Deep Down the Rabbit Hole

by T.R. Hill

Kinsley Holland has spent the past twenty-four years trying to earn a place in her father’s world and heart, making messes along the way, and her latest mess might just be the one to take her down for good. A secret, temporary marriage of convenience should be easy to hide from her dad and fiancé, right?

Wrong. Kinsley’s world is flipped upside down when she’s kicked out of her father’s lush million-dollar home and lands in the tiny, two-bedroom, one-bath home belonging to Caleb, the grumpy farmer she ran off the road, and his kid sister, Annie. Kinsley undergoes a coming-of-age while bonding with her new little “sister” and invading every inch of Caleb’s life—including his full-size bed.

Having been burned too many times by the people he loved and trusted, the last thing on Caleb’s mind is love. His hands are full as guardian of his fourteen-year-old sister, and now, his plan for financial stability is slipping away by the minute. When Kinsley enters their lives and home, shaking things up in the worst and best ways, Caleb finds himself falling for the girl he had a secret crush on in middle school.

Slow burns and big sparks add to the already sweltering Oklahoma summer. But when hidden sins come to light, Kinsley’s search for the truth leads her deep down a rabbit hole, and what she finds there changes everything. Torn between saving her dad and saving her new sense of self, Kinsley follows a rabbit trail so winding that she questions everything she thought to be true about herself and the men in her life.

Can she clean up the biggest mess she has ever made and save the people she loves? And who will she be when she emerges from the rabbit hole?

Deep Down the Rabbit Hole is a contemporary romance set in small-town Oklahoma, where buried secrets and sins run deep. Written from multiple points of view and weaving through dual timelines, it’s sure to delight readers looking for a smart, swoon-worthy romance with moments of humor, suspense, and spice.

This book is intended for adult audiences as it contains strong language and themes. For a list of trigger and content warnings, please see the dedication page in the book sample or the author's website.

Genres: Contemporary

357 pages, Paperback

Published March 10, 2025

About the author

T. R. Hill is an Oklahoma indie-romance author. A native of Oklahoma, she lives in a small town with her husband and three children. For as long as she can remember, she has loved reading and creating stories, and now, she puts those stories into books to share with others.

You can follow her work and sign up for exclusive bonus content by joining her
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Reviews

[Kristen Abel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ARC had been in my TBR for a while, and I finally, finally got a chance to read it and, once I started, I couldn’t stop. I was very quickly pulled into Kinsley’s very tangled web of secrets, lies and mysteries. My love for Caleb, his guarded grumpiness, and love for Annie was instant and I just knew he was the guy. The author did a wonderful job of twisting the turns, and every time I thought I had it figured out there was another layer I didn’t see coming.

[Laken Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book has a little bit of everything - drama, romance, suspense/tension, some sprinkles of humor, and such great character development/growth. Just a heads up but there is talks of rape at different points, mostly the beginning and end, so be cautious if that’s something you’re uncomfortable with or triggered by!

Kinsley’s story and Caleb’s story felt so real! I knew there was a reason I didn’t like and got an icky feeling from Landon from the very beginning! I wanted to jump into the story and throttle him so badly!!! Speaking of, I loved the multiple POVs! Those are my favorites books and in this one you get three - Kinsley’s, Caleb’s, and Landon’s. I felt so bad for Kinsley being used and manipulated by the people that were supposed to love and care about her, but like in real life, they only cared about themselves and money.

If you’re looking for a deep, lifelike story about self growth and self discovery with drama, tension, and romance, then this is it!

Thank you to T.R. Hill for letting me ARC read this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Emily Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an ARC of this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review*

I loved this book so much! It caught me from the early pages and I connected with the characters right away. The story contained a few different plot lines that worked really well together and gave Kinsley and Caleb so much depth. There was tremendous character growth and I was relieved to find that, despite coming from wealth and privilege, I did not find Kinsley's character at all whiney or annoying (but quite entertaining and badass at various points).

I'm disappointed this book isn't easily available in Canadian bookstores as I would definitely buy this for fellow book lovers, and feel like this could be a Bookstagram or Booktok hit if it gets some traction!

Sincerely hoping TR Hill keeps writing - I'm looking forward to whatever comes next.

[Melissa H]

I received this book as an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Note - This book contains adult themes including rape. If that triggers you, please keep that in mind when picking this book.

This is a face paced book. The MC, Kinsley, has to make some tough choices for her life. She learns a lot about herself and her family. There are some sweet and endearing parts to this book, and we'll as some humor. This is a romance novel, but not too spicy.

This would make a good pool/beach read.

[Jenny Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deep Down the Rabbot Hole! @author.trhill
Arc team member review: I am voluntarily posting this review
In the beginning of this read, Kinsley is the girl so many of us can relate to as the rich girl who gets everything she ever wanted. As I read on, though, I felt more like I was one of her friends looking into her life and giving her advice! You can just call me Nikki! 😉 I loved being a part of Kinsley's journey to find herself and become someone she really wanted to be!
T.R. Hill wrote an amazing book!
Did Kinsley make the right choice this time? Read it and find out! Let me know your own thoughts!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶🌶

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. This book was a good romantic suspense with mystery aspects and trauma. I have to say I was so annoyed by the FMC and her naivety in the beginning, but by the end she grew on me. I enjoyed the overall plot but guessed one of the big twists early on. I would definitely read more by this author.

[Amara F · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, just wasn’t expecting it to be so heavy with some stuff lol. Just wasn’t prepared for that. The mfc Kinsely is not a likeable character at first, she’s a spoiled brat, gets her way, and whines a lot. She’s not a good friend to her best friend and just doesn’t care about anyone else except herself. It was hard to get into at first because of that but I liked the story and the mmc and side characters. Kinsely does get progressively better and has some real growth, you just gotta give it time. We are human though, we take time to grow as a person so I get it and understand. I love the relationship between her and Caleb, it was a good growth and build up. I love seeing his sweet side. I love a grump character who turns all cute and sweet when he is around the girl. I like these types of books more lighthearted personally, but it was darker than I was expecting, there was espionage, murder, r*pe, a lot to take in. I think the story and author have a lot of promise and I’m happy to have been able to attribute to their journey and wish her all the success :)

[saRahReadsRom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once I started this book, it was easy to become invested and root for Kinsley. She has to decide if she’ll remain a pawn in most relationships she’s in, or if she’ll trust her instincts and break free from the past. There’s some mystery in the mix, which I always relish within a storyline. The relationship with the little sister? Loved it. Marriage of convenience? Yes! It’s one of my favorite tropes. I loved the small town Oklahoma setting! It’s based on a town I frequent, so I enjoyed those tie ins. Flirty banter is something I adore, and would have welcomed more. I was dying for an epilogue!

I’m interested to see what comes next for this indie author. Check out her book—it’s on Kindle Unlimited currently, as well as for purchase. I appreciate receiving the ARC in exchange for a review!

💍 Marriage of convenience
👰‍♀️ Amiable, creative, trauma, 👠
👨‍🌾 Dedicated, sister’s guardian, fell first, 🚜
👯‍♀️ BFF is 💯
🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Multiple POVs
🕰️ Dual timelines
🌅 Small town Oklahoma

[Kar Wils · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of being an arc reader for this book. I really enjoyed the ups and downs. I love how the FMC started off. Being insecure, not having a female role model to look up to while she was growing up and blossomed into being a b***** female. I also really enjoyed Caleb. Who was that grumpy to sunshine main male character. Who you just love and the banter between hin and Kingsley, we're amazing, and I love how their story ended, I hated Landon from the beginning just because of the history he had with the f. M c and he treated her just awfully, I knew where he played the role in this story. I do recommend this book, but please please check your trigger warnings, but this was a great book.

[Lauren Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

*may include spoilers depending on your definition of spoilers*
to start, t.r. hill states she drew inspiration for this book from lewis carroll's alice in wonderland so i was immediately interested. this book described how much an abusive and toxic relationship can effect someone's future relationships. kinsley and caleb seemed to be the definition of opposites at the beginning of the book but, for me, the relationship between kinsley, caleb and his younger sister, Annie, who he has guardianship over, is the best part of the book. this book is the definition of a found family. just to let everyone know, you will HATE kinsley's ex and he makes me angry from how toxic he is the entire book. but overall, this book was very good and gave me a whirlwind of emotions, which always makes a book good to me.

[Catherine Linger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read! Fast paced and entertaining. I love the marriage of convenience trope!
I enjoyed the two main characters and their banter and the slow burn.
I feel the ending was rushed and I wanted to see more of the main characters’ HEA because I got so attached to them and their story.
However, I am happy that they did get their HEA!

[Courtney Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kinsley & Caleb are amazing!

Kinsley went through the ringer with so much in her life. Loving the Anxiety Rep!

I recommend this book 1000x! The plot/story and characters and their tribulations are so real and relatable

[Sendi K · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the outside, Kinsley’s life seems picture-perfect—she comes from a wealthy family, has just graduated college with a position waiting for her in the family business, and is newly engaged to her high school sweetheart. But beneath the surface, cracks begin to form as secrets, lies, and betrayals threaten to unravel everything.
Determined to assert her independence, she enters into a marriage agreement with Caleb—giving her access to her trust fund so she can pay off her father and help Caleb buy the farm he’s always dreamed of owning. But with every step forward, she finds herself sinking deeper into a web of deception, making one mistake after another. As the truth catches up with her, Kinsley must find a way to untangle the mess she’s made—before it’s too late to save the people she loves.

