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Aspen Ridge #1.5

Ready or Not

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Wes

Lilith Aspen. Daughter of the founding family of our small town, and the most intoxicating woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. She’s also eighteen years younger and my son’s ex-girlfriend. There’s something dark and depraved that she keeps hidden deep inside her. It calls to my primal side that wants to unleash when she’s around. I don’t bother fighting my obsession. She’s my match in every way, she just needs to be shown. Hunting her becomes my addiction. And on Halloween night, I plan to bring her dark side out to play.

**Ready or Not is book 1.5 in the interconnected Aspen Ridge universe and can be read as a standalone. HEA guaranteed!**

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2024

162 people are currently reading
1762 people want to read

About the author

Jenn Plummer

15 books398 followers
Author, wife, mother, lover of reading, overcast skies, chilly weather, and hockey.

A romantic at heart, Jenn has always been a lover of books, and is constantly dreaming up heart-wrenching stories that will have you reaching for tissues and make you blush.

When Jenn's not writing, she can be found reading a spicy romance novel, watching scary movies, and enjoying her quiet life in New England, living out her real-life romance story.

Follow along for more updates and book news.

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5 stars
481 (33%)
4 stars
535 (37%)
3 stars
304 (21%)
2 stars
85 (5%)
1 star
33 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 440 reviews
Profile Image for Jen ♥.
1,764 reviews976 followers
October 29, 2024
Gawd, this is hot and kinky. 🫣🥵🤣

I've read stories with the ex-boyfriend's dad trope, and apparently I still find them appealing. What does that say about me? I don't wanna know. 😂

There's just something about the taboo vibe of this pairing that does it for me most of the time. And while these stories are very predictable, I'm still here eating all the crazy smutty goodness they serve up. 🤭

I really enjoy how these older guys take care of the women that their sons couldn't quite please, and maaan, they definitely know their stuff. 🤭🥵

I'm not here to give a whole spiel on why this novella is a solid read for me; I just know I had a blast with it! 🤣

Wes made me blush, flustered, and feeling all hot and bothered, istg, this man. 😮‍💨 I can't even blame Lilith for getting swept off her feet by his charms. This guy's got his eyes on the prize, and he's ready to pull out all the stops to claim his little one. 🙈😈

Anyhoo, I did enjoy it, and the theme is just perfect since Halloween is just around the corner. 🤭


Book info:
- Novella
- Age gap (h20/H38)
- Ex-bf's dad
- Halloween themed
- Stalking
- Obsessed MMC
- Dubcon
- DDLG
- Primal play
- Blood play
- Breath play
- Somnophilia
- Praise kink
- No cheating, OM/OW, separation
- Not sure if she's a V
- No protection
- HEA (6 mos later, married)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Brittany Ferraro.
240 reviews1,348 followers
September 17, 2025
3.75⭐️This little novella gets straight to the point and delivers exactly what it promises. Perfect fall vibes, fast-paced, and all spice with very little plot, but that’s exactly what I was looking for, and it hit the spot. I flew through it in one sitting and had such a good time.

It’s an almost 20-year age gap with the ex-boyfriend’s dad and he’s tall, tatted, bearded, and fully leaning into the Daddy kink. He’s chasing you down, ripping off the good-girl mask, and unleashing the dark side you’ve always kept hidden and locked away. It’s filthy, it’s hot, and it was exactly what the doctor ordered.
Profile Image for Kseniia ✨️.
291 reviews27 followers
October 8, 2025
Це було до біса гаряче🔥
Дійсно хороша новела, ідеальний розмір і темп. Стиль авторки сподобався, тепер хочеться прочитати всю серію.

Одного осіннього дня Вес зустрічає в кав'ярні Ліліт. Дівчину свого сина, яку він таємно бажає. Слово за слово і він дізнається, що вони розійшлись. Потім під час розмови з сином він дізнається причину розставання і вирішує вирушити на полювання😈

Трохи часу на підготовку і на Геловін, під час костюмованої вечірки у старій покинутій психіатричній лікарні в глибині лісу Вес забере своє😈
Profile Image for Kate V.
1,846 reviews366 followers
October 7, 2024
Ready Or Not is a novella length story about Lily and Wes. Lily is not the woman she appears to be on the outside and after breaking up with her boyfriend, she realizes his dad Wes has always been on her radar. Wes has always wanted and watched Lily from afar. His moment arrives when Lily is not attached anymore and he doesn’t back down to claim what he considers his.

