Still the One [Mass Market Paperback]

Robin Wells (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2010

Robin Wells takes us back to Chartreuse, Louisiana, for a deeply moving story of forgiveness and second chances.

STILL THE ONE

After Katie Charmaine's husband is killed in Iraq, all she has left is a closet full of his clothes, a few pictures, and fond memories. She not only lost her love, but her last chance to have the children she's always wanted. Until Zack Ferguson shows up in town . . . with the daughter Katie gave up for adoption nearly seventeen years ago.

Zack Ferguson has never forgotten Katie, or the one magical night they spent together. Seeing her again brings up a tidal wave of emotions: regret over the way he left her, anger at the secret she kept, and desire he hasn't felt in years. But he's in town for Gracie. Their daughter is sixteen, angry at the world, and-worst of all-pregnant. She needs the love of her two parents now more than ever. Can these three forgive the hurts of the past and open their hearts to each other?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"With sympathetic, memorable characters, a touching story, gentle humor, and evocative writing, Wells's latest will please fans who like their contem­poraries with a Southern flair." (Library Journal )

"Very moving, lovely story. They have their difficulties and plenty of challenges, but they also have friends and good people who are there to support them. This is a special kind of story you're sure to enjoy and love." (RomanceReviewsMag.com )

"A madcap and enjoyable romantic comedy." (Publishers Weekly on HOW TO SCORE )

"Still the One is beautifully crafted with endearing characters that you will not soon forget." (theromancereadersconnection.com Jennifer Jones )

"Both tenderly funny and outright hilarious, this sexy, lively romp gently touches on some serious issues but highlights romance." (Library Journal on HOW TO SCORE )

"Robin Wells has written a powerful story of longing, grief and second chances in STILL THE ONE. STILL THE ONE is beautifully crafted with endearing characters that you will not soon forget." (Romance Readers Connection.com )

"BETWEEN THE SHEETS has Southern heat, secondary characters who will steal your heart, and a hero and heroine who deserve their happy ending." (USAToday bestselling author Christie Ridgway on BETWEEN THE SHEETS )

"How to Score is a fun, character-driven romance full of wonderful subplots and snappy personalities that all tie in perfectly at the book's conclusion. Not only do you root for the main characters but you'll become attached to the troubled spinster boss with an attitude and the inflexible landlord wanting to sell Sammi's historic home from under her." (Monroe Daily on HOW TO SCORE )

"How to Score is the perfect beach book." (Monroe Daily on HOW TO SCORE )

"BETWEEN THE SHEETS is romantic comedy at its best. The romances are sweet, passionate, believable, and, at times, hilarious. Southern charm infuses the setting and people of Chartreuse and adds the perfect atmosphere to the hijinks. BETWEEN THE SHEETS is a highly recommended tale that will enchant everyone." (Romance Reviews Today on BETWEEN THE SHEETS )

"If you want something light and fun, Between the Sheets is the book for you. There's no way you'll be able to feel down while reading it. It's totally enjoyable, and it's guaranteed to take you away for a few blissful hours." (Nightsandweekends.com on BETWEEN THE SHEETS )

"Good characterization and a sense of social awareness without preaching helps this to be a recommended read." (The Good, The Bad the Unread on BETWEEN THE SHEETS )

"Rarely are the sexual exploits of the over-70 set described with such humor and heat." (Disaboom.com on BETWEEN THE SHEETS )

"Between the Sheets is written with just the right amount of humor. Robin Wells puts the spotlight on several timely issues--relationships of the elderly, Alzheimer's, prostitution, and dealing with scandals. This book is a classic love story. Grams and Harold's love story was my favorite part of the book. Do not begin reading Between the Sheets until you have time to finish it; you will not be able to put it down." (Reviewyourbook.com on BETWEEN THE SHEETS )

"BETWEEN THE SHEETS is a fascinating contemporary romance starring a likable lead character whose reputation is ruined yet she keeps her head up high. Although insisting that she was not the he hooker, Emma is in many ways is like Monica Wolinsky who has kept her head high and has achieved plenty of earned success since her fifteen minutes of notoriety fame. The grandparents and Max add strength to a refreshing interesting character study starring a maligned yet argent heroine who holds her head up in spite of media and public ridicule (you go Monica - you earned it)." (Harriet Klausner on BETWEEN THE SHEETS )

"I absolutely loved this book! It has all the elements a reader looks for in a great story. I cried, I laughed out loud and I got butterflies. BETWEEN THE SHEETS by Robin Wells is truly a must-read." (Freshfiction.com on BETWEEN THE SHEETS )

"A delightful mix of humor and love! Romantic comedy at its best!"
(New York Times bestselling author Sandra Hill on BETWEEN THE SHEETS
)

"Robin Wells has written a refreshing, tender love story. The grandparents crazy romance added comic relief to this compelling tale." (Contemporary Romance Writers on BETWEEN THE SHEETS )

"A phenomenal love story, STILL THE ONE is a tangled web of lies, fate, and unrequited romance. With more twists and turns than the proverbial soap opera, (but a lot more fun!), this novel will keep readers glued to the pages until the end.... The dialogue is sharp and the emotion palpable... STILL THE ONE is a great read for a spring day!" (RomRevToday.com )

About the Author

Before becoming a full-time writer, Robin Wells was an advertising and public-relations executive. Robin has won the RWA Golden Heart Award, two National Readers' Choice Awards, the Holt Medallion, and CRW's Award of Excellence.

Robin currently lives just outside of New Orleans, Louisiana with her husband and two daughters.

For more information please visit http://www.robinwells.com/

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Forever; 1 edition (May 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446555983
• ISBN-13: 978-0446555982
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.5 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #228,387 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Before becoming a full-time writer, Robin Wells was an advertising and public relations executive, but she always dreamed of writing novels--a dream inspired by a grandmother who told "hot tales" and parents who were both librarians.

When she sold her first novel, her family celebrated at a Chinese restaurant. Robin's fortune cookie read "Romance moves you in a new direction"--and it has. Robin has won the RWA Golden Heart Award, two National Readers' Choice Awards, the Holt Medallion, and CRW's Award of Excellence.

Robin lives just outside New Orleans with her husband, two daughters and an exceedingly spoiled dog named Winnie The Pooh-dle.

She loves to hear from readers, so drop her a note on-line at robinwells.com or by writing her at P.O. Box 303, Mandeville, LA 70470-0303.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking and Hopeful, May 17, 2010

By 

Cinnamon Brown "http://ajourneyofbooks.blogsp... (Washington) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Still the One (Mass Market Paperback)

STILL THE ONE by Robin Wells is a story full of heartache, pain, and love. Like so many other wives before her, Katie suffers the shock of finding that her husband has been killed during his second tour of duty in Iraq. That right there should be enough to hook many readers and tug on a few heartstrings. Ms. Wells takes the story of the war widow and brings it to life within the pages of this book. Readers are left to ponder the question of what they would do if their spouse, their love, was gone, leaving behind only a few material possessions and no biological legacy.

That's certainly what ripped my heart open anyway.

It's not enough that Katie's husband is dead, he has to leave her with no children as well. What could make this situation any worse than it already is? Katie has actually already had a child and gave that baby girl up for adoption nearly seventeen years ago. Still raw with the pain of losing her husband and therefore the opportunity to have children and family of her own, Katie is in for a nasty surprise when an ex-lover shows up along with her sixteen-year-old daughter.

What made STILL THE ONE such a great ready was Ms. Wells ability to create a realistic and believable story while manipulating our emotions in every way imaginable. One would think, okay, so Gracie and Zack show up. So what? It's not like the sudden appearance of her daughter would be enough to suddenly put joy into Katie's heart. The daughter might be angry and could just walk out and leave, then where would Katie be? And Zack? What reason would he have to stay? He's the father to Gracie and only just recently discovered as much. He has every reason in the world to be mad at Katie for not telling him about their child.

Ms. Wells solves this dilemma by introducing a reason why the three need to stay together - Gracie is pregnant. Gracie needs her parents in this confusing time and both Katie and Zack have to find a way to forgive each other in order to help her. Who knows, perhaps forgiveness will remind the two of the connection their hearts once shared.

I found the mix of pain and love in STILL THE ONE to be the main factor in keeping the pages flipping as fast as my eyes would allow. Simultaneously heartbreaking and hopeful, Ms. Wells writes a story that sticks in the mind and permeates dreams. Her characters are relatable and it's impossible not to feel a certain amount of involvement with them. This is one of those books where, once the last page has turned and the characters are left behind, you sit staring at the back cover trying to figure out what you feel such a sense of loss and loneliness.

I recommend STILL THE ONE to any fans of romance fiction. I couldn't ask for a more touching story, one that truly gives you hope in the world and the people in it. As a sidetone, if you've read Between the Sheets by Robin Wells, you will probably recognize some characters and references in STILL THE ONE.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still A Great Author, May 15, 2010

By 

Kelly Moran "Author and Reviewer" (WISCONSIN) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Still the One (Mass Market Paperback)

Author Robin Wells is an accomplished romance author, having written over a dozen titles for Harlequin and won the National Readers' Choice Award for her title, Baby, Oh Baby. She has also won the prestigious National Golden Heart Award from the Romance Writers of America, and her novels have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Before writing romance she was an advertising and public relations executive. Other titles include: Wild About You, Between the Sheets, Ooh La La, Babe Magnet, Plain Jane Gets Her Man, The Wedding Kiss, The Executive's Baby, and Nine to Five Bride. She resides just outside of New Orleans, Louisiana with her husband and two daughters.

Two years ago Katie Charmaine's husband was killed in his second tour of duty in Iraq, leaving her only with a closet full of clothes, some pictures, and fond memories. Despite her friends meddling in her life, she doesn't want a romantic entanglement, knowing the love she lost was her true soul mate. Then Zack Ferguson shows up in town with the daughter Katie gave up for adoption seventeen years ago. Zack was Katie's first love, and apparently she hasn't gotten over the chemistry that once flared between them. But Zack was and still is a commitment phobe, so what was the point in going down that road again? Except now there was Gracie to consider. Their daughter is seventeen, pregnant, and needs both her parents to help her through this ordeal after losing her adoptive parents. Can these three forgive the sins and hurt from the past to become a real family?

I had the pleasure of reading one of Robin's other books for review, HOW TO SCORE, which was a hilarious read, but this book was more of a heart-breaker tugging at the emotions. And that's in no way a complaint. Every once and awhile you read a book that stays with you. This is one of them.

I love a good southern drama. The setting in Louisiana was ideal. This is also the perfect example of a hero and heroine who warrant a happily ever after. You can't help but feel their pain, loss, and struggle as you root for them to be happy. Same goes for the secondary characters. From Gracie to Annette to Dave, they jump off the page and propel the plot. A perfect book to curl up with on the beach or by the fire. Not to be missed!

Kelly Moran,

Author and Reviewer

5.0 out of 5 stars A touching, romantic, and realistic story., May 15, 2011

By 

Jennifer "Jennifer D." (Warren, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Still the One (Mass Market Paperback)

I absolutely loved this story. Katie's inability to let go of her husband was so sad to me. I've lost family members before, but I think loosing someone who you've decided to spend your life with must be devastating. However, I think that at some point you do have to move on with your life. Zack and Gracie were just what Katie needed to move on. I got the sense that she was really ready to move on, but her heart was standing in the way. Which is all understandable.

I didn't really "relate" to any of the characters, as I've never been in any of their situations. But they were still great characters. Zack was so head strong and thought he would be able to come in "fix" what was wrong and go back to his normal life. But Gracie and Katie, unintentionally, set his life on a different path. And Gracie, wow, what a work of art she was. But again, with every thing going on in her life, how could she not be a mess emotionally.

As with most all romance stories I knew how it would end, but with this one having pegged the entire end of the story was not at all a disappointment. It was such a great ending. There weren't many loose ends with this one, but I would love to read a book that focuses on Gracie and the struggles that come with being a young mother. I think that would be a great addition to the story.

I don't give out 5-star ratings that often, and I'm not 100% sure what it was about this one that compelled me to dole one out this time: I think it was a mixture of great writing, a touching story, believable characters, and situations that most anyone could picture themselves in. Plus this book just left me feeling so warm and happy.

A review copy of this book was provided by the author. This is not a paid review and is a truthful and honest review.