This book is so much more than what I expected! The depth of the story and difficult subjects that it tackles was so well done. As Kinsley struggles to unweave the web of lies and manipulations she has been subjected to all her life, I felt frustrated for her (and with her at times) but I felt it was a realistic portrayal that kept be engaged with the story right up to the end.

Please note that this story contains depictions of sexual assault that may be triggering to some. See the author’s website for a complete list of Trigger & Content Warnings @ trhillauthor.wordpress.com

[Allie DeMars · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a small-town romantic suspense that dives headfirst into the tangled world of privilege, trauma, and unexpected love. Centered around Kinsley, a young woman born into wealth but weighed down by familial pressure, societal expectations, and personal demons, this book takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster packed with betrayal, dark secrets, and a slow-burning romance.

From the beginning, the story wastes no time in throwing readers into the chaos of Kinsley’s life. She’s fresh out of college, forced to work in her father’s company, and stuck with a cheating fiancé who is as awful as they come. (And yes… if the cheating trope makes you want to throw your Kindle across the room, this may not be the story for you.) Fortunately, she kicks him to the curb early on, but her troubles are far from over.

The plot pivots into a “marriage of convenience” setup where she wrangles the local cowboy/rancher who just happens to be her brothers best friend. In order to access the money her late mother left her, Kinsley must get married. While initially jarring, this unlikely pairing evolves into a compelling, if slow-burning, romantic arc. Their chemistry is there, but it simmers beneath layers of emotional baggage and guarded vulnerability.

I did find it difficult to like Kinsley (the FMC) a lot of the time. But in the end, I was excited for the outcome of her story.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This book contains graphic and frequent mentions of sexual assault, including a very detailed written account of rape. Hill does not shy away from depicting the dark realities of trauma… something that could be deeply triggering for some readers. While these moments are not gratuitous and clearly aim to underscore Kinsley's struggles, they are intense and often difficult to read. Proceed with caution.

Tropes:
• Cowboy romance
• Brothers best friend
🚩 cheating trope
• marriage of convenience
• dysfunctional family
• forced proximity

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great debut novel by TR Hill! It was a page turner for me. It is full of romance, mystery and suspense. I was hooked early because I wanted to know what Kinsley's fiance Landon was up to behind her back, and how her dad was involved. I loved the dynamic between Kinsley and her marriage of convenience husband, Caleb. If you like forced proximity, friends to lovers, grumpy/sunshine and marriage of convenience you'll love this story!

[JayLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an emotional roller coaster, but in a good way. Yes, I wanted to scream at Kinsley and smack Landon, but character growth is key here (at least for one of them). It’s not all sunshine and butterflies—it’s realistic and heartbreaking, but it’s deep and meaningful storytelling. It’s not another fluff read to fill time and get you hot and bothered. This one is more than a romance, it’s a love story.

[Heidi Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a little bit of everything for everyone. It has some drama, romance and humor. There is great character development. Please check your trigger warnings. There are some touchy subjects.

Kinsley's and Caleb's story was so great and real. Landon is a whole other subject. My heart hurt for Kinsley.

If you're looking for a story that felt real go read.

[Addison Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good story with deep and realistic character and character growth. My heart! I laughed, cried, swooned, all the feels for this one. I love Caleb and Kinsley together, and Annie deserves her own book. Loved it! Highly recommend.

[Getlitwithashleyz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great debut novel! It has me guessing the entire time! I can't wait to read more from the author!

[mela richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed “Deep Down The Rabbit Hole”
Great Summer read, original story, not a re-run or re-telling of some other.I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying this book.

[Ari R · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not for me. It had elements of romance, mystery and thriller but did not focus on any one genre. I think it would have worked better highlighting one genre and then working the others in as subgenres. While there was a HEA, I did not feel like the romance was the focus of the story

The trigger warnings are not listed in the book- you have to go to the author’s website for them. In addition, there was not enough warning for how much sexual assault occurs/is discussed in the book. I did not feel this topic was handled with care. The main incident is discussed several times through out the book from various perspectives, never explicitly, but definitely enough to be highly triggering.

Please take care while reading


Edit to add: I have since learned that Amazon may punish authors for including trigger warnings in the actual book so I am no longer as upset about that but I am still upset about how little warning there was for how much the triggers would affect the plot and how often they would show up