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When We Left (Timber Creek Series) Paperback – May 2, 2018
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Sixteen years ago, rejected by her high school sweetheart, Cam Riley ran straight into the arms of a man who wouldn’t hurt her. Or so she thought. Now, reeling from a painful divorce, and with a troubled teenager in tow, Cam is headed home to heal and start over.
When Officer Evan Anderson pulls over the black SUV with out of state plates, he can hardly believe his eyes when the woman behind the wheel turns out to be none other than his first love. All those years ago, he hadn’t been good enough for her, and he knew it. But time has a way of changing things, and the badge on his chest isn’t the only thing new.
Cam’s got her hands full trying to keep her daughter out of trouble and come to grips with her new life. The last thing she needs is to get involved with Evan again. He broke her heart once; she’s not about to let it happen again. But their attraction is hard to ignore, and the connection that existed between them so many years ago, is still very much alive.
This could be the second chance they’ve always wanted, but there are years of hurt and misunderstandings between them. Never mind the truth of the past and the reality of the present that could once again threaten to pull them apart. This time for good.
- Print length262 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateMay 2, 2018
- Dimensions5.25 x 0.66 x 8 inches
- ISBN-101927968836
- ISBN-13978-1927968833
The chilling story of the abduction of two teenagers, their escape, and the dark secrets that, years later, bring them back to the scene of the crime. | Learn more
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Product details
- Publisher : Ink Blot Communications (May 2, 2018)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 262 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1927968836
- ISBN-13 : 978-1927968833
- Item Weight : 10.6 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.25 x 0.66 x 8 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #6,974,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8,564 in Women's Divorce Fiction
- #20,348 in Women's Friendship Fiction
- #40,318 in Women's Domestic Life Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Elena Aitken is a USA Today Bestselling Author of more than fifty romance and women’s fiction novels. The mother of ‘grown up’ twins, Elena now lives with her very own mountain man in the heart of the very mountains she writes about. She can often be found with her toes in the lake and a glass of wine in her hand, dreaming up her next book and working on her own happily ever after.
For a free exclusive novella, click here—> www.elenaaitken.com/signup/
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers praise the book for its heartwarming and touching story. They find the characters well-developed and realistic. The book is described as an easy, sweet read with romance. Readers appreciate the premise and pacing of the book.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the story's quality. They find it charming, well-written, and refreshing to read a romance story about real people. The book is described as cozy and realistic, with just the right amount of drama and angst.
"...But your happiness is guaranteed with this charming read. Looking forward to the rest of the series." Read more
"...The plot has some twists & surprises along the way that keep you involved...." Read more
"...I especially enjoyed the fact that this was not only a romance, but a book about a mother trying to reconnect with her teenage daughter after a very..." Read more
"...It is totally believable in its chain of events. No crazy subplots, but a woman's journey of going through a divorce from a prick of an ex..." Read more
Customers appreciate the characters' development. They find the characters likable, three-dimensional, and realistic. Readers appreciate the author's skill as a storyteller.
"...She gives us a wonderful mix of characters, all dealing with just making it through life - just like the rest of us...." Read more
"...Elena Aitken has a fantastic start to a new series. The characters are three dimensional & realistic...." Read more
"Elena Aitken has a real talent for creating great characters and wonderful stories. Cam and Evan's second chance romance is so touching...." Read more
"...The characters are so strong and well written...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it well-written and easy to understand, with a sweet and heartwarming storyline. The author is considered talented and brings life to her characters. Readers appreciate the well-edited and enjoyable story without violence, ugly words, or heavy sex content.
"...All four were really VERY well written, have moments of sadness and laughter and hope...." Read more
"...Cam and Evan's story is one of true lasting love and the authors telling was wonderful, lots of feelings including teenage Morgan's, just the right..." Read more
"...I look forward to reading more from this awesome author." Read more
"Elena Aitken is a talented writer who brings life to her characters. First loves are usually just that, your first love...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's heartwarming story that gives them hope for a better future. They find the romance touching and the emotional storytelling engaging, with just the right amount of drama and angst. The story shows how a future can be made, where everyone grows and changes realistically, and where surprises are in store.
"...first, the reader can identify with the characters & tap into their emotions as they read...." Read more
"...Cam and Evan's second chance romance is so touching. It is totally believable in its chain of events...." Read more
"...lasting love and the authors telling was wonderful, lots of feelings including teenage Morgan's, just the right of drama and angst and best of all..." Read more
"...Not your forever love so this story was delightful and heart warming. Evan and Cam got a second chance at their first love...." Read more
Customers like the premise of the book. They find it an engaging start to the series, but they feel the basic premise needs more situations and character issues.
"...Elena Aitken has a fantastic start to a new series. The characters are three dimensional & realistic...." Read more
"This is an amazing start to the Timber Creek series!!!!!..." Read more
"Wow what a wonderful start to a new series...." Read more
"Nice story but very predictable and not all that creative. The basic premise is ok but it needs more situations and character issues." Read more
Customers find the book's pacing good. They say the main characters are well-developed with interesting personalities. The relationship between the main characters is well-crafted and not sugary sweet.
"...Excellent stat! I can't wait for When We Were Us!" Read more
"...I loved everything about this book!! Cam is so strong and really showed it in how she dealt with her move, her daughter, and her exes...." Read more
"...and divorce with the rekindling of an old relationship is well crafted and not sugary sweet...." Read more
"...The 2 main characters are well developed with interesting characteristics that make the story interesting and quirky...." Read more
Customers appreciate the mature ages of the characters. They like that the book is about a young woman with a teenage daughter and dealing with a divorce.
"...There was no insta-love, or secret love child involved, but it did involve a woman trying to put life back together while raising a rebelious..." Read more
"...I do like the mature ages of these two as so many books these days feature the younger generation." Read more
"This book is about a young woman with a teenage daughter and dealing with a divorce.the farther is a piece work." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2023This introductory novel in Ms. Aitken's Timber Creek series does not disappoint. She gives us a wonderful mix of characters, all dealing with just making it through life - just like the rest of us. Her main characters get a second chance at the HEA they lost through immaturity, misguided good intentions and lack of communication. A messy divorce, career crossroads, and the angst of dealing with a teenager are bumps in the road to happiness. But your happiness is guaranteed with this charming read. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2018Cam can't believe she's back in her hometown. When everything fell apart, it was the first place she'd thought of - familiar, warm, comforting, safe. Everything she needed right now. Hopefully it would help her daughter, Morgan, in this rough time. Cam's thoughts were of finding a way to survive the breakup of her marriage & helping her daughter accept that, her father's new wife & baby & the way he's pulling away from his "dad" role. It's a big deal & she also needs a job & a way to support them. Life can't get any worse, right?
Evan can't believe it. He pulled over a distracted driver on her cell phone & it was his high school sweetheart, Cam. They were planning on being together for life until he left her & enlisted. He planned on coming back for her but she was gone when he did. Now, she's back. Does he have a second chance?
Elena Aitken has a fantastic start to a new series. The characters are three dimensional & realistic. From the first, the reader can identify with the characters & tap into their emotions as they read. The plot has some twists & surprises along the way that keep you involved. Ms. Aitken takes you on a journey of happiness & second chances from beginning to end. Each character has to make the decision to be happy & accept the changes in their lives. Excellent stat! I can't wait for When We Were Us!
- Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2021Every once in a while, I decide a break in my usual reads wouldn't hurt.
I saw these, got hooked, and finished all four in the series. Even knowing how they'd end.
To make things a bit easier (for me), I'm doing one review and then pasting it onto each book.
Why? Why not?
You meet most of the main characters in the series in the first book. While there's a different couple featured in each book, there's a constant thread weaving all of them together. The plots all surround women and men who grew up together as friends and/or classmates. If not married at the onset, they will be before the series ends. (Seriously, NOT a spoiler alert. They're romance novels! That's their MO!)
All four were really VERY well written, have moments of sadness and laughter and hope. Yes, there are moments of cringe evoking, eye-rolling hokey events but, again, that's what most romance novels are and why we come back to them over and over. You have to admit there are times we need to step away from reality and into some predictable, fictional drama and love.
This is definitely a series I'd recommend. Start and Book 1 and go through them in order. You won't be disappointed.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2019I loved everything about this story. There was no insta-love, or secret love child involved, but it did involve a woman trying to put life back together while raising a rebelious teenage daughter. Life is hard enough when there's two involved parents raising a teenager. Imagine what it's like to suddenly have your marriage fall apart, and having it done in a very public way no less, and then to have your teenage daughter suddenly take out all of her frustrations on you, too, because her father has all but abandoned her. And on top of all that; you move back to your hometown, only to run into the one man that stole your heart 16 yrs ago, only to leave town without even saying goodbye. And she hadn't heard one word from him since, until he pulls her over for driving while destracted. What's that saying...."If you didn't have bad luck, you wouldn't have any luck at all" lol!
I especially enjoyed the fact that this was not only a romance, but a book about a mother trying to reconnect with her teenage daughter after a very rocky and trying few years of up-evil events have taken place. This story really pull on my heart-strings like no other stories has in a very long time. So Bravo to you, Ms. Aitken
- Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2019Elena Aitken has a real talent for creating great characters and wonderful stories. Cam and Evan's second chance romance is so touching. It is totally believable in its chain of events. No crazy subplots, but a woman's journey of going through a divorce from a prick of an ex husband; handling a brooding teenager who thinks life is unfair; and reuniting with her one true love. I also liked Cam's reunion with her circle of high school friends who help her readjust to life in a small town. Cam rediscovered who and what is important in her life and with Evan's help, can finally follow her dreams. The story unfolds at a good pace and highlights Ms. Aitken's skill as a talented storyteller.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2024This was an absolute wonderful read. I couldn't put it down. I love this author as she really draws you in and keeps you there to the very end. Highly recommend.
Top reviews from other countries
- Bertha O'LearyReviewed in Canada on March 9, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars When we left
I loved this book. I have read many of Elena Aitken’s books I love the way she portrays her characters and the way she brings the story together. There is love, sadness, joy and family all in this books. Great story. It just seems true to life.
- RiverdaffydReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 7, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars A sweet story
A lovely story. Cam is reeling from going through divorce proceedings, after her marriage imploded on the television, for the world to see, her husband was a well-known anchorman on the local news channel. She fled from her home in Portland to Timber Creek, where she had spent a happy childhood, and still had friends. Her daughter Morgan was with her, but she could not cope with her father's apparent rejection of her, she had become morose and sullen, blaming her mother for everything. They had little money, her husband had almost cleared their bank account and Cam had little money of her own, as soon as they were settled in the small, scruffy apartment her friend Christy had found for them her first priority was to find a job.
The first person they see in town is Evan, now a police officer, when she lived in Timber Creek he had been her boyfriend, and they have unresolved issues; Evan had left town right after their high school graduation ball, without leaving any message or reason for going.
This story feels very real, the emotions are well-written, especially Morgan's, this is a living, breathing fifteen year-old we can all recognise! This will be a good series, Elena has lightly touched on the issues in the lives of Cam's three friends, Christy, Amber and Drew, all very different problems in their lives.
Very well worth reading.
- KirstieGReviewed in Australia on May 28, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars I totally enjoyed this. A great second chance love story with ...
I totally enjoyed this. A great second chance love story with good characters . Easy to read and i found it hard to put down. I'm looking forward to the next Timber Creek book
- Sue MilneReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 26, 2021
4.0 out of 5 stars Always And Forever.
Loved this second chance romance. After being left without a word by the love of her life Cam had left the town she’d grown up in, fell straight into a relationship, got pregnant and married. Evan had upped and left her to better himself and be the man he thought she needed. When he came back to explain he had joined the military he was too late! Sixteen years later Cam is back with her 15 year old daughter after her marriage failed. Evan is now the local cop. Can all the hurt and heartbreak be forgotten/forgiven and their love re-kindled or will 16 years apart and an angsty teenager be too much for them to have their HEA? Great first book of this series. Now on to Christy and Marks story.
- Marilyn CoatesReviewed in Canada on December 23, 2019
4.0 out of 5 stars When We Left
What a mixed bag of activities! Just like real life and all its unexpected and sometimes unwelcome surprises as we try to navigate our way through it all. Cam Riley is back where she began, with a daughter in tow, and not knowing what will happen to them.