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An Unexpected Gift
Having walked away from a miserable relationship with her abusive boyfriend, Caitlin Quinn finally gets her life back together.
Walking home late on a cold, December night after a Christmas party at work, Caitlin is suddenly and brutally attacked.
Terrorised and frightened for her life she screams for help when suddenly a handsome stranger comes to her rescue and saves her.
Thrown together under the most horrific of circumstances, Caitlin and her rescuer must learn to deal with the effects of the attack as well as their existing relationships and the problems that each of them faces.
The bigger problem, however, is that they are starting to become attracted to one another too.
Walking home late on a cold, December night after a Christmas party at work, Caitlin is suddenly and brutally attacked.
Terrorised and frightened for her life she screams for help when suddenly a handsome stranger comes to her rescue and saves her.
Thrown together under the most horrific of circumstances, Caitlin and her rescuer must learn to deal with the effects of the attack as well as their existing relationships and the problems that each of them faces.
The bigger problem, however, is that they are starting to become attracted to one another too.
92 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2013
38 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Lily Zante
115 books329 followersLily Zante is the author of over sixty contemporary romance and women's fiction novels.
After spending two decades working in IT, she decided to give writing another try. Given her love of The Walking Dead, she started off writing zombie fiction but quickly dove into writing romance instead.
She's glad she switched.
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UPCOMING RELEASES:
MATTEO, KNIGHT EMPIRE #5 - releases:
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30 June 2026 on all retailers
ENZO, KNIGHT EMPIRE #6 - releases:
22 September 2026 on my direct store
29 September 2026 on all retailers
After spending two decades working in IT, she decided to give writing another try. Given her love of The Walking Dead, she started off writing zombie fiction but quickly dove into writing romance instead.
She's glad she switched.
Sign up for her newsletter:
https://www.lilyzante.com/news
FOLLOW LILY:
Instagram ➜
https://www.instagram.com/authorlilyz...
TikTok ➜ https://www.tiktok.com/@lilyzantebooks
Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/LilyZanteRom...
Direct store:
https://store.lilyzante.com/
Website ➜ http://www.lilyzante.com
UPCOMING RELEASES:
MATTEO, KNIGHT EMPIRE #5 - releases:
23 June 2026 on my direct store
30 June 2026 on all retailers
ENZO, KNIGHT EMPIRE #6 - releases:
22 September 2026 on my direct store
29 September 2026 on all retailers
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 12, 2016
This started off pretty good, then went downhill fast. Not only was it quite repetitive in places, but was downright silly. Glad this was a freebie!
December 18, 2018
Caitlin Quinn received An Unexpected Gift that was not a physical gift. In the middle of being attacked on a dark street in London, a tall stranger comes to her rescue and the attacker retreats after both Caitlin and her rescuer, Daniel are hurt and require a trip to the hospital.
Caitlin gets Daniel's address and on New Year's Eve she takes him a 'thank you for saving me gift and finds out he is married. After the New Year holiday, both Caitlin and Daniel are contacted by the police when they catch the attacker and he reveals that he was hired to rough up Caitlin by her brute of an ex-boyfriend.
Daniel and Caitlin keep meeting, he reveals he is getting divorced, silent phone calls, damage to Daniel's property and the situation escalated until Caitlin only finds peace talking to Daniel. The the dramatic climax to the story brings the revelation that to Caitlin what An Unexpected Gift Daniel's support and listening ear has been for her. Great short story!
Caitlin gets Daniel's address and on New Year's Eve she takes him a 'thank you for saving me gift and finds out he is married. After the New Year holiday, both Caitlin and Daniel are contacted by the police when they catch the attacker and he reveals that he was hired to rough up Caitlin by her brute of an ex-boyfriend.
Daniel and Caitlin keep meeting, he reveals he is getting divorced, silent phone calls, damage to Daniel's property and the situation escalated until Caitlin only finds peace talking to Daniel. The the dramatic climax to the story brings the revelation that to Caitlin what An Unexpected Gift Daniel's support and listening ear has been for her. Great short story!
September 12, 2014
Okay, I liked the storyline, but, for me, there was too much repetition - as if to stretch the story out. I didn't feel like the characters were 'filled out' as much as they could have been. I still liked them, but was left wanting more.
March 29, 2013
Got as a free e-book on Amazon.
Short, clean romance. Has action and a hero too! This was a nice, quick read.
Short, clean romance. Has action and a hero too! This was a nice, quick read.
