honest and admit that none of these won my heart, that went to a certain little wonder, who just blew me away her little stubborn-headed cuteness who just bandages over even the worse cuts to a heart.
Profile Image for lowkeyreader.
5,600 reviews52 followers
March 26, 2021
I love getting to know new authors and TC Matson is definitely one new author to me. And oh my, this is a sweet and sexy story that gave me all the feels! It was such an emotional roller coaster ride. It was a slow burn too. That just ticks all the boxes for me. Rhett and Presley had sizzling hot chemistry that I really enjoyed reading. But I really loved Hadley the most, she stole the spotlight for me.
Profile Image for Alphas Do It Better Book Blog .
3,710 reviews99 followers
March 26, 2021
5 Stars

Rhett is a man who adores his daughter, loves his family and works hard on the family ranch. Losing the love of his life way too soon, has made him content to be the best dad he can be. Hadley is his world, a spitfire so much like her mother, and Rhett adores every part of being her father. He has no desire to be with another woman again, he knows what it is to lose something you love, and it’s just not worth it. The thing is, sometimes you don’t know when something worth the risk is going to cross your path. The moment Rhett sees Presley he feels a change. He knows life will never be the same.

Presley is happy to be living in Cameron Falls. The pace of the big city was not for her, and she loves being able to take time with her patients as the local nurse. Patching up Hadley when she gets banged up while in the care of her Aunt Willow is a perfect example of why she loves her job. When she runs into Presley again, this time with her daddy, the sudden jolt she feels is unexpected. As she learns more about Rhett and starts to see him more and more, their attraction cannot be denied.

When Rhett and Presley cross the line they do it with passion so intense it changes them both, whether they immediately realize it or not. As their relationship grows end changes they learn more about themselves and each other. Things are smooth and fairly easy for them, until Rhett’s fears being to change things. When difficult obstacles come along for this couple it will take love, understanding, and one very sassy little girl, to make things right and being about a happily ever after they all deserve.

I absolutely fell in love with everyone from Cameron Falls. Hadley is hilarious and sweet with just the right amount of sass. Rhett is the kind of man every woman deserves, a gentleman who isn’t afraid to show how he feels and be romantic. Presley is thoughtful, caring and so very understanding that she is the perfect match for this widower and his young daughter. I am very much looking forward to more from Cameron Fall, including stories for as many characters as possible (Blake’s is next!!). What a perfect start to a new series and world full of fantastic main characters and intriguing and memorable supporting ones as well!

Cara - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5 Beautiful Stars

I’m always a sucker for a hot cowboy...even more so for a hot, single dad cowboy! Matson brings her A game with this slow burn, small town romance. Rhett Helms had his worst day and best day all in one, and has been doing his best to raise his seven year old daughter, Hadley ever since. Resigned to being alone the rest of his life (because that’s so much easier than putting his heart out there again), he’s definitely not looking for love. But meeting the gorgeous new nurse who bandaged up his daughter’s knee, knocked him on his a$$ and made him feel for the first time in seven years. Needing a slow down from the big city, Presley moves to Cameron Falls and is not only the new nurse in town, but also the talk of the gossip chain. She wasn’t looking for love, but meeting the gorgeous dad of the little girl who’s knee she bandaged may just make her change her mind.

Matson brings balance between the heartache and heartwarming moments with family, love and laugh out loud moments. She brings us a broken, swoonworthy hero, a sweet, but feisty heroine, a precocious seven year old, a cast of secondary characters that I can’t wait to hear more from, and a second chance at love that touches your soul. Back to Me is at the top of my list of favorite reads so far this year. I can’t wait for more from this small town series!

Angela - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
Profile Image for Amanda Hash.
295 reviews14 followers
March 24, 2021
This book checked all the boxes for me:
Small town ✔
Single dad ✔
Cowboy ✔
Slow burn ✔
Great characters ✔
Sweetness ✔
Spice ✔
HEA ✔

I love everything TC Matson has ever written, but this one is going straight to my list of favorites. It was just an absolute delight to read, from start to finish. I have a soft spot for swoon-worthy, small town heroes (especially ones with freakin' adorable kids, meddling mothers, and snarky siblings), and Rhett is everything a girl could ask for-- and then some. I can't remember the last time I fell for a man (fictional or otherwise) so fast, but he is PERFECTION and I'm totally calling dibs.

Matson did an exceptional job balancing the heartbreak with the heartwarming, the silly with the serious, and the too-good-to-be-true with the tell-it-how-it-is. I really enjoyed the softer, sweeter vibe of this book (gotta love that slow burn romance) and basically melted into a giant puddle of mushy, tear-soaked goo by the end.

And FYI, I am BEYOND excited for the rest of this series. I hope it never ends ❤
Profile Image for Thuy Taylor.
1,406 reviews20 followers
March 24, 2021
Rhett living day by day, young widow and sole parent to his adorable loveable daughter, Hadley. This small town romance, with siblings that I’m assuming that will all get their happily ever afters, Rhett not being able to move on after his wife passes. But, he has to move on for his daughter. Meeting Presley has surely shaken his world up a bit. This book, you could feel Rhett’s sadness, the guilt, just, this poor guy, he just is heartbroken, vowing to himself to stay away from Presley, but there is just a pull he can’t deny. Presley, is the new gal in town, needing a change from the city life, jumps at the chance when her friend mentions an opportunity.

These two, they had amazing chemistry. But it’s not all sunshine and roses. Ups and downs and issues hang over them like a dark cloud. Hadley was such a sweet, fun kid, I loved seeing her shine through the book. This was my first TCM book and it won’t be my last, I really enjoyed it from beginning to end!
Profile Image for Erin Lewis.
6,267 reviews218 followers
March 17, 2021
4.5 star review Back To Me (Back to Me (Cameron Falls: A Small Town Romance #1) by T.C. Matson

T.C. Matson is a new author to me and I am surprised I have not come across this author before. What an emotional roller coaster of a read this book was. This is a second chance at love story for Rhett and Presley and if anyone deserved happiness it was Rhett and his adorable daughter Hadley.
There were times where I cried, times I laughed and times I just smiled. You could feel Rhett’s pain and loss and don’t get me started on his relationship with Hadley, it made me melt.
Presley wasn’t looking for love, neither was Rhett, but sometimes fate has plans that cannot be ignored. I could easily imagine Cameron Falls and am looking forward to reading more books based in this small town.
Profile Image for Ronda Brimeyer.
339 reviews5 followers
April 9, 2021
What a beautiful story of starting over. Image what a child's bandage knee could start. Well it starts something in this story . A small town with amazingly hot gentlemen born and raised. We meet Rhett a single dad raising a beautiful daughter Hadley with help from his whole family . Rhett has suffered heartache and sealed up his heart until Presley the new nurse in town. Presley wanted a change from her hecked life in the big city. She took the chance and headed to the country. These two meet and the earth shakes for both. Wanting and not knowing how to open his world up again Presley shows him. She is patient and kind which leads them both down the road to love. She is the right nurse for the job. Will these two find their happiness with Hadley in the mix? Read how T.C works the magic to put us under her spell. Where just maybe one of the towns gentlemen will be off the list. Leading to one very happy ending.
Profile Image for Sheri.
131 reviews
March 23, 2021
T.C Matson is a new author for me, and I am so glad that I took the chance to read this novel. I loved it. It was so sweet and heart felt. Rhett and Presley are so relatable, and Rhett's daughter Hadley easily steals the show in my eyes. She is absolutely adorable. You can feel Rhett's pain throughout, and you can help but root for him to give love a second chance on love. Presley wasn't looking for love, and she moved to Cameron Falls to get away from the busy city life. Life and fate have a way of giving you the things that you aren't really looking for.

I really hope this isn't the last time I read about this small town. This city girl might have just fallen in love with it.
Profile Image for Kylee.
3,016 reviews58 followers
March 24, 2021
Back To Me is a small town romance that will steal your heart. Rhett and Presley's story is one that is equal parts heartfelt and heart wrenching. This second chance romance is a slow burn single Dad story that is a sweet journey to happiness. Their story will make you cry but will also make you smile. Hadley is a priceless gem that will find her way easily into your heart and the bond between father and daughter is heartwarming. As grief, guilt, acceptance and fear play a large part in their story, it will be love that will be the ultimate winner. Two people that weren't looking for love find a connection that can't be ignored and are brought to life by this beautiful storyline. A captivating start to this series that has you enamoured by not only the story, the town but the characters as well.
Profile Image for rose cook.
58 reviews1 follower
June 4, 2023
Heartwarming

This book is delightful from the very first page to the last. Not that there isn't heartbreak, loss and a scary moment or two. But it is a beautiful love story with an adorable little mischievous girl added in. Read it in one day okay its now 4 am but who cares it is worth losing some sleep.
Profile Image for Ashley Carr, LSoR.
5,024 reviews64 followers
March 24, 2021
This is a new to me author and I definitely will be reading more from her! The characters are well developed and the storyline is intriguing and talk about an emotional roller coaster. This story had my emotions all over the place. The book was a slow burn for Rhett and Presley. Rhett didn’t even know he needed Presley in his life but when his daughter latched on to her he then had to reevaluate his priorities. I can’t wait the next installment of this series!!
504 reviews
June 5, 2023
adorable

What an amazing story that capture my heart from the beginning. The father,daughter combo sucks you I and keeps your interest
Profile Image for Latifa Morrisette.
2,587 reviews62 followers
March 25, 2021
Back to Me is the first book in the Cameron Falls series by TC Matson. Rhett and Presley's story is equal parts heart wrenching and heart warming. I've been a fan of TC Matson for a while now and there hasn't been a book I haven't liked. I can't wait to read more.
829 reviews2 followers
June 8, 2023
Great story

I loved all the characters, there was not one I didn't like. I was so happy that Presley finally got through to Rhett. Hadley is so precious.
Profile Image for Melissa Mendoza.
2,598 reviews54 followers
March 28, 2021
5 Small Town Stars!! TC knows how to suck me in with her sweet romances with intense passion!

Rhett is a man who loves his family and is perfectly content being a father to his daughter, Hadley. He lost the love of his life suddenly and now he's vowed to be the best dad he can be. He's not looking for a relationship, he's just wanting to be a dad. He works on his family's ranch and he's content with that. Presley loves her new life in the small town of Cameron Falls, she was way over the big city life. She's a nurse that loves her job, so when Hadley ends up in her office after an accident, she never thought she'd see her again. But one day out, she bumps into Hadley, this time Rhett is with her and there's an instant attraction between them both. After hooking up things seem to go smoothly until Rhett thinks things may be going too fast... and then add in some other bumps in the relationship and these two have to figure out what they want.

I've been a huge fan/reader of TC's for a while now and this book is the reason why. She writes characters that you just can't help but fall for and root for. Rhett is perfection... he's a man we all dream of. Loves his kid, hard-working, and a total gentleman! And Presley is the girl most of us ladies strive to be! The storyline was fun and fast-paced and I love every single word! Great job TC!

Profile Image for Jan Johnson.
62 reviews1 follower
May 8, 2023
From the first sentence all the way through the book, there was no doubt of the dad’s love for his little daughter. She was a reminder of his wife who died, and just an adorable love of his life.
In comes Presley, who he is immediately attracted to you, but is so worried about losing someone else he loves leading to a lot of push me pull you.
I would rather have read this book than listened to it simply because in my mind, it would’ve been so much better to have the male voice mixed in with the female voice rather than him trying to do a female voice and Hadley‘s voice. And for the female voice to try to do the male voice. it was confusing and would’ve just been so much more amazing if they had coordinated the recordings together.
I listened and obtained this copy from Story Origin.
18.3k reviews1 follower
February 24, 2023
⛔️
I like reading a book where h and H are like soulmates and their one true love, but in this instance it felt like H and his dead wife were true soulmates by how H always described her and how much they loved each other and h was just a second chance, a chance after his wife died, if she hadn’t died H and his wife would still be together so this doesn’t fell like once in a lifetime romance
Profile Image for Pauline.
70 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2023
A heartwarming sexy second chance single dad story. I loved this story and both of the strong characters. Rhett's struggle to overcome grief and fear and Presley's inner beauty and strength made me a happy reader.
Profile Image for Bette.
3,343 reviews23 followers
February 16, 2023
Wonderful Story & Listen🎧 A Heartfelt Delight!
Back to Me
Cameron Falls Series, Book 1
By: TC Matson
Narrated by: Kat Auden, Scott Rose

This is a wonderful single dad, small town romance, it is my first book written by TC Matson, and I enjoyed her writing style, the story drew me right it, grabbing my attention and captivated it the entire time. The characters are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with, they are each to care about too. Rhett lost the love of his life when she gave birth to his daughter, Hadley, the other love of his life. Despite a few years going by, he still misses his wife and makes sure his daughter knows who she was and how much she loved her. Presley, a nurse, needed a change of pace and scenery, so when a friend mentioned a job opening in Cameron Falls, she left Denver and her life in the city. When Hadley fell, she helped her with her injuries. While out in town, Hadley was there with her father and she introduces them to one another. There was great chemistry between them, an instant attraction, but he was not ready to move on and she was just trying to settle into her new life. But he gets to see her again, in a friend capacity, to help with some of the work she is doing while renovating her house, a repayment for taking care of his daughter. This beautifully plotted story has a perfect balance of drama, charm, heartfelt emotions, a touch of angst and a wonderful romance. Shout out to Hadley, a real scene stealer, an adorable scene stealer. TC Matson, thank you for this great story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 And for the fantastic narration, Kat Auden and Scott Rose are talented narrators and versatile voice artists. They had a complete understanding of the characters they portrayed, gave each a voice that fit that character’s persona and were believable in every role they played. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the character’s emotions and projected them into their performance. These entertaining storytellers are a pleasure to listen to and their narration enhances this already great story to another level. Thank you for another fabulous listen.
3,734 reviews42 followers
June 3, 2021
This is book one in The Cameron Falls Romance Series and it is Rhett and Presley's story and omg it is so emotional and a must read. Rhett is a single dad to Hadley after his wife Summer died during childbirth, so he dedicated all his time with her while running the family owned ranch but when Hadley hurt herself it was Presley who dealt with it and when Rhett met Presley the way she affected him was something new that he didn't know what to make of it. Presley was a nurse and new in town but when she met Hadley and treated her injuries she fell a little bit in love with her as not only was she a beautiful little girl but she was cute, kind and stole the show where ever she went but when Presley met Rhett she was blown away by what an amazing father he was and how Presley's had a instant attraction to him. Presley and Rhett had such a strong connection and chemistry between them but will Rhett ever act on it or will be miss out on a second chance of love. I absolutely loved Presley's interaction with Hadley and how she always treated her with so much kindness. Omg I couldn't put this book down as it was a real page turner and so addictive. This is the first book that I have read by TC Matson but definitely not the last as it was so well written and definitely worth reading and I look forward to reading more books in the future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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