The Embers That Remain by Jordan Abitz: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

What if the love of your life never betrayed you?

Cali Walton never expected the town she left behind to become her only option. But when her grandfather’s failing health calls her home, the nurse practitioner puts her career on hold and returns with her teenage son in tow. Nothing prepares her for coming face-to-face with Lane Massey, her first love, her son’s new football coach, and the man she believes betrayed her fifteen years ago.

Lane Massey walked away from the spotlight and pressure of professional sports to return home, where he now coaches young athletes and gives back to the community that raised him. But Cali’s return rekindles a longing he thought he’d buried long ago. Caught between old wounds, hidden truths, and a father determined to maintain control, Lane must confront the past and decide what—and who—he is willing to fight for.

Fifteen years ago, they lost each other. Now they must decide if the embers of their first love are strong enough to burn again—and whether they’re brave enough to stay.

The Embers That Remain is a small-town romance about forgiveness, second chances, and the selfless love that reminds us where we truly belong.

The Author

Born and raised in Mississippi, Jordan Abitz is an Amazon Bestselling author whose debut small-town romance, The Magic of Light, was selected as a 2026 Kansas Notable Book. Her Southern roots, love of community, and belief in the power of hope and healing shine through every story she writes. Under the name Jordan Abitz, she crafts heartfelt contemporary romances filled with found family, emotional depth, and happily-ever-afters.

Writing as Jordi Lou, Jordan also creates picture books that explore themes of mental health, foster care, adoption, and kindness. A former foster mom who welcomed twenty-eight children into her home and an adoptive mom of three, she draws from real-life experiences to create stories that help children feel seen, understood, and empowered.

Jordan lives with her husband and three children on their third-generation family farm in the Flint Hills of rural Kansas, where small-town life continues to inspire her work. When she’s not writing, she enjoys exploring antique shops, wandering library stacks, advocating for children in foster care, and raising awareness about childhood trauma. She shares her farm with barn cats named after country music legends, including her favorite, Dolly Parton.

Whether writing romance or children's literature, Jordan's mission remains the same: to tell stories that inspire courage, compassion, connection, and hope.

Book Review

Last year, The Magic of Light (Jordan's debut and book one in the Flint Hills series) very quickly became a favorite of mine... I loved everything about it and had high expectations for the second book. Not only did it live up to those expectations, but it also exceeded them. Cali and Lane very quickly stole my heart. These two... my goodness... they had been through a lot of heartbreak in their lives, and their stories certainly had me tearing up on more than one occasion. But it was also a story full of healing... I loved seeing them discover what had really happened all those years ago and to get the second chance at happily ever after they deserved. It was tender and sweet... truly taking you on a roller coaster of emotions, in the best way possible. If you love second chance romance that isn't afraid to take on hard topics, this is a beautiful story you won't want to miss. I loved it. 

The Embers That Remain is a closed-door romance with kisses only and minor language. It is the second book in the Flint Hills series, and while you could probably enjoy this as a standalone, I do think it's best enjoyed in order. 


You can purchase your copy here: https://link.amazon/B01ISTMnw