Like the Sassafras Trees: a small-town, slow burn, romantic suspense

by Aurora Stenulson

In the shadow of the sassafras trees, desires entwine like the roots beneath the earth.

After West takes his anger out on Trinity for the last time, it's just the beginning of her problems. With no one to vouch for her character in the small gossip town of Mount Vernon Texas, Trinity's children are taken away from her little by little until she's unable to reach them at all.

When Knox, an enigmatic new cop in town, stumbles upon West's brutal attack, a spark ignites in him to help this woman he's only just met. As he learns of her struggles against town gossip and West's manipulations, Knox is drawn to Trinity even more.

Can love and truth flourish amid the relentless whispers of a small town? Or will Trinity and Knox's budding friendship cost them everything?

Slow burn friends to lovers set in a small Southern town, Like the Sassafras Trees is a moving work of suspenseful romantic fiction. Following both Trinity and Knox, this story unravels as a tale of resilience and the strength to reclaim one’s life.

Genres: Suspense

437 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 21, 2025

Reviews

[Black Butterfly]

I LOVED THE WRITING STYLE. I READ THIS IN A DAY IT WAS GOOD FROM START TO FINISH. IT HAD HORRIBLE PARTS AND BEAUTIFUL PARTS BUT WAS WRITTEN IN A WAY I REALLY APPRECIATED WHAT I READ. MOST OF US KNOWS SOMEONE OR HAS GONE THROUGH SOME TYPE OF ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP. I LOVED THE ENDING. ;D

[Hannah Neri]

Y’all, this book made me want to scream and cry almost the entire time. I went from being so peeved to so sad. For some reason, all of the depressing books are attracted to me this year. I feel like I’ve read almost nothing but sad stories.

Two of the main characters were beasts! Trinity is one of the toughest character’s I have read…ever. The amount of sadness and mental and physical abuse she endures…and as a mom, is HEARTBREAKING. Knox is a saint. Knox is my boyfriend alpha hero that Trinity deserves over and over for a million years.

The one main character that can suck it is West. Now, in his defense, that’s who he’s supposed to be- the villain who makes everyone’s lives a living hell. Bravo to Aurora Stenulson for writing such strong characters!

This was based on a true story within the author’s family, so it makes it that much more sad. So many trigger warnings! Aurora doesn’t leave it up to any imagination either. It’s such a great story, but so many triggers! Aurora also does an amazing job at portraying the trauma and how people deal with that trauma afterwards.

One thing that I want to pick on is that the ending seemed quite rushed and abrupt. I do think the story as a whole could’ve been a bit shorter, but the end was just there. I’m not mad at the ending, but it went from a fully tragic event to HEA.

*Thank you Aurora Stenulson for my gifted copy!

Definitely check this one out if you’re looking for another emotional read!!

[Paige Elizabeth]

I received this book in my monthly book box. This book was an emotional rollercoaster to say the least. It was heart wrenching, the turmoil that went on. This book was one you won't want to put down that is for sure. I loved how it took so much heartbreak and turned it into a romance story. I love a good slow burn, and this was that and more. A protective, handsome, gentleman, and he's a cop to top it off, I mean what more could you want. The way Knox is with Trinity is so heartwarming. This book will make anyone see the beauty in the ashes and believe in a second chance at love. This book is not for the faint of heart, as there is so much emotional damage that comes with this book. I highly suggest this book as it is that great.

[Kelli Loy]

It’s a hard for me to rate a book 5⭐️ with domestic violence, but this book was truly amazing. 21 year old Trinity had it all, a nice house, 2 sweet kids, and a police officer husband. But what really goes in behind closed doors? What causes a wife and mom and stay and continue with the abuse and how far will Trinity go to leave her narcissistic, abusive husband behind or will she risk losing her kids? Because who would risk fighting back? Will she make it out alive? Or will her husband win out and she stay for her kids? Read
And you will find out! Check your triggers!!! Zero spice!

[Jessica Verble]

As much as I don't like slow burns, I enjoyed this one so much. DV is so rough to get it of, been there. But this book shows a strength I wish women or men to leave before it got worse. Amazing story of strength, pain, trust, and love!!!!

[Annette Phillips]

So poignant!

I loved this story. It made me cry and laugh. It made me feel terrible, then elated. The perfect modern love story!