Still the One by Rachel D. Russell is the first book to emerge from a fabulous mentoring/publishing creation by Susan May Warren and Lindsay Harrel. It’s a delightful book, and takes Susan May Warren fans back to the beloved Deep Haven.

There are many things I liked about the book, but here are just a few examples. I enjoyed catching up with the characters we’ve grown to love in previous Susan May Warren books. Russell does a great job in keeping the Deep Haven feel.

Second, it had a lot of hockey. I love hockey.

Third, Cole Barrett and Megan Carter are believable characters a reader will wish the best for and feel sad if it looks like things aren’t going to work out. I could relate to Megan in many ways because I think she struggles with feeling like she’s not enough. 

Cole was harder to like and many times I was annoyed with him. But, in the end, I did like him and I could see how his childhood affected the decisions he made as an adult.

Russell’s writing is fast-paced, funny at times, and heart-tugging at other times. I’d say Still the One is about shame, betrayal, regret, and heartache, and how God can take all that and make something beautiful. With Him, we can let go of our past hurts so we can embrace the life He has for us. 

I’m looking forward to reading more books by Rachel D. Russell, and wishing her the best as she pursues her writing career.