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Trust Fall
A Stranger Sessions story....
Valentine's Day might be the most romantic time of the year for some, but not for me. It's been let down after let down.
Walking in on my fiance screwing my best friend last year was the nail in the flowers and chocolate coffin.
But, having to fake it for my business means putting on a brave face. And far too many nights scrolling and posting on social media, thanks to my #smutbookloving BFF.
Which is how I found him.
A few innocent comments and likes. My love for all things Bronte, and poetry.
The words he wrote touched me in ways that had me craving more...
One blurred black-and-white picture, and I was lost...
Then, my sister surprised me with a #strangersession boudoir photography shoot, thinking this Valentine's Day could be all about me. And loving myself.
My Stranger?
Him.
Only he didn't know it was me.
Or did he?
This is an HFN and features light bdsm themes.
Valentine's Day might be the most romantic time of the year for some, but not for me. It's been let down after let down.
Walking in on my fiance screwing my best friend last year was the nail in the flowers and chocolate coffin.
But, having to fake it for my business means putting on a brave face. And far too many nights scrolling and posting on social media, thanks to my #smutbookloving BFF.
Which is how I found him.
A few innocent comments and likes. My love for all things Bronte, and poetry.
The words he wrote touched me in ways that had me craving more...
One blurred black-and-white picture, and I was lost...
Then, my sister surprised me with a #strangersession boudoir photography shoot, thinking this Valentine's Day could be all about me. And loving myself.
My Stranger?
Him.
Only he didn't know it was me.
Or did he?
This is an HFN and features light bdsm themes.
- GenresMilitary FictionNovella
ebook
First published March 28, 2023
33 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Ariana St. Claire
43 books121 followersAriana can be found getting her Zen on while doing yoga, going for a run, or having a bourbon on Saturday nights while plotting the lives of her characters as they whisper and sometimes yell in her ear.
She lives her own Happily Ever After with her amazing husband, who shares her love of racing, comic books, and Firefly, along with her two spirited also amazing boys who love reading books under a blanket just as much as she does!
She lives her own Happily Ever After with her amazing husband, who shares her love of racing, comic books, and Firefly, along with her two spirited also amazing boys who love reading books under a blanket just as much as she does!
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 27, 2023
Okay, I love Ariana st Clair. Her writing style is 👌👌👌 and just keeps getting better.
I think this novella is her best yet. I felt Reid’s personality and Owens strength. The chemistry between the two is off the charts. It finishes with a hfn and I can’t wait for her to continue this story so I get the rest of Owen’s side!
Gimmeeeee!
I think this novella is her best yet. I felt Reid’s personality and Owens strength. The chemistry between the two is off the charts. It finishes with a hfn and I can’t wait for her to continue this story so I get the rest of Owen’s side!
Gimmeeeee!
April 6, 2023
I wanted to love this book but the story just felt under-developed. There's major potential there and I hope the 2nd book or full-length novel is more fleshed out.
This felt more like a rough draft that had some spice to it. The spice was great, but the rest of the story left me scratching my head at times.
Marketing for the book was FIRE, though, and I was so pumped to read it. Just felt a little let down with the actual story.
This felt more like a rough draft that had some spice to it. The spice was great, but the rest of the story left me scratching my head at times.
Marketing for the book was FIRE, though, and I was so pumped to read it. Just felt a little let down with the actual story.
May 20, 2024
This didn't work for me. So much of this is all just internal thought. And I'm all for some internal thought at times, but... Lord have mercy, this was a lot. And from start to finish, this whole story felt disjointed somehow. I swear, it's like words were missing, constantly. Certain sentences were too long and felt like they were meant to be two or three different ones. Others were broken into, literally, each individual word has a period behind it, for no reason that I can fathom. Sure, sometimes you do that to emphasize the feeling behind a word or something... but this kept happening, and it lost all effect as it continued on. I was constantly taken out of the moment and out of the story here because I just couldn't figure out how I was supposed to be reading it. (If that makes any sense.)
I won't be continuing to whatever is supposed to come next (which is disappointing because I think "Free Fall" is the one I heard of first, but I wanted to start with the prequel). I didn't mind our main female lead, but our male protagonist annoys me to the point of wanting to throw something at him. And again, everything here, from start to finish for me, felt disjointed. I was so confused at times, not understanding what we were talking about or why we had suddenly turned to this particular topic in the character's minds. So, I'm sorry, but I'm done. (Though other people feel free to give this a try. A lot of other people liked it, so maybe it works for others. It just doesn't work for me.)
