Orphan

by Matilda Martel

Annika

I’ve never known the love of a family.

Orphaned since infancy and abandoned by my closest relatives, I grew up fighting to survive in a system that promised to spit me out the minute I turned eighteen.

My hopes were bleak. My dreams felt unattainable.

Until the day I lost my heart to him.

Oliver Warbrick is the wealthiest man in New York. He’s an alpha male, a self-made captain of industry who has clawed his way to the top and strives to help his fellow man. I should know. I’ve followed his career, read his book religiously, and watched him from afar, quietly dreaming of the day he’d be the daddy I never had.

A different kind of daddy.

Weeks before my birthday, with the threat of homelessness hanging over me, I uncover a bright light at the end of the dark tunnel. Oliver’s assistant visits St. Mary’s Girls’ Home and offers one lucky girl a full-ride scholarship to the college of her choice.

It’s the perfect opportunity to prove my worth.

And my one chance to make him mine.

Oliver

My intentions were honorable until they weren't.

But she was so sweet, young, forbidden, and untouched.

From the moment I clapped my eyes on her, I knew she was mine.

Mine to protect. Mine to cherish. Mine to claim. And mine to enjoy.

When Annika asks me to choose her, I convince myself she wants more than a benefactor.

She needs a home. She needs a family. She needs a daddy.

And this daddy needs his little girl.

Genres: Novella, Contemporary, Smut

90 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 6, 2023

About the author

Matilda is a Texas girl in love with a Philly boy who loves to write dirty books about two people who trip into love and fumble their way into a Filthy, Funny, Happily Ever After.

I live in Austin, with my husband, two crazy Chihuahuas and an even crazier cat. And I spend most of my day writing dirty romance books about older men who fall in love with younger women and make fools of themselves trying to win their hearts.

If you love Dark Romance, you’ve come to the wrong place. I don’t like dark heroes.

I like my hero to be successful, sweet, suave, sophisticated and kind--- and then I want him to lose all his composure and game when he meets the heroine. I want him to turn into a bumbling idiot when he spots the girl of his dreams and revert to a teenage boy in a man’s body trying to win her.

I like my heroines to be witty, intelligent, and unshakeable---who could do just as well without a man—until the hero convinces her otherwise.

I write A LOT OF AGE GAP--because I LOVE AGE GAP ROMANCE. I’ve got no other excuse for it.

No matter what kind of story it is, my ladies are ADORED, and my endings are always Happily EVER AFTER, not HFN.

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Reviews

[april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 🌟 3.5/5 🔥

"He's everything, and I'm nothing. But I can make myself into something."

Annika has been in love with Oliver, the unapproachable millionaire, since she was 11 years old. Seven years later, she knows now what she feels for him is more than respect and budding attraction. She craves to be under his care, for him to become her daddy.

Anni's had a hard life bouncing around in foster care, and now that she's 18 she's being kicked out. Because of circumstances, she ends up in front of Oliver and he falls head over heels for her... for his little girl.

Pleasing Anni is the only thing that matters. I need to fuck her, consume her, and make her so addicted to my cock, she never stops coming back for more.

There's a twenty-two year age gap between them, but that isn't a problem. If anything, they like the age gap because of their daddy play. Which comes very natural between them, it's not cringy at all.

"Look at me, sweetheart. Lower your head and watch Daddy's big cock make a woman out of you."

Is it hot in here or is it just me?

The book isn't really angsty - it's more soft and sweet. The author is telling the story of a couple who are literally soulmates. But do they know that yet?

"I want this to be real, but how does someone who's never been loved recognize the real thing?"

Anni comes across as sweet, genuine, and albeit a little immature. Oliver - he's very possessive but not controlling. I liked both characters! I disagree with the "taboo" classification... this is just forbidden love. But I do recommend this to anyone who likes a little giggle, some forbidden love, and LOTS of steamy scenes!

SAFETY:
Ages: 18h, 40H
Virgin/celibate: virgin heroine, celibate hero
Tropes: forbidden love, age gap, Orphan Annie retelling, unrequinted love (h), instalove (H)
Triggers: talk of homelessness, living in orphanage
Kinks: DDlg, light praise, dirty talk
HEA?: Yes!

My bookshelves may contain spoilers.

[Viv “BookVixen” Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ive taken a break from this author because she kept pumping out too many romance fails with heroines who had been rutted by other men and life’s too short for that shit. (I get irritated when authors are inconsistent and I have to vet their books and sometimes I just stop reading them if I get too annoyed…what can I say? I’m a temperamental bitch🤷🏽‍♀️) BUT this looked too good to pass up and I’m so glad I broke my embargo, because this was MUYYYYY CALLLLIENTAYYY!!!

This was a GREAT daddy kink book done without coming off as creepy. It had emotional oomph as well as plenty of sizzling hot spice. The hero gives the heroine all the love and attention she never had growing up, but he doesn’t infantilize her. I also really loved the angle where the heroine has been obsessed with the hero for years and has a secret crush on him.

For an insta love novella, this had a good plot, drama and interaction with side characters, and actual emotional connection between the MCs. Oh yeah, and plenty of smut.

Safe. Hero has been celibate for years. Heroine gives the hero the gift of claiming all her firsts for himself and belongs only to him. No others, no cheating or sharing or abuse. HEA with epilogue years out.

[Lolina ⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was VERY Jessa Kane/ Mink adjacent- it was so goofy but so entertaining 🤸‍♀️.

[Megan Wehby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short read ticked all the boxes for me. Age gap romance, daddy light, instalove and HEA.
It doesn't feel rushed or awkward. You learn enough about the MCs to understand their POVs as well. I wish it was longer and had more detail but it's perfect if you're looking for a quick, safe, smutty read with an HEA!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
A short instalove that I classify as "daddy-lite", this one has a base inspiration from Annie. I liked the writing, there was less than a handful of errors and I liked the steamy bits, though it was more story than steam in total. This was my first by this author but she lists having a lot of age gap trope books at the end, so I'm sure I will try more in the future.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes things do work out for the underdog and that is what Anni is everything stacked against the moment her parents didn’t want her leaving in a broken system to be raised by the orphanage and she knew her only way out was to get excellent scores in school to be accepted to a great college but she needs help financially so getting an interview if she gets the scholarship her college, her accommodations will be taken care. Oliver sext as all get out billionaire who received a bit of money after his parents past away …okay he received a lot of money used it to grow what was given to him turning it into billions and now he wants to help others who are a little less fortunate. The moment Anni walks through his doors he knew she would be his but to convince her of that but that wasn’t necessary the more time they spent with each other the closer they grew despite the fact him being twenty plus years older something just felt right to them when they were together discovering they each have a daddy kink just makes things between them more intense but is it enough, will she get the money to attend college, has he found his forever little girl, has she found her daddy, and can the orphan finally have happiness?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Wow, that was an epic book it was great, the story was mesmerising and the characters were really amazing. This story was about Anni and Oliver, Anni lived in an Orphanage from a young age when her family didn't want her. Anni has worked hard to get good scores to go to college but she needs help with the cost, she had an interview and if she was successful her schooling and accommodation would be paid for. Oliver received a lot of money when his parents past, so he started his own company now worth billions. Oliver has done well in his company and wanted to help other people, and as soon as possible he needed Anni the more they were together in started changing the chemistry between them, it was a love at first sight but is it forever or is it a fling.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[A. Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella starts out slow, building a relationship between Anni and Oliver. Anni's a orphan, looking for a scholarship from Oliver's company to attend college. Oliver has the ability to drastically change Anni's life. When the pair get into a more intimate relationship, that's when things start moving more quickly. Oliver is 20+ years older than Anni. They both share a dirty talking, daddy kink. There is a little bit of drama at the end of the novella. Nothing too extreme and no real violence or cheating. This is Little Orphan Annie with a very posessive, alpha Daddy Warbuck's. If your into that kind of thing, give this novella a try. I like the book cover matches the very first time Anni meets Oliver.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[QuinnReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daddy's Little Girl

This little orphan Anni is a temptation previously unknown to the uber rich Oliver Warbrick. It's a spicy quick read that's as delightful as it is taboo.

This is far beyond the lusty needs of a sick man infatuated with a teenage girl. This is kismet. I was born to love this little girl, and that’s precisely what I'll do.
-- Oliver Warbrick

I love that Annika Bennett has had a celebrity crush on Oliver for years. It's completely over-the-top, but I love his reaction the first time they meet. Add in his assistant, Grace, and it turns into a fantastic afternoon read with tons of sizzle, humor, and grand gestures, plus a sociopathic sibling to round things out.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝒮𝒽𝑒’𝓈 𝓅𝑒𝓇𝒻𝑒𝒸𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃—𝓊𝓃𝓉𝓇𝒶𝒾𝓃𝑒𝒹, 𝓈𝒾𝓃𝓁𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝓅𝑒𝓇𝒻𝑒𝒸𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝐼 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓇𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓁𝓎 𝒸𝑜𝓇𝓇𝓊𝓅𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓀𝑒𝑒𝓅 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓂𝓎𝓈𝑒𝓁𝒻.

Annika has been an orphan since she was a baby. All she's ever wanted was for someone to love her. She's had her eye on Oliver Warbrick since she was young, and she wants him to be her daddy.

𝐼'𝓁𝓁 𝒷𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒. 𝑀𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝓂𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝑔𝒾𝓇𝓁, 𝒟𝒶𝒹𝒹𝓎.

Now that she is 18 years old, she is being kicked out of the St. Mary's Girl Home, so she needs to act fast. She applies for Oliver's full-ride scholarship, and instantly, when he meets her, he is head over heels for her and gives her the scholarship right on the spot.

𝐼'𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝓊𝓇𝓃 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝒶 𝑔𝓁𝓊𝓉𝓉𝑜𝓃 𝒻𝑜𝓇 🍆 𝒾𝒻 𝒾𝓉'𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓁𝒶𝓈𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝐼 𝒹𝑜.

Orphan was a quick and hot read, and I only wish that it was longer. I can't wait to read more books from this author.

𝒯𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒'𝓈 𝓃𝑜 𝑔𝑜𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒷𝒶𝒸𝓀, 𝒷𝒶𝒷𝓎 𝑔𝒾𝓇𝓁. 𝒩𝑜𝓌 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒟𝒶𝒹𝒹𝓎'𝓈 𝒻𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌𝓈 𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝓈𝓌𝑒𝑒𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝒶𝓈𝓉𝑒, 𝒽𝑒'𝓁𝓁 𝓃𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓁𝑒𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓈𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉.

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our heroine doesn't have a lot to look forward to in life, but when our hero enters the picture, that changes in a big way. Now the two of them will do anything to prove that they belong together.

This is an older man/younger woman romance with a DDlg theme. There is also a strong sense of Little Orphan Annie here. The story is well written and easy to read with a solid, if somewhat normal, setting. What really stands out here are our characters. They are both well developed and realistic, with solid chemistry between them. I love the way they interact and support each other. The story is steamy and does lead to a well deserved HEA, but the journey was half the fun. Overall, a very entertaining read.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.

[Merilu Keenum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anni is aging out of the system and has applied for a college scholarship being sponsored by a large company. Oliver knows the moment he sees her that she’s his little girl. She has fantasized about him since a girl after reading about him. She wants to work for the company so he might notice her.

Their relationship takes off fast with his sexual attraction and her acceptance and complete trust. Matilda’s deft handling of their dialogue and sexual tension makes them a perfect match for each other. Her sex scenes are depicted with an eye towards mutual consent, complete satisfaction, and honest communication. This was really good!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Orphan. Annika has dreamed of meeting Oliver for years. She thought she would be older and be starting in business but she’s meeting him now just after turning 18. He’s immediately taken with her and Oliver gets what he wants, he wants to be her Daddy. Not only does Anni win the scholarship for school but she wins Oliver’s heart as well. What will people think when they see them together? When Oliver has an old enemy come back will he be able to keep Anni out of it? I loved this storyline and the characters. This was a quick, easy read. I would definitely recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Caroline Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annika 'Anni' and Oliver's story is well written. Anni is a young woman who has struggled her whole life and is seeking support to make her dreams come true. She fell for Oliver as soon as she saw his photo and an article about him. Oliver is a protective, possessive and caring alpha male. When he meets Anni he is instantly intensely attracted to her regardless of age. How long will it take until they give in to their desires and feelings? Can Oliver keep Anni safe? There's plenty of suspense, passion, friendship, combustible chemistry and more throughout. Enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great age gap romance that brought in the DDlg play that suited both characters to a T. Anni had crushed on Oliver for many years and now that she's about to age out of foster care, has headed off to apply for a special bursary to go to a prestigious college...where she has an interview with her crush ;) Oliver is immediately smitten with her and sets out to woo her hard. This was fun and his possessive ways made her feel very loved. There is some drama in here to spice things up but you certainly can expect steam when you dive into this romance ;D

[Kristine L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great take on Anni and Daddy Warbucks. Anni is just about ready to age out of the system. Oliver assistant come to St. Mary's Girls Home and there will only be on picked girl to get a full ride scholarship. Anni is picked and the minute that Oliver lays eyes on her he knew she was his. His little girl. Annie was everything that he wanted and Oliver provides her with a home, a family, and daddy and most of all his love. Great DD/lg story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Natasha Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie was brought up in a girls home. Oliver was rich and wanted to help by providing a college scholarship to one of the girls. As soon as he met Annie things changed. One look and he knew she was his forever! Annie had been in love with Oliver from afar for years. When she got the opportunity to meet him she knew he was her forever, her daddy. Hot, sweet, steamy with amazing chemistry, a little daddy kink, a kind, loving hero and a wonderful HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annika grew up in the foster care system and is determined to make more of herself. When an opportunity comes up with the one man she has admired, Annika is not going to let it slip by.

Oliver has made his money and some has been given to him. When he meets Annika, his whole view of things gets shifted and turned upside down.

This is a fast steamy read with a determined strong woman that finds what she wants.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sabrina Flachsmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and steamy twist on Annie. Annika is an eighteen year old about to be kicked out of an orphanage. She applies for the grant that Oliver's company is giving. While she has been aware of Oliver for quite some time, he is meeting her for the first time and is shocked as his attraction to someone so young. I like how this one handled their age difference, I think it had a lot to do with how Oliver was portrayed. We do get a lot of sexy times with them but also a sweet love story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[ZUI-NOAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

Tropes
Age gap
Orphan heroine
Romance

Spice 🌶
4/5

Matilda has become my one of most favorite author because whenever am in a book slump, her books took me out of it.
Annika is an orphan looking for an opportunity for internship and university education and Oliver is funding for talent graduate students and there he sees her.
It was sweet cute and possessive romance which I enjoyed.

Thank you Matilda for this arc.

[Ari Lozada · Rating 4 out of 5]

hot read

If you’re into Daddy/little girl kink then this is a perfect read. I wish it were longer. I wanted more chapters between these too.

Anna is an orphan and Oliver is a billionaire. When she comes into for an interview for a scholarship both their worlds change. They find in each other something that wouldn’t be right with any other. The need to care and be taken care of is strong.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annika has dreamed of Oliver for years so when she got a chance to meet him she's determined to make it count. From the moment Oliver sees her sparks are flying and he knows she is his. Oliver becomes an ott protective daddy and things take a DDlg turn. Orphan is a taboo, age gap romance with ott steam that will set your Kindle on fire. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review. I thought that this was an interesting spin on what originated as an innocent story. Anni finds more than just a benefactor in Oliver. These two develop their own special relationship that not everyone would understand. It is made up of an ott, possessive and older man, a young woman who dreams of him, plenty of chemistry and loads of heat. It wasn't a bad story but I never felt really invested in them as a couple

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us an older man/younger woman story that pulls us into the lives of Oliver and Annika/Anni. The story keeps us turning the pages with instant connection, forbidden desire with a bit of DD/lg and steam.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annika never knew theblove of a family and with her aging out soon, her future looks bleak until Oliver comes offering a chance of scholarship but Annika wants far more, could Oliver cross that line? Well written steamy daddy age gap romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Veronica Albertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an okay story, the characters blended well together and the story was okay, I wish it had a little more depth and was a bit longer and I wish there was a little more detail throughout the whole story. Otherwise it was okay. Good work.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a steam age gap romance. It was the steamiest orphan Annie retelling I have ever encountered complete with some daddy little kink. Anni and Oliver had an instant connection and I enjoyed reading their story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzanne Houser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matilda Martel's retelling of Annie is a steamy, DDlg, age-gap romance that is entertaining from the first page to the last. The chemistry between Anni and Oliver is explosive, while his care for her - something she has never really known - is swoon-worthy. An enjoyable taboo romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Polli.p · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story which follows the expectations of this genre. Meet Oliver Warwick as he gets insta hot for Anni, the orphan, fresh out of the foster system, who needs a daddy to protect her. This is age gap, insta love, ddlg, and a simple short read perfect for a lazy afternoon.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

An age gap romance with her dream man is what Annika has wanted for years. Oliver has no idea what comes over him when he first spots Anni, but knows they have a deep connection that knows no bounds. Fast paced, taboo age gap relationship with loads of steamy scenes that will have your glasses fogging up.

I am voluntarily leaving a review for this book that I received free.