Lust and Libraries

by Elle Thorpe

When I took a summer job at my father’s law firm, I never expected to find myself in a threesome with the two bad boys I was supposed to represent.

River and Easton are from a different world. One of violence, gangs, and criminals. A far cry from my life of privilege and wealth.

Everything about them is forbidden. From the heated gazes that sweep my body, to having me anywhere, anytime, in any position.

They’re dark. Dangerous. Exciting.

I’m warned to stay away. Warned they’re bad for me.

But when I realize someone from my office is stalking me, maybe men from the wrong side of the tracks are exactly who I need to survive.


Lust and Libraries is a short and smutty MFM novella, set in Elle Thorpe’s bestselling Saint View world. No prior knowledge of the series is required. Lust and Libraries ends in a happily for now with no cliffhanger. This story is dark romance and may contain triggering scenes for some readers.


This novella was originally published in the Ballgowns and Books Anthology, Billionaires edition.

Genres: Why Choose, Dark Romance, Short Stories, Novella

126 pages, ebook

Published October 1, 2023

About the author

USA Today Bestselling author Elle Thorpe is the author of over thirty romance titles, including Amazon top ten books, Start a War and Locked Up Liars. She is best known for her dark reverse harems, and sexy small town romances.

When she's not writing, she's probably out on her family's alpaca farm in rural Australia.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ellethorpebooks
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ellethorpebooks
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellethorpebooks

Reviews

[Suznacky]

While this can be read as a standalone, you'll get more out of it if you've read Saint View High first.

This is a why choose/MFM romance.

We first met Meredith in Saint View High, and I was so happy to see her get her own story in this bonus novella. She's a law student about to "intern" at her father's firm when River, Easton, and Wyatt (Easton's brother) are accused of a crime. Her father's firm takes on their case pro bono, bringing Meredith and the trio together.

Meredith is a strong, determined heroine despite growing up with parents who were never really there for her. She has a solid moral compass and isn't afraid to stand up for what's right. River is the ultimate golden retriever, while Easton is the grumpy, broody one, making for a fun dynamic from the moment they meet at the courthouse.

The chemistry between them is instant and incredibly intense. Their attraction practically jumps off the page, and the spice definitely delivers.

The plot is engaging, though understandably simple due to the novella length. My biggest takeaway? I really hope this isn't the last we see of Meredith, River, and Easton. I'd happily read a full-length novel about this trio!

4 Stars ⭐

[Elyse]

Book 135 of 2025

NOTE: This is a short story that takes place after Saint View High, Saint View Prison, Saint View Psychos and Saint View Rebels in the Saint View World. It is best enjoyed after reading the trilogies in the Saint View world and getting to know all the couples there, and then enjoying this delicious little MFM bonus.

I don’t know how @ElleThorpe keeps writing so much goodness into the Saint View world but here we are. Also, this is supposed to be a short, but honestly, the plot was high and it was filled with classic @ElleThorpe-isms… I got high heat and chemistry, I got the Saint View vs Providence discord and I got a mystery about a stalker. I mean, what more could I ask for? Honestly, trips to the beach and a steamy visit to the library makes this book quite well-rounded, ha! Our main heroine is Meredith, best friend of Lacey from the first series, Saint View High. I loved the connection but how this was a complete stand-alone story. I don’t care WHAT happens in Saint View, but I want to know about it!

Rating – four stars
Format – e/book

[nicandbooks]

My men from the wrong side of the tracks.

I really enjoyed this novella set in the Saint View - specifically Saint View High - world. In this short story we see Meredith - Lacey's best friend - find her match in not one but two men from Saint View. She meets Easton & River when she is doing work placement with the lawyer defending them (and Easton's brother Wyatt) for a crime it sounds like they didn't commit. Sparks fly between Meredith, River & Easton and what follows is plenty of spice, a bit of mystery and all the things we love about Saint View. My only complaint is that I wish this was longer!!

