The One I Stood Beside

Plain Daisy Ranch #2

by Piper Rayne

It’s the classic story— best friends since childhood agree to a fake marriage, thinking they can pretend to love each other without their relationship changing.

Jude would do anything for me. He’s stood by my side since we were six, and I’ve done the same for him.

When my father dies, leaving our family farm drowning in debt and on the brink of being auctioned, I’m not surprised Jude steps in to help. I just never dreamed he’d fall to bended knee and devise a plan for us to fool everyone into thinking there’s more than a lifelong friendship between us.

Soon, I’m moving into his house, we’re planning a wedding on his family’s ranch, and we discover a new side to our relationship. I keep reminding myself it’s not real—it’s only to secure a loan to save the farm.

I’ve secretly loved Jude all my life, and now that I know how good we are together, I’m not sure we can return to being just friends.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Romance, Audiobook, Small Town Romance, Westerns, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 2, 2024

About the author

Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling author duo. Our goal is to bring you romance stories that have "Heartwarming Humor With a Side of Sizzle" (okay...you caught us, that's our tagline). A little about us... We both have kindle’s full of one-clickable books. We're both married to husbands who drive us to drink. We're both chauffeurs to our kids. Most of all, we love hot heroes and quirky heroines that make us laugh, and we hope you do, too.

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Our Books: We do things in 3’s. Three best friends. Three hot heroes. Three HEA’s.

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Reviews

[Kealyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The One I Stood Beside by Piper Rayne

4/5 stars

The One I Stood Beside is the delicious second book in the Pain Daisy Rance series. In this book we focus on Jude. And I absolutely loved his story. 

The book starts with Jude as a little boy who has just lost his mother. He is talking to her and holding back his tears. But when Sadie, his friend, sits next to him. She promises him she won't tell anybody and the tears start to flow. My heart broke for him and the pains he carries with him. 

Then we skip to the present. And Jude and his brothers hear from their father that Sadie's family farm is in severe debt and about to be sold off. They will band together and try to help the Wilkins as much as possible. 

Jude feels very responsible and he wants to carry the burden alone. Because Sadie is his best friend. And the woman he secretly always loved. He even refuses his brother Ben's help for a loan. He wants to fix it on his own.

The same goes for Sadie. She is the one who wants to save the farm and not get any help from anybody. And then something horrible happens. She loses her father and now only she and her mom are left. She tries to get a loan to turn the farm into a chicken farm. But it's refused. Though Mrs. Doyle says if she finds someone to co-sign the contract she'll probably get the loan. Or if she marries someday who has collateral for the loan. 

And when Jude suddenly proposes the ball starts rolling and that kickstarts the story. Only Sadie's best friend Lottie knows the truth and they fake it for anyone else. 

I absolutely loved that family dynamics in this story. From Sadie's family life. To the Noughton's. I just love how fiercely loyal they are. While also annoying each other to no end. I grinned so much during all those scenes. 

I loved that Jude isn't an overly romantic man. That he struggles to show his love. And he struggles to find the right words or the right emotions to fit with a situation. In a way it felt like he has a form of autism. 
And I adore how gentle and patient Sadie is with him. She is such a fierce woman. I really like her a lot.

My favorite scene is where she bursts into his room right after he pleasured himself. And that that is her first look at his weapon. I laughed out loud when I read his reaction. 

This book is just utterly joy and I adore that vibe so incredibly much. 

I did wish the book wasn't as much of a slow burn that it was. It's a fairly short book. (200 pages on my e-reader) And so much time is spent misunderstanding each other. They could have been happy 20 years ago. And the argument near the end of the story felt a little needless. 

But all in all this is a fantastic read and I cannot wait to read the third book in this wonderful series! 

4 big stars from me for this beauty. 

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So.. I have some complex feelings on this one. I really felt like I was banging my head against the wall a few too many times. Let's start with a few things I like and then I'll share my two main issues.

What I liked: I love this family of men. They make me smile, make me giggle, and have me shaking my head now and then. Seeing a peek at Jude as a kid and seeing the weight he picked up on his small shoulders as a young man... the poor guy never had a chance. His shoulders are much broader now and he hasn't let up on that responsibility once. I also liked his connection to the town and of course, his friendship with Sadie. Though, we'll come back to this again.

Sadie is also devoted to family and we see her go through a big loss too and struggle under the weight of her own responsibilities. But Jude and the Noughton crew are waiting to help anyway they can. Soon she has everything she ever wanted but not in the way she was hoping for.

