Imagine lying in a hospital bed and the doctor who pulls the curtain back to treat you is the one who got away. Even if you never really had her in the first place. She’s not only your high school crush, she’s the ex-girlfriend of your ex-best friend. The one girl you’ve always wanted.Here’s a step-by-step list to finally win her over… she snuck back into town without telling you—six months ago.
Key to win #2: Rekindle the friendship to ease the awkwardness. But… DO NOT enter the friend zone.
Key to win #3: Ignore the fact that she went speed dating the night before. Take it as good a sign—maybe she’s looking for a relationship.
Key to win #4: Attempt to keep the two of you out of the town gossip blog and away from your large family.
Make sure you don’t let this last one throw you off your mission.
Key to win #5: Don’t get deterred when you find out the past is about to repeat itself. Because the man she met at the speed dating night is your best buddy from work.
Just remember, you sat back and let her slip away once, you won’t do it a second time. Failure is not an option.
Author Note: This book does NOT contain cheating.
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As is typical with The Bailey’s I just couldn’t get enough, I devoured this book I absolutely couldn’t put it down. We have been dancing around Kingston and Stella’s story for a while but never really knew what happened between them. The biggest question I had was why did she go out with Owen when it was clear as day that Stella had feelings for Kingston? That question and many more have finally been answered in WINNING MY BEST FRIEND’S GIRL.
Piper and Rayne really did a great job with keeping Kingston mysterious throughout all the books, since he’s a smoke jumper and a firefighter in Anchorage he wasn’t around a lot so we didn’t get to know much about him other than he has always loved Stella and his best friend Owen was the one who dated her in high school.
Stella has been living in New York for years but her mother is sick so she has returned to Alaska to help her out, living in Anchorage she knew there was a chance she may run into Kingston but she wasn’t prepared for when she opened the curtain in her ER and saw Kingston laying on the table waiting for the doctor to check him out after an accident on the job. Let’s just say SURPRISE!
If you think this book is an easy sailing second chance romance you’re wrong, these two have a lot to work through and overcome. But have no fear we definitely have a happy ending to their story.
There are only two more scheduled books in this series, Sedona’s book: Rules for Dating Your Ex (The Baileys Book 9) and Operation Bailey Birthday: A Bailey Novella (The Baileys Book 1) , which doesn’t have a blurb yet and I am secretly, okay not so secretly, hoping it’s G’Ma Dori’s birthday and the kids are having a big celebration for her and she recounts us with all the stories and how she has had a hand in getting each of the couples together. Now wouldn’t that be a blast!!!
I would recommend this book to everyone that enjoys Contemporary Romance, Second Chance Romance, Interracial Romance, or anyone that is just looking for a good Small Town Family Romance.
Happy Reading!!!
First let me say that this was my first read of The Baileys and I plan to get on Amazon as soon as I finish this and buy the previous books.
I loved Stella and Kingston had sizzling chemistry and it was so clear that they had that “Forever” type but past hurts weren’t going to let them sail into their happily ever after without throwing them some curveballs.
I adored Stella and I understood her fears and when she decided what she was going to do she made me swoon. Kingston charmed me from the beginning and there were also a few times I wanted to flick him but those moments didn’t last long.
I loved this entire book it was a perfect mix of feels, hurt, sexy, a close family that has tons of love for each other, entertaining banter and a grandma that’s a bit crazy.
I can’t wait to dive in from the start and fall in love with every one of the Bailey family.
I loved this one. I fell in love with he Bailey family in the very first book and I have been hooked ever since. Winning my Best Friend’s Girl is book 8 in the series. Each book covers a different Bailey sibling. It can be read as a standalone but I suggest you read all of the books because all of the siblings pop up in all of the books. This one is Kingston and Stella’s story. Kingston is a good guy. He’s an adventure and seek out high risk opportunities. He’s always loved Stella but as teenagers she dated his best friend Owen. Stella a smart and sexy girl. She left Lake Starlight and Kingston behind but now she’s back. These two have a complicated history. The Baileys stories are usually full of fun and laughter but this one is a bit more emotional and more of an emotional roller coaster of a read. It does involve the Baileys so there is some light fun in it too. I loved everything about this one and the end has me hooked and waiting for Sedona’s story.
