Downright Damaged

by Tricia Newlan

A Billionaire’s secret leaves the sting of betrayal in this... "Enemies-to-Lover’s Small-Town Romance."

Alex
Today is the day I walk away...

Escaping, undetected, from the suffocating concrete jungle I detest, is my only hope.

Freedom from my controlling family and failed relationships will be my salvation.

That’s it!
A little town hideaway to be alone.

But then comes a twist of fate. Chloe...my love, my purpose.

Our love is unbreakable until...Chloe discovers my secret.

Fate then speaks loud and clear.
I’m back in my concrete world without Chloe.

True love never dies...does it?

151 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2024

About the author

I write romances that make you believe in butterflies, second chances, and happily-ever-afters. I never imagined I'd be here. It all started when I signed up for a writing course on a whim—mostly curious, a little skeptical. I wasn't sure storytelling was my thing... until I typed "The End" on my very first book.

At that moment, I was hopelessly hooked. Now, weaving love stories is my favourite obsession! Before the words took over, I spent my days lost in paintbrushes and canvases. But once romance grabbed my heart, there was no going back.

I’ve traded my easel for endless drafts, steamy scenes, and swoony heroes who make my pulse race.
If you're craving stories full of chemistry, teasing banter, soulful moments and that perfect lingering kiss, then buckle up.

Escape with me into a world of blooming love and racing hearts.

Reviews

[Lottie Hildenbrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet romance, low spice level. I thought the character development was good and there were laughs and emotion. It held my attention well and I thought the ending was pretty good. It was pretty well written for a new author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kez Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a charmingly sweet slow burn romance between secret billionaire Alex, and down to earth town girl Chloe.
Their personalities clash at first with their constant bickering and animosity towards each other, but this melts away with their forced proximity living and working together at the farm, helping brew things from enemy to lover.
Alex gets to be himself and let go of the past that trapped him, and Chloe gets to open her heart.
This was an endearing small town romance, with snippets of drama and suspense, and was a feel good and cosy story.

Honest and Voluntary ARC review

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading this author and I was intrigued by the characters and their journey to overcome their histories in order to trust each other.
Alex has been engaged twice to socialites who were only interested in his family’s social status. He dreams of meeting someone who sees him as a person not just the heir to his family’s billions.
In an effort to escape the emptiness of his life, he takes a position as a consultant at a struggling small town farm that is affiliated with his family’s company.
David, Margaret and their daughter Chloe treat him as a member of their family. Despite her initial misgivings, Chloe comes to respect Alex until his true identity is revealed.
I recommend this novel to fans of small town romance.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Alex slips away from the city to get away from the suffocating life he lives in, he takes a job on a small town on a farm that is affiliated with his family's business. He meets Chloe who is the daughter of the family he is working with. They bump heads right from the start, but close proximity has the walls coming down. Everything is going well until Chloe learns who he really is. Will he lose the one woman who he has grown to love because he wasn't truthful. This heartfelt story had me glued to the pages and cheering for this couple to get their chance for happiness.

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

[Susan Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Downright Damaged

This is a light read if that’s what you are after.
A damaged billionaire who wasn’t that damaged really, goes to work on a farm owned by his father’s company as a troubleshooter. He is there to improve output.
He meets the daughter, Chloe who is a dentist. She doesn’t know his last name as he gives a fake one.
More detail was needed as to how he was improving the farm and the ending seemed very rushed. Why was he even on tv? What happened with his patents?
Sorry but this one didn’t do it for me.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new author to me, but I will certainly be looking out for her work in the future. This is Alex and Chloe’s story.
This is a good story which is a sweet, slow burn story, with family, friendships, enemies / lovers, bickering, animosity, secrets, and love, which leads to an enjoyable, and spicy small town romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the conflict and camaraderie was realistic but the way they went into emotions at the dinner should have made her realize that it wasn't normal to have a place reserved just for 2 at dinner. She never questioned it and it might have made him open up sooner about his name and not caused all the heartache. Other than that the story was nice.

[Karenp · Rating 5 out of 5]

No longer damaged

This was a very nice and engaging romance that kept moving forward. I enjoyed it from the first page to the last.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Alex and Chloe’s story. It was an entertaining read. And was a new author, for me. And am voluntarily leaving this review.