I won't be continuing to whatever is supposed to come next (which is disappointing because I think "Free Fall" is the one I heard of first, but I wanted to start with the prequel). I didn't mind our main female lead, but our male protagonist annoys me to the point of wanting to throw something at him. And again, everything here, from start to finish for me, felt disjointed. I was so confused at times, not understanding what we were talking about or why we had suddenly turned to this particular topic in the character's minds. So, I'm sorry, but I'm done. (Though other people feel free to give this a try. A lot of other people liked it, so maybe it works for others. It just doesn't work for me.)
March 15, 2023
I really enjoyed this book.
There is a story behind it (originally for an anthology that didn't go ahead), and these characters just took off for the author.
Loved the chemistry between Owen and Reid. Loved that we saw (in a short story!) a bit of character growth for them both.
Loved the DMs and the build-up and then LOVED the way they met at the photo session.
Can't wait to see where it goes.. (spolier: it ends on a cliffy, but we are getting a full-length book soon, apparently).
An enjoyable fast spicy (mid spice for me) introduction to two layered souls with a heap more story to be told.
There is a story behind it (originally for an anthology that didn't go ahead), and these characters just took off for the author.
Loved the chemistry between Owen and Reid. Loved that we saw (in a short story!) a bit of character growth for them both.
Loved the DMs and the build-up and then LOVED the way they met at the photo session.
Can't wait to see where it goes.. (spolier: it ends on a cliffy, but we are getting a full-length book soon, apparently).
An enjoyable fast spicy (mid spice for me) introduction to two layered souls with a heap more story to be told.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2023
Did not realize this ended on a cliffhanger 😭 It was a great short and smutty read though 🥵
March 30, 2023
I assume that's just the beginning!
I think it's going to make a great book which is what I thought it was but it ends oddly. With to be continued so I'm thinking this is not it.
I think it's going to make a great book which is what I thought it was but it ends oddly. With to be continued so I'm thinking this is not it.
April 18, 2023
I Didn’t Know I Needed This!
I absolutely LOVED this book and the potential that it holds for a future full length novel. Ariana gave me a read I didn’t even know I needed!
I absolutely LOVED this book and the potential that it holds for a future full length novel. Ariana gave me a read I didn’t even know I needed!
March 15, 2023
5/5⭐️
4/5🌶️
This story sucked me right in. Owen is a bookish girls freaking dream. It is a spicy novella that includes some social media fun, a strangers photo shoot and a grumpy marine who wants to keep Reid to himself. This age gap Romance was so much fun to read especially if you find yourself always day dreaming about audiobook narrators.
4/5🌶️
This story sucked me right in. Owen is a bookish girls freaking dream. It is a spicy novella that includes some social media fun, a strangers photo shoot and a grumpy marine who wants to keep Reid to himself. This age gap Romance was so much fun to read especially if you find yourself always day dreaming about audiobook narrators.
March 27, 2023
Holy Hades!
If you ever thought about how sexting with someone through your DMs was going to go... you need to read this novella.
Told mostly through Reid's POV, you get all the tension and hesitation (and insecurity) of texting with a sexy, tattooed OLDER man. 🥵
After being sent a post by her bestie, Reid comments on the post and admits to her bff that he is FECKING SEXY.
And then he messages her... again... and again... and again.
The conversations are filled with more than just the spice though! Through the conversations and Owen's excouragement, Reid is able to find her voice (nasty ex stole it!) and the connection between her and Owen grow.
Then her sister begs her to do a STRANGER SESSION boudoir shoot to help her get over the ex.
Never did Reid expect to see her sexting partner as the other participant in the photoshoot 😱
**this does end on a cliffhanger with the promise of a full length book to come!**
If you ever thought about how sexting with someone through your DMs was going to go... you need to read this novella.
Told mostly through Reid's POV, you get all the tension and hesitation (and insecurity) of texting with a sexy, tattooed OLDER man. 🥵
After being sent a post by her bestie, Reid comments on the post and admits to her bff that he is FECKING SEXY.
And then he messages her... again... and again... and again.
The conversations are filled with more than just the spice though! Through the conversations and Owen's excouragement, Reid is able to find her voice (nasty ex stole it!) and the connection between her and Owen grow.
Then her sister begs her to do a STRANGER SESSION boudoir shoot to help her get over the ex.
