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The Cabin
A secluded cabin in the woods provides a perfect escape for two young men—in perfectly different ways.
Cal needs somewhere to lie low after a job well done and finds himself a ride. Jasper just wants peace and quiet; instead he finds himself as the getaway driver. Neither of them was looking for a roommate, but as they get to know each other, they realize how well their plans fit together…
...or do they?
Cal needs somewhere to lie low after a job well done and finds himself a ride. Jasper just wants peace and quiet; instead he finds himself as the getaway driver. Neither of them was looking for a roommate, but as they get to know each other, they realize how well their plans fit together…
...or do they?
- GenresCrimeM M RomanceDark
85 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2024
1 person is currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Zarlina Josefsson
13 books28 followersM/M books
Slow burn, big feelings, messy love.
Writing something soft in a coffee shop right now.
Slow burn, big feelings, messy love.
Writing something soft in a coffee shop right now.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 28, 2024
⛔️ SPOILERS !!!!!!!!!!
After sleeping on it I decided to rate the book for the 55% I did read because it was really good.
Well, what a freaking impossible situation , I don’t even know what to say. At 50% I was in love with this short book. Absolutely in love. And yet, I was starting to have a bad feeling about it and usually when this happens I go to the last page to see the ending .
This book does NOT have HEA. It’s not your typical romance. It’s sad, painful yet kind of beautiful and cozy It does end sadly however, and I cried my eyes out even though I only read 50% and the last 5%. I don’t want to go back reading the second half. I just can’t, I’m not strong enough.
It’s such a good book though and if you don’t particularly look for a hea and you like a dark-ish book you might enjoy this one. It’s original and ingenious and at the same time the core subject is as old as time . And the 2 MCs are so interesting .
If this had had a typical, run of the mill HEA it would have been a 5 stars read for me. It might still be, for ppl who don’t necessarily need a happy ending in their books but just a short interesting story. I wasn’t familiar with this author but I AM pleasantly surprised.
Read the TW before starting this book . If you don’t have any triggers it’s better to go in blind.
After sleeping on it I decided to rate the book for the 55% I did read because it was really good.
Well, what a freaking impossible situation , I don’t even know what to say. At 50% I was in love with this short book. Absolutely in love. And yet, I was starting to have a bad feeling about it and usually when this happens I go to the last page to see the ending .
This book does NOT have HEA. It’s not your typical romance. It’s sad, painful yet kind of beautiful and cozy It does end sadly however, and I cried my eyes out even though I only read 50% and the last 5%. I don’t want to go back reading the second half. I just can’t, I’m not strong enough.
It’s such a good book though and if you don’t particularly look for a hea and you like a dark-ish book you might enjoy this one. It’s original and ingenious and at the same time the core subject is as old as time . And the 2 MCs are so interesting .
If this had had a typical, run of the mill HEA it would have been a 5 stars read for me. It might still be, for ppl who don’t necessarily need a happy ending in their books but just a short interesting story. I wasn’t familiar with this author but I AM pleasantly surprised.
Read the TW before starting this book . If you don’t have any triggers it’s better to go in blind.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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August 13, 2025Read and reviewed in 2024.
2024 review was deleted and the review below was added. (2025)
I had to edit my review because I didn't feel comfortable with my wording. No one commented or mentioned anything to me. I just happened to reread it, and I'm in a different mood now, and I don't like how I phrased things.
Despite having enough personal experience on this topic to feel comfortable speaking about the book, I also felt like what I said in my original review could be misinterpreted, or worse, sound like I support someone ending their life. I don't.
Obviously, that's not what my review said, but I didn't put enough care into how I expressed myself, and frankly, I don't have the brain power to do the review all over again.
This isn't a reflection on the book or the author.
The author put clear CWs everywhere and this is not a romance book, it does NOT have a happy ending.
If you read my original review, I hope you understand that I was speaking about what I thought was an accurate portrayal of a person who is experiencing suicidal ideation, and taking steps towards dying. (From my lived experiences, from support groups, from personal loss, and so on.)
That's from my personal perspective only. And that is absolutely not encouragement.
That's all I can really say. I'm sorry that my wording originally was not...careful and mindful enough.
; 💚
2024 review was deleted and the review below was added. (2025)
I had to edit my review because I didn't feel comfortable with my wording. No one commented or mentioned anything to me. I just happened to reread it, and I'm in a different mood now, and I don't like how I phrased things.
Despite having enough personal experience on this topic to feel comfortable speaking about the book, I also felt like what I said in my original review could be misinterpreted, or worse, sound like I support someone ending their life. I don't.
Obviously, that's not what my review said, but I didn't put enough care into how I expressed myself, and frankly, I don't have the brain power to do the review all over again.
This isn't a reflection on the book or the author.
The author put clear CWs everywhere and this is not a romance book, it does NOT have a happy ending.
If you read my original review, I hope you understand that I was speaking about what I thought was an accurate portrayal of a person who is experiencing suicidal ideation, and taking steps towards dying. (From my lived experiences, from support groups, from personal loss, and so on.)
That's from my personal perspective only. And that is absolutely not encouragement.
That's all I can really say. I'm sorry that my wording originally was not...careful and mindful enough.
; 💚
April 2, 2024
I don't understand why I am giving this a 5* but I don't think I can give it less. I went into it blind and I don't regret it for the story but my heart is broken.
March 28, 2024
When I first saw this book has more than one ending I was wondering if it was some kind of money-grab from the author but after emailing with her I can say that no-she simply didn't know which ending to pick-so she picked all of them. I asked her if any of the endings were happy and she sent me a PDF with a much more hopeful ending (the one you'd get if you bought the hardcover)
I don't leave reviews here but I thought this might be good for future readers to know cause the book is really beautiful and i love the characters to much to leave with the ending the kindle version gave me
I don't leave reviews here but I thought this might be good for future readers to know cause the book is really beautiful and i love the characters to much to leave with the ending the kindle version gave me
July 9, 2024
What a beautifully told short story. I did not know what to expect going into this, but I'm so glad I read this without know anything.
April 17, 2024
This was a heavy read. If you're hoping for a cute, fluffy romance, this isn't it. This story left me sad and incredibly angry. I highly recommend reading the list of trigger warnings provided by the author, because this book will make you feel very powerful emotions, and very few of them are positive.
Some authors use heavy, emotional themes in a way that's cliché or gimmicky. Sad doesn't always mean well written, interesting, or worth reading. There are a million sad stories out there that all sound the same. This is different though. The story has depth and development and avoids the cliché pitfalls that other stories with similar themes fall into. Character development is something I always talk about when I review this author's work, but creating dynamic characters really is one of their strengths. Both Jasper and Cal will leave a lasting impression on you. I still don't know how to feel about the actions and choices made by the characters, even after taking a couple of hours to reflect.
There are three endings depending on the version you read. My review comes from the paperback version.
Some authors use heavy, emotional themes in a way that's cliché or gimmicky. Sad doesn't always mean well written, interesting, or worth reading. There are a million sad stories out there that all sound the same. This is different though. The story has depth and development and avoids the cliché pitfalls that other stories with similar themes fall into. Character development is something I always talk about when I review this author's work, but creating dynamic characters really is one of their strengths. Both Jasper and Cal will leave a lasting impression on you. I still don't know how to feel about the actions and choices made by the characters, even after taking a couple of hours to reflect.
There are three endings depending on the version you read. My review comes from the paperback version.
February 25, 2024
Literally have no words. It is so perfectly written. It's breathtaking. the pain is described in a way that makes you not think that this kind of talent is real. the subject is also so important
February 25, 2024
This was a comfort book for me. There is a serenity about the story and the characters themselves that was very calming, even in the midst of the dire situation they were both in.
March 12, 2024
It's a story that shouldn't feel so cozy, so domestic - yet it is.
Cal & Jasper meet in very odd circumstances, one running from the law, the other one becoming his getaway accomplice, and they end up hiding in a cabin belonging to Jasper's family. Both of them have different objectives, so they should be conflicted and at odds with each other, yet they... Aren't?
Which actually, is great. It's oddly comforting and cozy to watch them open to each other, in this cabin, far away from the real world.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Zarlina story without the angst. I won't list the TWs here as I fear spoiling the story, but as she said in her foreword - take care of yourself. If you're in too much of a dark place, the book will still be there when you get better <3
Got an ARC of the book, but all the thoughts are my own of course!
Cal & Jasper meet in very odd circumstances, one running from the law, the other one becoming his getaway accomplice, and they end up hiding in a cabin belonging to Jasper's family. Both of them have different objectives, so they should be conflicted and at odds with each other, yet they... Aren't?
Which actually, is great. It's oddly comforting and cozy to watch them open to each other, in this cabin, far away from the real world.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Zarlina story without the angst. I won't list the TWs here as I fear spoiling the story, but as she said in her foreword - take care of yourself. If you're in too much of a dark place, the book will still be there when you get better <3
Got an ARC of the book, but all the thoughts are my own of course!
April 28, 2024
According to the afterword there are three different endings to this novel, depending on which edition you bought.
Author, can you please just make up your mind and write one canonical ending or at least make it a "choose your own adventure" book.
I felt really emotional during the final chapter, only to have those feelings invalidated by the afterword. Wtf.
Author, can you please just make up your mind and write one canonical ending or at least make it a "choose your own adventure" book.
I felt really emotional during the final chapter, only to have those feelings invalidated by the afterword. Wtf.
July 31, 2024
4.5 stars. No I don’t recommend this book. This novella is still bothering me days later. Only read if you’re cool with not knowing trigger warnings before reading otherwise you’ll be spoiled. Go in blind or don’t bother reading. But really was excellent storytelling in so few pages.
August 19, 2025
Two men unexpectedly thrown together, one is a thief and murderer. This may be a short story but it's huge on impact and a rather painful read ,not for the faint of heart. Also a trigger warning as suicide is talked about frequently.
July 10, 2025
This book was inspired by Hell as Well by the band We Three.
It's a short but important story about meeting someone unexpected, who might just turn out to be exactly the person you needed to meet in that exact moment.
It's a short but important story about meeting someone unexpected, who might just turn out to be exactly the person you needed to meet in that exact moment.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews