What a cute sweet story, with just a hint of suspense. This story appears to be the beginning of a new world of stories from Lori Foster in a cozy small-town (although the town doesn’t appear in the book).

The book is about Tanner and Callie. Callie grew up in town with Tanner, but her family was rich and his was not. Callie, who is tired of kowtowing to her parents and a useless ex-fiancé, comes to town to move into a house left to her by her uncle. The house just happens to be next door to Tanner. During the book, you meet Tanner’s found family Addie (who took him and Kam in) and Kam (who is like a brother to Tanner). Callie is working to fix up her uncle’s house and Tanner and Kam (and Addie) help her learn how to care for the animals that came with her uncle’s house as well.

Throw in Callie’s ex-fiance who comes to town and doesn’t want to take no for an answer, Callie’s parents in financial trouble and needing the marriage to go through, and neighbors who appear nefarious but may not be how they appear and you have a fabulous story of personal growth and the importance of found family. I haven’t even mentioned the other secondary characters who you get to know in this book (and love!).

Overall, a nice romance with some suspense thrown in. I voluntarily read and advanced reader copy of this book. This is my true and honest opinion.

When Callie inherits her uncle Reggie's farm, it's the perfect place to escape after catching her fiance cheating. She may not know anything about farming but she'll learn, and the experience will be social media gold for her followers. Even a grumpy chainsaw wielding neighbor can't scare her away.
Tanner Patrick had big plans for the property next door to his family's tree farm. The last thing he expected was to find his high school crush wandering through his woods, or that she was his new neighbor. The worst part... she doesn't even recognize him, not that she ever noticed him back then! If he ignores her long enough she'll get bored with farm life and go away. But the longer she's here the happier she seems and she's as impossible for him to ignore as she ever was.
I liked this book from their chainsaw meet-cute to their HEA. The relationship between Callie and Tanner's family, especially Addie, was great along with all the troubled kids that they try to help. I'm really hoping Kam gets his own book soon!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Lori Foster and Net Galley for the ARC of Let Me Be the One. I loved Tanner and Cassie's story. They are from the same small town but from different sides of the tracks, and she didn't even know that Tanner existed while he had a crush on her all through school. Cassie's family moves away but she returns to a farm that her uncle left her when she finds her fiancé cheating on her. Cassie finds that she loves the hard work to get the farm back in order, and she loves Tanner and his family even more. What a great read!

I absolutely loved this book so much! This author writes such great cozy small town romance that I knew it was going to be cute and sweet, but to my pleasant surprise I got so entrenched in the story that once I started it I could not put it down.

Tanner and Callie’s story has a little of the “boy who’s from the wrong side of the tracks falls in love with the town princess” vibes but it is so much more than that. Tanner’s childhood was definitely tragic and heartbreaking and Callie had wealth and privilege so you would think they were completely opposite, but they actually had so much more in common. When unfortunate circumstances brought Callie back to her hometown she was in over her head but she was determined to stick it out with her whole heart. At first Tanner was not so receptive with Callie moving back, especially since she didn’t even remember him when there was no way he could ever forget her. But as the days passed and the more he got to know her, his thoughts and feelings changed. I do have to be honest and say there were times it was a bit frustrating to me with all the back and forth he did with his feelings towards Callie, but I also kind of understood, but still wanted to smack him over the head!

Overall, such a wonderful and fantastic read.

I received an ARC of Let Me Be the One from Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing and this is my honest review.

Oh, Tantalizing Terrific Tanner you can be my one any time!
I loved this book and didn’t want it to end. I had to stop from swooning over Tanner just about every other page!
Callie kept getting herself into scrapes and Tanner always saved her.
Sutter, we’ll look at his name, enough said.
Glory came into her own and I wonder if something will cook between she and Kam.
Blau was a hero and I wanted him to chew more in the main jerk in the book.
And even the neighboring baddies weren’t so bad after all.

Callie and Tanner were high school classmates, though she has no memory of him. He's carried a torch for her since those days. Now, they find themselves as next-door neighbors.

Overall, I enjoyed the characters, except for Callie's ex and her occasionally frustrating mother. The heartwarming community that Callie builds became the story's highlight, at least for me, taking center stage over the romance between her and Tanner.

I would definitely revisit this series in the future. I'm particularly interested in following Kam's story.

This is my first Lori Foster book, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The best way to describe this one would be , a curfew hallmark movie novel. Overall I thought it was a cute Romance, loved the small town romance vibes.

First and foremost as always thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. This was an incredibly good read! The story was beautifully written and the characters were flushed out really well! Definitely worth the read!

I absolutely loved this book! It had me from the beginning to end. Callie is so independent and feisty. She is determined to make it on her own, and she does. Tanner, wow! For a guy being from the wrong side of the track, he grows up to be an amazing man! Of course, with the love of amazing woman, Addie, who took him in and Kam (another young boy who needed someone) when he was young. You have so many amazing characters in this story, as well as Blu, Tanner’s dog. Lori Foster hit a homer run with this wonderful story!

I love second chance romances set in small towns. Finding love after a break up and meeting new people and reconnecting with old people made such a great book. Not to mention a little suspense thrown in too. Great read!

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Callie was heart broken by her fiancé so she runs to her newly inherited house. Which is a fixer upper at best and has animals included. And neighbor well he is something special.

Tanner has always had a secret crush on Callie but never expected to end up her neighbor. Now they are forced to co exist and they cannot seem to leave each other alone. But Callie’s ex is not letting go that easy. Will they be able to find happy ever after?

The found family is awesome. Great read.

Five stars for sure! Wonderful characters, great chemistry between the romantic leads, good story, and bonus animals. A lot to like in this small- town romance. One of the few times I loved the hero and heroine equally. I got a little perturbed at a couple of the supporting cast, but all but one were redeemable. I received an ARC and my review is honest and voluntary.

This is a classic romance Callie comes from money and moved away from the area when she was teenager, Tanner was a kid from the wrong side of town. Tanner has been in love with Callie since they were kids. Callie moves back to the small town after she inherits her uncle's farm. Callie and Tanner are really sweet together. The two characters were really easy to fall in love with.

Love these characters. Tanner had a bad childhood and when he was teen, he was taken in by Addie, who taught him about real families and love. Callie had everything growing up, always had it easy. When she finds her fiancée in the coat closet with another woman, she decided that she was done with going along with what everyone else wanted. She didn't really love her fiancée; she was only with him because their families wanted it that way. Now she is living in a rundown house with chickens and goats. She knows nothing of this kind of life, but she is willing to learn. She also learned a lot about herself. Tanner has had a crush on Callie since high school and she never even knew he existed. Now they are grown up and Callie sure notices Tanner now. As she gets to know more about him, she knows he is a very good man. He is willing to help everyone, especially kids who have a rough home life. How could she not fall in love with him? Tanner thinks Callie is going to be there temporarily and doesn't want to get too close to her. But that is impossible. She is so easy to love. Will she stay?

🤍Book review 🤍

Let Me Be the One by Lori Foster


Let Me Be the One by Lori Foster is a sweet, small-town romance with lovable characters and a cozy, heartwarming vibe. Callie returns to Hoker, Kentucky, after inheriting her uncle’s farm, hoping for a fresh start. But with no farming experience, she quickly realizes she’s in over her head. Enter Tanner, her rugged and broody next-door neighbor, who secretly had a crush on her in high school.
I loved how their relationship developed naturally—slow-burn but full of chemistry. Tanner’s protective and caring side was heart-melting, and Callie’s growth throughout the book was fun to see. The side characters added charm, and the small-town setting felt realistic and inviting.
Some moments felt a little repetitive, and the ending wrapped up a bit too quickly, but overall, this was an enjoyable, feel-good read. If you love second chances, opposites-attract, and found-family themes, this book is worth picking up!
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

LET ME BE THE ONE – Lori Foster
Family Ties, Book 1
Canary Street Press
ISBN: 978-1-335-00941-8
April 1, 2025
Contemporary Romance

Hoker, Kentucky – Present Day

Callie McCallahan had once lived in Hoker with her parents, but they moved away for financial reasons. Callie has been left her late uncle’s cabin and property outside Hoker, and she arrives with her cousin Glory to move in. Alas, it’s not very habitable and the next-door neighbor is kind of scary. She went to school with Tanner Patrick but barely remembers him. He is big and utterly handsome, so she can’t help but notice him now. Tanner lives with the woman who took him in, Addie, and Kam, someone he considers like a brother. The threesome is friendly and helpful to Callie as they let her, and Glory, stay with them while helping them get the cabin presentable enough so that she can live in it. Callie can’t help being attracted to Tanner. When she ends up having issues, from snakes to scary men to her ex-fiancé being a pain in the rear, Tanner turns out to be a plus. Will their friendship lead to romance?

After finding her fiancé having sex with another woman, Callie dumped him and moved away because her parents were pressuring her to forgive him. She may have been raised to expect the good things in life, but she isn’t afraid to work hard. The cabin is disgustingly dirty and rundown. At first, Callie is not sure about Tanner, though she isn’t afraid of him like Glory is. She doesn’t want to impose on Tanner, Addie, and Kam but they insist. It beats sleeping in her car, and she appreciates their help. They are out in the middle of nowhere with only one other neighbor—a couple of brothers that Tanner warns Callie to stay away from. She soon can live in the cabin and buys some chickens and goats. Then her adventure really begins.

Meanwhile, Callie’s ex and her parents show up at the cabin trying to pressure her to forgive her ex and return to the city where they all live. She refuses. She loves it here and she feels empowered by her newfound independence. But will they exert even more pressure to get her to change her mind? Tanner hangs around, but more as support to Callie. How do her parents feel about Tanner?

Tanner was raised by a terrible father who was finally murdered by someone while he was a teen. Addie took him in and raised him to be the fine upstanding man he is. Like Tanner, Kam was raised by Addie, and they are all hardworking men. Tanner had a crush on Callie when they were in high school, though she never looked his way. But now he’s spending time with her and the two are clicking in big ways. He won’t push her but if the signals are right…then he can’t say no. Tanner rescues Callie several times, but she is as stubborn as ever when she tries to assert her independence.

LET ME BE THE ONE is an enjoyable tale right from the start. Readers will root for Callie to succeed, and for Tanner to get together with her. They are stellar people in everything they do and are willing to take the shirt off their backs. Even as her ex and her family continue to pressure her to leave Hoker, she digs her heels in. Readers will be cheering for Callie and Tanner as they fight for the right to be together. A fun and entertaining romance, be sure to not miss LET ME BE THE ONE.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

OMG, this is my favorite book ever. But then again every book I read from Lori is my favorite. I am not one to go back and read a book but this on I will. I can't wait for Kam's book. I hope Liam's and Nell's romance continues to blossom and that Dirk and Lang get their own books. And Glory finds herself then finds her romance. The characters were all so loveable except Sutton. I didn't want the book to end.
I am looking forward to reading about all the troubled teens they help.
if you haven't guessed by now, I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend it.thank you Netgalley and Harlequin for Lloyd me to read this title for an honest review.

Aww what a great story. I absolutely loved Callie and Tanner together. I loved their instant attraction to one another although it did take them a little bit of time to acknowledge their mutual attraction. I loved that he had always had a crush on her. So cute. And I loved Callie's growth throughout the story. Let's also not forget all the secondary characters. Loved them all too. I really liked how the secondary characters changed and kind of redeemed themselves as well. Character growth all around. A really nice surprise. Really hoping Glory and Kam will get their own story. Not sure if they'll end up together but I wouldn't mind reading each of their love story.

Lori Foster's latest novel, and the first book in a new series, is a sweet, slightly sexy, small-town romance, and it was a very enjoyable read with a slightly too abrupt ending, which is the reason for my 4-star review.

Callie McCallahan has just inherited her uncle Reggie's home and 10 acres of land in small-town Hoker, Kentucky. After finding her fiance, Sutter, cheating on her, she tossed back his ring, ended the engagement, and hit the road, much to the astonishment and dismay of her parents and his, both of whom approved of their upcoming marriage for a number of reasons. It's obvious that as soon and Callie spots Uncle Reggie downtrodden home and property, she realizes she has a lot of work to do. What she also soon discovers is that her gorgeous next-door neighbor, Tanner Patrick, was planning to buy Reggie's house and acreage to add to his 30-acrew tree farm. The two are mutually attracted to one another, but Tanner, a boy from the poor side of town, seeing his secret high school crush, a girl of privilege and popularity who never even noticed him, and seeing how smartly she's dressed, assumes that she'll soon give up and return to wherever she came from, and he can go ahead with his purchase plan--and he couldn't be more wrong.

What follows is a sweet, sexy, slow-moving attraction between these two characters, and Callie's ex-fiance, who now wants her back. Her family and his both want this marriage to happen, but will Callie cave to family pressure? Is the work ahead of her on Reggie's place too much for her? What about her attraction to her hunky, next-door neighbor, Tanner? Since I don't do spoilers, you'll just have to read this enjoyable novel for yourself. It was a really good read, and I'm happy to recommend it.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.

Callie impulsively fled to the farm she inherited from her uncle but now she's got to live there- even though she doesn't have a clue about farms. Nor does she have a clue that her neighbor Tanner, who is actually a farmer, had a crush on her in high school. This is an opposites attract/second chance romance with a good dose of found family for Tanner. And it's about growing into yourself for Callie. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. This is a good, small town romance with positive vibes- perfect to relax.