Hidden Sparks

by Eliza Rockwood

She's his therapist, and he's the younger wounded soldier who dreams of her. Can she be convinced to forget all the reasons they shouldn't be together, and give in to the sparks between them?

Dani
I love my job as a therapist. Supporting patients as they work through trauma and heal feeds my soul. It’s the work I know I was born to do, so I left my job at a psychiatry practice in Chicago to open my own clinic. I’d only taken the job to make my toxic ex happy, and once I ended things with him nothing was stopping me from quitting. After our ugly break-up, I moved to Colorado, settling in a little town called No Name Creek. At long last I’m far, far away from my ex, and can finally live how I want. Unfortunately, now what I want I can’t have—Sargent Hayden James, a former Army Ranger suffering from PTSD. Though I’d like to treat and care for him in every way, that would be beyond unprofessional. He’s my patient, and significantly younger than me. Giving into my feelings would be very, very wrong. So, I’ll have to settle for treating just his mind, despite how much I long to treat his body. But when Hayden shares a spicy dream he had, starring me, will I be able to continue to deny my feelings? It may be wrong to give in, but the way he touches me feels very, very right.

Hayden
Dr. Daniela Rios has been trying to get me to share my dreams since I started seeing her for therapy months ago. Until now, I’ve been reluctant. Even though I’m committed to treatment for my PTSD, sharing the horrible nightmares from my experiences in the military is still something I have trouble doing. But then I have a dream I don’t want to keep hidden. I’ve desired my curvy therapist since the first time I saw her, and now that she’s also invading my subconscious mind, I’m done fighting it. Dani is a professional though, and damn good at her job, so I know sharing my dirty dream with her is risky. Can I convince Dani that we’re made for each other, and to forget about our age difference and doctor/patient relationship? I can always find a new therapist, but I’ll never find a new soulmate.

Welcome to the holidays in Hideaway Valley—where the festivities bring alpha men together with independent women, and age is nothing but a number

This is book one in the Hideaway Valley Holiday series, featuring insta-love in a small mountain town. Though each book in the Hideaway universe has interconnected characters, they can all be read as standalone stories. If you love spicy, sweet, and daring small-town romance, then take a trip to Hideaway Valley. HEA guaranteed!

Genres: Romance

90 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2024

About the author

Eliza Rockwood is primarily a contemporary romance author who loves to write short, spicy, and sweet insta-love stories full of dynamic characters. Though the Hideaway Mountain series is her debut published work, Eliza has been writing since she was a kid (was even presented with the esteemed “Future Novelist” award in her fifth-grade class) and has an undergraduate degree in creative writing. Her romance books are safe reads with heroes who fall fast and hard for their heroines, no cheating, and ALWAYS a guaranteed happily ever after.

Eliza was born and raised in Colorado, so many of her stories are set in small mountain towns and reflect aspects of her lived experiences. Although romance literature is her first love, she also enjoys writing poetry and historical fiction. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two dogs, and is happy to be realizing a lifelong dream of publishing her written work. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading, hiking, or doing yoga.

Reviews

[Heather Kruczek · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's never too late to find your happiness.

Quick holiday themed insta-love romance between a military vet with PTSD and his therapist. For those familiar with Eliza Rockwood's books, you will note this is interconnected with other Hideaway Mountain books, but can certainly be read as a standalone without confusion. Hayden realizes he's madly in love with his older therapist, Dani, and is willing to put himself out there and see how she responds. Sparks fly when the two get together to reenact a dream. Hayden is an OTT protective cinnamon roll in a well defined tattooed body. He worships the ground Dani walks on and reminds her she is worthy of being loved. Dani, recently running away from a super toxic relationship, is self conscious about her age and body. Together, two people in desperate need of happiness and love are able to find one another.

Recommend for those who love military romance, insta-love/lust, he falls first, breeding kink, and surprise baby romances. Good amount of spice and plot in a brief story!

[Tashii Sainsbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow! A army contemporary romance! Just wow!

I was amazed how @author_elizarockwood intwined the army with a romance! It’s such an amazing storyline! It does have some trigger warnings so please keep that in mind but wow! The spice 🥵And the ending! Omg I wanted to cry! I’m so happy for Dani and Hayden! I need to read the next one! Release day needs to hurry!

Fantastically written and I couldn’t put it down! Keep writing fantastic books @author_elizarockwood ! 💝💝

[Heather. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hayden and Dani... omg... these two... another amazing love story from Eliza

[Veronica Adamita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick read - sometimes you just need a cheesy novella to break up the bigger books. Nothing memorable except as a therapist - big yikes on this plot lol

[Jasmaine Pillai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing writing as always 😊💖
I enjoyed the storyline between Dani and Hayden. Perfect one-hour read✨️

[TrishSparklerReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

@TrishSparklerReads Bookstagram:
“Hidden Sparks” by Eliza Rockwood

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: “Hideaway Valley Holidays”
Rating:4/5⭐️
Spice:3/5🌶️
Darkness: 1/5🩶
POV: Dual

Highlights:
🩷Latina FMC
🩷Mental Health Rep
🩷He Falls First
🩷Hurt/Comfort
🩷Reverse Age Gap
🩷Taboo Relationship


Thoughts:
This was a 1HR sweet and spicy bedtime read. She did a great job in building their relationship and emotional for such a short story. I would read more of this series.

🛑Check Trigger Warnings for past emotional abuse and childhood emotional abuse, Mental Health Challenges -PTSD, breeding/infertility, doctor/patient relationship and age/body image issues.

[kristina_book_reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eliza is one of my favorite authors because we are short perfect to the point. I kind of feel this could’ve been a little longer, but it was perfect. The characters were right on point. A to live under your father shadow or any parent is a challenge because nobody can be the exact same as someone it’s not written that way and Hayden knew that and found time for help. Dani his therapist specializes in PTSD and other mental health issues, obviously but her connects on a very strong level.

[Lazarra Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great insta love romance from Eliza Rockwood. She is quickly becoming my guilty pleasure!
This is a story of a therapist and her very hot ex military client who fall in love but in honesty I'm not sure which one heals the other more... plenty of spice as well which is always an added bonus 😜

[Natalie’s_world_in_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

quick read

I really enjoyed this book
Got to know the characters, their back story.
I would of loved it to be longer
But I loved it, fab read, can’t wait to read the rest of Eliza’s books!

[Jess Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I'd read all of Eliza's books but turns out I missed one🙈

I loved reading about how Dani & Hayden came together and how it was an instant connection between them. They're perfect together! Another amazing book by the amazing Eliza👌

[TJ MelRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one hits home

This story is too sweet! Dani and Hayden's story is one of my favorites. It's comforting seeing how much they overcome to get to their happily ever after. It reminded so much of my personal history and my own HEA! As always, 10/10 recommend!

[Gemma Keenan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little insta lust/love novella
Story was sweet and had a few little plot twists with a dash of spice, touched on a few MH topics and some trauma so please check the TW
Nice little pallet cleanser for me

[Angela Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hidden Sparks

Very spicy! I loved this book just as much as I've loved all her other ones. I love when I can add in some short reads and break up reading the longer books. If you're looking for a short spicy read then this is for you. Happy Reading Everyone!

[Maria]

FREE today (October 26, 2024) on Amazon.

[Ericka Lynnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a cute book. Spicy little novella.

[Tranese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hidden sparks

First book to be read by the author Eliza Rockwood. Even though it was short, it was very fulfilling. Cute, sweet, and full of fire.

[Micki-D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hidden spark is a quick cheesy romance story. It’s a holiday themed kinky insta-love he falls first love story between a military vet with PTSD and his therapist Hayden & Dani work so well together.

[Georgie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this quick, spicy read! I really enjoyed the dynamic of therapist and client, and their connection. I loved the rep of endometriosis, and the struggles that come with that. The MMC is such a sweetheart! I also loved seeing other characters from Eliza's universe popping in and out.
The portrayal of PTSD, past abusive relationships and healing journeys was so beautiful. Ex-military x therapist was done so well, and the struggles of patient/healthcare professional relationships was addressed and dealt with realistically. Her way of distracting him from flashbacks was great and I loved the ending, I feel so safe reading Eliza's books because they are HEA.

[Krystal Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have yet to read something by Eliza that I don’t enjoy! I love how you can read them in any order and they connect but it’s not necessary for each individual book to make sense! She knows the perfect way to write these instalove stories as not everyone is able to! They are always refreshing to me. This one brings to you an ex military and therapist! I absolutely adored Hayden and Dani’s story and hope you do too!!