Saving Cate

I enjoyed this story as I do with all of Ellie's Books! Cate is a no-nonsense wilderness guide who has one best friend, her dog, Bear! When she was younger she thought she had met her soulmate until he walked away breaking her heart in the process! Caleb is a Delta Force Operative in the Marines and wears the uniform with honor. He just wished that him wanting to serve his country and see the world didn't cost him the love of his life. After being reunited by some missing researchers, a mountain lion and a snowstorm will they discover they have something worth fighting for or will they walk away once more shattering each others hearts in the process! I loved this book but I wasn't as invested in these characters as I was in the previous two. I don't know why I didn't connect I just didn't. I still highly recommend this book but more importantly this author! Ellie Masters is brilliant at what she does and the way she brings life to the characters she creates!

***I received an ARC of "Saving Cate" in exchange for my honest review

Kylee

3,003 reviews56 followers

Saving Cate is a second chance romance that has you riding an emotional wave. Two people torn apart by decisions but when they are brought back together years later by circumstances you will feel the pull that had never dulled between them. Caitlyn and Caleb's story is at times frustrating, but aren't all the good ones. There is danger, suspense, heart wrenching moments, angst and off the charts chemistry. As you take the journey with them along the road filled with bumps and dips you will be holding your breath, hoping that these two find their way to the HEA they both deserve.

Coco.V

50k reviews128 followers

Want to read

April 15, 2022

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/15/2022)! 🎁

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Lori Hammons

2,879 reviews28 followers

Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth)

Caleb and Caitlyn both go through some suspenseful situations and heart-wrenching emotions as they work away and toward each other. I love their story and this series.

Karrie

380 reviews

September 22, 2021

When the one you want has a different dream. Caleb and Cate always knew they were each other’s halves. They were like two puzzle pieces that were whole when they were together which was all of the time until their high school graduation came. Caleb left their hometown to chase after his dreams of adventure by joining the Marines. In doing so he broke both of their hearts. Which he does again after a trip home years later until something happens to him. In the end they get their happy ending and are whole once again.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

Roxs Reads

826 reviews1 follower

July 11, 2019

This second chance romance fills the pages with sexual tension and anticipation while the characters dabble in the slow-burning embers that spark and fizzle while they wait to ignite. The story follows the others in the series and involves lots of dramatic action and characters with exciting, untraditional, and dangerous careers.

Caleb and Caitlyn were childhood sweethearts destined to be together, but Caleb’s sense of adventure and Caitlyn’s crippling fears kept them apart. Their dreams were not focused on the same prize and life led them down different paths. The embers that have been left to smolder over the years begin to spark when they meet again and struggle to protect their hearts from being shattered.

Caitlyn is a strong female character who is self-sufficient, at home in the wilderness of Montana, and loves her home and community. She takes pride in continuing her father's legacy. Her fear seems irrational to me and it's a part of the story that isn't really explained in detail, so I didn't quite understand the depth of it.

Caleb definitely fits the bill when you talk about hot, alpha males but he never really steps up and takes control of the situation. He seems resigned to the fact that he and Caitlyn have different dreams, that they are on different paths with no way of meeting in the middle.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit, it just had a little too much anticipation and slow-burn for me. The characters became a little frustrating with their choices and even though I understood them, I wish they had learned to communicate a bit better. I even felt that those choices solidified the fact that their love and desire to be together was secondary to their careers, which I was totally against. I felt their attraction to each other but neither character did much about it.

I expected a fast-moving story full of a sensual resurrection of long-lost love, and even though this story delivers, it took a long time to get there. The couple is definitely in love they just needed to move the obstacles out of their heads to learn how to have a future together. Thank God for fate and well meaning friends and relatives, otherwise, this pair may have never got their HEA. Only a 3.5 star read for me, but I still love these authors and will continue to seek out more stories from them.

