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Off The Written Path
SOMETIMES THE MORE YOU RUN, THE BETTER YOU’LL BE FOUND
Community rescue pilot, Kai Walker, has learned the hard way that needing anyone can be dangerous. Appreciated by all, she is known by few. Her intimate relationships also remain short, sweet, and superficial. Her life may be empty, but it is safe, and good enough.
Science-fiction author, Eleanor St James, needs peace and quiet to work. Her new house on Sully’s Rock, part of a chain of islands located a hundred miles off the coast of Scotland, should ensure that she gets all the solitude she needs. She, too, has learned the art of aloneness.
Then, Eleanor meets a woman who is as attractively untamed and fierce as the island itself.
For Kai, the writer is a painful reminder of all that she craves but cannot have. And yet…
What if?
Community rescue pilot, Kai Walker, has learned the hard way that needing anyone can be dangerous. Appreciated by all, she is known by few. Her intimate relationships also remain short, sweet, and superficial. Her life may be empty, but it is safe, and good enough.
Science-fiction author, Eleanor St James, needs peace and quiet to work. Her new house on Sully’s Rock, part of a chain of islands located a hundred miles off the coast of Scotland, should ensure that she gets all the solitude she needs. She, too, has learned the art of aloneness.
Then, Eleanor meets a woman who is as attractively untamed and fierce as the island itself.
For Kai, the writer is a painful reminder of all that she craves but cannot have. And yet…
What if?
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2023
134 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Debrabandere
41 books238 followersMy novels are about strong, grounded women who live, love, and thrive in adventurous worlds.
As Natalie Debrabandere, I write lesbian fiction with a romantic twist.
As N.D. Shar, I dive into edgy sci-fi with kick-ass female leads and non-stop action.
If this is your first experience with my books, I hope you’ll find as much pleasure in reading them as I do in writing them.
The best way to support me? Read, review, and share—share—share!
My books are available worldwide in Kindle and paperback formats on your local Amazon site.
You can contact me through my website: nataliedebrabandere.com
As Natalie Debrabandere, I write lesbian fiction with a romantic twist.
As N.D. Shar, I dive into edgy sci-fi with kick-ass female leads and non-stop action.
If this is your first experience with my books, I hope you’ll find as much pleasure in reading them as I do in writing them.
The best way to support me? Read, review, and share—share—share!
My books are available worldwide in Kindle and paperback formats on your local Amazon site.
You can contact me through my website: nataliedebrabandere.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 24, 2024
A good book let's me live that life, and for the length of the book I really want to live on a remote Scottish Island, surrounded by gales and seas. Wonderful. Highly recommended.
December 29, 2023
Nicely written. I felt like there were too many threads in the story. Kai being contacted by her birth mother's lawyer, final death bed reunion in the hospital was a lot to jam in at the end, though it did help expand Kai's character but it seemed forced and came out of nowhere. I loved how Eleanor was written, she is a great character. I wish more had been done with the "aloof, reserved older woman, debonair gigolo hot dyke" dynamic, and the author did use that interplay, I just wanted more. The heat between Kai and Eleanor was great. Could have been a lovely romp to have Eleanor actually thinking through scenarios where Kai was Indie Wild and Eleanor made an appearance as a character in her own book and things got steamy between them. Way to fantasize and have a lot of fun, life mirrors art mirrors life. You can tell I was intrigued and entertained by the book. It got my imagination going.
July 28, 2023
Free falling!
I have started this review over and over so many times that it reminds me of why I would never make a great author. I simply want to say that reading this book is the first time that I can truly say I can describe what falling in love is like. Only because it was written by Natalie Debrabandere. It's simply free falling cause it's not forced but something you are gladly doing. Ok enough before I delete again and start over! Read it! Nuff said.
I have started this review over and over so many times that it reminds me of why I would never make a great author. I simply want to say that reading this book is the first time that I can truly say I can describe what falling in love is like. Only because it was written by Natalie Debrabandere. It's simply free falling cause it's not forced but something you are gladly doing. Ok enough before I delete again and start over! Read it! Nuff said.
June 3, 2023
Put a grin on my face.
This is a good read. I recommend it. This is a story about an author and a search and rescue helicopter pilot, both fiercely independent. Once they meet, this book explores what it takes for these two to break down their emotional armor and reveal vulnerabilities that they’ve suppressed for so long. It’s a slow burn, yet so satisfying. I won’t give anything away, but if you’re into romance between two strong, confident women and maybe a few helicopter rescue missions… well, do I really have to say anything more? I don’t think so.
Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. Debrabandere writes characters with such richness that I am compelled to know them from the moment I first meet them. As the story continues, I feel involved with the characters as they grow and change, resist or accept what’s in front of them.
What did I like most about this book? Let me tell you. I started it this morning while sitting out on the porch as the sun rose. My wife opened the screen door and walked out. “What are you smiling about,” she asked. She caught me looking at the oak trees at the edge of the yard lush with leaves, big grin on my face. It wasn’t the trees that had me smiling. It was the characters in this book, and I was taking a moment from the page to resonate with them. “I just started Natalie Debrabandere’s latest book,” I responded. I checked to see how far I had read. Only 6%. That’s 15-18 pages. That’s how long it took for this author to put a grin on my face. That’s what I liked most about this book.
This is a good read. I recommend it. This is a story about an author and a search and rescue helicopter pilot, both fiercely independent. Once they meet, this book explores what it takes for these two to break down their emotional armor and reveal vulnerabilities that they’ve suppressed for so long. It’s a slow burn, yet so satisfying. I won’t give anything away, but if you’re into romance between two strong, confident women and maybe a few helicopter rescue missions… well, do I really have to say anything more? I don’t think so.
Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. Debrabandere writes characters with such richness that I am compelled to know them from the moment I first meet them. As the story continues, I feel involved with the characters as they grow and change, resist or accept what’s in front of them.
What did I like most about this book? Let me tell you. I started it this morning while sitting out on the porch as the sun rose. My wife opened the screen door and walked out. “What are you smiling about,” she asked. She caught me looking at the oak trees at the edge of the yard lush with leaves, big grin on my face. It wasn’t the trees that had me smiling. It was the characters in this book, and I was taking a moment from the page to resonate with them. “I just started Natalie Debrabandere’s latest book,” I responded. I checked to see how far I had read. Only 6%. That’s 15-18 pages. That’s how long it took for this author to put a grin on my face. That’s what I liked most about this book.
June 9, 2023
A Sweet and Exciting Love Story!
Natalie Debrabandere has a way in her storytelling that brings such high emotion from the protagonists and a fulfilling experience for the readers. This has two women who careers have taken over their lives and fear of committing themselves to being vulnerable. Eleanor is a sci-fi writer, who’s main character is a big hit. But after a run in with an unhappy husband, she decides to take some time to write her next book away from the limelight. In Sully, Kai is the pilot who taxi’s passengers to and from the mainland for pleasure and emergencies. She is also a pilot in SAR. When both seem to cross each other but are wary but interested. Eleanor doesn’t like to be distracted from her writing especially from the hot women who seems to be on everybody’s lips. Kai is finding something very intriguing about Eleanor but the women seems very hesitant. Can each give in a little to see where this goes or are they dead in the water before they get off the ground. This was a really good full bodied story with a great and sweet ending. Loved it as is the norm with Natalie’s books. Can’t wait for the next one…
Natalie Debrabandere has a way in her storytelling that brings such high emotion from the protagonists and a fulfilling experience for the readers. This has two women who careers have taken over their lives and fear of committing themselves to being vulnerable. Eleanor is a sci-fi writer, who’s main character is a big hit. But after a run in with an unhappy husband, she decides to take some time to write her next book away from the limelight. In Sully, Kai is the pilot who taxi’s passengers to and from the mainland for pleasure and emergencies. She is also a pilot in SAR. When both seem to cross each other but are wary but interested. Eleanor doesn’t like to be distracted from her writing especially from the hot women who seems to be on everybody’s lips. Kai is finding something very intriguing about Eleanor but the women seems very hesitant. Can each give in a little to see where this goes or are they dead in the water before they get off the ground. This was a really good full bodied story with a great and sweet ending. Loved it as is the norm with Natalie’s books. Can’t wait for the next one…
June 25, 2023
Such a smooth reading. There's barely any conflict if at all. I wasn't really expecting it, more often than not age gap stories stick with the older character's hang ups about age and being played by the younger one, but it was not the case here. There's some drama, but they don't get caught up on it too long and I quite liked it, adults being mature enough to soon resolve their problems and moving on. I think they are quite down to earth. Also the supporting cast, though small, were very amusing.
I think the characters were very introspective and some may not love this much. I personally enjoyed seeing how their brain worked and how detailed they came to a conclusion. It was like watching myself thinking sometimes.
I think the characters were very introspective and some may not love this much. I personally enjoyed seeing how their brain worked and how detailed they came to a conclusion. It was like watching myself thinking sometimes.
June 2, 2023
beautiful
Really great story. And the way the island is described…I now want to live somewhere similar! Definitely the peace and quiet. The 2 main characters are both kind of…broken?…but they complement each other once you see beneath the shell.
Overall I enjoyed it but also felt something was missing and I’m not sure what…it’s still a great story as all this authors books are. Definitely worth a read.
Really great story. And the way the island is described…I now want to live somewhere similar! Definitely the peace and quiet. The 2 main characters are both kind of…broken?…but they complement each other once you see beneath the shell.
Overall I enjoyed it but also felt something was missing and I’m not sure what…it’s still a great story as all this authors books are. Definitely worth a read.
June 25, 2023
As with most all of Ms. Debravandere's book I really enjoyed the read. Her books always flow well and are great for a quick speed read. Don't take that to mean they lake in depth by any means. I enjoyed the complexity of the characters from the get-go. I love even her fem characters are never helpless depending on someone else to "save the day." Just good strong women struggling to make it through this world, who find ways to enhance each other's lives.
June 29, 2023
So good!
This was such a good book. enjoyed everything about it! The storyline was engaging and believable. I enjoyed how the MCs and supporting cast was well developed and relevant to the story. There was drama but not the typically angst you get with romance novels. I loved how the MCs stayed committed to each other despite past trauma and fear pulling them apart. Overall, a very good read.
This was such a good book. enjoyed everything about it! The storyline was engaging and believable. I enjoyed how the MCs and supporting cast was well developed and relevant to the story. There was drama but not the typically angst you get with romance novels. I loved how the MCs stayed committed to each other despite past trauma and fear pulling them apart. Overall, a very good read.
June 29, 2023
Touched my heart...
Tale of two very strong women apparently very successful career wise, hard working and genuinely loved by co-workers and friends, but also very alone due to near crippling past emotional trauma. This story was told with a deft and delicate hand, so well, in fact, in touched my heart with a measure of healing after much remembered pain...a triggering subject handled with graceful expertise well. Thank-you!
Tale of two very strong women apparently very successful career wise, hard working and genuinely loved by co-workers and friends, but also very alone due to near crippling past emotional trauma. This story was told with a deft and delicate hand, so well, in fact, in touched my heart with a measure of healing after much remembered pain...a triggering subject handled with graceful expertise well. Thank-you!
January 29, 2024
This book has a lot of elements (helicopter pilot, adoption and abuse storyline) that would make for a great storyline. The way these elements play out however left me a bit disappointed. I also felt that the romance in the story was a bit lacking. They push each other away and then they're suddenly as serious as can be. I would have liked it if they spend a little more time together. I did enjoy getting to know both Kai and Ellie. They're strong and likeable.
June 14, 2023
Very enjoyable story
I loved the way the story developed between two people who had their own reasons to wall themselves off from relationships. The coastal world where the story was set was described well, and I could imagine myself in the locale among the residents of the town. Would enjoy reading another story set in the same place.
I loved the way the story developed between two people who had their own reasons to wall themselves off from relationships. The coastal world where the story was set was described well, and I could imagine myself in the locale among the residents of the town. Would enjoy reading another story set in the same place.
July 9, 2023
ANOTHER SIZZLER BY NATALIE
This was sooo good! I’ve never read a book by Natalie Debrabandere that was NOT excellent.
Kai seemed so much like Indie Wilde, Ellie’s protagonist in her book series. It was just meant to be. Of course there was quite a bit of drama for them to work through, but very pleasant.
This was sooo good! I’ve never read a book by Natalie Debrabandere that was NOT excellent.
Kai seemed so much like Indie Wilde, Ellie’s protagonist in her book series. It was just meant to be. Of course there was quite a bit of drama for them to work through, but very pleasant.
July 17, 2023
Great Love Story
I loved both main characters and felt their pain and happiness. Kai and Eleanor became a part of my life as I read their love story. Their professions, personalities, life experiences were brilliantly brought to life. Natalie Debrabandere created two main characters who I would love to meet again. The island setting was awesome too!
I loved both main characters and felt their pain and happiness. Kai and Eleanor became a part of my life as I read their love story. Their professions, personalities, life experiences were brilliantly brought to life. Natalie Debrabandere created two main characters who I would love to meet again. The island setting was awesome too!
September 3, 2023
I really wanted to like this book more. It has its moments and it was fairly cute. But the writing felt juvenile and was in need of editing. The conversations between everyone felt all over the place and the pacing was off. One second they were taking it slow the next they were madly in love. I struggled to feel the chemistry between them.
June 2, 2023
Wow, must read
Wow, what a beautiful storyline! I loved the main characters' their chemistry, and their connection was embedded throughout the book. definitely, the top three must read congratulations
Wow, what a beautiful storyline! I loved the main characters' their chemistry, and their connection was embedded throughout the book. definitely, the top three must read congratulations
July 12, 2023
Finally yours
I couldn't put this book down until I read it all. I liked how Ellie tried so hard not to love. All the dialog between them, playing, knowing, till it burst through finally, powerful
I couldn't put this book down until I read it all. I liked how Ellie tried so hard not to love. All the dialog between them, playing, knowing, till it burst through finally, powerful
August 20, 2023
This is the first book I have read by this author. I must say I enjoyed this story. The characters were engaging and the story was well crafted and worth the read. I plan on adding more of her books to my TBR!
June 5, 2023
Excellent.
I loved Off The Written Path. The emotions between the two MC’s. It was sexy before we even got to the sex. Great read.
I loved Off The Written Path. The emotions between the two MC’s. It was sexy before we even got to the sex. Great read.
June 27, 2023
Nice story
I have enjoyed this wonderful heartfelt story of a writer that moved to an island and fell in love with the local hot helicopter pilot.
I have enjoyed this wonderful heartfelt story of a writer that moved to an island and fell in love with the local hot helicopter pilot.
July 9, 2023
This popped up in my suggested reads and at first I wasn't sure but I am glad I read it.
I love how the author did the hesitation and emotions of the characters.
This was a great read for me.
I love how the author did the hesitation and emotions of the characters.
This was a great read for me.
August 29, 2023
Nice
This was a good slow burn. The characters had their moments of doubts, but you know how these books go. A nice story.
This was a good slow burn. The characters had their moments of doubts, but you know how these books go. A nice story.
October 18, 2023
Pretty good
Pretty good for what it is. Listen, it won't change your life but dammit if it isn't supremely entertaining. Boom
Pretty good for what it is. Listen, it won't change your life but dammit if it isn't supremely entertaining. Boom
July 31, 2024
Good characters and story finished in a day.
March 7, 2025
boring, corny, and writing doesn't flow at all, defo needs work.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews