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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The Baileys are always a special book! This family is something else and their charisma is so strong that even reading their story we feel connected to their lives like they were good friends for life.
This familiarity is so strong that upon reading Kingston and Stella book I felt like talking to my best friend. Kingston is a really great guy with strong feelings, he is sensitive and actually he seems like a Jane Austen character, holding his feelings in his heart. Stella, has been through a lot and her relationship with Kingston at some time seems doomed… Their love is apparent for anyone but them.
The good thing about this book is that it introduces different characters from the Fire Department and Hospital in Anchorage, they are fun and I have to say that they should have their book… Specially Lou, I think he is an interesting guy to meet.
Also, we are sort of introduce to the last Bailey book… Sedona and her story with Jamison, I look forward to reading it.
This book is fun, sensitive, deal with delicate matters and about all is super well written. I just love it!
To say that I adore the Bailey would be a massive understatement, and just when I think that I cannot love the Bailey’s any more, a new Bailey comes along and makes me fall in love with them even more. I have always been intrigued by Kingston and he was the one sibling that remained a mystery throughout the series and he is the one that I have been most intrigued by. This is honestly one of the best family series that I have read. There is just something truly magical about these siblings and their closeness to one another is always such a joy to read.
Kingston and Stella’s story is an angsty slow burn that tugged at my heartstrings. It was truly a story that was unique and perfect for them. The fact that they had a complicated past made this couple so fabulous. Their relationship took me on an emotional journey that at times was frustrating to say the least but I loved every single moment of it.
This second-chance romance is full of emotions, taking risks and chances and learning to trust. I was hooked into this book immediately and getting appearances from the other Bailey’s is always a wonderful treat. I am so ready for Sedona’s book, although it is tinged with bittersweet as it will be the final book. This was another terrific addition to this fantastically compelling series.
It’s time to head back to Lake Starlight and this time it’s Kingston’s story. If you’ve been following from the beginning, he is kind of a mystery, there hasn’t been much about him in the previous books, which means I have been dying to know more about him. Kingston and Stella’s story is an angsty slow burn that will tug on all your heartstrings.
Kingston is a firefighter, a smoke jumper and just an overall adrenaline junkie. He loves the thrill. He risks his life every single day. It’s who he is and he has always been that way. Stella is the exact opposite. She plays it safe. She doesn’t put herself in danger. However, from the moment they met as kids Kingston and Stella bonded. They had a connection and became best friends. Over the years, things shifted and eventually their friendship fell apart. Now, Stella is back but will they be able to take the chance on each other?
I loved getting glimpses of a young Kingston and Stella. I loved seeing their friendship start and how it progressed throughout the years and to see where they are now. They have so much chemistry. They have a bond. I love how easy Stella fights with all the other Bailey’s. They accept her as one of their own. Stella and Kingston’s relationship took me on an emotional journey that at times frustrated me, but I loved every single moment of it.
Winning My Best Friend’s Girl had all the typical Bailey family love, plenty of Grandma Dori, emotions, angst and laughs. A MUST READ and I can’t wait to see what is in store next for the Bailey family.
Having not read any other books in the series I came into the book with no previous knowledge of the characters. I do think it would be more beneficial to read the previous books in the series.
Now for the book. I loved Kingston, he is a firefighter, smoke jumper and an adrenaline junkie. He has loved Stella since grade school but never wanted to take the risk.
Stella thinks her love for King is unrequited so she goes out with his best friend. Of course this leads to hurt feelings, and ruined friendships. Stella still unwilling to admit her love for King leaves for college and doesn’t return for 8 years. She doesn’t even tell him or anyone else that she is coming home. She just stresses about seeing him. Stella kinda got in my nerves. She was always pushing him away or dating his friends (yes again!) This was an very s l o w burn book. Most of the book was everyone telling King and Stella they should be together while they spent most of the book pushing each other away. While the book was well written it was just a miss for me.
Kingston has spent the last several years thinking about Stella, and the fact that she was the one that got away. Imagine his surprise when she is the doctor who treats him at the ER. Stella ran after high school and never intended to come home. Can Stella let go of her fears long enough to give Kingston a chance?
This was my first Piper Rayne book and I loved it. Even though this is book 8 in the series it reads fine as a standalone. I am excited to go back and read the previous books to really get to know the rest of the Bailey siblings more. Kingston and Stella have so much history and that makes their story so much more beautiful. Great characters that are so relatable and feel like someone I would like to know. Looking forward to Sedona’s story.
“Sometimes the heart wants what it wants regardless of the consequences or whether it makes sense” Kingston Bailey.
And what Kingston and Stella Harrison want is each other. In fact, they’ve wanted each other for a very long time, since grade school. But, life has a way of throwing you a curve-ball and love doesn’t always work the first time around. In this second chance romance, Kingston and Stella feel their way through the possibility of reconnecting and making a go of a relationship. Their hearts and bodies are in it 100 percent and yet their heads try to tell them to hold back, that maybe they will never be together. There are too many roadblocks in their way to make it work. But, as with all the previous Bailey stories, we know that what the head thinks is a bunch of malarkey and Grandma Dori steps in with a new sidekick, Allie. Allie is Stella’s BFF and a huge fan of Grandma Dori and the Starlight Buzz Wheel gossip column. So, with a not so subtle nudge, Dori and Allie get Kingston and Stella to open their hearts to each other again and tell their heads to shush. Thank goodness they listen, because once they get past their trepidations, the chemistry is hot, sexy, and loving all at the same time.
The Baileys are all on tap to help this wonderful couple find their way back to each other along with some new friends Allie, Lou, Tank, and Samantha. Allie is a real gem and I hope to see her again in the future. She’s quirky, but fun. I also loved that even though this is an interracial couple, that does not become the main focus for this couple and beautifully shows that the heart doesn’t see color, but only the character of someone. It’s a lovely lesson we could all learn.
In the end, Stella and Kingston not only find their happily ever after, but also find themselves along the way.
“My Love for You is Past the Mind, Beyond My Heart, and Into My Soul.” Boris Kodjoe
From previous books, I knew there was a back story to Kingston and Stella, but I couldn’t imagine how they met in grade school when Stella moved there. The teacher sat her between Own and Kingston. She and Kingston felt a connection because of her father’s death and his parents’ deaths. In high school, Owen asked Stella to prom before Kingston even though he knew Kingston was going to. That was the beginning of the end of all the friendships. Now Stella is back as a doctor. Will Owen come between them again or another one of Kingston’s best friends? This story gave me so many emotions. I laughed and cried. This is another fantastic book by Piper Rayne. It’s the second to last of the Baileys. From the last chapter in Kingston’s story, Sedona’s story looks like it’s going to be the best of the books. I received an ARC and am leaving my honest review. I also have my own copy on order.
If you’ve been reading this series then you know who Kingston is and like me, have been waiting impatiently for his book. From book one, I have had a strong curiosity about Kingston. Why does he stay away so often? Why does he have such a dangerous job? Why is he a daredevil? All these questions and more kept me looking for his name though out the previous books. Each book gave us more but not enough so that by the time his book came I was so excited.
Kingston is one of nine siblings in the Bailey family. Despite him being away a lot, this family loves each other unconditionally and are beyond loyal to each other. The Baileys have a sad past and each sibling deals with that heartbreak in a different way.
Stella was always the love of his life. From childhood, he knew she was special and was heartbroken when she didn’t choose him. I won’t go into details but I will tell you their relationship turned angsty in high school and got more complicated into adulthood. Both Stella and Kingston are amazing characters. The authors did such an amazing job writing their story and engaging me so deeply I felt I was a part of it. I’m not going to say Kingston and Stella were perfect but they were perfect for each other. Of the two, Stella was the one with the most reservations. Their growth together was unstable and unsure. At times, I wanted to be on those pages and talk some sense into Stella.
As I said, I am not going to give away any spoilers. Because if you are like me then you waited a long time for this story. You should go into it just as I did; excited and eager. Winning My Best Friend’s Girl is one of my favorite books in the Bailey’s series. There is one last book to go and I am so excited for that one too. Not only because I want Sedona and Jameson’s story, but because I am hoping the authors will finally confirm who is the author of Buzz Wheel is. I have my suspicions but could be wrong, lol.
My recommendation is not only you read this book, but read the series from the beginning. I promise you won’t regret it. In addition, reading all the previous books will up your enjoyment a hundred times more.
This is my honest and unbiased review and I thank you for taking the time to read it. 🙂
4 Stars:
Oh God, I’ve been waiting on Kingston Bailey’s book for ages. He was the one sibling that remains really mysterious throughout the series and he is the one that I have been most intrigued by. At the end of Juno’s book a surprise arrived and set wheels in motion for this book.
Kingston and Stella’s story was beautiful yet it’s was a little broken. It’s was a sad tale of miss chances, crossed wires and of people stealing other’s thunder and chances. I loved this story and got chills reading the unraveling of this relationship. The usual gang appear in this book, getting the glimpses of their continuing stories, is a joy to read.
This book is a total recommendation from me and although I can’t really say much at all of this story, it is one of the best in the series. It’s such a great read.
Reviewer: Donna
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4 Stars:
Heck, just when you think it would be hard to beat or equal the other Bailey family books, along comes this terrific tale.
Kingston Bailey and Stella Harrison met when they were in the fourth grade and a solid friendship with Kingston’s other friend, Owen, began until it ended dramatically.
Kingston is now twenty-five years of age, a first responder with the Anchorage Fire Department in the colder weather, a smokejumper in the summer, and extreme winter sports enthusiasts. He is also a total honey with a heart of gold who is family-oriented. Stella is now doing her residency in an Anchorage hospital after studying medicine in New York. She too is a genuinely nice person and both lead characters are easy to like, even if you might want to shake them both at times.
The serious elements in the storyline are upfront and central in the book, however, they don’t overwhelm the story. The fantastic humor balances this wonderfully. The witty banter between characters, funny expressions, and scenes make for some laugh out loud moments.
I totally recommend this book and look forward to reading the next book which I am extremely intrigued by after reading this ending.
Reviewer: Robyn
Loved Kingston and Stella’s journey. You watched them grow up, get over their fears and see them find their HEA. Their story pushes them out of their comfort zone. I am just so happy that they get a HEA.
This book had it ALL….. ALL THE EMOTION, ALL THE LOVE, ALL THE FEELS!!! Kingston and Stella’s story has had me intrigued and with each Bailey book release not much has been revealed about these two… until now. Now we get the story, the story of two people who fell in love at a young age, so deeply but afraid of what that love would do. This book will draw you in from the first chapter, hold you captive page after page and have you swooning by the end! Good luck trying to read this story without becoming an emotional mess by the final page. This is without a doubt one of my top reads this year!
Heck, just when you think it would be hard to beat or equal the other Bailey family books, along comes this terrific tale.
Kingston Bailey and Stella Harrison met when they were in the fourth grade and a solid friendship with Kingston’s other friend, Owen, began until it ended dramatically.
Kingston is now twenty-five years of age, a first responder with the Anchorage Fire Department in the older weather, a smoke jumper in the summer and extreme winter sports enthusiast. He is also a total honey with a heart of gold who is family oriented. Stella is now doing her residency in an Anchorage hospital after studying medicine in New York. She too is a genuinely nice person and both lead characters are easy to like, even if you might want to shake them both at times.
The serious elements in the storyline are up front and central in the book , however, they don’t overwhelm the story. The fantastic humour balances this wonderfully. Witty banter between characters, funny expressions and scenes make for some laugh out loud moments.
I totally recommend this book and look forward to reading the next book which I am extremely intrigued by after reading this ending.
Stella and Kingston heat up the pages with their love story!! Lana~White Hot Reads
We finally get the goods on Kingston and Stella in this book. They have been friends since childhood and have always loved each other but Owen threw a huge wrench in it and its taken them a long time to get where they need to be so they can continue with their love story. Of course all the Baileys are there and we get a look into Sedona’s book which I can’t wait for. I am so happy that Stella and Kingston finally got their act together.
5 Star Review Winning My Best Friend’s Girl (The Baileys #8) by Piper Rayne
Every time I read a book in this series, I feel like I am coming home. There is not a Bailey that I don’t love; they are such a great family and their friends are just as awesome. I really love small town romances and found myself wishing that I could be a part of the Lake Starlight , Alaska community.
Piper Rayne write strong characters and are not afraid to show them in all their flawed glory, it makes the stories that much more realistic and I love that. This is Kingston and Stella’s story and what a story it is.
There is only one woman who Kingston has loved and that woman is Stella, the one who got away. Kingston is such an adrenaline junkie, a brave man afraid of nothing, or is he? He fears having his heart broken again by Stella but if he doesn’t try again, he knows that he won’t get another chance.
Stella left Alaska eight years ago to go to school in New York, hoping to escape the mess she left behind after choosing Owen over Kingston, leaving friendships in tatters. Kingston has never gotten over Stella and now it looks like history is about to be repeated.
With a little help from his meddling family Kingston and Stella may finally have the chance to get the happily ever after that they both deserve. It was great catching up on all the couples and their extended family and friends. As I expected there were laughs, some drama, a little angst and a whole lot of love .
Another amazing story from the Bailey‘s.
I flew threw this book and was hooked from the first few chapters. Kingston and Stella‘s story is so unique and just perfect for them. The fact that they had a complicated past made this couple so awesome.
Kingston and Stella meet as children in school and they instantly have a connection due to the loss of one or both parents. They form a friendship pretty quickly and when Kingston‘s best friend Owen comes into play it all unravels at the end off senior year in high school.
Years later Stella returns to Lake Starlight only for history to repeat itself or not?
Kingston‘s story always intrigued me. You really didn‘t see him much in the previous books due to his job outside of Lake Starlight and his dangerous hobbies. I was glad to see him interact more with his family and be Sedona‘s rock in this book.
We never really got alot of information about Stella until the last book and I really liked her. She returns to Alaska after finding out her mother‘s sick. She still struggles alot with losing her father and in turn is scared to take risks and get close to someone other.
I enjoyed their story from start to finish. They‘re perfect for eachother even if they don‘t know kt in the beginning.
Now I‘m impatiently waiting for the final book. Sedona and Jameson I‘m ready for you!
5
Stella and Kingston’s story pulled at every single string in my heart. Reading about them being in love, but fighting the attraction because of the past was so difficult. Difficult because I wanted them to come together and be together and finally be happy. The forever romantic in me wanted it to happen so very quickly because I love the love that Piper Rayne shares between two characters.
And yet, the waiting and the ever-present fear and past getting in the way made the story so rich and gave it the depth that both Stella and Kingston needed. The quote that Kingston’s father always told him “Winning means you’re willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else,” by Vince Lombardi is the entirety of their love. Love is work, love is risk, love is all-encompassing and that is scary. So scary that the risk of falling for the one that you have yearned for your entire life is life changing.
This book was life-changing for Stella and Kingston. It brought them and their love to life in the most real way possible and that is what I absolutely adored. Kingston is a character so full of life and so full of quiet passion that he could only ever be Stella’s. Do you understand what kind of man that is…Kingston waited for his one true love even though it was the hardest path to take. Stella leapt even when her fears were ever present and she had to have faith that Kingston would be worth the work.
That is what makes this story so brilliant. We met Kingston in the other Bailey Books, but in his book we learned about the true man that he is and that is a man worth waiting for, worth risking it all for. He is worth it all. And Stella is perfection and the balance to his passion. She is the voice of reason and the voice of fear that leaves you breathless when she takes her leap.
Piper Rayne, you made me love Kingston even when I didn’t know I could. You made me adore Stella because she showed us that even with the fears, loving is worth it.
And you left me with so much desire for what is to come. The Bailey’s have cemented themselves in my heart for all eternity. They are the family I yearn to be a part of because of how majestically you have written them Piper Rayne. Sedona is next and she is going to blow our minds with her story…I just know it.
You have to read this book, you’ll want to read this book, you’ll let this book captivate you!!!
Kingston is a dare devil of sorts, as a part time firefighter and a smoke jumper, Kingston lives for the adrenaline rush that he not only gets from his jobs but from certain dangerous activities such as heli-skiing. When he finds out that Stella, the one girl he has always wanted but could never have is back, he feels that maybe now they can actually try at making something work. But what if she doesn’t feel the same way? What if she doesn’t feel like he is worth the risk? Will Kingston be left holding his broken heart yet again?
The drama just keeps on coming, as well as the laughs, babies, and some really awesome naughty bits. This was a bit bittersweet seeing as this was the last Bailey brother to get his story, and there is only one more story left and then the Bailey siblings are done. I will say that Kingston and Stella’s story was just ok for me; still really good, but when compared to say Savannah or Austin’s stories, it wasn’t as good. I still loved seeing all the characters that we have come to love, and love laughing at the kids and their antics. I give this 4.5 stars.
I am already feeling sad since we’re nearing the end of this series! Thankfully the books towards the end are still great – there’s no slacking here. With nine siblings in the Bailey family, plus Grandma Dori, there is always something happening with the promise of more to come.
Kingston Bailey has a nickname that gives people the wrong idea about him. He is a nice guy but nice guys tend to finish last. He refuses to be the loser this time around when it comes to Stella. She is the one that got away – literally far, far away from Lake Starlight. Now that she’s back, it looks like their history might repeat itself. If it does, will she leave for good this time?
Last but not least in the series is Sedona’s story and I have a feeling it’s going to be a doozy. I can’t wait for the next story to come out and hopefully find out who is behind the Lake Starlight Buzz Wheel gossip blog! This is a voluntary review of an advance reader copy.
To say I’m very attached to the Bailey family is an understatement. Piper Rayne has made me care about each and every one of the Bailey children and now all of their significant others and children too! I’ve been intrigued by Kingston mostly because we don’t know that much about him. Well, know I know all I need to know about him and he’s wonderful!
Kingston is both a firefighter and a smoke jumper. He loves adrenaline rushes and he’s earned the name Romeo along the way. The woman he’s loved since high school ended up as the girlfriend of his best friend, Owen, and he never fought for her. He just let her go. He’s been heartbroken since she left, but when he runs into her by accident, will he let her go again or will he fight for her?
Stella left Lake Starlight eight years ago to head to New York to go to school and she has become a doctor in that time as well. Part of the reason she went to New York was to leave behind the mess that had been created between the two best friends, Kingston and Owen, when she decided to date Owen. It tore apart the friendship between the guys and while they have patched things up, it isn’t the way it was before and never will be. Now that she’s back, is she open to what could happen with King?
Stella and King have always shared a powerful connection, but like King, she has lost people in her life and having that happen again scares her. King loves the rush of danger and she’s not sure she could handle anything happening to him should they take a chance on being together. Is taking a chance on love worth it?
This second-chance romance is full of emotion, heat, taking risks and learning to trust. I was sucked into this book immediately and getting appearances from our other favorite Bailey’s is always welcome. All I can say is I’m ready for Sedona’s book NOW! Another fantastic addition to this already compelling series!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
I absoultely adored Stella and Kingston! The Baileys series has been phenomenal.
When they first met all those years ago they were both grieving, Stella’s Dad and Kingston’s parents both having passed away, they had a instant bond and shared sadness that not many other people would understand.
Missed opportunities meant they weren’t to be King’s best friend beat him too it and asked Stella out first, things were never the same after that then it was time for Stella to go off to school in New York and Kingston’s stayed in Lake Starlight.
Years later Stella is back and Kingston can’t believe his eyes all those feelings that they had for each other but never pursued are still there. Their chemistry was absolutely electric even after all those years apart but history is a bit to repeat itself but will Kingston’s fight this time or will he walk away?
I loved these two and you knew immediately they were meant to be together but it wouldn’t be an easy road got them.
I loved all the family interactions and how Pheobe instantly took to Stella and how Stella was so thoughtful towards Sedona.
Aldo have to give a special mention to Allie! She is seriously a Dori super fan and that was so funny!
I have absolutely loved this series and I am so sad it’s coming to and end but I am very excited to read Sedona and Jamieson’s story.