February 14, 2019
I got this book as freebie from a Romance Club I am subscribed to. It wasn’t an enjoyable read—I had a hard time getting into the book because I couldn’t stand the heroine.
The heroine lamented on and on about the fact that the Hero was married. Woe is me, now I cannot get into a relationship with this White Knight, my saviour! But she thought it was fine to kiss him and she wasn’t the least bit sorry for it.
Granted the Hero was on the rocks with his wife but she didn’t know . And the Hero never told her until later which was stupid as fuck. He’s as dumb as a sack of rocks.
The heroine lamented on and on about the fact that the Hero was married. Woe is me, now I cannot get into a relationship with this White Knight, my saviour! But she thought it was fine to kiss him and she wasn’t the least bit sorry for it.
Granted the Hero was on the rocks with his wife but she didn’t know . And the Hero never told her until later which was stupid as fuck. He’s as dumb as a sack of rocks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2020
Their Surprising Love Link -
I don't know how Lily Zante does it, but she found a way to make the story feel so realistic, that I actually started picturing the different scenes being enacted on the streets of London. This is a story you will definitely want to read, as it is a beautifully written heartwarming and heartbreaking story, that has a happy ending.
I don't know how Lily Zante does it, but she found a way to make the story feel so realistic, that I actually started picturing the different scenes being enacted on the streets of London. This is a story you will definitely want to read, as it is a beautifully written heartwarming and heartbreaking story, that has a happy ending.
August 17, 2022
Awesome
The story was very interesting and i wished there was more to their life story. Like for Carl Summers to be really arrested and for their story to blossomed. I feel like the story in itself has just started. I wanted more if there could. Thanks for immersing me once more to your stories.
The story was very interesting and i wished there was more to their life story. Like for Carl Summers to be really arrested and for their story to blossomed. I feel like the story in itself has just started. I wanted more if there could. Thanks for immersing me once more to your stories.
March 3, 2017
Great short story
Good connection between 2 people under stressful circumstances. Caitlyn is trying to get over from a bully obsessed ex-boyfriend while Daniel is getting over a bad short marriage.
Good connection between 2 people under stressful circumstances. Caitlyn is trying to get over from a bully obsessed ex-boyfriend while Daniel is getting over a bad short marriage.
May 19, 2024
Very short, about 100 pages. Story is barely 3 stars, more like 2.5. Is it a British thing to refer to the ground as “the floor”? Cause when the h is on the ground, outside, the author writes “floor”. Which through me off. Kind of a strange story, too.
October 27, 2017
Beautiful love story
I love the story of Katlin and Daniel, Their way they met each of them going through very bad relationships. How they both. Helped each other.
I love the story of Katlin and Daniel, Their way they met each of them going through very bad relationships. How they both. Helped each other.
December 30, 2017
Nice read!
The book was written well and had twists to keep you interested I enjoyed it not being the average love story but one with twists!
The book was written well and had twists to keep you interested I enjoyed it not being the average love story but one with twists!
May 5, 2018
I liked it alot!!!
I liked it alot!!! However, I wish it was longer. It left in a cliffhanger. I need more of these characters.
I liked it alot!!! However, I wish it was longer. It left in a cliffhanger. I need more of these characters.
June 21, 2018
Wonderful read about finding strength when you are feeling helpless and finding a hero that stands by you when you need them the most.
January 16, 2019
I'll soon post my review on my blog
https://helenasbooks670176047.wordpre...
https://helenasbooks670176047.wordpre...
January 18, 2020
This is a very intriguing short story about learning to trust again.
January 12, 2024
Unexpectedly lovely
I wasn't sure how this story would pan out but like everything from Lily it was very enjoyable, a great read and I highly recommend it
I wasn't sure how this story would pan out but like everything from Lily it was very enjoyable, a great read and I highly recommend it
March 15, 2021
Simple and a bit corny. All moving at a very fast pace without any depth. But okay.
January 31, 2017
I really had fun and interesting reading this book. The writer lives in England and it was interesting how some words were used in a different way than American would use them. For example I usually associate a floor being in a building. But the author used floor when as an American I would say the ground. Also to learn about Bangers and Mash. I looked up on the internet to see what that was and interested to find recipes for the dish. Might try it.
The subject of the book though could have been written anywhere. It is the horror that unfortunately many women face at the hands of abusive and controlling man. There have been men that have faced the problems of being stalked too; but not to the same degree as women.
I enjoyed to the interaction not only between Caitlin and Daniel as they deal with the attacks from Caitlin's x-boyfriend Carl Summers. I also enjoy the interaction between Caitlin and her best friend and flat mate Kerrie.
It was a good read regarding a very terrible and real problem that face many women.
I enjoyed reading this book so much that I went out and purchased two additional books from this author.
"I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review."
The subject of the book though could have been written anywhere. It is the horror that unfortunately many women face at the hands of abusive and controlling man. There have been men that have faced the problems of being stalked too; but not to the same degree as women.
I enjoyed to the interaction not only between Caitlin and Daniel as they deal with the attacks from Caitlin's x-boyfriend Carl Summers. I also enjoy the interaction between Caitlin and her best friend and flat mate Kerrie.
It was a good read regarding a very terrible and real problem that face many women.
I enjoyed reading this book so much that I went out and purchased two additional books from this author.
"I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review."
August 24, 2015
Caitlin has just been attacked and saved by stranger, Daniel. There always seems to be a special bond between people who have suffered violence and trauma.
Story begins rather slow when the characters deal with the repercussions of the attack during the holiday season. It gets rather sentimental and emotional. Then we get into a Florence Nightingale twist when Caitlin starts developing feelings for her hero, Daniel. But he’s married. Then again, the marriage hasn’t been that great.
A love story soon develops in the throes of fear and recovery.
Characters are relatable and real. It’s about healing, love, and ridding the toxic out of your lives.
Story begins rather slow when the characters deal with the repercussions of the attack during the holiday season. It gets rather sentimental and emotional. Then we get into a Florence Nightingale twist when Caitlin starts developing feelings for her hero, Daniel. But he’s married. Then again, the marriage hasn’t been that great.
A love story soon develops in the throes of fear and recovery.
Characters are relatable and real. It’s about healing, love, and ridding the toxic out of your lives.
December 16, 2016
An Unexpected Gift
Story of a female who's a graphic designer in London and she's attacked one night on her way home.
A man comes to her rescue and before the cops show up he's beaten up badly.
She assumes he's married when she goes to his house to give him a gift for saving her life.
Cops are on leads that will help them figure out who did it.
Good story, very scary at times.
Story of a female who's a graphic designer in London and she's attacked one night on her way home.
A man comes to her rescue and before the cops show up he's beaten up badly.
She assumes he's married when she goes to his house to give him a gift for saving her life.
Cops are on leads that will help them figure out who did it.
Good story, very scary at times.
December 26, 2015
This story is a gift!
Lily Zante does it again. This is a short book, or novella about two people meeting under less than ideal circumstances. Their lives become entwined based on the circumstances of their meeting. This is must read for anyone that likes a true feel good hero story. Enjoy it, I certainly did!
Lily Zante does it again. This is a short book, or novella about two people meeting under less than ideal circumstances. Their lives become entwined based on the circumstances of their meeting. This is must read for anyone that likes a true feel good hero story. Enjoy it, I certainly did!
February 3, 2018
A simple, short and sweet story. However, I felt it was a little too bland, considering the other books that I have read of Lily. It seemed like an earlier work of her's as it lacked the maturity in the writing that does come out in her other books. Apart from that, I found the story enjoyable. A little slow at times but likable.
October 14, 2019
This was a hard story to tell and while, I've never faced the circumstances that are portrayed in this novella, I know they happen everyday and they are even worse.
The story was well handled and the premise was believable; although the actions of the bad guy did stretch the edge of being believable.
I liked the characters and the plot was good. All in all a good read.
The story was well handled and the premise was believable; although the actions of the bad guy did stretch the edge of being believable.
I liked the characters and the plot was good. All in all a good read.
January 25, 2017
"An Unexpected Gift" was an enjoyable book. I would love to see this turn into a series. Caitlin and Daniel are to somewhat broken souls that deserve so much more than they had previously received. I'm becoming more and more of a Lily Zante Fan.
August 17, 2013
Not my cup of tea. It's quite a short read, but I didn't enjoy it AT ALL.
Want to Read
March 8, 2013Amazon freebie 3/7/13
January 19, 2014
started reading this but couldn't get into it
September 17, 2014
A quick easy read with an interesting cast of characters and a fast paced story.
December 26, 2015
Love it
I so enjoy this book. A beautiful budding relationship between Daniel and Caitlin. She's having a hard time with her ex boyfriend. Believe you will love this story.
I so enjoy this book. A beautiful budding relationship between Daniel and Caitlin. She's having a hard time with her ex boyfriend. Believe you will love this story.
December 21, 2016
This was a nice, short novella set at Christmas time. This is the first book I've read by this author and I will look forward to reading more of her work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews