Still Yours, Always Mine

by Tia Marlee

She stayed. He left. Now he's back—with a teenage daughter and the same smile that once made her heart race.

Annie has built a quiet, sweet life in Firelight Falls, running her small-town bakery and pretending she never waited for Jake to come back.

They were best friends once. Almost more. But Jake left after graduation, married someone else, and disappeared into a life that never included her.

Now he’s back—widowed, a single dad, and trying to start over in the town he once left behind. Annie’s not sure she’s ready to forgive the past… or fall for him all over again.

In a town full of nosy neighbors, old sparks, and way too many pastries, Annie and Jake must decide if love is sweeter the second time around.

A cozy, small-town romance with best-friends-to-lovers charm, protective single dad energy, and cinnamon rolls that just might lead to forever.

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 20, 2025

About the author

Tia Marlee enjoys delivering swoon-worthy HEAs in her no-spice romance novels. A small-town girl at heart, Tia's stories have that small-town Hallmark charm with a dash of real life and a laugh thrown in for good measure.

Tia is the author of the Piney Book Wishes series, featuring unexpected love stories based in small-town Piney Brook, Arkansas. She is also proud to be part of the multi-author romcom series The Coffee Loft season one and two.

Tia lives in Texas with her husband and three teenage children. When she's not writing or reading, you can find her standing barefoot in her front yard, loving on her 80-pound lap dog, or hauling kids from one activity to the next.

Reviews

[Kimberly Prytherch · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful second chance romance! Annie and Jake’s storyline was so well done, throw in a sassy teen, a meddlesome sister, and a town that can’t keep out of their business, and you have a romance that’s so sweet, so fun, with minor drama, richly written characters, and so so much love. Plus, who can resist a hot firefighter and a sweet baker getting together? Could not put this down!! 🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁

[Lori Wilen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new book from Tia Marlee is like my favorite treats on one plate and not knowing where to start. The only difference, Tia's books have a beginning and the the start to this 5 star charmer was everything that it promised to be. This story was so beautiful in every possible way and had some really touching moments. Wonderful characters in what to me was a magical setting - a small town in Texas. I love Texas and I love small towns. The main couple were delightful in every possible way and were a pleasure to read. I absolutely loved Maddie's reaction to both her father and Annie. Way mature beyond her years I cannot wait for me of her in forthcoming books. How wonderful that after ups and downs that grandma and mother were both in the front row for the nuptials. I don't think we met a character in Firelight Falls that wasn't a joy to meet and a delight to get to know. No ugly neighbors. No jealous gossips but a small town full of of people in a fairytale atmosphere come true. Thank you so much for my treasured ARC of this book and it is one that all Tia's fans will love and if you have not read her books before I would recommend this as a wonderful place to start. For me, I am anxiously awaiting the next installment of this series and any other books that Tia has planned for us in 2026.

[Michelle Dodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clean romance. It is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone.

Annie lives in Firelight Falls and owns a bakery. She finds out that the new fire chief, Jake, is her ex from 20 years ago that just disappeared on her. She has to act like it doesn't matter. Jake is doing the inspection on the bakery. He's sorry about the way he left but never knew how to correct it as he always thought it was too late. He is back with a daughter and to help with his mother. Can Jake and Annie get back the friendship they have? What about more? They have to work together on the Spring Bloom Festival.

This was a good story. It definitely shows how we can all get in our own way. I was rooting for them and at one time wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with Jake on some of his issues. A good read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Yugie Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I pick up a book by Tia Marlee, I'm always assured of another heartwarming, tender read, and this second-chance romance did not disappoint. There is an undeniably endearing charm to her small-town romances such that reading it is always relaxing to the heart and mind. I especially love second-chance love stories, and the story told here of Jake and Annie finding their way back to each other after two decades apart was something I ate up from start to finish. With these kinds of stories, I'm always eager to find out how the main characters' love story began, how and why they drifted apart, and what finally brings them back together. I loved Jake and Annie's journey of reconciliation, forgiveness, and reconnection. I loved its emphasis on open and honest communication, on not letting fear overrule hope and love. By the end of the book, I feel nothing but delight and pleasure at seeing another loving couple find their well-deserved happy ever after.

[Zoey’s Review Corners❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow I actually enjoy this book wow wow wow. No smut whatsoever which was a breath of fresh air cause it seems like every book you read nowadays is literally just smut on smut on smut. Absolutely love the characters of Jake and Annie as well as Jake’s sister Caroline and his daughter Maddie being supporting characters like the dynamics were amazing I absolutely loved all of them. Absolutely love how they resolved their conflict absolutely love that we didn’t get a will they won’t they situation where we know they love each other they know they love each other they’re just trying to like smothered down their feelings so absolutely loved that. I also love how technically we didn’t get a third break up but technically they weren’t dating at that point but I absolutely love how they talked about it today even though our guy Jake was 5 to ruining it but absolutely love how they deal with that conflict. Would recommend.

[Lia Lorimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overcoming fear to achieve happiness
A story revolving around Fire Chief Jake’s return to his hometown of Firelight Falls after a 20-year unexplained absence and the build-up to the town’s annual Spring Bloom Festival.
The author keeps interest levels high with a well-paced storyline, adding crises and other ongoing complications to Jake’s reunion with bakery owner, Annie, thereby testing her slowly building trust in Jake’s promised dependability, and making this novella an ongoing “Will they or won’t they?” until Jake’s daughter, Maddie, takes matters into her own hands.
The tendency of a small-town community to involve themselves in potential new romances is both heartwarming and often humorous as they make their own assumptions about the protagonists.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sheri Bolinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic second chance read! Firelight Falls was such an enduring little town. I absolutely loved all the people there. They were busybodies in the best possible way! When Jake moves back with his teenage daughter, Maddie, afyer 20 years away, it stirs up hurt, heartbrake and maybe something else in Annie. Annie is the town Baker and beloved by everyone. She has built a good life without Jake but never really got over him just leaving without a word. Once back as the new fire chief, the town decides that Jake and Annie need some help finding their way back to each other. This bookwas filled with laughter, emotional conflict, meddling town and sister, and an amazing teen! You are going to love experiencing their journey!

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still Yours, Always Mine is a heartwarming, small town, later in life, second chance romance. I could do nothing but root for Annie and Jake to get back to what they had before Jake disappeared for twenty years. Annie has built a great life in Firelight Falls. Jake returns as the fire chief. He has a teen aged daughter and has returned to be there for his mother and to give his daughter a small town experience. As Jake and Annie work together on the Spring Bloom Festival, he finally confesses why he left. It was interesting to see if Jake could put aside his fears and if Annie would forgive him! A well written book I could not put down!

[Heather Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a digital ARC of this book. If you like Hallmark movies, you’ll love this second chance with first love story of Annie and Jake. This small town in Texas is the backdrop for Annie the town baker and Jake the new fire chief’s complicated love story. Best friends and sweethearts 20 years ago before Jake disappeared without a single word, and not a word since then. This roller coaster story will pull you in from the beginning. Who hasn’t had a “one that got away” story in their life? Jake and Annie will give you hope that sometimes the biggest regret in your life can still be redeemed.

[Rhonda Sledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very straightforward story for the most part. It's a second-chance story that spans 20 years. I don't know how realistic it is for someone to wait 20 years for someone, but let's face it. This is fiction and anything can happen in fiction. I do love the setting and all the people who populate this fictional small town. This is the first book in this series and I'm interested in reading the rest of them.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

To read of second chances, especially when there is so many years apart, raises a question in my mind. Does a second chance have to be with the same person? Thankfully Annie got the same man when Jake returned as the new fire chief.
Yes there is a story as to why he left and the interval between, and Tia Marlee tells it very well. There are tears, obstacles to overcome, but the town is there in full support.
As always, well written with empathy, laughter and love. I received a copy from BookSirens and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake has moved back home with his daughter Maddie. Annie sees him again when he comes to inspect her bakery as the new fire chief. They keep running into each with the planning committee of the Spring Bloom Festival. A sweet second chance romance. Jake’s sister Caroline and Maddie have sleepovers to leave Jake and Annie alone. Can Annie forgive Jake for disappearing twenty years ago. Another great Tia Marlee book, I loved it.

[Lilian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twenty years after Jake abruptly left his hometown, he is finally back for good, along with his teenage daughter, Maddie. He has lots of explaining and groveling to do though to win back his first love and best friend Annie.

While his reason for leaving was indeed a valid one, it felt a little flimsy that it took him twenty years to come back. I also didn’t like how the third act played out.

Overall, I enjoyed the writing but I just wasn’t a fan of the plot.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good emotionally charged second chance story that has these two being best friends rhen more then poof he’s gone for twenty years and then comes back having just bared his late wife and coming back to ge the new Fire Cheif. She stayed and picked up her life and made her business, the bakery, and the people her home. Now he wants to explain why he left and stayed away so long. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still Yours, Always Mine is Book 1 in the Sugar & Sirens Series by Tia Marlee. I enjoyed this book and I felt the characters were well written. Jake left Annie 20 years ago and returns with a 15 year of daughter as a widower. Annie is standoffish and not to sure if she is interested in getting close again. I enjoy small town romance where everyone knows you. I found this story to be a great way to escape into a good book. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty years after he left, Jake comes back to Firelight Falls with his daughter and he is feeling remorse, so much remorse. Annie never knew why Jake left so long ago but she has created a life for herself that she is proud of and she is happy. They have questions, can they try again, can he stop being afraid of loss, can they love each other like before. I enjoyed this sweet romance where the past may help them find a future.

[Denice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, second chance romance. Annie and Jake have not seen or heard from each other for more than a decade. The characters are great, and even though they are older, they still have problems communicating and saying how they feel. I enjoyed the way they finally did, it was sweet, emotional and humorous as well. This is a fun story.

[karyn davies curbishley · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always Tia Marlee gives us a heartwarming story and this second chance romance read is such a charming one at that. Jake and Annie fare too cute and finding each other with the ups and downs along the way made me not want to put it down.
I would recommend this read.

I received an advanced reader copy and give this review voluntarily

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my voluntary review of a copy I was given.

I liked this second-chance story featuring an older couple.
Older but maybe not wiser since they are still making silly relationship mistakes that they have to work through.

I loved the characters.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, second-chance romance. Nice variety of characters. Interesting story of personal issues and growth. Thanks to BookSirens for providing a copy. My review is voluntary. I look forward to reading more by this author.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful second-chance romance.. Sweet and emotional, with lovable characters..

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this second chance at love book . I would love to have the same chance as Annie and Jake . They both discovered why their love still had a small flame burning after years apart.

[Suze82 · Rating 4 out of 5]

better late than never
Annie and Jake have to learn how to communicate it they want their second chance to become a success, fortunately they have meddling and well meaning supporters.

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book in an interconnected series with characters that overlap.

Second chance

First love

Widower with a teenage daughter