A Safe Place To Fall

by Bell Landers

Ava thought moving away would be the new start she needed. Battling chronic insecurities, anxiety so severe she can hardly hold a conversation, and a haunted past that left her screaming most the night. What else did she have to lose?

After Tyler survived cancer, he wasn't sure what else there was left for him. He hadn't really planned on making it this far, but when the most beautiful girl he's ever seen moves in next door, he finally had something to live for. But can he save the girl of his dreams from her own nightmares?

Intended for mature audiences, A Safe Place To Fall is a BDSM novella romance showing you that losing control might help bring you out of a dark past.

Genres: Contemporary Romance, BDSM

89 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2025

Reviews

[Ghosty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very short but sweet & spicy novella 💗 I will personally never forgive the forgotten food but I digress. If you’re looking for:

✨ Instalust/love
✨ Neighbors
✨ Ptsd x “I just want to help you forget”
✨ Pleasure dom x inexperienced sub
✨ Bd$m
✨ Dual pov
✨ Short & Spicy
✨ Interconnected standalone
This is absolutely the novella for you!!

Also LOVED the uti warning, I don’t think I have ever seen it talked about???? And some of these fmc just bang every page of a 400 page book in some questionable places 😭💀

[Latazia · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆☆☆☆.5
——-
Such a quick, good, and NASTY read!! Tyler was so down bad for Ava and I loved it. The way he catered to her and listened to her needs was chefs kiss. He was nastttyyy!!!
——

[Ash-Maria Riddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tyler and Ava prove that trust has to be given and not earned, and that healing can come (😈) in many ways 😌🌶️

I had the pleasure of being one of Bell’s Beta and ARC readers, and what an honour it has been to see a story evolve into the wonderful novella it is!

A quick read, with so much growth from the characters packed into such few pages 🥲
Although a few challenging, hard hitting subjects were tackled in this work (PTSD, Trauma, Abuse etc.), Bell has approached all with grace and sensitivity 🤍

I absolutely can’t wait to see what’s in store for the rest of the series 🥹🥹🥹

[Paige Hooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an advanced reader copy of this and loved it. i found Bell Landers on threads and loved the tropes of this book
⭐️Instalove/Lust
⭐️Neighbour's
⭐️Dual POV
⭐️ PTSD
⭐️'I just want to help you forget'
⭐️Short and spicy
⭐️Pleasure Dom and inexperienced sub

If you like any of these tropes, this is an amazing book. The MMC is incredibly caring, and takes into account her trauma he's like a big golden retriever.


Thank you for how you wrote the kitchen scene. Please don't stop writing. The amount of emotions I felt reading this was incredibly read in a few hours as I had to put down a couple of times.


Loved the talk about birth control you don't read in alot of books. Also the conversation about preventing a UTI was refreshing.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was super excited to be choosen to ARC read A Safe Place To Fall!

It's a spicy BDSM novella. Bell, holy shit!! The amount of spice and thought put into Ava and Tyler was phenomenal! The healing journey for both of them meant so much! Keep writing love! You are amazing!

I relate to Ava (being curvy myself) and the way she feels and talks about herself reminds me of myself. Tyler, God, he is what every woman deserves. The praise and reassurance is top notch, and when he talks Ava through a scene is everything.

I can not wait to read the next books and follow the Easton brothers!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! I absolutely loved this Novella. I was so lucky to get an ARC, and read it early. I’ve read a few books by this author and have never been disappointed. But this one blew me out of the water! Tyler is so extremely sweet and instant love. Ava is the shy girl you just want to succeed and get everything in life she ever wants! The only complaint I have for this book, is that I wanted, no needed more! I could have continued reading about them forever!
I seriously cannot wait to continue with each brother, and I just know Conner is gonna knock me off my feet already!
For a novella, the plot was there, the smut was smutting, and it was a fun, enjoyable, and quick read!
Way to go Bell on another outstanding story!

[labibliofille]

The characters inner monologues felt underdeveloped, the "desires" felt ill-timed based on the plot (and yes, I know it's still early days), and I don't understand why the mmc's pov feels dumbed-down. I also don't understand what her being 5'2" has to do with her ability to defend herself. I was excited about the relationship described in this one, but if these first few pages are any indication of the writing, I don't think this book is one for me unfortunately.

[Scott S · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this is not a genre that I normally read, I am a big fan of the author so gave it a try and was surprised how much I enjoyed it. I always like how Bell creates her characters and their backstories, and she does a wonderful job here with the powerful emotions and tensions that both leads feel and go through.
There was enough plot to smut that it wasn’t too much for me, with the spice scenes definitely intense and perfect for the theme.
It’s a well done story, and for those who really like steamy and BDSM tales this is definitely one to check out. I read an arc copy, and this is my own honest review.

[Kat Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was privileged enough to receive an ARC copy of this novella. I met Bell on Threads and read her debut and immediately knew I had a new favorite author, so naturally, I couldn't wait to read A Safe Place to Fall.

My heart... this was a masterpiece. I have read a lot of spicey books, but to me, this was so much more. It was healing.

I legit sobbed at one point, but like a good healing kind of sob.

Spoiler****





Ava has been through a lot, and the way Tyler handled that kitchen scene. 👏 Thank you.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this little novella as an ARC read and it didn't disappoint. It's a quick read. Some triggers that may not be for everyone but they aren't thrown in your face or done in a way to make you feel uncomfortable. Hot and spicy but sweet and cute at the same time. There is an HEA (not really a spoiler, she mentions it in the intro). I felt it was inspiring based on the FMC and her back story.

[Bri Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully sweet and spicy Novella. I prefer more plot than smut so spicy novellas sometimes make me nervous but Bell did a great job of making sure the plot was also on point. I love a bratty sub and Ava was perfect! I also loved seeing the safe word used and how well Tyler handled it when it was. I can’t wait to read more of this series

[Riley Herring · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 🌟 meh. Wanted to read a short story and there was no plot or development but the author did say there wasn’t going to be much so I can’t be mad I guess lol—however, probably a waste of my time 🤣

[Ashley Fleenor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s amazing. I love smut. The smuttier the better and this was top tier. I love everything Bells written but this has to be my all time favorite. You won’t be disappointed

[Kaniah Dahlia · Rating 2 out of 5]

“You’re mine,” I growled. “Mine to please. Mine to use. You’re my little slut. No one else’s. Don’t let anyone know that you’re on the verge of cumming. That is for me only.”

Before I jump too far into this review, I leave a disclaimer. This is 1000% a vibes read, it’s not a literary masterpiece nor is it meant to be, it’s just a sexy smutty good time. I, unfortunately, have my own personal icks with it that very well may not apply to anyone else and that’s okay. No hate to the author or the characters, this just wasn’t for me but it may be for you!

A Safe Place to Fall by Bell Landers is a short BDSM novella featuring a Dom/sub dynamic, healing after trauma, and a whirlwind neighbors to lovers romance. If you’re a fan of short, filthy books with insta love, BD$M, and PTSD rep, this is for you! While I’m a fan of all of those things, as someone with severe PTSD in a long term Dom/sub dynamic I personally felt that a story as short as this was not the best place to try and properly convey the healing journey of someone with childhood trauma, especially not using such a powerful dynamic. While I do think Landers did her best to handle these topics gracefully, the length of the story caused it to fall short in that department. In a full length novel, this could have been far better handled.

You’re a ray of sunshine.” “That means I can burn you.” “Burn me, Precious. It’d make me the happiest man in the world.”

Despite my issues with how it approaches PTSD in a kink dynamic, there is still things I really enjoyed about this story. Tyler refusing to cross any lines with Ava until she’d done her research, he knew what her limits were, and they’d set a safe word immediately made him an incredibly attractive MMC. Not to mention the care he took with aftercare and explaining sub drops to her, and even the reminder to pee post sex to avoid a UTI. That in particular was refreshing, because more often than not FMCs in these types of books are going at it like feral raccoons but never stop to think about things like UTIs or other infections.

I think Bell had the absolute best intentions in how she wrote Ava’s backstory, a lot of the reactions Ava had to small things like touch and compliments, or how isolated she kept herself, are very consistent with how people with PTSD often interact with the world around them. My personal problem with the story is how quickly she seems to go from meek and frightened to wanting to experience things like spanking, rough sex, and a D/s dynamic. As a sub myself, I can absolutely concur with the sentiment that power dynamics and kink can be incredibly helpful tools when it comes to healing mentally. The structure, punishment and reward system, and being praised/complimented on your performance are just many of the numerous things about D/s relationships that can go a long way in someone’s healing journey. However, it doesn’t typically happen that fast. Everyone is different, and it may happen more quickly for some than it does for others but in this particular instance it felt like a very abrupt change of pace and didn’t make sense for Ava’s character.

“Oh, God.” “God isn’t here. It’s Sir, or my name. Got it?” “Yes, Sir.”

Overall, I think the premise of this book was perfect and something that’s incredibly important to talk about in media. However, due to its short size it didn’t quite hit the mark but as a full length novel I believe this could’ve been executed very well. If you’re just around for fun times and no thoughts head empty vibes, this could’ve very well still be for you!

Tropes/Things to Expect - ✿ Contemporary Romance ✿ novella ✿ kinks and kink dynamics ✿ D/s dynamics ✿ BDSM ✿ Healing ✿ Childhood Trauma ✿ PTSD and Cancer Rep ✿ instalove ✿ neighbors to lovers

Triggers & Content Warnings - ➤ child abuse ➤ kinky, rough sex ➤ degradation ➤ punishments/spanking ➤ cancer scare

[ThatBook Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freaking loved this novella! I had the honour and pleasure of being a beta reader for Bell, and immediately fell into Tyler and Ava's story in A Safe Place to Fall. This story has the perfect combination of sweet and spicy!

I don't typically read BDSM stories, but I wanted to step away from my typical reads and I'm so glad I did. This novella is a story about two very real people with flaws, insecurities and trauma, who find a safe place together to heal and learn to love themselves and each other.

Ava is a beautifully normal girl, with stretch marks and curves which make her feel self conscious and unattractive. Trauma from her past has left her unable to have normal interactions or relationships with men.

Tyler is the guy next door, while seemingly perfect on the outside (to Ava, at least), he has internal struggles of his own. Both have crushed on each other for years, but have never really spoken outside of small talk. The day they finally do changes everything.

What Bell manages to do in such a short format is incredible. She conveys each character's backstory well, and provides a realistic view into trauma healing and sexual exploration. Together, Ava and Tyler allow themselves to trust and to love, letting go of their pasts and moving forward in a healthy way.

Truly, this novella left me shaken and in tears. Anyone who has trauma in their past which has left them unwilling or unable to trust can relate to Ava and her fears. There is one flashback scene in particular that had me in tears for Ava, which is a testament to what Bell accomplished with this story.

I love how sweet, patient and caring Tyler is. He quickly understood that Ava had deep issues and was so patient helping her work through them. I also love how protective he gets over her, even from herself and putting herself down. I need a Tyler in my life!

When it comes to the BDSM and sexual side of the story, I feel Bell explores this in a realistic, and helpful way for both characters and readers. This is outside of Ava's comfort zone, and Tyler makes sure she fully understands what BDSM entails and that she fully knows what her limits are. The smut is definitely smutting in this book, and I love it.

The best part of this novella is that by surrendering to Tyler in the bedroom, Ava is able to take her own power back. By willingly relinquishing control and not having to think or make decisions, she is able to take back her control and stop feeling powerless. Knowing that with Tyler she has a safe place and is ultimately the one with the control, she can let herself be free with him. Being his sub helps her reclaim her power so she doesn't have to feel alone or helpless again.

This story was touching and spicy and smutty, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I can't wait to read the stories of Tyler's brothers. If they are as compelling as he is, I think we're all in for a treat... and a lot of spice!

[Samiha Ahmad · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Safe Place to Fall” may be a novella, but it packs the emotional depth, sizzling chemistry, and tender devotion of a full-length novel. What stood out most to me was Tyler Easton—God, that man. He isn’t just the dream boyfriend, he’s the safe space Ava so desperately needed. His love for her is gentle yet fiercely protective, laced with patience and an unwavering commitment to make her feel seen, cherished, and most importantly, safe. Whether he’s calling her “baby” or “precious,” or gently snapping at her when she belittles herself, Tyler makes it clear: she is perfect in his eyes—and he makes sure she knows it.

Ava’s character is well-written. Her trauma, fears, and healing are portrayed so authentically that it’s impossible not to root for her. Around Tyler, she softens. She trusts him completely, and honestly—why wouldn't she? The man is completely and utterly whipped, in the best way.

Now, let’s talk about the smut. Whew. It’s filthy, raw, and unapologetically hot—but it never loses its emotional core. There’s an emotional connection, there’s communication, and there’s his dirty mouth that has absolutely no chill. And I loved every second of it.

My favourite scenes? Hands down, the moments where Tyler demands Ava stop talking down to herself mid-act—those lines? Iconic. Empowering. Hot as hell. They hit me in the heart and the gut.

If I had one complaint? It’s that it was over too soon. I need more of them. More of Tyler’s gentle dominance and Ava’s slow-blooming confidence. This couple deserves a full-length novel.

If you’re into possessive but soft-hearted male leads, empowering love stories, and smut that’s as emotional as it is erotic—read this novella. You won’t regret it.

[Moe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect spicy quick read that also has substance to it! I was privileged to be a Beta and ARC reader for this and I enjoyed it so much! I’ve read it 4 times already and I’m sure I’m not done. Because really, the spice is too notch 👌

Being a novella, it is insta love but it seems to make sense for them. It doesn’t feel rushed or implausible that their relationship would progress how it did.

The MCs were written so well. All of their behaviors and reactions made sense to me based on who they were.

The MMC Tyler might be the most considerate man I’ve read in a very long time. He’s seriously the best. Caring, considerate, patient. There were times I cringed at how hard Ava was on herself, I think a lesser man wouldn’t have stayed. But Tyler being understanding and kind, did. He knew she needed someone that would be able to love her through it. He could believe in how wonderful she was for the both of them until she believed it himself.

And I love how bratty Ava is at times. It shows she does feel safe with him and has confidence in herself, just the unhealed parts of her overshadowed that sometimes.

I can’t wait to read about the rest of the Easton brothers! 🥵

[psych0_4books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my dear sweet LAWD, was this book good! It's a short, spicy read that I couldn't stop reading. Warning: some of the content may make readers uncomfortable so read the trigger warnings first!

Ava deals with PTSD from a traumatic childhood and hides herself away in a shared duplex. She and her neighbor Tyler are interested in each other but, due to her past, Ava doesn't make a move. One night changes everything when Tyler shows up and comforts Ava after a nightmare.

The way Bell wrote this allows you to envision yourself as Ava. For my fellow women who have been in abusive situations, Tyler's caring nature and protective attitude towards Ava feels like a healing balm. Tyler makes it clear that he wants his girl to heal and never pushes her past what Ava is comfortable with.

For all the spice, there are heavy emotional aspects. I cried, I laughed, I squealed, and I swooned. The BDSM elements were well incorporated and I learned a lot about the lifestyle. I'm hype for the rest of the Easton Brothers series 🖤

Thank you, Bell, for the ARC!

[Cyrena Handley · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC review
Tyler is the guy next door who’s been pining after his neighbor, Ava, for four years. Ava also has been secretly hoping her neighbor would come by for a midnight snack (😉) for four years as well.
✨Insta-lust✨
After not speaking to each other hardly at all for all of these four years, Tyler gets an invitation to sleep on her couch one night which inevitably leads to him sleeping in her bed- because obviously.
Tyler is supposedly a well versed pleasure dom, but I think he’s still learning.
Ava has a serious issue with self deprecating- that is until a boy tells her she’s the prettiest thing he’s ever seen.
I couldn’t get on board with the whole ‘Precious’ thing. Gave me the ick.
It’s a very quick little short story, but I like my characters and story line a little more developed. However it’s perfect if you’re looking for a 45 minute read where the two sex scenes are the entire book.

[Sandy Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. Front to back. I got the honor to arc read and I’m glad I was selected. This review is of my own.

I love the authors debut but this was a 180 to her cozy debut.

The BD$M here was written so beautifully. I loved that safe words were involved, and also that the author went into limits. Ava wasn’t very experienced and with her past I wasn’t sure how she would do but Tyler was so supportive and the perfect book boyfriend. It gave me all the feels but also was 🥵

I read a lot of smut and this one was written in a way where the plot was still incredible and wasn’t overshadowed.

I can’t wait to read the brothers books.

An amazing book all around.

-smut
-dual pov
-no third act
-boundaries/consent
-neighbors
-pleasure dom
-public play
-happy ending
-ptsd/anxiety rep

[Melissa Corday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing an eARC! I love supporting indies 💖
.
.
.
This one is kinky, sweet, touching, swoony, spicy, and comforting, this little novella packs a ton of heat into the 90-something pages, and a lot of healing. FMC Ava has night terrors and trauma, and Tyler, the boy next door (who has some healing of his own to do) has a heart of gold and wants to help her reclaim her confidence by giving her the power of safewords. There's lots of consent, lots of communication, lots of education, and lots of respect. It's impressive how much is packed into these pages!

There were a few scenes that felt a little rushed, and the last chapter felt more like an epilogue due to the time jump, but it was still really enjoyable and a great one-day read. I can't wait to see what the author cooks up next!

[Kass · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Safe Place to Fall is book number one in the Easton Brothers series and is the story of Tyler and Ava.

Ava grew up in a chaotic home with an abusive father and has lived her adult life hiding from others. Tyler is her neighbor who has had an infatuation for Ava since she moved in four years ago.

As nightmares consume Ava, Tyler is there to help her through them and he proposes to help her through a BDSM pleasure Dom relationship. This story explores those concepts and what they can mean for both the Dom and the Sub.

This story contains dark subjects off page but that are discussed on page. Please check your TW. This is a spicy novella that discusses BDSM and aspects of that lifestyle. I enjoyed the writing and the growth Ava showed throughout the story. The kindness, acceptance and attention Tyler showed to Ava was touching. I great short, spicy read with a HEA.

[Tiffany Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an arc, thank you for the opportunity to read this book!
This is book 2 of the unchained series. We are still following along Louisa & [redacted] and their relationship.
Lousia is a free girl who is in college, trying to get by.
[redacted] is a slave who is only a number, he doesn’t have a name.
He also is still tutoring Louisa is school, while trying to find his lost sister. Their relationship grows stronger throughout the book. But with their bond growing, people are growing suspicious of them. They might be getting somewhere in locating his sister but things happen. There is a lot that goes on in this book. lol
It did leave a lot of questions about a lot of characters. I really hope we get some answers in the next book.
Oh and the ending, you won’t be ready lol.

[Gracie🦋📚 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Usually I’m all over the smutty stuff, but this book wasn’t it. The writing felt like a horny teenager did it. One moment we find out that Ava has PTSD from her abusive father, the next she’s having sex with Tyler. For a girl to be so traumatized, why the hell would she just instantly become submissive with her neighbor that she barely knows? Also, what did Tyler’s cancer have to do with the plot? I get the whole turning your pain into pleasure thing, but I don’t get why his cancer mattered. It’s just extra info that I didn’t feel like was needed.

I also don’t think I should be reading books with main characters that share names with the guys I date. Having Ava moaning Tyler’s name was unsettling because I’m dating a Tyler. My brain decided to keep imaging it was him. That gave me the ICK.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️✨✨✨✨✨

This was so healing. The FMC went through a lot in her past, but her neighbor, who happens to be a pleasure dom comes to her rescue in a way, and it was so sweet. Along with spicy 🥵 Safe words, flashbacks, emotional talks, AND cOckwarming... which I don't see enough in books.

It was fast paced since it is a novella, but I could have read 300 more pages of them. Seriously you guys need to read this. I love how the author wrote it and was able to include in the healing along with the spice. It even had a talk about UTI's and birth control.

Some tropes
Neighbors
Instalust
PTSD
BDSM
Close proximity
Pleasure Dom
Dual POV
Hurt/Comfort

Truly amazing and can’t wait for the rest of the series!

[S Kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so happy to be an ARC for this short novella, im hoping that someday we get a full length, all out novel of this novella!
Pro: This book had a good amount of smut and was not a slow burn... which i LOVE!!! I connect a lot with Ava! The dedication is what made me want to read it!! It's a great palate cleanser/ quick read between series.
Con: it felt so rushed, I know it's a novella, but there wasn't much of a story build up. There's so much dialect sometimes I had to go back real quick and see who started the conversation.
Overall: i read this in less than an hour, I would love to get a complete version of this, that was longer and had more life and character detail!

[Brett Tourscher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella was soo good! I devoured it and couldn’t stop reading!

It was a quick & easy read! I loved Ava & Tyler! The way they met and she quickly trusted him after everything she’s been through made my heart melt! And the way Tyler took control of her but was also gentle and loving towards her! Ughhh🥰🥺😭

If you enjoy romance with some BDSM and hot male doms, this book will be for you!

I can’t wait for the rest of the series to release to read about the other brothers! ☺️☺️

Highly recommend!!

[Sara Mitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly loved this book! As someone who's highly skeptical of BDSM representation, considering how often it gets represented in a harmful way, this was a delightful surprise for me! There were only minor things that I think could've been done differently, but they can easily be ignored, and is actually a 10/10 read. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is tired of the toxic tropes of BDSM and wants to see a healthy representation of it, instead!

[Sarah Putrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet and spicy Novella! I enjoyed this little fast paced read and the characters Tyler and Ava were adorable. Topics in in this book to be aware of are PTSD, Trauma, Abuse, Cancer, and MFC body shaming herself.

Ava who suffers from past trauma and can barely talk to those around her is living next door to Tyler who has recovered from cancer. They have both been interested in each other for some time but haven't made that first step till now. Tyler just wants to help Ava in any way she will let him but he's also a Dom and when she discovers it peaks her curiosity. It's a sweet story of learning trust, a lot of spice, falling in love and recovering from the past.

[Nicole Polson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing quick read

This was a quick little BDSM read. Quirky and short. Excellent for a little nooner 😏 it’s dirty, emotionally built and holds you until the end. I didn’t give it 5 stars just because it’s a little too fast paced for the steps of trust I’d like to typically see built from someone with so much trauma. That’s a personal preference. Check your triggers and enjoy!