[Donna]

3 1/2 stars

This story was well developed considering its length. Typical woman raised in an upper class neighborhood finds herself drawn to a couple of men from the wrong side of the tracks. Their meeting was under less than ideal conditions as she was serving as an intern to an attorney representing them in court.

A misunderstanding finds her later tracking them down and uncontrollable attraction takes over. Lots of three-ways and her eyes are opened to the pretentiousness of where she’s been raised.

This trio has the potential for their own series.

[Claire Purkis]

A short and smutty story following Lacey's friend, Meredith. Whilst interning at her father's law firm Meredith meets the bad boys Easton and River who are from Saint View. There is an instant attraction between all 3 and when she discovers an unwanted stalker in the office she turns to the boys for comfort!

Set in the Saint View series this has what you would expect from Elle with brilliantly written scenes and hot library sex! Must read.

[Alexis VanDeWalle]

4.25/5 "Maybe one day they'd love me with devoted hearts, the way I was already beginning to fall for them. My men from the wrong side of the tracks." I loved getting to see Meredith find her happiness with guys from Saint View. I want my own men from there!! River and Easton are delicious, both kind and hard. I loved them together, but I wish this story was longer! Meredith deserved so much more from her father. She is going to kill it as a lawyer, especially with her men behind her

[Jessica Beach Pandoff]

This is a short story within the Saint View world. Meredith is one of Lacey's (Saint View High) best friends. Meredith meets River and Easton when she is interning at her father's law firm. This book is quick and fun and gives you a hit of the Saint View world that you desperately need. I hope these characters get a full length book at some point!

MFC: Meredith
MMC: River, Easton

[Bre Smith]

This was a really good novella! I love anything by Elle Thorpe, especially if it’s Saint View. It’s cute, short, and smutty. It was a perfect novella, I really enjoyed it. I bought this directly from Elle’s website I believe.

📒Novella
✏️Lawyer
❤️MFM

[Katherine]

I still love the writing but just was not that in to Meredith's story as I did not like her much. I would have liked it more if the story was Jagger. But, Elle Thorpe has always delivered so in that respect I liked the novella.

[Catie]

Stunning quick little novella! Meredith is a good two shoes that meets 2 “bad boys” when she represents them in court. What turns into a little crush becomes so much more for all of them with a little twist of who’s the stalker!

[Alayna Aguon]

This was such a cute light read. I always enjoy Elle’s book. That’s no surprise but I really did enjoy this light story.

[Adrienne]

Providence girl meets 2 guys from the wrong side of town in this novella. We’ve met Meredith before but the 2 Saint View guys are new and awesome. Super fun side story in the Saint View world.

[Kathryn]

Another fun story in the Saint View world!

[Alex Sedrowski]

Loved it! Spicy and naughty and fun. Glad that a$$hole got what he deserved.

[CoCo]

Really!?!? In this short little do-whop, you STILLL managed to have me guessing ANDDDD have a plot twist!?!?!? I love it!!! ❤️ 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[Nightwalker]

I loved this story. I really enjoyed reading about Meredith. Even though it was a short story, it felt like a book. I'd love to follow their story more and see how they are in a few years.

[Elaine Crookes]

This novella was an entertaining quick read. It was really well written and left me wanting more.

[Salena Neuwar]

…and the problem with a novella is it’s always too short. However, I loved this sweet story of Meredith, Easton, and River. The Saint View world never disappoints me.

[Mackenzie]

Okay so i didn't actually read this one, but i read the bonus scenes from saint view high, saint view prison and saint view psychos and wanted to add all those bonus scenes as 1 book so here ya go

[Bexs]

Great palette cleanser just what i needed!

quick snappy spicy introduction to river and easton.

[Leah]

this was wonderful. Meredith, River, and Easton are so perfect.

[Laura]

A great novella. I hope to see these characters in the later books of Saint View.

[Amanda Hamilton]

Love these little short stories by Elle Thorpe. They are extremely moreish!!! 5 ⭐

[Careena Byth]

Love all books by elle. The Saint View world just gets better and better