What I didn't like: So, I said there were two things that got to me. The first one being the sheer amount of missed opportunities. There was a single conflict in this story that didn't have to do with someone keeping their mouth shut when they needed to speak or speaking when they needed to listen. They couldn't get on the same page to save their dang lives.

Which leads me to the biggest sin... I cannot believe that these two have been best friends for almost 3 DECADES yet know each other so little. The amount of WRONG assumptions they both make are staggering. And this book isn't that long. I understand them not wanting to "break the status quo" and ruin a good thing. But don't they know anything about their supposed best friend?

I was shaking my head so much that it stripped a lot of my joy away.

I listened to the audio of this title and Troy Duran and Rose Dioro performed in Duet Narration style. They did a lot of the work to keep me interested in this story. If it didn't have such strong narration, I may have tapped out.

To wrap it up, I didn't hate this, just to be clear. I love this family and I can't wait for book 3, it looks so fun, but I won't pretend that I was disappointed in how this one played out. I'm okay with miscommunication, it happens in life all the time. But Best Friends don't usually assume such monumentally WRONG things about each other, over and over. *shrugs* You know what they say about assuming...

3.5 stars
3 on the spice scale

*Thank you to Valentine PR and the authors for an ALC/ARC of this title.*

[Piper Rayne]

Available now!

Grab your copy today! https://books2read.com/toisb

[Readingwithdesi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives you all the feels!! Childhood sweetheart friends to lovers grumpy sunshine I love these two! Lottie and Jude forever ♾️ I LOVE THAT THEY LOVE EACH OTHER IN THEIR OWN WAY! one woman man is everything!!!

[gretareadsromance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends to lovers, Jude & Sadie, are a couple that you will just fall in love with!

These have been friends and neighbors for so long and just needed that right moment to make it more. Their relationship transitioned so well and I loved them together!

The audio narrated by Troy Duran and Rose Dioro was so good!!

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yesterday, as I was gathering all my docs and notes and whatnot to review this title, I was gifted with the knowledge that the audiobook was live on Everand and yeah, I stopped everything to listen to it and I just finished about 30 minutes ago! One of the things I love doing is giving my opinion on which format a story is more enjoyable or not, but I was rejected for the ALC so I didn’t think I would be able to do this for release day, but here we are! Everand saves the day :)

🎧AUDIO REVIEW🎧 >> I adore Rose Dioro and she brought Sadie to life perfectly for me. Sadie’s personality shined even brighter thru Rose’s narration, and it pleased me to no end. I’m also a big fan of Troy Duran and he also brought to life Jude’s personality perfectly. The picture I had in my head of who Sadie & Jude were come across brilliantly in the narration. It was a really great listen!

📖STORY REVIEW📖 >> I’ve been trying to figure out how to say what I want to say without coming off too wordy or giving things about the plot away but it’s getting frustrating LOL The thing is, I think I had too high expectations for this story and it’s because of the joy that The One I Left Behind brought me. This story is good. It’s actually very good, but it’s missing something. For me, based on the plot-points in the story, the depth of it was weak. Honestly, the most emotion the story brought out of me was in the prologue. AND it was because of the prologue that I expected the bond and their friendship and the decision they made to grab me, but it didn’t. The story was just there. The story unfolded and that was that. Their 33 years of friendship deserved more in my opinion. I was disappointed at the missed opportunities in the story to make the reader feel the story. *sigh* That’s all I have for you because anything more and I would just be picking apart the story and I don’t want to do that. Remember, this is a good story!!

Overall rating: 3.5 Stars but enough to jump to 4

On the whole reading vs listening that I like to do, I’d have to say that my preference would be the audiobook because Troy & Rose really gave Jude & Sadie a lot of light in my head, but it didn’t change how the story affected me. *shrug*

I’d like to leave you with this … no two people read the same book … I will die on this hill till the end of my time. Also, I have experienced countless titles by this author duo and more often than not, I am overjoyed with delight. So there’s that. Happy reading!

[Melissa, Book Boyfriend and Husband Make Three · Rating 5 out of 5]

🚜🚜🚜🚜🚜
Read The One I Stood Beside and you will understand why the tractors are necessary.

Do you know what’s better than escaping into a small-town Piper Rayne romance? Absolutely nothing... until the duo brings the magic of small-town Alaska to a Nebraska ranching town. The One I Stood Beside is a beautifully written friends-to-lovers, marriage-of-convenience story that will tug on your heartstrings and leave a smile on your face long after you reach the end.

I was eagerly anticipating Sadie and Jude’s story from the moment they were introduced. With a profound sense of being the “last to know,” the connection they shared is tangible. They had spent a lifetime side by side, yet both refrained from pursuing more due to the fear of potentially ruining everything by opening up. In the aftermath of tragedy, Jude assumed the role of a Grumpy Knight in Cowboy Boots. However, he didn’t need to rescue her; instead, he stood by her side, and together, they saved each other.

I adored Sadie. Despite the aftermath of tragedy and the looks of pity and doubt cast her way, she remained unwavering in her determination. Her goal was not only to save but also to reinvent her family ranch into a sustainable farm that would preserve the Wilkins legacy for generations. I admired her “outside-the-box” thinking. Months ago, when we arrived to look at a house, the first words I said were, ‘Oh my gosh, I can use those sheds for chickens.’ While waiting for our realtor, I watched a video my husband had sent me that morning, which began with, ‘When you get your wife a chicken.’ After two years of searching, that was the house we ultimately purchased. What I mean to say is, Sadie and I share a chicken connection, and the only thing that could surpass that bond is a character with a mini Highland cow.

Jude keeps his emotions under lock and key, presenting a stoic and grumpy demeanor to everyone but Sadie. What made him even more endearing was his unawareness that, with Sadie, he became the man he never envisioned he could be. His mind held his heart captive, and with one pivotal question, he risked everything. My heart melted alongside Jude’s as he began to reveal his emotions, bit by bit, as if once he started, he couldn’t stop… but this was only true with Sadie.

A friendship that blossomed in elementary school is bound to forge a strong bond, yet with Jude and Sadie, it was something more profound. They dedicated a lifetime to prioritizing their friendship, and over time, the intensity between them only grew. It was inevitable that they would be the ones standing beside each other at the end of the aisle. And that was partly because Jude would have physically removed anyone else when it came to Sadie. They didn’t merely complete each other; they complemented each other in ways that enhanced everything about them. They leaned on each other’s strengths to become the kind of partners we all aspire to be. Their dynamic felt unique, unlike any I’ve encountered in a book before.


This duo consistently astonishes me with their skill in seamlessly blending hours of escapism into small-town settings that feel like home and creating fictional characters that feel like family. It’s a magical retreat from reality for which I’m always thankful.

“The One I Stood Beside” is a heartwarming tale filled with “will they or won’t they” tension, minimal angst, a blue-collar hero, close proximity, meddling family, and a reason I will never view a tractor in the same light again. 🔥🔥

[Kamila Mykhailiuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I absolutely loved this book. Amazing characters and wonderful plot. Very beautifully written and easy to read.

Jude Noughton and Sadie are best friends since they were six years old. They never ventured into an uncharted territory of more. When Sadie’s father dies, leaving her family’s farm in debt, Jude steps in to help. He had a lot of responsibility since he was a young boy, so it’s nothing new that he will do anything to help his best friend. To secure a loan and save the farm, Jude devises a plan. To get married. So, she is moves in with him in his family’s home and plans a wedding at his family’s farm. Soon, their feelings change and grow. They discover each other from different angles and perspectives.

They start to see that maybe something really can happen between them. I loved their chemistry and passion. They were made for each other.

Overall I loved this book very much. If you’re looking for a best friends to lovers, small town, marriage of convenience romance then you’re going to love it.

[Julie Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying the Noughton Family. They are a unit; they love and play hard once they figure it out. Jude has endured the most with the loss of his mother as the oldest, shaping his life. But it is the love of his best friend and her support that has gotten him to today. It is not an easy journey. Sadie is so relatable. She too endures a loss, but it is the responsibility she takes on that has her struggling.

I am ready for book three.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Meli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nettes Fake-Dating auf der Farm

Sadie und Jude sind schon ewig beste Freunde und eigentlich haben sie beide Gefühle füreinander, aber keiner von ihnen traut sich, ihre Freundschaft zu gefährden. Als Sadies Vater stirbt und ihre Farm in Gefahr ist, täuschen die beiden eine Verlobung vor, damit Sadie einen Kredit für ihre Pläne bekommt.

Natürlich kommen sie sich dabei auch körperlich näher, aber auch emotional, weil sie noch einmal sehen, wie sehr sie sich aufeinander verlassen können. Für Jude ist seine Familie sehr wichtig und er sieht Sadie auch als Teil der Familie und da er heimlich verliebt ist, ist es für ihn kein Problem. Nur sein Herz steht auf dem Spiel. Sadie ist die Rettung der Farm wichtig, weil sie auch eigene Wünsche und Pläne für die Zukunft der Farm hat und beweisen will, dass sie keine Außenseiterin in der Kleinstadt ist.

Die Freundschaft der beiden fand ich sehr süß und ihr Fake-Dating unterhaltsam, nur auf die üblichen Kommunikationsprobleme und die daraus resultierenden Missverständnisse könnte ich auch verzichten.

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐'s

Ugh...this one had so much potential for some good drama and angst but sadly, it didn't follow through beside some light teasing. ~sigh~

It was great seeing Jude and Sadie finally come to their senses. I just can't get over how long it took. Seriously, who waits that long?!

Fingers crossed that we get more drama in Emmett's book!

[Katie Beasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. I am becoming partial to best friends to lovers! I am enjoying this world and the supporting characters. Has anybody heard talk of books not just about the Noughton brothers? I would LOVE to read Lottie and Brooks as well as some hints of other cousins pairing off. A girl can dream right? Anyways, I enjoyed how this one made me feel. I felt really connected to Sadie and Jude and what happened to them. I was annoyed that Jude was never going to tell Sadie how he felt. He was kind of "forced" into this situation but gladly at the same time. I loved how Jude was different with Sadie and more of a grump with everyone else. I loved how Jude was her rock and the angst that they both had feelings for each other for a long time but didn't act on it. I was sad for Jude and how he thought he was doing the right thing by Sadie in pushing her away when all she wanted was him to chase after her. She wanted to be put first which he did in the BEST way once he figured that out!

Jude has been in love with his best friend since as far back as he can remember. He would do anything for her. His main goal is to ensure her happiness. He has convinced himself that he will never tell her how he feels because she deserves more than to be a farmer's wife. Things have changed though. Sadie's dad has died unexpectedly. The farm is in jeopardy of being taken away unless Sadie or her mom can get a loan from the bank. The only way they can get a loan is if they are married. And Jude is HAPPY to help. He will just be fake married to the woman he has been in love with for forever. They can do this right? But then Sadie tells him she has feelings for him too. And even though they have already tied the knot, they jump into something real. The challenge with that is that even though they know everything about each other, they have never been on a date. Jude is still uncertain about Sadie wanting him wholeheartedly which ends up biting him in the a**. And now Sadie is acting weird and so he decides to let her go so she can explore the world outside of Plain Daisy. He convinces himself it is for the best but her reaction says otherwise. Is it too late to make things right? He wants her for the rest of his life but maybe he needs to be more clear.

Sadie's life has turned upside down in 24 hours. Her dad has died unexpectedly on the same day she was planning on telling Jude how she has felt for him for years. She know has found out that the bank is going to take back their farm if they can't get a loan. Oh and she can't get a loan unless she has a guarantor or maybe a husband. The teller suggests Jude. But she can't ask that of him. He only sees her as a friend. She doesn't want to tie him down. But shockingly he says of course he will do it. And so now they are planning a wedding in the most unromantic way as possible. Sadie has convinced herself that Jude is regretting this decision but then they kiss each other and it is simply magical. Now they have both admitted they have feelings for each other. And they decide to try this out for real. They have been through so much, they can navigate this new things between them right? But then Sadie finds out she is pregnant, and when she asks Jude about the future he is too vague. He wants her to be happy. But what about him? What does he want? Maybe it isn't her and it definitely might not be a baby. Sadie is unsure of what to do now but then Jude makes a grand gesture that makes his feelings towards her clear!

I am glad that Jude finally figured his stuff out- reading about miscommunication is so frustrating for me. I was cringing at some of Jude's responses BUT then he made it all better. I also loved how Jude's family helped him breakthrough his insecurities. It showed that they knew how to be there for each other when they needed to be. I can't wait to continue this one and see how Briar and Emmett's story unfolds. And like I said I am going to hope that there are more books to come involving the cousins. There were too many breadcrumbs for us to not get more right??

Thank you to ValentinePR and Piper for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Anais Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

“She deserves the world, and I don’t want to stop her from having it.”

“The One I Stood Beside” is the second book in the Plain Daisy Ranch series by Piper Rayne, and I absolutely loved it.

Read it if you enjoy:
-Small-town settings
- Ranch romance
- Fake marriage
- Friends to lovers
- Grumpy-sunshine dynamics
- Close proximity
- Neighbors to lovers
- Band of brothers

5 ⭐️ | 2 🌶️

“There’s no reason to be scared because I’ll always catch you. Never doubt that. Always”

I had the chance to read the first book as an ARC, which provided some background on Jude and Sadie’s relationship. They’ve been best friends since they were six. After Sadie’s dad passed away and left the ranch in significant debt, Jude proposed a fake marriage to help her secure a loan to save her family farm.

The twist is that everyone around them knows they’re in love, except for them. They believe they need to act in love to fool everyone, but in reality, they both have feelings for each other but haven’t had the courage to admit it. This book is packed with emotions, funny moments, and character growth. The prologue tugged at my heartstrings—Jude lost his mom at six and bottled up his emotions to be strong for his family. He feels responsible for holding everything together.

Sadie, however, is a strong, resilient woman doing everything she can to save her family farm. Her dreams have changed over the years, and she’s content living in the small town. She accepts Jude’s marriage proposal and besides is not going to be a ‘real marriage’ she is happy to have him as more than a friend.

Their deep understanding and incredible connection shine through. They know everything about each other, and their relationship is truly admirable. They’ve been there for each other since childhood, making this friends-to-lovers story uniquely compelling.

“Admitting my feelings and sharing my life with you has made me love life in a way I didn’t before.”

Their love confession is incredibly sweet. Jude struggles to express his emotions, often appearing grumpy, but he shows a different side to Sadie. She knows how to get him to open up. They’ve both been blind to their mutual feelings.

The romance and the spice in the book are perfect. After years of tension, their first night together is perfection. They can’t get enough of each other, and Jude’s affectionate demeanor towards Sadie is heartwarming. He shows her that he’ll always stand beside her, just as the title suggests.

“I need you. I’ve waited a lifetime, and I want to be inside you.”

Jude’s doubts cause some turmoil, but his dad, Bruce, uses heartwarming words to help him see the truth. I enjoyed the glimpses of Ben and Gillian’s relationship and found Ben and Emmet’s interactions hilarious. Emmet’s story is one I’m eagerly anticipating. Despite the brothers’ conflicts, they always support each other.

“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For giving me everything I’ve ever wanted but was too stubborn to fight for until now.”

This book is excellently written, and I highly recommend the series. It’s a fantastic friends-to-lovers story that I can’t recommend enough.

Thank you Piper Rayne and Valentine PR for the advance copy. This review was left voluntarily.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALC Review

Blurb…
Jude and Sadie were childhood friends who stood by each other through everything. But one day Sadie’s world turns upside when her dad passes and finds out how in debt her family is. So Jude steps up to help secure the funds by marriage but a lie only lasts so long before it becomes real.

Tropes
~childhood friends to lovers
~fake marriage
~marriage of convenience
~small town
~cowboy romance
~grumpy x sunshine
~found family
~forced proximity

⭐️4/5
🌶️2/5

Review
This was the very first book I’ve read by Piper and i really enjoyed it. I really love the childhood friends to lovers trope and this one did not disappoint, the way they were both so in love with each other but so blind to it was so good cause the tension was HIGH!! But while there was a lot of tension there was also so much love and so many heartwarming scenes, Jude took such good care of Sadie with everything that had and was so quick to marry her to help (which he really enjoyed cause he was already in love with her). I still can’t get over just how IN LOVE Jude was with Sadie, he was HEAD OVER HILLS in love with her, reading there cute, spicy and heartwarming scenes had my kicking my feet!! There were so many deep emotions and feelings through out this book between them and they tried so hard not to make them true but they were just so in love they couldn’t keep them in.

Audio Review
The narrators did absolutely phenomenal on this book!! There voices fit so perfectly for Jude and Sadie and not only that but it was a duet!! I really enjoyed duet audio book and this one was AMAZING!

This was such a quick read and I knew within a few pages I wasn’t going to be able to put it down and I didn’t at all. I really recommend this book if you love AL Jackson’s writing!

[Cristie Sluberski · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ✨

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐈 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐏𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐞
𝚁𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝙳𝚊𝚝𝚎: 𝙹𝚞𝚕𝚢 𝟸𝚗𝚍, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺 — 𝙾𝚞𝚝 𝙽𝚘𝚠!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
🐓 small town romance
🩵 marriage of convenience
🐓 best friends to lovers
🩵 neighboring farms
🐓 band of brothers
🩵 surprise baby
🐓 open door romance
🩵 dual POV

Sadie has just lost her father & her mother needs to be closely monitored with her fibromyalgia. Sadie ends up finding out that their family farm isn’t doing well & is on the verge of being foreclosed. Sadie leans on her best friend Jude during this difficult time. Sadie has secretly loved Jude throughout their entire friendship & unknowingly to her, Jude feels the same exact way. Sadie & Jude try all they can to brainstorm ideas. Sadie goes to the bank to look into getting a loan, but she needs someone to co-sign or someone that has assets to leverage. Jude asks Sadie to marry him so that she can save her family’s farm. It will be so easy to convince the people of their small town because they all think that Jude & Sadie are together anyways!

It was so nice to revisit this series with the Noughton family! These band of brothers always have me laughing. It was so nice to see Jude, the oldest brother & the grumpiest, get his happily ever after with his best friend that he has always secretly loved. You can see how much he loves her with the sacrifices he makes for Sadie. My heart was broken right from the get-go with Sadie losing her father & worrying about her mom & the family farm. I loved how determined & stubborn she was to save the farm! I can envision her chicken farm in my mind! Can’t wait to read the next one in the series 😊

[Karina (shedreamsinwords) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book of the 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝘿𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙮 𝙍𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙝 series featuring the grumpy oldest brother of the Noughton family, and his best friend since childhood.

Jude and Sadie have been the best of friends since they were kids & have only gotten closer over the years. When tragedy strikes, Sadie’s family farm is put in jeopardy leaving Jude to help in the most noble way he knows— by proposing to enter into a fake marriage in order to save the farm. Will forced proximity & secret feelings for each other allow their friendship to blossom into more?

Jude is very stoic by nature, yet only opens up for his best friend Sadie. She is the sunshine to his grumpy, and will not let anyone’s unwarranted opinions thwart her dreams of having a chicken farm coming true. The thing I loved about this dynamic is how Jude was so supportive of Sadie’s future dreams and (without giving spoilers), even helped get the journey started for her. I also really adored the snippet of their childhood and seeing Jude take comfort with Sadie after experiencing tragedy. Fast forward 27 years and we get to see the roles reversed. Tug on my heart strings, why don’t you!

If you’re looking for your next emotional yet heartwarming read with lots of humor, self discovery, and second chances- LOOK NO FURTHER and pick up this series immediately! I absolutely cannot wait for Emmett's book because I already know he’s going to steal my heart.

🐣𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽—
grumpy x sunshine
fake marriage of convenience
childhood friends to lovers
mutual pining
forced proximity
band of brothers
small town

“𝓎ℴ𝓊 𝓁ℴ𝓋ℯ 𝓂ℯ?"
"𝒾𝓈𝓃'𝓉 𝒾𝓉 ℴ𝒷𝓋𝒾ℴ𝓊𝓈?" 🥹🫶🏼

Thank you to Valentine PR & Piper Rayne for an advanced copy to review 🩵

[Ana_books_and_stuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in love with this new Piper Rayne series, it's just so sweet and swoony, can you see my heart eyes...

Jude and Sadie have been best friends since forever, and have loved each other since then. But usually, as it happens when you love your best friend, but you think it's not reciprocated you don't want to ruin what you have. And that is what happens with grumpy Jude and Sadie, they are so good together that they are scared that professing their love for each other will ruin everything.
But destiny has a way of making things happen, and Sadie sees herself in a situation that only Jude can help her.
And what type of help will he offer, you ask me?! Well isn't it obvious? They marry of course!

This is a really easy read with so much swoony moments, and of course the banter that the Noughton brothers and their family has, is just so refreshing.

I really love these grumpy cowboys and their lack of communication it's lovingly infuriating, you just want to grab them and shake them until they spill the words.

What you will find in The One I stood Beside:
-Small-town settings
- Ranch romance
- Fake marriage
- Friends to lovers
- Blue collar hero
- Grumpy-sunshine
- Close proximity
- Neighbors to lovers
- Band of brothers

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️.5

The One I Stood Beside is book 2 in the Plain Daisy Ranch series by @authorpiperrayne. This was a great read! Best friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and this one checked all of the right boxes for me. It was sweet, and we got a happy ending for our two main characters, Jude and Sadie.

I really enjoyed these two together. They've been best friends since Jude was six years old and his world was turned upside down. Sadie has always been there for him. They have a beautiful bond that has grown over the years. Their banter was charming and swoon-worthy. The connection between them was unmistakable; they simply fit perfect together.

The shift in their relationship had its ups and downs. They have strong feelings for one other but have never acted on them, creating genuine worries. It's a great slow-burn read with all of the feels.

What to expect:
🤠Grumpy Cowboy
💕Childhood Best Friends
🏘️Small Town Romance
💞Friends to Lovers
💍Fake Marriage
🔥Mutual Pining
🤗Close Proximity
🏡Found Family

If you like these tropes, definitely add to your TBR! I cannot wait to see what these authors have in store for the final brother!

Thank you so much to @Valentine_PR and @authorpiperrayne for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

[BOOKLOVER_81 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a best friend to lovers, a fake marriage romance, and it was super cute! Grumpy Jude who’s only ever sweet to Sadie, comes up with the idea to marry Sadie to help her save her family farm. Both Jude and Sadie have always quietly loved each other over the years, and they ease into marriage as naturally as spring water.

Narrators Troy Duran and Rose Diogo were the glue that held this story together as they delivered an awesome performance in duet style narration. I could listen to Troy read a grocery list and be happy. Rose is a new to me narrator, but I will be on the lookout for more books by her! She did a great job capturing Sadie’s personality and differentiating other female characters of varying ages.

I did wish the book wasn't as much of a slow burn that it was. It's a fairly short book. (200 pages on my e-reader) And so much time is spent misunderstanding each other. They could have been happy 20 years ago. And the argument near the end of the story felt a little needless.


**best friends to lovers
**small town
** surprise pregnancy
** fake marriage
**mutual pining
**close proximity

CL listen 🎶

[Katie Thayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

love these 2!!

The One I Stood Beside
By: Piper Rayne

“You always have me,” he repeats.
My heart flutters like a new butterfly just out of its cocoon. “I know.”
“Do you?” He leans in, the muscles in his arms flexing to hold his body in place.
“Yes.”

“You’ll never lose me. No matter what happens in the future, I’m always gonna be here for you. Always.”

“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For giving me everything I’ve ever wanted but was too stubborn to fight for until now.”

I love Jude and Sadie so much! Their story of
friends to lovers is perfection. They have trouble sharing their feelings with each other until life gets in the way and they need to find a way to save Sadie’s families farm. They decide to get married to be able to get a loan and from there Sadie is able to push Jude out of his comfort zone and to get him to share his feelings, and learn that this isn’t all fake.

Tropes:
Small Town Romance
Friends to Lovers
Fake Marriage
Secret Pining

Spice starts at: 65%🔥

Spice: 2/4🌶️
Stars: 5/5⭐️

Available on Kindle Unlimited

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is soo cute and reminds me exactly why I love a small town romance so much. Sadie and Jude have been best friends since they were kids and their bond was so sweet and special. Both of them have feelings for each other but they’re scared about changing the dynamic of their relationship until they need to get married to save Sadie’s family farm. Besides friends to lovers and marriage of convenience you also get grumpy and sunshine and these two were the definition of that trope. I loved that Jude was grumpy with everyone but her and that lifelong friendship gave them such a strong foundation for a romantic relationship. This series is quickly becoming a favorite for me when I want a truly escapist read, I can’t wait for book three!

[Colbygirl13reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the pain Daisy Ranch series. childhood friends to lovers. Small town. Convenient marriage. Grumpy sunshine. Such a great love story between Sadie and Jude.
Sadie is a strong, independent woman who learns to let down her guard and let others help. Jude is a hardworking, grumpy man who keeps his emotions locked up. The character development and plot were spot on and kept me wanting more. I love the side characters and just how much their support for one another shines through. I can't wait to continue to read more of the Plain Daisy Track m ranch Series. Thank you for the ARC.

[BookishRaquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐
Heat Rating: 3/5 🌶️
Audiobook: 5/5 🎧

What to Expect:
- Ranch Setting
- Small Town
- Childhood Best Friends
- Friends to Lovers
- Neighbors to Lovers
- Fake Marriage
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Alpha Hero
- Mutual Pining
- Close Proximity
- Found Family

Piper Rayne has done it again! Plain Daisy Ranch is one of my favorite places, and I'm so happy to be back for Jude and Sadie's story. Jude and Sadie have been friends since childhood. Both have deeper feelings for each other but never act on anything. They are great friends, and neither of them wants to do anything to ruin what they have. Jude has been by Sadie's side since the beginning, so he is there to lend a hand when her father passes away. Sadie's family's farm is left in a mountain of debt, and she needs a loan. To help Sadie secure the necessary funds, Jude offers to marry her. Will they be able to maintain the lie, or will they finally give in to their feelings for each other?

I adored Jude and Sadie. I could read about their love all day. Friends to lovers is quickly becoming one of my favorite tropes, and this story did it justice. Jude is grumpy and tries to hide his feelings but has a huge heart. He doesn't feel he is deserving of Sadie's love. Sadie is strong, resilient, caring, and willing to do what is necessary to help her family. The development of Jude and Sadie's relationship was beautiful. Their love was perfect, and they fit so well together. I truly loved everything about this book. It gave me all the feels. The One I Stood Beside is a story that can renew one's belief in true love. I love Plain Daisy Ranch and can't wait for the next book in this series.

NARRATION:
The audiobook for this story is absolute perfection. Troy Duran and Rose Dioro did an amazing job with their duet-style narration and provided the perfect voices for Jude and Sadie. Rose expertly portrayed Sadie's sweet, caring, and genuine nature. Troy's deep voice was perfect for Jude, our grumpy, dreamy, blue-collar hero. Troy and Rose really brought Jude and Sadie to life.

[Heather Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! This was sooo amazing!! I loved it! Jude and Sadie are now my favorite couple in this series so far!

What to Expect:
- Ranch Setting
- Small Town
- Childhood Best Friends
- Friends to Lovers
- Neighbors to Lovers
- Fake Marriage
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Alpha Hero
- Mutual Pining
- Close Proximity
- Found Family

To say this was a spectacular friends to lovers romance..well, it was! Sadie and Jude sure put themselves through the wringer a lot until they finally stop fighting their feelings and gave in to their love for each other. I loved seeing their struggles with life in their small town. I also really love a fake marriage! I love watching the "fake" fall away and the lines blur to where it's not fake no more.

I can't wait until the next book! I especially am waiting patiently for Lottie to get her book! I just love her!

[Hayley Gallant · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Okay ... this one was my absolute favorite of this series.

You get secret crushes, a MMC that thinks he's not good enough for the FMC, and a FMC who doesn't believe the MMC can reciprocate her feelings ... but of course everyone in the small town knows they are meant to be.

I'm sorry, but how can you hate on a guy who is willing to marry you to help you in your current circumstances? You just can't.

Such an amazing read from start to finish!

You get:
• Dual POV
• Spicy
• Contemporary Romance
• Small Town
• Marriage Of Convience
• Accidental Pregnancy
• Found Family

I highly recommend this series! Available on ebook, hardcover, paperback, and audiobook.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars.

I absolutely loved everything about this book. I loved the characters, they're were so realistically written and had flaws I could totally find myself in. I loved the both of them and I really enjoyed their story. It was one of great love and finding themselves and one another. This was a quick and easy read, but still emotional and well-build. I loved all the characters and the ranch. I have nothing but good words for this book and I was hooked from the first page right up until the very end. I can't wait for Emmett's story!

[Lynn Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 🐣🤠 🚜 Sadie x Jude ❤️ friends to lovers

💐 small town x farm life

I used to think that I'd want to live in the farm once I moved out from home, but I quickly realized I would wither and die if I lived far from the city.😂 This book made me want to risk it all, for a chance at a farm life and a farmer for a lover! 🥴😂

Also, the beginning of this book hooked me immediately.

Mark me down as : excited for the next book. 🥳

[Kaitlin Dice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am quickly becoming a big fan Piper Rayne. I love how short and face paced her books are. They draw you in and you get all the feels instantly. I loved this childhood friends to lovers story between Jude and Sadie. I did listen to this on audio and the duet narration was very good and clear. It was easy to tell when the characters are thinking vs talking. I can’t wait to read the next installment in this series.

[Brianna Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: The One I Stood Beside by @authorpiperrayne

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️


Holy cow. I couldn’t have asked for a better book to be my first ever ARC. This was also the first book I’ve read by Piper Rayne. This book put me through all the emotions. Jude and Sadie’s love for one another is the type that every girl wants. This childhood friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, grumpy X sunshine, best friends to lovers, small town romance is a must read. Thank you @valentine_pr_ and Piper and Rayne for giving me this opportunity to fall in love with Plain Daisy Ranch and the characters in this world. Full review to come. This book releases on July 2nd 🩵🩵

[Katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this if you like:
•childhood friends to lovers
•fair marriage
•cowboy romance

I’m a sucker for childhood friends to lovers. I love the scheming family. Flew through this book!

Thank you Valentine PR for eARC!