Winning My Best Friend’s Girl by Piper Rayne made my heart ache so badly and melt my soul so sweetly. Kingston and Stella’s angsty but sweet, steamy but adorable and heartbreaking but two hundred percent swoony story is the must read romance of 2020.
I love the Baileys like I love my own family. So I am super protective of each of them. Throughout the previous books I saw glimpses of Kingston’s broken heart and the deep sadness he hides behind his reckless lifestyle. He once let love of his life Stella go without fighting. Now she is back to Lake Starlight as resident doctor and history seems to be planning to repeat itself. As once again she is on verge of dating his best friend. Only this time, Kingston will not go down without fight.
So the Baileys are never about two people. And that’s what I love so much about this series. I get to see how my other favourite couples are doing in their lives. And the new incidents of their lives affect and help to progress the present couple’s love life too! This is probably the angstiest story of the series after Juno and Colton. Kingston always used his need for adrenaline rush as a kind of coping mechanism. Be it his profession as fire fighter or be it his love for adventure sports. He is careless about his life because he doesn’t feel he has anyone important enough. And Stella gives him the reason. This girl is just absolutely amazing. She was scared of losing Kingston and so she ran away from her true feelings. But she finally took the risk. She has such a caring, nurturing and protective heart. My heart broke so badly for their devastating love story. How they lost each other repeatedly to misunderstandings, unfortunate incidents and sometimes pure stubbornness. But wow the happily ever after is just epic. So beautiful. So worthy. The chemistry set my kindle on fire and squeezed my heart painfully! I need more, more and more.
Winning My Best Friend’s Girl by Piper Rayne was a hot and sweet treat. It was one emotional rollercoaster that took me through the tears, the smiles and all the feels. Another winner from Piper Rayne.
Received ARC for honest review
This is the eighth book in the Bailey’s series. It can be a stand alone, but with such a big family, and all the breadcrumbs that have built up this story, I would say to read them in order.
This is Kingston and Stella’s book.
They were best friends in high school. Then she dated their other best friend.
Things weren’t the same after that. Stella left for school in New York. She’s now back.
These two are both scared. They have good reasons to be.
Kingston is almost fearless. Between his jobs and his adventures. He’s an adrenaline junkie. Stella plays it safe and plans everything out.
Can they get passed their past and move forward?
Being in an interracial marriage myself, I love reading about it.
I love how Allie wanted to meet grandma Dori so much! I want Dori to find someone for Allie after the Bailey’s series is done.
I loved the set up for Sedona’s book! I think hers is the one I can’t wait to read the most!
Kingston has been the quiet one so far, in and out of the picture as we have read along the series, trying to keep to himself. I am so excited to find out more and see the real man. We know he loves his family and is always there when he can be. He works the dangerous jobs firefighting, smoke jumping and on the ambulance as well. I don’t know where he finds the time. But he isn’t really running around with the ladies, no…. his heart left a long time ago.
Stella left Starlight a long time ago to pursue her dreams of becoming a doctor. Well that and to leave behind all that was Kingston and Owen and all that was a crazy high school triangle. When her mom tells her she isn’t well, Stella re-arranges her entire world to return. Changing her residency to be closer to her mom. She didn’t want to risk it after loosing her dad at such a young age. But she is not ready or prepared for the feelings that jump to the surface when she sees King.
Yes they have a history that is very entwined but it is soo much more than that. Their bond that started with the commonality of loosing a parent you, only continued to build into something neither of them were ready for. Can they find that bond again? Or will history repeat itself? Will they let their fears hold them back?
The more we get into this series the more I love everyone but I am also starting to get a little sad with each book as I know we are nearing the end of this wonderful adventure. I have fallen in love with all the characters as I have read my way. This book brings some added tensions with the bi-racial couple.
*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***
She’s the only adrenaline rush he’ll ever need. The guy who jumps out of planes fears only one thing…getting his heart crushed for the second time. No risk, no reward. Kingston will have to put it all on the line if he’s going to get the girl.
Our elusive smoke jumper finally gets to tell his story. Kingston may have gotten the reputation as the resident Romeo, but his heart has only ever belonged to one girl. Now that she’s back in Lake Starlite, he’s going to try and win her heart.
Stella left eight years ago. She went to New York for school and to get away from the mess she left behind. Being with Owen seemed like a good idea, but all it did was tear two best friends apart. Owen and Kingston had one thing they both wanted…Stella. So when Owen started dating her, the friendship they all shared was torn apart.
Years later and Kingston still feels the pain of losing her. She took his heart in the fourth grade and he never got it back. He wants to be with her. That’s all he’s ever wanted, but it seems history is about to repeat itself when Stella dates his best friend from work.
Stella has always shared a connection with Kingston. However, losing him has always held her back. The man chases danger and she couldn’t stand to watch. She’ll need to decide whether taking the risk of loving him is worth it or never getting the chance if she walks away.
Kingston and Stella bring a send chance romance with heat and emotion. The entire Bailey clan will be making appearances in Kingston and Stella’s story. More babies and family drama that we love. This series continues to deliver a family that loves unconditionally and shows up no matter what. The tie that binds them is unending love for eachother. I love each of these characters and I am only sad that we only have one more to go.
I received a free ARC copy of this book from the author prior to release and am
voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the story of Kingston Bailey and his crush, Stella. they met as children and had crushes on each other but Kingston never risked it for Stella and so his best friend Owen ended up dating her for years. And it caused this huge fight between Kingston and Owen and so Stella pretty much ran away to college.
Now her mom is sick and so she is back in town but she has been hiding from Kingston. And she is friends with his sisters and so Juno ends up inviting her to speedating where she meets an awesome guy, but guess whose his best friend?? Yep!!
And so starts the saga of Kingston and Stella 2.0. It was told very deeply. This is the story of two people who love each other but who also both lost parents way too young and its affected their lives and made them fear love and life and one went for security and the other for a high risk life and they need to both decide what is more important to them.
Also Stella is an african american and Kingston is very white. So its discussed in this story that they would be a biracial couple and how that would affect them socially and within the small Alaska community. I liked that the authors discussed it as it is an important distinction and I liked that Kingston and none of the Bailey’s ever saw Stella skin color but saw her heart and beauty instead.
The Bailey’s Series is one of the most enjoyable series to read right now. Each book makes me feel more and more entrenched in the family, and like I’m coming home to good friends.
Piper Rayne has created a series of strong, small-town characters read like real people, not like book heroes, which is part of why they are so enjoyable to read. In Winning My Best Friend’s Girl, Kingston and Stella finally get their chance for a happily-ever-after.
For Kingston, it’s always been Stella. She’s the one that got away, and his heart was never his own after that. While he’s an adrenaline-seeking adventurer, when it comes to his heart, he’s afraid to lay it on the line. But now may be his only chance to get that happiness that left with Stella years ago when she went away to school.
In true Bailey fashion, a little bit of meddling goes a long way to giving Kingston and Stella their chance. And in true Bailey fashion, there are a lot of laughs and love along the way.
It’s amazing how this duo never disappoints and this book is another hit for them. We had just a little glimpse of Kingston’s and Stella’s story in the previous books of the series. So I was really curious and excited to read their story. And what happened to them so many years go surprised me.
Stella had a connection with Kingston since they kids, they shared the same pain, of losing their parents so young. And through the years they become best friends and from there they started to love each other. When they were about to leave for college something tragic happened between Kingston, Stella and Owen, their former friend, and only Stella leaves Alaska. Some years latter, she returns to town and the feelings are back too.
What I like about Stella during this book was how sweet, caring and how confident in herself she was. When she likes a person she truly gives her all, and when she uses her profession as a doctor to help the Bailey’s family she won my heart. But at some part she left me so frustrated, it felt like she was playing a game with Kingston. Like she loves him, but wanted him to be totally different person so he could be with her. I was glad for her mom and her wisdom.
Kingston, seriously, I wanted to protect him at all costs. As I read the book and learn why he was the way he was and what happened to him in the past, it was heartbreaking. I love that he was always honest with Stella, he always said that he loved her and if she was so smart she would have seen that he would never hurt her. His love for her has so pure and profound.
Their happy end was beautiful and deserving. They both compromise their feelings without pressure and I loved. As the whole series, this book is a must read.
In other news, I loved Allie. She was obsessed with Grandma Dori and I think I would react the same if I had the chance to meet her!
Now… by the very end Piper and Rayne created a huge hype for Sedona’s book. I’m excited, I’m screaming and I’m TEAM SEDONA! Team Bailey! Bring it on what it seems it’s going to be the best of the very best book of the series. BRING IT ON!
Kingston’s story and another Bailey roller coaster.
Although I haven’t read all of the Bailey books – I already knew that I had a special place in my heart for Kingston. So I was surprised that I didn’t really warm up to Stella for most of the book. Probably because I felt that she waffled too much when it came to him.
Now Kingston isn’t innocent in all of this as he is just plain idiotic at times. But my heart really felt for his plight.
We learn about their troubled past, the present that seems to be repeating itself, and you just have to hope for a future where they can get their act together. At one point – that doesn’t look very good.
Of course, this has another jaw dropper to set up Book #9. Oh these Baileys really put us through the wringer, but this is a great family drama full of love, angst, and hope.
I voluntarily requested and read an advance reader copy.
This is one of those series that stays with you forever, every book you pick up feels like you are going home to catch up with family and friends. This is small town romance at it best.
Book 8 in the series is Kingston and Stella’s story and boy do they have an entertaining tale to tell….
Kingston let Stella go once before and now that fate has given then a second chance there is no way that’s going to happen again, she has always been the one for him and even though this man thrives on adventures often described as an adrenaline junkie the thought of Stella breaking his heart again simply terrify’s him…..
Stella left Lake Starlight, Alaska many years ago to go to school in New York, she needed to get away from the mess she created by choosing Owen over Kingston but now it seems fate is determined to throw her back into the arms of the ma; she walked away from..
Winning My Best Friend’s Girl is a book that ticked all my boxes, it has the perfect mix of fun, love and drama, I laughed, I smiled and I swooned so much as I joined Kingston and Stella on their second chance at love and happiness so all that’s left for me to say is please one click this gem.
It’s time to travel to Alaska and visit the Bailey clan again. Winning My Best Friend’s Girl brought me back to Lake Starlight to see what Kingston, the adrenaline junkie, was up to.
Kingston and Stella’s second chance friends-to-lovers romance was filled with angst and heat. Their affection for each other ran deep and started when they were young. However, missed opportunities and demons from their common tragic past had been in their way in their younger years. Their attractions to each other were still strong after spending eight years apart. With the meddling of the loving Bailey clan, the couple finally found their hard earned happily ever after.
The Baileys were a great family that love and support each other unconditionally. I loved that each book in the series gave readers a chance to see the previous couples’ life after the HEA. Without exception, I had so much fun on my short visit to Lake Starlight and I was leaving with all the warm and fluffy feels. We got a glimpse of Sedona’s book at the end and her shocking state had me wishing desperately to find out what happened.
I volunteered to provide an honest review of an advance complimentary copy of this book.
While lying in a hospital bed, Kingston discovers that the doctor who pulls the curtain back to treat him is the one who got away. But, he never really had her in the first place. She’s not only his high school crush, but she’s also the ex-girlfriend of his ex-best friend. The one girl he’s always wanted. Oh, and the past is about to repeat itself because the man she met at the speed dating night is his best buddy from work. Can he keep her from slipping away again and break their star-crossed lovers’ curse?
Through flashbacks, you can see Stella and Kingston’s relationship from the start as childhood friends to the present. Their story pulls at your heartstrings with their emotional past that ties them together despite their mutual desire to let each other go for self-preservation. As you learn more about their past, you find yourself cheering for them to figure things out though they will frustrate you at times. Both have to take a leap of faith for things to work out for them. This book also shows how the right person can see through your struggles and help you open your heart so that it can begin to heal.
I love it when a romance story brings two people together who have been pining for each other from afar for so long. Kingston and Stella deserved a fair shot at their own happily ever after.
I really enjoyed my first Piper Rayne book. While this book is towards the end of this series, it can be read as a standalone. I plan to read the previous books as I am a fan of the Bailey family! I’m also looking forward to Sedona and Jamison’s story that was teased in this book.
I received an advance reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Piper Rayne is one of my go to authors for a fun contemporary romance. This is the eighth in the Bailey series, each book highlighting a different romance trope for each of the nine siblings. Kingston Bailey is the only sibling that doesn’t live full time in Lake Starlight. He works as a paramedic in Anchorage and as a smoke jumper during fire season. What we know about Kingston’s love life is that he fell in love with Stella who dated his former BFF from high school. Stella has finished medical school and is now doing her residency in Anchorage to be closer to her sick mother. History seems to be repeating itself as Stella is dating Kingston’s new BFF and partner at the firehouse. Will Stella and Kingston be able to get past their history to get their HEA. Loved both characters and catching up with the whole Bailey clan. The epilogue has a freaking awesome cliffhanger that will have you clamoring for the next book. I received an ARC of this book from the author for my honest review.
This is the 8th story in this amazing series and is Stella and Kingston’s tale. Stella was Kingston’s high school crush and left him heartbroken when she left town in pursuit of her career. Kingston is a part time firefighter and smoke jumper as well as adrenaline junky who ends up in the ER where he is blown away to find out that Stella who is now the ex-girlfriend of his ex-best friend is back in town, and is the doctor assigned to attend to him. Kingston is determined that Stella is not getting away from him this time, and throw in the Baileys and their crazy antics, and this is a truly magical tale. This is a beautifully written tale which is filled with a tad angst, drama, heartbreak, emotions, and fun which all leads to a humorous and all-consuming steamy tale. I cannot wait to read Sedona’s story next, and I highly recommend these authors’ work for all readers.
WOW! Every book in this series just grabs my heart. Kingston has always been the mystery Bailey. Well, mystery solved, Kingston’s story is finally here and a lot of what I didn’t expect. In typical Piper Rayne fashion, I was sucked in and needed to hurry up and find out what happens. The roller coaster of Stella and Kingston is such a dynamic story, there are lots of twists and turns and misunderstandings, but when it all ends up for the best, you just happy sigh and want more. I’m so sad that this is almost the end of the Baileys, I was reading so slow so it didn’t end! 🙂
Piper Rayne have once again broken my heart and then put it back together. Kingson has been the elusive Bailey brother and it is finally him time to have a starring role in Lake Starlight’s Buzz Wheel. For Kingston and Stella this is a second chance for time to finally get the love they always dreamed of. Of course there is baggage from the last time they saw each other eight years prior. If course there is ego and fear fighting against them, but the crackling passion and connection that everyone else can see but them is what keeps this story so engaging. If you are familiar with the series there are some family antics and comments that had me laughing. Kingston is a swoony hero and every girl wants to be Stella.
5 Still Burning bright Bailey stars!!!
We’ve been hearing about Kingson’s longing for Stella almost from the start of the Baileys series, and now, finally, their story is here. We get to find out all the ins and outs of what occurred all those years ago. Why Stella left and how Kingston handled it.
Winning My Best Friend’s Girl by Piper Rayne was a true upheaval of emotions. The roller coaster was one full twist and heart-stopping drops as the story unfolded. It’s a slow-burning, angsty, heart-wrenching ride full of upset, forgiveness, and abiding love. These two are in a whole new class when it comes to wringing the feeling out of the reader. I was an emotional wreck by the end. Thank goodness it was a fabulous one. The Baileys always manage to make me happy in the end, and this book was no different, it just took a bit getting there.
Now, there’s just the final book to come; Sedona is up next and I can’t wait to read her story.
Kingston Bailey and Stella Harrison met at a young age when her mother moved them to Lake Starlight. They were the best of friends until she started dating their mutual friend Owen.
After HS, Stella left to go to college in NY and hasn’t been back in 8 years while Kingston works for the Fire Department in Anchorage being mostly absent from life with his family in Lake Starlight, but when he has an accident during a fire and ends up in the ER, finding out Stella is back in Alaska will definitely bring back the past.
If you have been following the Baileys’ series, you’ll know that the last installments have been the most coveted books of the series and Piper Rayne have delivered in an amazing way.
Thus far these siblings have been the ones that run the deepest feelings. Maybe because like Juno and Colton, Kingston and Stella fell in love so young or just because the detached Kingston from the previous books is just a sensible man who has channeled his grief in a different way since he was very young, but the endgame is that this is another book about a love left in pause and the way to its glorious HEA.
I loved the trips down memory lane, to learn how Kingston and Stella’s story really went down and to see how they both realize the error of their ways not to mention the backdrop of the family, the way Kingston steps up to help Sedona and the glimpse of the challenges ahead of them.
If you have been a Bailey girl since the beginning or are just finding them, I really recommend this book.
5 stars