Rescued In The Storm

by Susanne Ash

She’s always been in love with him. He never saw her that way—until he almost lost her forever.

Sarah Miller has spent years watching Connor Callahan walk into her bakery once a week, order the same coffee and scone, and leave without a second glance. She’s long accepted that he sees her as nothing more than a friend, a habit, a background piece in his adventurous, mountain-filled life. But when a storm rolls in and strands her on a remote hiking trail, it’s Connor who comes to her rescue.

For the first time, he looks at her differently. Feels something he shouldn’t. And suddenly, the woman he’s walked past a hundred times is the only thing he can’t stop thinking about.

But Sarah knows better than to believe in fairytales. She’s spent too long waiting for a man who never noticed her to trust that he truly wants her now. And when Connor pulls away just as fast as he came rushing in, she refuses to be his rescue project.

Now Connor has to prove that it’s not the storm that changed things between them—it’s her. And he’s not walking away this time.

A swoony, slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance full of longing, heartwarming moments, and the kind of love worth fighting for.


Welcome to Mountain Laurel Lodge

Nestled deep in the heart of the North Carolina mountains, Mountain Laurel Lodge is more than just a retreat. It’s home to the Callahan family, a group of gruff yet good-hearted brothers and cousins who never expected love to show up at their doorstep.

Each book in the Mountain Laurel Lodge series is a standalone sweet romance, but the interwoven family stories make them best enjoyed in Spark Between Us – A fake dating romance featuring Ivy Callahan & her brother’s best friend. (Series prequel)Sunshine and the Grumpy Groundskeeper – A grumpy/sunshine romance between a reclusive groundskeeper and a lost, hopelessly optimistic children’s author. The Sweet Chef and the Corporate Queen – A single mom, opposites attract romance when a laid-back chef falls for a high-powered CEO—and her adorable daughter. Rescued in the Storm – A friends-to-lovers, second chance romance when a wilderness guide finally sees his best friend in a new light after saving her from danger. Practically Perfect Together – A fake fiancé romance when a fun-loving activities coordinator helps a workaholic impress her business partners. The Heiress and the Handyman – A hidden identity romance when a runaway heiress in disguise turns a mountain man handyman’s life upside down. Full of heartfelt romance, family bonds, and swoon-worthy mountain men, the Mountain Laurel Lodge series is perfect for readers who love small-town settings, slow-burn chemistry, and rugged heroes with soft hearts.

Come visit Elk Ridge and fall in love with the Callahan family today!

Genres: Clean Romance

95 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2025

About the author

Susanne Ash writes sweet contemporary romance. When she's not busy putting pen to paper, she loves to cook, knit, and head out exploring with her husband and daughter. She lives close to the beach in beautiful South Carolina. You'll find that her setting is often a fictionalized version of her surroundings and the places she's visiting with her family.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the rescue part would be a bigger part of the story. My bad

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had some very sweet moments. I love a good forced proximity/care taking situation so when Connor rescued Sarah from the storm, I loved it.

I also loved that because this was a novella, there wasn’t a ton of other characters/plot points going on that didn’t involve Connor and Sarah. Sometimes these other things big down stories for me and I end up skipping.

My issue was that it felt like Sarah was pursuing Connor and I found myself feeling like he wasn’t that into her. She was the one doing all of the work and he just seemed more confused than anything. Then she’d get upset when he was unsure and pulled away. He’s known her forever from school and from living in the same place and goes into her bakery every week, but he was never into her until he saw a picture she took of him? It just didn’t make a whole lot of sense. Men don’t function that way. He would have already noticed her or been into her at this point. It just felt like she was making all the moves and he was going along with them. I’m sure a longer book would have helped this dynamic significantly as readers could have gotten to know Connor and his motivations better. It had some very cute moments though and I did enjoy reading it.

[vic · Rating 3 out of 5]

didn’t realize this was a novella, but it makes more sense now. sarah and connor are cute, and they provide sweet moments, but their relationship and personal growth didn’t have the deserved attention. sarah is shy but takes action on her feelings for connor, while connor seems really…confused? i kind of stressed a little when he ghosted her, i mean…why did he really do that? we are not shown much of his character, even his personality, so we don’t really know what made him stay away from sarah after the kiss. because honestly, if it was really all “i’m confused i’ve never done this”, sarah my girl, you deserved better.

wish it was a proper book with more space for character/plot development. it was cute, 2.5 stars.

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a free copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Baker Sarah Miller has admired Connor Callahan for years, but he seems not to be affected by her but when she is stranded in a storm, he goes to look for her and rescue her. After that things changed for him but he’s not sure how to let her know. An uplifting story about relationships, and helping others.

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Notes for me

Connor and Sarah. She owns a bakery, his family the lodge.

She had a crush on him for years, but he never noticed her like that until he saved her on a hiking trail in the rain.

He realizes he likes her and kisses her. Then he ghosts her for 2 days. Sees her by accident. She’s heartbroken but acts like kiss was no big deal.

[Kianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

I didn’t realize this was a novella when I first started it, but I wished it was a full book! I liked the idea of it, but it would have been nice to have the story developed, gotten to know more of the characters and their relationships. That said, it was a cute novella!

[Lynn Hyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Seeing the Obvious

I love reading about the Callahans because of the family's love, loyalty, and dynamics. This romance looks at Connor and Sarah's brief, friendly interactions that turn into something more. There are ups and downs along the way to a happy ending.

[Veu · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐

[Celina · Rating 3 out of 5]

very cute, but I am over the emotionally unavailable man trope

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, simple romance story. Nothing complicated. Straightforward and to the point.

[Jess Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

🎧 cute storyline but the narrator’s voices were so annoying lol