“I’m going to force your dark side out to play, little one. I’m going to show you how good it can feel when you give in to the darkness inside you. I’m going to fuck you so good I’ll be all you think about. All you want. All you need.”


Smutty, age-gap, light daddy kink and minimal plot but o so delicious. I loved Wes and his dominance and obsession. Lily felt a little boring but the story was short so I think had this been longer, her character would have had a chance to be developed more. Overall, a spooky and smutty story I enjoyed!

ARC provided by Luna Literary for an honest review.
Profile Image for Shhh ... I’m Reading.
89 reviews27 followers
September 29, 2024
Ready or not … Here he comes 👀

Wes a stalker? Yes 🙌🏻 Lily into her stalker? Yes 🙌🏻

Very fast spicy read! I give it 4 stars, as I wish there was more of a plot to the story! Or…more sex needed? 🤔

Dark Romance with several triggers!

Great book for someone looking for the spice with a very fast read!
Profile Image for Carla .
1,670 reviews532 followers
December 28, 2025
It’s a good reading for anyone who wants to pass a time.
Profile Image for Bryanna.
524 reviews77 followers
October 20, 2024
This was a perfect Halloween spicy novella!

• Dark Romance
• Stalker
• Daddy Kink
• Primal Play
• Age Gap
• Ex Boyfriends Dad
Profile Image for Meredith.
200 reviews1 follower
September 28, 2024
I had a lot of fun with this novella! It's all the stereotypically dark romance ingredients mixed into one sexy little snack.

Is it over-the-top? Absolutely.
Is there a plot outside of the sex? Not so much.
But it was a perfect-for-the-season, quick little
read.

I had a few small issues, but really, for what it is, I kinda loved it. I enjoyed Jenn’s writing, and there were some really funny lines sprinkled throughout.
Profile Image for Clairsreads.
445 reviews60 followers
October 2, 2024
JENN MFIN PLUMMER LADIES AND GENTS!!! How this book is this good only being a novella should be CRIMINAL. I need more asap or I will literally pass away 🪦

We were introduced to who Wes Draven was in Unravel Me but never fully met him and BOY WAS THAT A MISSED OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE THIS MAN???? 🥵🥵🥵
Wes is a private investigator in the small PNW town of Aspen Ridge. While at the local coffeeshop he runs into a familiar face, Lilith, his son’s girlfriend or…come to find out out, ex girlfriend. Both Lilith and Wes were attracted to each other from the get go but Adam, Wes’ son and Lilith’s boyfriend kind of got in the way of that. Now that he’s out of the picture tho? These two have sparks flying and hot tension immediately.

Lilith starts to feel like she’s being watched but it doesn’t give her the creeps, instead she almost invites her stalker in…. I’ll give you three guesses who her stalker is. This sh*t was HOTTTTT. 
I know I’m not the only one who loves a lil s0mn0 and boyyyy was this good. When Lilith and Wes finally come face to face on Halloween night and truly let their demons out to play with each others it was some of the hottest spice I have ever read.

At this point, I think it would be impossible for Jenn to write a bad book. I have absolutely loved both of these very very different journeys between Unravel Me and Ready or Not and I cannot WAITTTT for Crave Me coming in December!
Profile Image for Megan Coggins.
685 reviews149 followers
November 1, 2024
Halloween night quick read.

Holy daddy
Ex boyfriends dad
20/38 age gap
Dark novella
Stalker
TWs

Went well for me til the thing at the 80% mark 🤣
Cringe
Profile Image for Chiara^•^.
438 reviews116 followers
November 12, 2024
Ready or Not by Jenn Plummer
4/5⭐
3/5🌶️

After finishing Unravel Me, I jumped straight into this book and finished it off in just two hours. It was my first Halloween-themed read, and I absolutely loved it! If you want something quick, steamy, a little spooky, with an age gap and forbidden vibes, this book is totally for you.

So, Lily Aspens comes from a well-off family that founded the town and even named it after themselves. She’s spent her whole life trying to be that perfect daughter her parents want, but deep down, she knows that's not really her. She’s itching to break free. Wes is her ex-boyfriend's dad, and the moment he sees Lily, he picks up on that darker side she’s hiding. Once he finds out she broke up with his son, he doesn’t waste any time going after her.

This story was such a treat! Wes is seriously obsessed with Lily. I love how he stalks her around and helps her discover her true self. He definitely has that daddy vibe, and honestly, I can’t blame Lily for falling for his charm because I totally would too. The primal play in this one is super hot, and I enjoyed every minute of it. If you're in the mood for something quick, and steamy definitely give this novella a shot.
Profile Image for Roo.
539 reviews16 followers
October 15, 2024
This was such a fun read! A good spooky season read that is quick and grabs you for the entire book! Stalkers, roses, Halloween parties…this read has them all!!

If you enjoy fast reads, spooky chases, and a good old lot of spice this book is for you!

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3🌶️🌶️🌶️
Profile Image for Page_2_Pen.
244 reviews29 followers
October 5, 2024
Unruly desire, stalking with intense determination, unbridled passion, and a forbidden connection… wow! This one escalated quickly! Lilly isn’t boring enough for her boyfriend, which is why he’s now her ex. Societal and parental demands for her to be the perfect, presentable angel are throwing her emotions overboard. A chance meeting with her ex’s dad, a plume of unexpected sexual need that must be fed and fulfilled, even by her stalker, Lilly finds herself enthralled during her favorite time of year… Halloween. Will she be able to maintain her perfect, sensible composure as she’s always been expected to? Or will her hidden desires take control of who she is to become? I received an arc copy of this book from the author through BookFunnel in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes:
💀 Dark Romance
🖤 Halloween Setting
💀 Stalker Romance
🖤 A Game of Hide and Seek
💀 Age Gap
🖤 Ex-boyfriend's Dad
💀 Primal Play
Profile Image for ~☆Courtney☆~.
649 reviews13 followers
October 1, 2024
Thank you, Luna Literary for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

hot hot hot ! love a spicy novella that I can.binge in one sitting.

Absolutely sexy, and I got major Zade Meadows vibes from Wes.(but not as dark 🤭)

I'll be reading the rest of the series as and when they are published. If they share a similar vibe to this, then we are golden !

🖤age gap (18 years)
🖤taboo (ex bf's dad)
🖤small town
🖤stalker romance
🖤perfect for spooky season
🖤she looks like an angel, but is a little devil

4 🌶
253 reviews13 followers
September 28, 2024
Did someone say hand tattoos? Yes please
Ex boyfriends dad? Yes please

What a fun spicy read! What a perfect read for Halloween. Highly recommend this one.
Profile Image for What.Nikki.Reads.
926 reviews67 followers
October 17, 2024
🖤Age Gap (18yrs)

🎃Stalker

🖤Ex-boyfriend's Dad

🎃Degredation

🖤Daddy K$nk

🎃Halloween

🖤Instalove

🎃100pages 


This one is a novella in a series but can absolutely be read as a standalone. Lily just broke up with her boyfriend when she runs into his dad, while getting a pumpkin spice latte of course! We have a cat & mouse chase, stalking and let's just say she's not always awake 😉. This was a fun dark Halloween read.
Profile Image for Readingwithdesi .
1,286 reviews38 followers
September 29, 2024
This was a short spicy read that was just so freaking good!!
👻Ex boyfriends dad
Stalker vibes
Age gap
Man obsessed
Asylum setting at Halloween
Spooky season
Profile Image for Heidi Kathryn .
194 reviews2 followers
October 15, 2024
Happy Halloween!
I really thought this book was fun!? Maybe I am a bit different but I appreciate how Lilly finally feels seen by Wes. Even if he is much older and her ex boyfriend’s dad. I mean kinda ick but love is love right?
If you just need a quick escape that’s a tiny bit dark, this novella is absolutely for you.
Profile Image for Okie Reads All The  Romance.
111 reviews
January 5, 2025
I hereby volunteer as tribute to be an ARC Reader for any and all future books!! Especially the rest of this series! Sign.me.up!!

Ok,I'm hereby moving to Aspen Ridge..lol. Wes is the perfect man for an age gap, dark romance. His character is *chef's kiss*. I love a good age gap, Romance, too. There's something so good about the ex-boyfriends dad trope that is so good to me. I haven't read a bad one yet. Liliths character was the perfect opposite for Wes. She had that sweet young innocent persona on the outside but had a naughty, dark side just waiting to be let out. Wes was able to do that for her. She finally felt free to be who she wanted to be without judgment. Overall a great Novella. Definitely don't need to read the other book to read this, only 1 minor spoiler is given in this book for book 1 in the Aspen Ridge series.
Profile Image for Tracy Woodworth.
117 reviews
September 29, 2024
Ready or Not, here I come…

This was my first venture into the Aspen Ridge world and I am glad to have paid a visit! This town gave me all the spooky fall vibes. 🍁🎃☕️

I love a good “ex-boyfriend’s father” trope and this one even had a “cat and mouse” which was super fun! 🐱🐭

Wes is 🔥🔥🔥! And Lilly was such a spicy character.

The trigger warnings are no joke but this is a dark romance so expect it to be 🌶️🖤!

I am so excited to have had the opportunity to read this ARC and review! I will 100% go back and read the first book in this series!
Profile Image for Colleen.
438 reviews2 followers
October 30, 2024
Damn Daddy Wes 🥵🥵🔥
Ex bfs dad, age gap, daddy, instalove with some stalking, well this was right up my street 😍 I loved this!

Jen, I’m so glad I saw your review and I read this 💗

I would have read a full length book just for more spice alone cus it was hoooot!

Age gap h20 H38
Ex bfs dad
No owd/omd
Hea
Epilogue 6 months later they’re married
Profile Image for Gee.
78 reviews
September 29, 2024
ARC Review

3.75 ⭐️

This was my first Jenn Plummer book, the tropes pulled me in!

This was a short and spicy read but it just missed the mark for me, I wouldn’t know how to categorise this book, not enough spice to be all spice no plot, not enough plot to get me hooked and not dark enough to be a dark romance 🤷🏼‍♀️

The writing wasn’t bad and enjoyed what was there but was left wanting more…in a bad way.
Profile Image for Jen | The Jenny Edit.
627 reviews30 followers
September 22, 2024
Jenn Plummer delivers a sophomore release that just KILLS IT. I already knew she was an incredible writer from her debut novel, Unravel Me - and with Ready or Not, she continues to amaze with her talent.

This novella is a fast read that packs a punch.

🖤Ex-boyfriend’s dad
🖤Age gap
🖤Taboo themes
🖤Stalker vibes (welcomed by the FMC)
🖤Man obsessed
🖤Asylum setting at Halloween
🖤Spooky season

Wes and Lily are an unlikely pair that wind up being exactly what the other needs. They feed each other’s dark side — and their attraction is palpable. It’s taboo. It’s instant heat. It challenges societal norms and gives a big middle finger to those who’d turn their nose up at “forbidden” love.

And dayyum is it hot. It’s also deliciously creepy and amazingly shocking. In the best possible way.

If dark romance is your thing, there’s no way you won’t love this book and, like me, be in awe of Jenn’s talent.

This novella is a perfect taboo read for October and I can’t recommend it enough!

I am obsessed with Wes and Lily — and thank Jenn for the chance to read this story in advance!
Profile Image for Alexandra (Lex).
100 reviews7 followers
October 16, 2024
Okayyy! Spicy little Halloween novella 🙌🏼🎃 I was into it! Quick, easy read that will definetly put you in dark Halloween spirit mode. Happy release day!

🎃Ex-boyfriends dad
🖤Age Gap (20&38)
🎃Stalking
🖤Halloween
🎃Small town
🖤Instalove
🎃Possessive
🖤Spicy
🎃Dark

Not usually an Instalove kinda girlie, but it worked for me in this short format!

Vampire Diaries (not supernatural) & dark Gilmore Girls vibes
Profile Image for Lindsay.
641 reviews23 followers
July 1, 2025
What a fun little dark/spicy/insta love novella! Wes the unhinged man you are 🙂‍↔️😛🤭🧎🏻‍♀️

Just know the spice is the plot and it’s a damn good time 🔥
Profile Image for Sherry.
85 reviews10 followers
October 11, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ This was a short & fun novella for the spooky months!
21 reviews
October 5, 2024
Such a delicious read. I truly enjoyed this story. It has all the fun dark romance tropes. Age gap, stalker, hunt and more. I love, love, love the Halloween setting (I'm a sucker for spooky season!) I definitely recommend this short read. 🥰
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