In the End

by Cole Gray

When Kimberly ends up in The Phoenix Institute after a traumatic event, she's lost in her minds chaos until Ryker comes along. He's got a stubborn streak a mile wide, and she's got more than a few screws loose. After many grueling group therapy sessions, they seem to have a better understanding of each other. But can this lead to something more?

89 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2024

About the author

Cole Gray is an Independent Author of romance novels. Writing is her passion; she uses real-life experience and extensive immersive research to create her fiction novels. She is committed to providing high-quality work for her readers.

Cole Gray lives in Indiana with her husband and five children. In her free time, she spends time outdoors and creates lasting memories with her family.

Reviews

[Mikayla Krystyne]

Easy to read. Short, sweet, to the point!! Summed up mental health facility very nicely! The twist at the end, I never saw coming!

[Brianna Price]

amazing!

This book was a short but amazing book. I did not expect the turn it took in the end. I definitely recommend reading it. Read the trigger warnings. Listen to the songs with each chapter. 1000% recommend!

[Queenie2023 aka Rita]

I really enjoyed the story! Would have loved a longer version even more. Was not expecting the twists at the end.

[Susannah]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ In the End by Cole Gray

This is one of those books that sits with you long after you turn the final page.

In the End is raw, heavy, and heartbreakingly human. From the moment Kimberly arrives at The Phoenix Institute, you can feel the weight of her trauma and the chaos in her mind. Nothing about her healing is rushed or romanticized—it’s messy, uncomfortable, and painfully real. Then Ryker enters the picture with his stubbornness, sharp edges, and quiet understanding, and something fragile but meaningful begins to form between them.

What really stood out to me was how thoughtfully Cole Gray handled mental health and trauma. The group therapy sessions felt authentic, sometimes difficult to read in the best way, and full of emotional depth. Watching Kimberly and Ryker slowly learn each other—without fixing one another—was beautiful and bittersweet.

And that ending… absolutely devastating. It’s the kind of ending you don’t see coming but makes complete sense once it hits. I was not prepared for the emotional impact, and I found myself just sitting there afterward, processing everything.

The author’s note hit me especially hard. Knowing the trauma Cole Gray experienced and poured into this story made the book feel even more personal and meaningful. You can feel the honesty on every page, and it adds a layer of respect and gratitude for the story being told.

This isn’t an easy read, but it’s an important one. If you’re looking for a deeply emotional story that handles sensitive subject matter with care and leaves a lasting impression, In the End is unforgettable. 💔📚

[Jessica Nicole]

This story weaves together so many layers grief, healing, the long shadow of mental illness and it does so with incredible tenderness and raw honesty. The mental health representation is not only deeply respectful but also incredibly real. It’s the kind of story that doesn’t just show you what it feels like to hurt. It shows you what it means to survive. And the romance? Chef’s kiss. It also had me laughing out loud, Cole shows her silly in this one! He calls her Blackbird and let me just say, I’ve never wanted to be called anything more in my life. There’s something so poetic and soft in that name, especially coming from someone who’s struggled to show gentleness until her. It’s tender and powerful at once, like the book itself. Try this one!! It’s a quick read and worth every minute of your time.

[Colie Lancaster]

Have you ever seen one of those cute little countertop gumball machines that are made for your daily mental health meds and thought "oh my gosh I need this!"?

If you have than this is the Novella for you.

I went into this having no idea what it was about, fully blind, not reading any trigger warnings, etc.

When I tell you that I was giggling from the start.
The pink power ranger, the snarky banter and the gaggle of bitches (when you meet the one obsessed with Sleep Token just know her and I are one in the same lol)

The first half of it I read on kindle and the second half I listened to the audiobook which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Before reading this I have never had an authors note at the end of the book make me cry. Cole really put their entire heart, soul and trauma into this Novella and it will be one that sticks with me for years to come.

[Emma Lynn Ellis]

Uhhhhh okay. I don’t even know where to start. This book is short. Like soooo short you can read it in 2 hours or less. BUT the story is there. The writing style is direct, but it still immerses you in the world of Kimberly at the same time.
I was going to give this book 3 stars until the end had my jaw dropping. I was SO not expecting that! I feel like it takes a lot lately to get me by surprised, but holy moly.

[Mallory Carrillo]

This book brings so much awareness! Most definitely check for trigger warnings. This will open your eyes to truly see you never know what someone is going through. You don’t have to be what you been through. At some point in life we have been through a thing or two. It’s ok to get help. We are all on journey in this life surging our own battles. Definitely give this novella read !

[Brett Tourscher]

wtf did I just read 😭😭😭 (in a really good way!!)

I absolutely devoured this from the first page. Kimberly has a sassy attitude which I love in female characters!!! Ryker is a hard headed angry dude who I can full heartedly relate to.

But the twist at the end…. I didn’t see coming and I almost cried!!
HE CANT BE IN HER HEAD.
HE JUST CANT.

[Chelsey Meyers]

Although there were some typos, I actually really enjoyed this story. You never know what some is dealing with or what they have been through to bring them to where they are today. Also, I did not see that ending coming at all.

I absolutely love and adore this author. She puts so much feeling and little pieces of herself into everything she writes that I just eat it all up.

[Kirsten]

READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS!
It's been a couple of weeks since I finished this, and my mind is still 🤯. This story touches on some really touchy subjects, but it's done SO well.. I was fully engrossed in this and am still absolutely shocked at the way it ended.

[Tiannah J♡]

I absolutely loved this novella!! It was short, dark, a little spicy, and packed a punch. I didn't want it to end, and I wish I could read it again for the first time.

I can't wait to read more by Cole Gray!

[Marie Maness]

That twist 🫣

Oh my goodness I didn't see that twist coming AT ALL. This book had me sucked in from the start and my jaw literally dropped at the ending. I will definitely be reading more from this author!

[Allison]

was not ready for the twist

Wow. The ending was not what I expected! This dark romance novella truly surprised me! Definitely a good quick read!

[Denise R. Kelley]

That Ending though…

If you enjoy a fast and dark read with a little bit of spice, then I highly recommend giving this read a try! Beware of that twist ending because it might hurt..

[Shannon Like the river]

this book awesome. Got me out if my reading slump. couldn't put it down!!!

[Anthony W]

The book was a great book love the story the characters