{"product_id":"the-one-i-left-behind-plain-daisy-ranch","title":"The One I Left Behind (Plain Daisy Ranch 1) by Piper Rayne","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSmall-town ranch romance • second chance vibes • retired pro football MMC • high school coach • single mom FMC • “don’t leave again” angst • protective mom heart\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\"\u003eA heartfelt small-town romance about the boy who left to chase his dreams—and the woman who refuses to be left behind twice. \u003cstrong\u003eThe One I Left Behind\u003c\/strong\u003e brings ranch-town roots, football-family energy, and a slow-burn emotional tug-of-war as an ex–pro athlete comes home and starts rebuilding a life… right where she’s learned not to trust him.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe vibe\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\"\u003eIt’s the classic story: he leaves town to make it big, and she’s the girl in the rearview mirror. \u003cstrong\u003eBen Noughton\u003c\/strong\u003e went off to play professional football, and when he returns to their small ranching town after retirement, the heroine wishes he hadn’t come back at all. To her, he always wanted out—and she’s convinced this is just a quick layover before he turns his back on everyone again.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\"\u003eBut Ben doesn’t just pass through. He takes a job coaching the \u003cstrong\u003ehigh school football team\u003c\/strong\u003e, and suddenly he’s everywhere—too present, too familiar, bulldozing the walls she’s built to keep herself safe. Then he crosses the line that really matters: he takes \u003cstrong\u003eher son\u003c\/strong\u003e under his wing, helping him become the best player he can be.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\"\u003eNow she’s fighting on two fronts—protecting her own heart, and protecting her son from getting attached to a man who might leave again. Because she promised herself a long time ago she’d never be the girl left behind.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTropes \u0026amp; tags\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall-town ranch setting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSecond chance \/ returning home\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRetired pro athlete MMC (football)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoach MMC (high school football)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSingle mom FMC\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e“He left once” trust issues\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMentor bond with her kid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEmotional slow burn + protective parent stakes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlain Daisy Ranch Series\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe One I Left Behind (Book 1)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe One I Stood Beside (Book 2)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe One I Didn't See Coming (Book 3)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChasing Forever: The Owens (Book 4)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChasing Love: The Owens (Book 5)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChasing Home: The Owens (Book 6)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Romantasy Bookstore","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49374913790211,"sku":"9798887142500","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/7843\/8915\/files\/theoneileftbehind_c43ae0c5-3fd8-498a-a74e-cb82e71bbd33.png?v=1785871432","url":"https:\/\/romantasybookshop.com\/products\/the-one-i-left-behind-plain-daisy-ranch","provider":"Romantasy Bookstore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}