2,268 reviews1,533 followers

clean-eek ex-military-mc known-since-childhood

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: second chance
Angst: 😰😰😰😰
Smexy: 🔥
Triggers: none

Saving Cate is a second chance love story by Ellie Masters. Cate and Caleb's relationship seemed to be a sure thing, until it wasn’t. Caleb decided he wanted to join the Marines and Cate wouldn’t leave home so they went their separate ways until they came together again 7 years later. Despite wanting to rekindle their relationship, the circumstances haven’t changed. Will one of them bend or will they be broken forever?

This was a pretty good read with a ton of angst, but just wasn’t for me. The characters are both really well developed and it was an interesting storyline, but both of them were just unwilling to bend and it was hard to reconcile that against how they obviously feel for each other. The characters had great chemistry throughout the story, but it was also a clean romance (again, not for me).

Debra and Daren Leonard

90 reviews

April 18, 2022

Spoiler alert, kinda?

He leaves her, doesn't talk to or communicate with her in any way for 6 years, and then gives up after two days because she didn't just jump back in his arms and forgive him. Goes back to military and would have stayed there without her forever if he hadn't gotten hurt, then she is willing to give up everything for him because he's so awesome. He wasn't awesome, he was selfish and ridiculous. His inner thoughts are about how much he loves her and can't live without her but his actions are the opposite. I hate leaving bad reviews, but he drove me crazy with his BS.

S Huizenga

113 reviews1 follower

Saving Cate is the third book in The One I Want series. We first meet Cate at the end of the second book, Saving Brie.

Cate lives the small tight knit Montana town of Bear Creek and is a wilderness guide. With her father's recent passing she also has responsibility for the family ranch that she has entrusted to a long standing friend to manage. Cate's life has been her dog Bear and her business since her high school sweetheart left her seven years ago to join the Marines. Caleb was her world and the man she thought she would spend the rest of her life with but he wanted to see the world and Cate was terrified of leaving Bear Creek.

Caleb is now a Marine Delta Team operative who returns to town on leave to see his mother and hopefully rekindle things with Cate. Upon arrival he finds that Cate and other have left to find two stranded college students in the wild. Caleb can't resist jumping in and helping in the search efforts especially after hearing that Cate is spending the night in the woods as a storm is approaching. He meets up with the search team to help and hopefully reach Cate.

This story includes an attack by a mountain lion, a snow storm, search and rescue, but at the heart it is a love story. Can two people overcome what appears to be insurmountable odds of one wanting to stay and one wanting to explore?

I really liked this story but would have loved to have explored a little more the story of Cate's mother who ultimately influences her fear of leaving town. It is brought up but I think it could have been developed a little more because it's a really interesting piece that is kind of glossed over. Additionally, I would have loved to have understood a little more why Caleb failed to keep in touch with Cate during his time away. Clearly the two never stopped loving each other but the reason for the complete silence is a little unclear.

I received an advance copy of this story for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Jean

3,714 reviews42 followers

This is book three in The One That I Want Series and it is Caleb and Cate's story and omg it is a must read. Cate has her own guide business take people up into the mountains and her Newfoundland dog called Bear who goes everywhere with her and now two college students have gone missing in the North Fork of Bear Creek and a storm is coming in fast so they need to send out a search party to find them if they stand a chance of finding them alive and that is where Cate and Bear come in. Caleb joined the marines and has become a elite delta team operative but when he joined seven years ago he left behind the love of his life Cate and broke her heart but now he is back in Bear Creek as his mum is ill and he wanted to surprise and spend some time with her. When Cate and Caleb meet again it was not how Caleb expected as Cate is still angry, upset and cold towards him over him leaving her even though she still loved him Cate couldn't go through the heartbreak again so she decides to keep her distance from him. Caleb and Cate still have a strong connection and chemistry between them but will Cate give into it or let him walk away and miss out on a second chance with Caleb and get the happy ending that they both deserve only time will tell. There are twists and turns along the way and that is what makes this book a real page turner that I couldn't put down and so addictive that I had to keep reading to see what would happen next. Ellie Masters is an amazing author and writer and she certainly knows how to keep her reader's attention and on the edge of their seats as her books are full of action. I definitely recommend you read this book,series and other books by her and you will definitely not be disappointed.

I Voluntarily Reviewed an Arc Copy of this Amazing and Emotional Book.

Dee

5,063 reviews56 followers

The addition starts with the book cover….yeah…yeah…yeah don’t judge a book by its cover they say ….well we all do it and this one here it is the scratch to your itch or better yet the filling to your oreos! Within the first chapters you get the panoramic view of whom you’re dealing with! This is book is part of The One I Want series why just read one when you can start at the beginning and keep reading through the series it won’t be a waste of time. Caleb and Cate have been in each other’s lives since grade school (kindergarten) fast friends, and as they got older they realized they had a friendship that would withstand the test of time (but would it without the help of fate). They feel in love with each other first as friends then as lovers Cate wanted forever and Caleb felt he needed to be more to offer her forever. So, joining the Marines taking her heart with him never looking back. Fast forward seven years he is home on leave and his Cate has moved on (or so it appears) or that is what she keeps telling herself. Fate has other plans for them she works with search and rescue and two college kids are missing and Caleb decided to join the search stunned and angry with the turn of the situation (but how can she say anything considering two missing kids). They rescue the girls (with attitude 😊I might add) but her rescue dog Bear got hurt and needs treatment. So they will be staying at a friends home while recovers forcing them together and maybe working on the hurt and anger that separating them. Caleb is no stranger to hard work and will do what it takes to win his best friend, his soulmate back but will she forgive him, accept his reasoning for leaving, can she really stay mad at her best friend, and can they find common ground that leads to happiness or will she let the second chance give slip away?

E Loprete

1,265 reviews19 followers

September 17, 2021

Saving Cate (The One I Want #3) Caleb & Caitlyn's story is another great addition to this series by Ellie Masters who is a true story teller of love and romance. This is a second chance at love romance between high school sweethearts Caleb & Caitlyn who became separated when they were younger, as each had a different path to pursue their dreams. Now Caleb is back from the military as part of the Delta Force elite, wants Caitlyn but things will not come easy for him. Caitlyn who has taken over her father's business as a guide, is mad and determined to have nothing to do with him, as she will not easily forgive Caleb for breaking her heart. But she soon discovers that one thing is evident, the chemistry between them never died and is stronger than ever. When a rescue mission is underway to save two young women hiking in the mountains, Caitlyn heads up the rescue team and ends up finding herself as well as the two young women in danger. Now Caleb who knows those mountains as well as Caitlyn joins forces to find and rescue her. This story had danger, action and plenty of steamy moments as these two come together. This is one story that will pull at your heart as you follow their relationship, will they be together? What happens when Caleb returns to his next mission? Now a live changing event will have both Caleb and Caitlyn making new choices that will effect their lives forever, will these two soulmates get the HEA they always longed for? This is a must read which I highly recommend.

11.6k reviews49 followers

September 22, 2021

Second chance with the one that was always meant to be

Saving Cate is the third book in The One I Want series and is a whirlwind of action, adventure, romance, family, emotion and love, including maybe a second chance with the one that was meant to be. Cate has lived in Bear Creek, Montana her whole life, growing up on the family ranch and now running the the wilderness guide business. She had planned on remaining in Bear Creek for her whole life, as she loved the small town and her family. She even thought she had the love of her life in Caleb. But things changed when they graduated high school and Caleb decides he wanted to leave town and see the world. The best way to do that was to join the Marines. That was seven years ago and we find that he has returned to town to see his mother and family. He may also be hoping to see Cate again and maybe rekindle their relationship. What he was not planning on was joining in a search and rescue mission to find two missing college students. But when he finds out that Cate is already out there looking he jumps into action using his Marine Delta Team skills. Along the way there is a snowstorm, a mountain lion attack, a lot of emotions and more. In the end though it really comes down to two people deciding if they can be together when their lives are so different now. Maybe loves wins out in the end or maybe life, responsibilities and fears do. Either way this is an engaging story that is well written.

I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own.

Susan

1,161 reviews22 followers

This story is a must read for lovers of second chance romances. The pace of the story flowed well and kept me intrigued throughout. I love stories with strong females who can look after themselves and Cate is certainly no damsel in distress, she's strong, feisty and hugely independent. Caleb returns to the hometown he left years ago to pursue his dreams, now he's back for the girl he left behind, but he has his work cut out for him because Cate doesn't welcome him with open arms. She's stubborn, hurt and angry he left so Caleb needs to remind her how good they are together. I liked that Cate didn't fall straight into his arms, she'd built up walls to protect herself and that was completely understandable. I seriously loved the history between Caleb and Cate it's impossible not to love them as a couple. There is no denying their chemistry is still there but is it enough? A dangerous rescue operation on a Mountain brings them up close and personal and shows just how well they work together. The star of this book was Bear I want him for myself, he's so brave. The tension and suspense was thrilling. The thing I love most about this series is the unusual and dangerous situations the characters find themselves in. It's romance with an edge of fear to give you an adrenaline rush.

Sara

2,371 reviews14 followers

An enjoyable read that brings together two very stubborn characters - Cate and Caleb. Caleb wanted to see the world and make a difference, while Cate was determined to stay in Bear Creek due to tragic event in her family’s past. Neither one of them was willing to compromise and after high school graduation Caleb left to enlist in the Marines.

I found the rescue of the missing college students suspenseful and a great way to capture the readers interest in the storyline. Cate’s dog, Bear was a wonderful addition and he tied into her past with Caleb.

I enjoyed the story and the characters, but I was also extremely frustrated with Caleb’s inner thoughts and how he painted himself as the one who was broken-hearted when he left due to Cate’s supposed unwillingness to leave Bear Creek. This part of their history isn’t really explored too much other than they each had a different perspective and lots of hurt feelings regarding their breakup seven years later.

I feel Caleb needed to step back and be more understanding of Cate’s feelings of having been abandoned. The story doesn’t mention whether his dreams were something the two of them discussed while exploring the mountains and wilderness, but I had the impression his dream was a unexpected surprise to Cate.

The ending was satisfying because these two had a HEA, but they didn’t really settle their disagreement, instead outside circumstances and the repercussions of an event made their reunion possible.

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

Emily Pennington

20.8k reviews362 followers

There is Much to Save Here . . .

When Caleb comes home on leave, now an elite Delta Force Operative, Cate has moved on with her own career and, having not heard from him for 8 years, she no longer wants him in her life.

When, as a wilderness guide with her dog Bear, she is called on to search for a couple of missing college students on a research project, with a storm moving in quickly, Caleb decides to follow after and help her if she needs it. She has so much anger inside. Bear is injured protecting them from a mountain lion; Sally has a broken ankle; and Jen is non-stop complaints. But they go into a cave for protection and Caleb and Cate gather wood and use their skills to care for everyone until the Sheriff gets there sometime in the morning. Can Caleb use the time to try to talk with her and let her know what she means to him? When will she be able to forgive him? Is there still a chance for their love to rekindle?

The story was well-written, but Cate sure got on my nerves. She held onto that anger for years and I wasn’t sure if she could let it go or not. Caleb had a good reason to want to be better for her, but doing everything without talking to her, had been a mistake. Grab your copy and see whether they can work together to save Jen and Sally, and maybe save their love as well.

reviewed

Yvonne Cruz

3,560 reviews40 followers

September 18, 2021

Once again, the author delivers a story that will touch your hearts.
When Caleb Caswell left his hometown in Montana to pursue his dream of becoming a Marine and hopefully a Delta Force member, he also left behind the girl that was his soulmate. Breaking Cate’s heart in pieces.
Now, seven years later, Caleb, a Delta Force sniper, returns for the first time to see his mother and hopefully mend his fences with Cate. When he finds out that Cate is out in a snowstorm looking for two lost hikers in the mountains, he’s determined to go help her.
The reunion was not as he hoped. What happens when they lose their second chance at love? Will fate give them a third chance, or will this be the last goodbye?
The story is at times heartbreaking and the road to finding happiness will be a very bumpy one. Definitely another winner in the series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Booksprout. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Sue Carter

750 reviews5 followers

Another winner from Ellie Masters. As a reader I first met Cate at the end of ‘Saving Brie’. I liked the relative continuity of her story into this novel. Caleb, her childhood sweetheart, is back in town seven years after breaking her heart. You are kept engaged in the seeming distance between them which seems insurmountable through much of the book as they want very different things. She tries to convince herself she hates him and he becomes frustrated that she won’t even give him a chance to explain and convince her they still have a future. Cate is a homebody, happy with her rural Montana life guiding people in the wilderness. Caleb is only back to visit his aging mother, but the spark between them is still very obvious to the reader. You definitely feel for both of them and it’s difficult to see how they’ll ever achieve their HEA...but fate hasn’t finished with them yet.... A great read!

Carolyn Spence

1,920 reviews16 followers

A second chance but no way to work it out. Caleb comes back to visit him mom, but it's also really to see Cate, the girl he walked away from seven years ago. Caleb still has another six years of his contract left with the service, he only has to convince Cate to leave her home and business. She has her reasons. How can it work out? "Seek, destroy, and defend." No better words to describe the mission that he's on. They've always been a team, but it's fractured. Total determination on each part to not be together. Loved the chapters back at Abby's and his hearing and the discussion about what home really is and done that last night. You saw alpha upon Caleb's arrival, but in the latter part of the book, it was revved up ten times more. Finally, I can sigh with relief as in the end you get your happily ever after. Kept me on the edge to figure out if they would get their HEA.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

Marybeth

2,289 reviews21 followers

Cate and Caleb were best friends from when they were little and gradually fell in love with one another as teenagers. Cate expected to marry Caleb, but Caleb wanted to see the world. He broke Cate's heart when he left to join the Marines and eventually, he is invited to be part of the Delta Force, an elite group. When he has to use leave or lose it, he decides to come home to see his mother. He is fooling himself, because he wants to see Cate as well. Cate continued to raise the Newfoundland puppy that she gave Caleb as a Christmas present. Cate also started a guide business that Bear was a lot of help for. When Caleb comes back, she wants nothing to do with him, but she eventually thaws. I did think that Caleb was high handed in expecting Cate to just forgive him. They have a lot to work out between themselves and Cate being adamant that she would not leave Bear Creek is a big issue. I do wish that we had more of a background of what happened to Cate's mother. It is a quick mention to explain Cate's fear of leaving the area. I did enjoy this next addition to the One I want series and I look forward to the next one.

I received an advance copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest review.

Elinda Moody

571 reviews8 followers

September 17, 2021

This book is from The One I Want series by Ellie Masters. She is an exceptional storyteller. This book was amazing! I loved everything about it. Caleb and Cate have known each other since kindergarten. They became best friends as children. That grew into a romance as teenagers. Cate thought they would have forever together, only that wasn't to be. Caleb left Bear Creek right out of high school to join the Marines. He left Swithout a backward glance, leaving Cate with a broken heart. Fast forward seven years. Caleb has come home on leave. When he arrives, he finds out Cate has gone with a search party to rescue two college kids before a bad snow storm hits. Needless to say, Cate is less than thrilled to have him home. He is determined to help her get the girls off the mountain and convince Cate they belong together. There's a lot of hurt and anger to talk through, but will Cate listen? They have a few hurdles to jump through before they get the HEA they deserve. Sorry, no spoilers. I received this ARC and here is my honest review.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

555 reviews5 followers

a second chance at hapiness
Cate, never wanting to leave Bear Creek, happy with her lot, following the death of her father has carved out a career and successful business in guiding and hiking trips. This come in very useful when she steps in to help find 2 college students missing in the mountain and storm brewing.
Caleb, friend since childhood, teenage lover, who left town as he wanted bigger and better so joined the Marines leaving his girl behind. Made no contact for several years and is now back on a month leave and to make amends.
She is determined to keep him at a distance, he is determined not to let her and to reconnect - they both still have feelings but he is leaving to return to Delta service and she has no wish to go anywhere.

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

April

Author 12 books69 followers

I usually read the blurb for the feel of a story before I purchase/read. But with Ellie Masters, it's just a "one-click" reaction! So, ooooohhhhh! I was surprised at the second chance story that would unfold as I stormed thru the pages! AND, I am such a sucker for second chances! I had a glimpse of Caitlyn's career in Brent and Brie's story, but not the depth of the danger she could put herself into. Caleb knew what he was signing up for when he signed on the dotted line with Uncle Sam, not knowing the places it would take him, other than away from home.
I loved how the story brought Caitlyn and Caleb face to face after so many years and the significance of the location and circumstances! Amazing story! Makes me wanna head west! I'm loving The One I Want series!

Carina Hales

476 reviews11 followers

This was a quick and enjoyable read about second chances and fighting for love. Cait was a lovely character and I really wanted her to push herself to get that happy ever after she deserved. Caleb loved Cait but knew he was too young to settle down and needed to move away to give himself time before he claimed her. I understood this but did feel sad that neither would take the step together and weren’t prepared to fight to try. I wonder what would have happened had the incident at the end not happened. It kind of made me feel that maybe their love wasn’t quite as strong as I wanted! Bear though was amazing, I want a Bear! I loved him! Overall I enjoyed the story and as ever Ellie writes so very well. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Tesh

2,700 reviews33 followers

Cate is a wilderness guide and when two girls go missing, Cate heads out to find them. Caleb, her ex comes back to town and wants to get her back.
Wow! Great story I loved how it was in two parts, where they are it finding the girls and the other back in real life.
This is about second chances but also being realistic about what you want and can have. I loved the chemistry but Gabe to admit I was a little annoyed at Caleb and his expectations of Cate. But that just stirred emotions that makes for a great book. I also loved the ending and how it was resolved. Brilliant story!

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

Karon Price

1,246 reviews34 followers

September 18, 2021

A story of Cate and Caleb who balance fulfilling their dreams while loving their soul mate. This tears them apart and brings them together in the most heartbreaking of ways. I seriously wanted to scream at the unfairness of it all at times, but the author made this reality of love so tangible I kept reading. The satisfying part came when this couple finally both realized supporting their partner could bring their soul mate back to their side and a most satisfying HEA.

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

Cynthia Khan

2,757 reviews9 followers

September 16, 2021

This is The One I Want love story for Caleb and Cate. I loved that these two get to have another chance but it took a lot of hurt and heartache to get there and it took the strong Caleb getting his career change to finally get what he has always get his heart.

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

Laura

1,013 reviews25 followers

September 17, 2021

Second chance romance + a small town setting? GIVE ME!

Add in that Cate is an independent woman who has her own business, and isn't taking any crap from the men of town? YES!

The journey towards an HEA was a doozy, but I was cheering our characters along throughout the book.

arc

Melanie Marnell

4,226 reviews34 followers

September 22, 2021

The One I Want series has become a favorite of mine. These love stories are as unique and varied as the individual couples themselves. Caleb and Caitlyn grew up and into their love only to grow apart when dreams needed to be pursued. They say you can never go back again but sometimes we try anyway. Now time and space may be insurmountable when it comes to matters of love for these two.

Victoria Wyatt

4,257 reviews52 followers