The Last One You Loved

By: LJ Evans

Narrated by: Charlotte North, Lee Samuels

Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Maddox

Between my badge, my daughter, and my hometown, I’ve got a busy life. It’s a mostly happy one, but late at night, when the house is quiet, I still see her face. McKenna may have left me and this town behind a decade ago, but a century wouldn’t be long enough to get over her.

There’s only one thing worse than never seeing her again. If she came back, the secret I’ve been keeping would destroy lives—mine included. As long as she stays gone, everyone is safe.

McKenna

When my world catches fire, destroying the dreams I’ve sacrificed so much for, there’s only one place I can think to go, one man I can run to. But going back is no homecoming. Sheriff Maddox Hatley hasn’t forgotten me. And he sure hasn’t forgiven me, either.

He’s hiding something beneath all that anger. I’m going to stick around until I find out what it is.

The Last One You Loved is a second-chance, single-dad, forced-proximity love story that will tug at your soul, make you laugh and cry, and leave you with a smile on your face.

©2022 LJ Evans (P)2023 Podium Audio

Sweet family story

This was an emotional ride. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes sappy. Overall recommend. Heart warming and a fair amount of spice!

First book by LJ Evans…

I enjoyed this book. It had a whole lot going on in it. I will say, this time all that “extra stuff” at least played a part in the main plot. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read a book and all that “extra plot stuff” just gets in the way.

Charlotte North and Lee Samuels both did a fantastic job!

Can’t go wrong with a HEA! 😉

Amazing Love Story

This book was great! The love that the characters have for one another and the twists and turns of the plot line…AMAZING!

Remember to Breathe

Between your tears, laughter, and all the feels, remember to breathe. The Last One You Loved by LJ Evans will have your heart racing and your breath catching for the entire incredible ride. Because sometimes losing everything you want gives you everything you need. But the journey to claim it, well, that’s not always an easy ride. But it makes for an incredible read.

Evans has woven a tale of second chances that extends beyond the book's primary relationship, encompassing a family who's hugs you'll feel through the words on the page clear to the depth of your heart and soul. While the steam and connection between Maddox and McKenna steal your breath, Mila will steal your heart with her very presence.

Maddox and McKenna (M&M) are beautifully developed, perfectly imperfect characters whose intricate backstories are only enhanced and deepened by the characters surrounding them. And yes, readers will want to embrace some and loathe others, but more than anything will appreciate how everything that happens leads to an incredibly heart-felt HEA. And there's a very healthy element of just desserts. In more ways than one.

Evans’s language is poetic and intense, building suspense throughout the plot, entwining multiple story arcs all seamlessly connected within and around McKenna, Maddox, and Mila. Every twist, turn, trial and tribulation created new ways to connect with the characters and their story.

This is the book I couldn't put down, but never wanted to end. And the narrators brought it to beautiful life in my ears. I can only hope, dream, and anticipate that Evans will bring us back to Willow Creek and the Hatleys in future novels, because this is one book that has ‘series starter’ written all over it. And book hangover inscribed on every page.

Fantastic listen!

I read the book… and absolutely loved it.. and now I’ve listened to the audio, and loved it even more. I’m a big fan of LJ Evans.. if you follow my blog, you may already know this. She brings out emotions with every book and draws me in and makes me want to know the characters in her stories.

I started listening to audiobooks long before it was the norm. And I love being read to, so they still appeal to me greatly. I listen to two to five a week depending on the length. I guess that might mean I’m obsessed. I always jump at the chance to listen to an LJ story… and am never disappointed. This story, made my heart hurt at first.. but I always know LJ Evans is going to put it back together.. and she did.

Everyone needs this book… and I’ll do my part to get it into the hands or ears of every single person I know.

Loved

4.25 STARS

I did a buddy read with two of my friends for this book in anticipation for Indies Invade Philly this October and I really enjoyed this book! This was all about second chances and forgiving those who have hurt you in the past. I loved how we saw how hurt Maddox was, as well as McK, and how they dealt with it the last decade. Maddox's heartbreak really broke my heart, but I loved how his life turned out in the present.

Their reunion was bittersweet as it was dangerous for McK to be back, but at the same time, it was like no time had past between their love. They both still deeply loved each other and you could really tell that.

There was definitely some suspense in this book that kept me on my toes!

Overall, great book! I am wondering if this author will put out stories for the rest of the siblings.

So much verbal abuse

This story had so much verbal abuse for the h. Even the H knew about the h history but he constantly saying things that the h mother told her. This was sooo SAD. It was bad enough to hear about the h mother abusing her yet the H too?! If you are okay with this type of trigger, this one is for you!

All I can say is wow!!

This book touched everything in my heart, first time reading this author, men she is amazing!I can’t wait to read more books from her.

Phenomenal listen!

A heartfelt and heart-warming single dad romance that will keep you riveted from the beginning until the end. This story is full of angst, scorching hot chemistry, humor, love, and pain. I LOVED McKenna & Maddox. Their story is perfect and proves that if you're meant to be with someone, no matter how many years pass by, love will always conquer all! The Last One You Loved is hopeful, heartbreaking and uplifting. It has ALL the feels and more to make one amazing story. The best part of this book is that while it is sweet it does not hide the dark shadows of the past and it isn't going to pretend that everything is magically fixed.

Charlotte North & Lee Samuels do an amazing job portraying the characters, bringing them to life and humanizing them with their emotions, attitude and personality. They do more than giving their characters their voices, they fall into the roles and become the character.

Even Better Than the Book!

I read this wonderful book when it was first released and loved it. The resiliency of McKenna and Mila, and Maddox too was absolutely breathtaking. Listening to it, the way Charlotte North and Lee Samuels brought it to life, made it even better! I fell in love with this family all over again. And Mila! Mila was alive and real and will live forever in my heart. I highly recommend this book from LJ Evans.