Waiting for the Pieces

Gravity Hill #1

by Taylor Wilson-West

Fern Hayes’ entire life is derailed in one night.

Two years after being nearly killed, I return to my hometown of Gravity Hill, only to find that everything has changed. I didn’t expect anyone to have paused their lives while I was absent, but it’s shocking to see everything I missed. Figuring out how to reacclimate in my old life, with my old friends proves far more difficult than I expected.

Even more puzzling is discovering that, regardless of the time I’ve been gone, the killer still wants me. So when I start finding mysterious notes and puzzle pieces–and my loved ones tell me they “have it handled”–I start questioning everything. My would-be killer was never found, and it seems that they are not going to rest until they have me, or I’m dead.

Everyone I come across is a suspect

Bodies are piling up…

Doubt breeds distrust…

And through it all…

I’m left waiting for the pieces to fall into place.

*Waiting for the Pieces is a mature novel, intended for a mature audience. Please check all content warnings on my website*

Genres: Romance, Thriller, Dark

271 pages, ebook

Published March 17, 2024

About the author

Taylor Wilson-West is a firm believer that the magic of words on a page can transport readers to new places, and finds comfort in making new, albeit fictional, friends. Currently residing in a small town in North Carolina with her husband and two perfect kiddos, she lives off Cheerwine, potatoes, and ranch dressing. When she’s not reading or writing, she can be found shopping at bookstores, adding to her never ending bookshelves. Taylor finds it necessary to have a bookish candle that fits every genre and book character that she has ever fallen in love with. Her favorite moment in any consumable media is when confident, fat main characters get their happily ever after.

If you’ve made it this far, please leave a review! Reviews are an author's best friend, and readers obviously! :P

Reviews

[Emms-hiatus(ish) · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be fair, I thought I was diving into a dark romance. This is more a thriller/murder mystery with a romance. The stalker isn’t the MMC so I was legit confused for a hot minute 🤣🤣 Some additional editing should’ve happened.

It was a decent enough read with a mostly sex positive outlook, just not what I was expecting. It also has a trope that I just don’t care for and had I known, I wouldn’t have picked it up.

I’m betting many of my mutuals will love it, so give it a go if the TW are in your acceptable range ☺️

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Taylor’s first dark romance book and I think she did a fantastic job. There were a few things I didn’t like personally but like I said it’s a me thing. If you don’t have problems with that I think you should give her a shot. One of the things is we only have Ferns POV (fmc) I wish we had both povs..


We have Fern she’s very flirty, sassy and just loves life, she has it all good life, family, friends until one night it changed. Almost killed and being tiny but suicidal she was sent away. To make sure she recovers from her trauma. She thinks she’s coming home for a visit but it’s worst for her she’s married to her brothers best friend Creed who she’s had a crush on since forever but she’s angry why she didn’t know her family kept this hidden from her. There’s a lot of tiny secrets her family didn’t inform her about with her being away. I wish she didn’t forgive so easy the other secrets weren’t bad. Just the husband one lol. Their relationship is tense but not to bad since she did have a crush on him and he hasn’t really done anything wrong.

Beside their relationship the stalker is back and they are targeting her family/friends now. Leaving pieces of puzzles for her to “solve” honest it took awhile for them to get the bad guy. Which was fine I got more time with Fern and Creed lol. We do have heartbreaking moments.. but I didn’t feel to sad since I didn’t connect with them.

Safety squad- there is a tiny FF scene kissing only with her bff it is mentioned that her and bestie messed around, also her brother is fuck buddied with her bestie.. and the brother knew they messed around. Also if you want in chapter 4 she’s fucking a guy she has fucked before and she always says she pictured Creed.. it’s the whole chapter so if you want you can skip 4 that’s all. That’s all for that. They’re faithful to eachother. No one else

Low angst, No ow drama tiny om drama, ehh sorta but not really cheating, slight secondary charts, drama, sexy times, no virgins (no info on MMC past)

Recommend-maybe
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶

Slowinsta
Tiny age gap
26h/32H
MF Tiny FF (kissing)
Bi FMC
Death of a loved one
Graphic depiction of torture
Masturbation
Murder/violence
Consensual-non con
Exhibition/public sex (H fucks her as his men are at the table)
Voyager
Degradation
Praise kink
No condom
Hea
Epilogue

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way that this book IMMEDIATELY drew me in still shocks me.

Think of it like this: a true romantic thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat but has some HOT ASS SCENES THAT’LL MAKE YOUR P🐱SSY THROB!! You will stay guessing and have no idea what will happen next, until it does!

I literally did not guess the bad guy…nor did I really even think it would be who it turned out! My brain thought up so many different options but nope 🤣

Can’t wait for everyone to get to experience this wild ride. BUT ALSO THE RESTAURANT SCENE HOLY MOLY…let’s just say Creed got to really eat 😛

Tropes:
Marriage of convenience
Best friends brother
It’s always been you
Age gap
Dark romance
Romantic thriller

[The Devon Book Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG. I could not put this down! The twists, the spice, the suspense! I honestly hadn’t worked out who was behind everything until near the end and I trusted no one the whole way through!

Creed is the embodiment of ‘touch her and die’ vibes, while also doing everything possible to build Fern back up and help her heal.
The whole found family trope is strong in this book and I am fully here for it! I loved the annoying little brother attitudes of the guys surrounding Creed.

Fern goes through more than anyone should and has to learn how to navigate her life in the aftermath and learn to trust the people around her to help save them and herself.

This book had me gripped from the get go, if thriller romance is your thing, I highly recommend this!

[Lark _thebookchamber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, wild ride of a book and I cannot wait for book two! If you enjoy romantic suspense/thrillers I feel like you’ll enjoy this one as well! Just make sure to check TW beforehand 🫶🏼

There were many character throughout this story, but this book focuses on Fern and Creed mainly. I enjoyed their characters and personality. Creed is so fierce and protective and I loved seeing him and Fern make their forced marriage of convenience work and begin to explore the (very spicy) physical aspects of it 😉😏 I loved the body and sex positivity all throughout this story and loved the Fern was 100% comfortable in her body- but also that Creed was 100% in love with her body and wouldn’t have changed a single thing about her.
Theres a lot going on throughout, but it will have you guessing and then second guessing the entire time. The suspense was great and I loved trying to figure everything out right along with the characters!

• marriage of convenience
• brothers best-friend
• forced proximity
• body/sex positivity
• touch her & 💀 vibes
• mafia
• dark romance
• romantic thriller
• unaliving/graphic scenes
• accidental(?) su!cide attempt

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is as a very easy read. I gave it a low score only because I felt the author couldn’t make up her mind with the theme and characters. At times it felt like she wanted it to be a dark romance and then other times the MMC is a big teddy bear, which didn’t convince me of his dark nature. The murder mystery aspect of the story was good, I did not guess the plot twist.

[H-e-l-e-n-a · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me gustó mucho la primera mitad.
La segunda mitad decayo lamentablemente. 🫤


📖
"I can promise you that I will not, in fact, be a good girl tonight. Why don’t you sit down and watch a woman work, huh?"
_
"You think you aren’t under my skin, in the memory of my muscles, the marrow of my very bones?"

[Ashley Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

MOVE OVER ALL BOOK BOYFRIENDS OF THE PAST…who needs Maas-verse alpha holes when there exists a Creed in my universe?! I loved this action packed story right from the start. Forbidden love, grumpy-grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, mutual pining…this book has it all. Great spice right from the get-go and some real heavy trauma to unpack in a very realistic way make this a well balanced and bingeable read. I loved falling in love with Creed and I can’t wait to fall in love with the rest of his “boys”. Well done Taylor, keep the dark romances coming!

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

check your trigger warnings but this was everything I was craving. Angst, trauma, mystery, strong family bond and of course a big mafia man that's the definition of "touch her and die". I mean our girl goes through trauma after trauma with her not able to control anything but thank god for her man creed, her brothers best friend that's she's been pining on for years bit never shows any interest, or so she thought. Seriously this is a wild ride that will have you reading through the night.

As for the plus-size representation, its perfect.  There is a quote I love : "My red cut off shirt that shows off my soft stomach, allowing everyone to see exactly what they pretend not to crave." It's just perfect because sometimes it's feels like people don't like fat because they aren't suposed to and this line is a perfect wink at seeing behind peopkes masks. At one point in the book her body does slim down which worried me but honnestly it was perfectly done. He body changed after immense trauma and a huge change in lifestyle, and it is mentioned that she still has fat. Like any human bodies changed and it just made her more human.

I just loved every moment of this even if my heart might have skipped a beat a few times. Just go read it

[Duchess · Rating 1 out of 5]

You ever get so mad at a book that you start looking around waiting for Ashton Kutcher and his fucking brain dead raccoons to pop up and be like "you've just been punked!" Yea, I didnt do that either. . .

This goddamn fucking book. I jumped in cuz it was supposed to be thicc girl rep, cuz you know, they need some loving too! I was going to read "Choosing You" but then I learned it's the 3rd book in the series so I, like a normal reader, went to the first book to get my timeline in check. "Waiting for the Pieces" even the fucking name makes me want to snarl. What fucking pieces?! I was at 36% when I realized I'm still waiting for the goddamn plot! It's like a line up the nose is needed as prep for each chapter. Even the dialogue, OMG, what the fuck. What the fuck did I read?! WHAT?! I felt like I was in the circus and the words were fucking clowns running around in circles diddling their assholes and trying to wipe their fucking bipolar shit on me. It ain't fucking sticking cuz it can't fucking decide what the fuck it is! And then we have one of the cringiest, dumbest scenes I've read and I've read a fuckton of them. Check out the beginning where she's at a friend's party. What the fuck was going on? LMAO OMG she was so weird and ew like, what?! Are we teens who finally got into mom's Xanax? She def uses it cuz I'd want to disappear from that world too. I'm just sitting here waiting and waiting and fucking hell if you're not gonna swallow, spit it the fuck out already! 36 fucking percent, dude!!!! What the fuck is going on?!!!!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way this book manhandled me
*squeals*
Babe, let’s sit down on the couch and have a chat because this is something to whisper and giggle about - and I mean that in the best of ways. Waiting for the Pieces is Author Taylor Wilson-West’s debut to dark romance and I feel like she really nailed it.

Now listen, dark has a spectrum and this falls right in the middle for me. Fern is a firecracker and she doesn’t let you slip on anything. Creed is delicious and dark… let’s just say he really knows how to make a meal out of things 😮‍💨

If you like these tropes, then you’ll love this:
🧩 Marriage of Convenience
🧩 Brother’s best friend
🧩 Bad Boy/Golden Girl
🧩 “It’s always been you.”
🧩 Touch her and 💀
🧩 Found Family

This is a romantic suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out who is murdering people, until the very moment it was revealed. This author is known for her romcoms but this addition to her works is one I thoroughly enjoyed. The banter was still there, the steam and spice was there, the story and character growth… she doesn’t miss.

[Rid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa! This story really started out with me on the edge of my seat with Fern’s whole life getting turned upside down. Then jumping to 2 years later when Fern finally feels like things are starting to get better, she gets thrust back into her hometown with a bombshell or 2 dropped into her lap.

The killer who had his eyes on her 2 years ago is still after her. No one she loves is safe and bodies are turning up everywhere as her childhood crush (and brother’s best friend) leaves no stone unturned to find the killer who has Fern in his crosshairs.

With the perfect amount of suspense, a dash of murder, and more than a little spice this book was a quick read with several popular tropes from both the dark romance and thriller genres. If you like mafia vibes, morally grey men, marriages of convenience, and a MMC who will tear the whole world apart if you touch his girl then you will love this book!

[Virginie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t really know what to expect when I read this book, but I certainly didn’t expect to hold my breath for so long in the face of so much mystery, or even to feel so much emotion in response to Fern’s distress.

I’m not necessarily someone who turns to thrillers in general, but I’m glad I did in this case, as I enjoyed Waiting for the Pieces.

I found Fern to be a very brave FMC. She goes through a lot, but she is resilient. Her journey is far from smooth, but she perseveres through it all. I, for one, don’t know if I would have been as brave as she was, and to be honest, given how resentful I can be, I doubt I would have forgiven certain things and people as easily as she did. I also liked that she was comfortable in her own body and accepted herself as she was, even after the attack that left her with so many scars, both physical and emotional.

I had a bit more trouble with Creed. I had a hard time getting my head around him at first and it threw me off a bit. However, I began to like him as the book progressed and he revealed more about how much he cares for Fern.

I’ll definitely continue my visit to Gravity Hill by reading the rest of the series.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was just so freaking entertaining that it instantly drew me in and kept me riveted to my seat throughout. It was a dark and twisted romantic thriller with many spicy moments that left my body aching.

Fern and Creed have an amazing connection and incredible chemistry. Creed will do anything for her and he gives his all trying to help her heal. It was touching, sweet and amazing, even for a grumpy, broody man.

The banter throughout was fantastic and the spice was simply delicious.

This story was well written with fantastic characters and with a storyline that was filled with action, suspense, drama, violence, spice and amazing passion. The twists and turns had me trying to guess who the villain was, but I honestly had no idea and the big reveal ended up shocking me!

Highly enjoyable story and can’t wait to read more from this author.

[Jess Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for trusting me with an ARC copy of your book. Wow!! It was so thrilling that I read it in a day.

Right from the beginning, the story captivated my attention. You jump right into the spice and adventure. Fern is witty, wild and so much fun. But then things change after she is almost murdered. Riding along while she overcomes the trauma, grows and discovers her new life was so fascinating! The identity of the murderer was such a mystery and kept me on my toes. I loved how all the pieces came together. (Pun intended 😉) Creed Hemlock is a new favourite, he has the touch her and die vibes and I was all for it.

This book is COMING SOON and I highly suggest you add it to your TBR. Please check trigger warnings as there are some very heavy ones!

[The_bookish_cave_of_wonders · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book it was a fast paced, easy thrilling read. The only gripe I really had were there were some parts that didn't fully add up for me but aside from that it was a brilliant book and definitely worth the read. I enjoyed the dynamic between Fern and Creed and the underlying thriller element of the stalker situ running through the background of the plot. I have to admit, I was surprised by who it turned out to be and it wasn't who I thought it was. I liked the trauma rep throughout this story as well and watching Fern try and come to terms with her anxiety and depression after the horrifying situation she endured, to then come home and find everything she thought she knew had completely changed.

I definitely recommend this as a read

[ERICA · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t written a review in AGES. But I feel that Waiting for the Pieces definitely deserves it.

I read this in a single sitting and then IMMEDIATELY downloaded and gobbled up Breaking You. Sometimes dark/thriller romance just hits. The. SPOT. I loved Creed (the only thing that would have made it better was to get his POV as well. I want IN HIS HEAD.)

Also totally here for the sex positivity! The way Fern genuinely enjoys sex was so fucking refreshing. She knows what she likes and isn’t afraid to go after it. The whole “girl pines and stays celibate while the man fucks around” is so not it, and that’s not what we get here!!! I loved it hard.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waiting for the Pieces was the perfect suspenseful thriller encompassing a serial killer, a forced marriage, and a love strong enough to overcome everything. I loved the mystery and continued guessing who was behind the murders through the entire book! Creed is just *chef’s kiss* perfection, and Fern is so strong in overcoming everything thrown her way. If you’re looking for a mild thriller combined with romance, then this is the book for you!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pacing: Fast Paced
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Favorite Character: Creed

[Rebecca Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this book.....

Standing ovation... lots of clapping to the point my hands hurt.

It was like this author knew everything I needed and put it together in one book.

OMG FERN AND CREED WERE JUST.... *kiss* DELICIOUS...

Also the mystery the surrounding the book was OH SO JUICY! It had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end...

Also.... Creed... he is the perfect possessive male we all need.

UGH LOVED THIS BOOK! I need more more more morrrreeee of these books from this author.

[Archives of Jina · Rating 5 out of 5]

TAYLOR!!!! This was so good!! First dark romance?? Who? WHAT? You were made to write this genre, I swear it.

Can Creed be mine? He is the most perfect alphahole. The smut??? *queue flailing*

What to 1000% look forward to:
-Killer on the loose. Who done it?
-Mafia (this was a welcome surprise)
-Forced Marriage
-Dark
-Squirting
-There's a scene where they do the horizontal tango in front of his men and I screamed into a pillow.
-He is O B S E S S E D with her.
-Definitely touch her and d!e vibes.

I need the next one yesterday.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was tense and had me guessing right up till the end. I didn't trust anyone. I am not a big thriller lover but I have started to really enjoy them and the romance definitely helped. Creed is 😘. I love Taylor's writing and the way their stories play out. This might be my new favorite of Taylor’s books.

I'm going to put a SPOILER in here because I was tense the whole time. *No animals are injured in this book* That is all. 😉

[Carly · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Now, take your punishment like the little whore I know you are.”
~~~~
I don’t really know what to say about this book. Oh wait..yes I do.. FINISHED THIS IN LESS THAN 24hrs! Loved the FMC, loved the MC even more. This book had me turning pages like you wouldn’t believe! This book also, totally fits Taylor’s style! Love everything.
I absolutely love supporting Taylor and being part of her street team! I’m stoked to see what’s next.

[Gemma Keenan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 I couldn’t put this down.
Honestly I didn’t know what I was going into but I loved it I just wish it had more description. The mental health rep is 👏🫶 but I just wish their was more between her coming home to her basically becoming a unaliver 😂

Other than that I loved it! This story follows fern and her stalker, her family and creed her brothers best friend who is also her new husband this story had it all from forbidden love mob wife

[LeAnna · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite local authors has a new book coming and I absolutely devoured it! The other books I’ve read by Wilson-West have been wonderful, quick romance reads, but she does a genre flip with this amazing thriller! I couldn’t get enough of it and picked up my phone or kindle to read as much as possible. Can’t wait to see her at a book festival and pick up my signed copy! 🖤

[Ashley Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this down!! I absolutely love Taylor’s writing. It completely sucks you in and next thing you know it’s hours later and you have no idea what’s going on around you! The spice was definitely spicing in this one and I enjoyed every minute of it! Literally screamed, giggled and kicked my feet so much throughout this book! I HIGHLY recommend you read this one!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true dark romance if I ever saw one. I love a morally grey MMC and Creed is exactly that. Fern goes through trauma that most of us cannot even begin to fathom and Creed goes above and beyond to protect her. He's not only what she wants, but what she needs. I love the mystery/thriller aspect to this book as well. It was put together so well!

[Kelly Ormsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE that Taylor Wilson-West writes plus-size MCs, but it's not the WHOLE focus of her books. Representation without fetish-fatuation is important! Fern and Creed captured my heart from the beginning. My heart broke with Fern's, and then Creed carefully put it back together again in the most sexy, aggressively sweet way possible. (I also definitely read Book 2 before Book 1 and while they aren't the same main MCs, this helped the series make SO much more sense, PSA read them in order).

[Janet Guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely devoured this book!!!! First the start was good! Always love a good thriller with spice!!! Looking fwd to more of this awesome authors work!!! Creed is 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠 one of my fav mafia dark romances

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahem, allow me to reintroduce myself. You may call me, dark and twisty. Of course I read stories that embody those traits. The hook was instant. It gave me thrills and chills that I haven't felt since reading From Hell by Mallory Fox. There's just something about the FMC finally getting their moment of retribution that has me picking up and finishing the book in one sitting.

There is gore. Violence. Anger. Sadness. Fright. Terror. Anxiety. Fear. Compassion. Hatred. Forgiveness. Empathy. Yep, that's a lot of stuff and honestly, not even the half of it.

After checking what the content is about and evaluating whether or not the story might be for you, I hope you make the best choice for yourself. That being said, Taylor does lay out the TWs clearly and I always add brownie points to authors that are upfront and transparent in this way. If you decide to venture down the dark rabbit hole, I hope it leaves you with the same spine tingling rush I'm currently feeling!

[Drea Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waiting For The Pieces - Taylor Wilson-West

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


WFTP kept me on my toes!!!! I ABSOLUTLY LOVED IT. This book is probably my new favorite by Taylor. It's mystery and murder and love all in one 💕