Never did Reid expect to see her sexting partner as the other participant in the photoshoot 😱
**this does end on a cliffhanger with the promise of a full length book to come!**
April 7, 2023
OH MY GOD. I knew this was going to be an amazing book, so I had to FORCE myself to read it slowly…and failed! You can’t. You need to savor it though because…well…it’s sexy! It’s daddy dom. It’s him controlling you in ways you didn’t even know you needed to be controlled…and then some! If you like those deep-voice guys who make you melt into a puddle by their voice alone, you must read this. If you like being handled in ways you once thought were naughty, you need to read this. You want to melt over words on a paper because they are downright sexy and make you long to be part of this book because it’s that great, you need to read this.
Did I mention…READ IT. Trust me, you’re in for a hell of a tale and Ariana only leaves you wanting more. At least, I wanted more…and more…and some more!
Did I mention…READ IT. Trust me, you’re in for a hell of a tale and Ariana only leaves you wanting more. At least, I wanted more…and more…and some more!
June 24, 2023
Don’t Text Me, Tell It Straight To My Face…
Um. The ending? Oh my, I’m still moving through the five stages of grief right now. “Trust Fall” by Ariana St. Claire is a novella with quite a meaty plot. Reid falls for Owen, an older man she meets online. They message each other for the most part until they meet each other in person. In-person, though has challenges, especially Reid discovers that Owen seems hesitant to pursue something permanent.
“Trust Fall” was my first book from author Ariana St. Claire. I enjoyed her writing style. I wish Owen’s POV had been brought on earlier. There were other nuances to the story that I felt were also unnecessary to the character. Overall, I thought “Trust Fall” was entertaining, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Um. The ending? Oh my, I’m still moving through the five stages of grief right now. “Trust Fall” by Ariana St. Claire is a novella with quite a meaty plot. Reid falls for Owen, an older man she meets online. They message each other for the most part until they meet each other in person. In-person, though has challenges, especially Reid discovers that Owen seems hesitant to pursue something permanent.
“Trust Fall” was my first book from author Ariana St. Claire. I enjoyed her writing style. I wish Owen’s POV had been brought on earlier. There were other nuances to the story that I felt were also unnecessary to the character. Overall, I thought “Trust Fall” was entertaining, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
April 15, 2023
Wow and wow! Was this book hot! Reid and Owen were 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥! A sexy, retired Marine with tats and a voice that melts you...yes please! Two broken people who find each other through social media, long nights messaging, a stranger session. Age gap, don't care! The author took us down that hole and we don't wanna come back. Well, just for the next book to see what happens when she opens the door!
August 31, 2024
I wish I had read this book before I read the other. I've read them in the wrong order. This way I would've known all the pieces to the jigsaw that confused me. I love the story of Reid and Owen. Reid's a strong woman with needs beyond the normal vanilla and Owen knows exactly what she needs. Owen believes he's too old for her, even though she fits his needs perfectly. He's already ghosted her once, and Reid isn't sure she can trust him not to do it again.
October 7, 2024
Owen and Reid
I enjoyed Owen and Reid’s story, or part of it. I didn’t realize there was a cliffhanger. I hate cliffhangers, not to mention this part was about 80 pages and part 2 seems to be about 300. WHY? I also had a rough time with the typos and had to reread sentences multiple times to get what she meant to write. I can’t handle another 300 pages of that. Otherwise, the storyline was good with great spice. I love anything with a broken or broody alpha vet.
I enjoyed Owen and Reid’s story, or part of it. I didn’t realize there was a cliffhanger. I hate cliffhangers, not to mention this part was about 80 pages and part 2 seems to be about 300. WHY? I also had a rough time with the typos and had to reread sentences multiple times to get what she meant to write. I can’t handle another 300 pages of that. Otherwise, the storyline was good with great spice. I love anything with a broken or broody alpha vet.
May 14, 2024
OMFGGGGGGGG!!! This is my first Ari book and it won’t be my last!! The way this book has me PANTINGGGGGGG is unhealthy! I need more Owen!! I need more of their sexiness and definitely need a reveal of how the shoot went!! That ending though… was about to throw my Kindle, but then Ari made it right….. for now!
August 1, 2023
Reid is getting by well enough, her vintage clothing business is growing and she has renovated her grandmother’s house as her cozy haven.
Then a stranger slides into her dm’s, a very handsome marine vet with the best voice she’s ever heard. Soon enough their exchanging likes, comments, dm’s and so much more.
On the flip side her sister gets her a photoshoot with a stranger for Valentine’s day, turns out it’s her stranger the one from her dm’s, Owen. And this, is just the start to their story…
I love this story! I feel this couple so much, you want to know what’s going on with them, what is happening below the surface, their past trauma; it’s so easy to get caught up with it. The angst and slow burn is real!
Then a stranger slides into her dm’s, a very handsome marine vet with the best voice she’s ever heard. Soon enough their exchanging likes, comments, dm’s and so much more.
On the flip side her sister gets her a photoshoot with a stranger for Valentine’s day, turns out it’s her stranger the one from her dm’s, Owen. And this, is just the start to their story…
I love this story! I feel this couple so much, you want to know what’s going on with them, what is happening below the surface, their past trauma; it’s so easy to get caught up with it. The angst and slow burn is real!
October 6, 2023
Wow!
Trust Fall had me reeled in so fast. Reid is absolutely amazing! She is a go-getter. Owen is mysterious and dreamy. I kept wanting to know more about him. The relationship between Reid and Owen is fire. I can't wait to read more about them and see their relationship grow.
Trust Fall had me reeled in so fast. Reid is absolutely amazing! She is a go-getter. Owen is mysterious and dreamy. I kept wanting to know more about him. The relationship between Reid and Owen is fire. I can't wait to read more about them and see their relationship grow.
February 10, 2024
This is a placeholder for the audible original trust fall staring SNL’s Colin Joust and Wanda Sykes as I can’t find this version on Goodreads. It was laugh out loud funny and ridiculous. A good distraction.
March 30, 2023
This book is different in a really good way. It may be a novella, but it's got enough spice for a full novel. Love this unique story. Can't wait for it to continue.
May 17, 2023
Very disappointed with the ending
May 22, 2023
Sizzling Chemistry
The chemistry between Owen and Reid is good the charts. I love a good age gap story and this didn’t disappoint.
I can’t wait for book 2!
The chemistry between Owen and Reid is good the charts. I love a good age gap story and this didn’t disappoint.
I can’t wait for book 2!
May 9, 2024
Cliffhanger??
I got this book on stuff Your Kindle day for free and the rest of the series is on Kindle unlimited. However, I didn't realize this would have a cliffhanger. I didn't realize there would be multiple books, so kind of bummed for me. I may still finish the series though.
I got this book on stuff Your Kindle day for free and the rest of the series is on Kindle unlimited. However, I didn't realize this would have a cliffhanger. I didn't realize there would be multiple books, so kind of bummed for me. I may still finish the series though.
September 8, 2024
It ended on a cliffhanger....
And I don't have book two yet..
Stars: 4.5/5
Smut: 4.5/5
And I don't have book two yet..
Stars: 4.5/5
Smut: 4.5/5
November 25, 2023
This one was not for me - i don’t know why i didnt enjoy it like other novellas by this author but this wasnt it for me
Doesn’t mean its bad but not for me
Doesn’t mean its bad but not for me
August 13, 2023
I know I can speak for countless other readers when I say how amazing it feels to connect with a character. Reid. Wow, my heart. Trust Fall was the novella that I didn’t know I needed in my life. Amazing friends who constantly add to my tbr but damn, I am thankful for this addition. I read this upon the recommendation of a bookish friend and she didn’t fail me!
Owen and Reid were exactly what I wanted in that moment. My only hope is that there is a part two coming because that ending… So much potential for direction there 🔥 I’m left to sit in all of the feels after smashing this book out in less than 2 hours 🥲🎉
The way I fell in love with these MCs, I can’t even put into words. They NEED a book 2, Ariana.
Trust Fall is my first read from Ariana and I’m highly anticipating what comes next!!! I definitely need to work my way through her backlist 🫶🏼
Owen and Reid were exactly what I wanted in that moment. My only hope is that there is a part two coming because that ending… So much potential for direction there 🔥 I’m left to sit in all of the feels after smashing this book out in less than 2 hours 🥲🎉
The way I fell in love with these MCs, I can’t even put into words. They NEED a book 2, Ariana.
Trust Fall is my first read from Ariana and I’m highly anticipating what comes next!!! I definitely need to work my way through her backlist 🫶🏼
July 14, 2023
Let me start by saying this is my first book by Ariana St. Claire, and it will not be my last. This novella is super hot and Owen is a bookish girls wet dream. When I saw the teaser for an age gap, I was like, sign me up, but I wasn't prepared for the stranger sessions. This is something I've heard about recently where two complete strangers meet up for a sexy photoshoot, but this one has a twist. I cant wait to see where it goes from here.
Tropes include: Age Gap, sworn-off relationships, emotional scars, and a few secrets that could be revealed in the next book.
Tropes include: Age Gap, sworn-off relationships, emotional scars, and a few secrets that could be revealed in the next book.
May 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews