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Once
** FREE 2500 word short **
I was beautiful once. He loved me once. But our love slowly died, fading like old wallpaper, curling and peeling away from the wall, begging to be ripped and shredded, to be wiped clean.
"Pull-you-close-and-throw-you-off-a-cliff good." ~ J.M. Miller
I was beautiful once. He loved me once. But our love slowly died, fading like old wallpaper, curling and peeling away from the wall, begging to be ripped and shredded, to be wiped clean.
"Pull-you-close-and-throw-you-off-a-cliff good." ~ J.M. Miller
- GenresShort StoriesHalloween
24 pages, Unknown Binding
First published September 22, 2014
25 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
Staci Hart
62 books6,213 followersI was the kid who stayed inside to read.
As a four-eyed nerd with a bad perm, I was no one’s dodgeball pick, but I had a lot of friends. Frodo and Bilbo, for instance. Kristy, Stacey, Claudia and the gang (iykyk). Once, in the third grade, I wrote a teen murder mystery inspired by Christopher Pike. On solving my mystery in twelve pages, I decided I was a terrible writer and should never, ever do that again.
Fortunately, I didn’t take my own advice.
I write romance for that feeling you get at the end, like you’re standing on top of a mountain with a backpack full of hundred dollar bills. I write romcoms because is there anything better than banter and grand gestures? I write because I love to create and I love words. I love books, and I love stretching my imagination. I love love, and if you do too, bring your coffee and have a seat. I think we’re gonna be friends.
Stay connected!
Instagram: http://instagram.com/quirkybird
Facebook: http://facebook.com/stacihartnovels
Reader Group: http://facebook.com/groups/stacihart
As a four-eyed nerd with a bad perm, I was no one’s dodgeball pick, but I had a lot of friends. Frodo and Bilbo, for instance. Kristy, Stacey, Claudia and the gang (iykyk). Once, in the third grade, I wrote a teen murder mystery inspired by Christopher Pike. On solving my mystery in twelve pages, I decided I was a terrible writer and should never, ever do that again.
Fortunately, I didn’t take my own advice.
I write romance for that feeling you get at the end, like you’re standing on top of a mountain with a backpack full of hundred dollar bills. I write romcoms because is there anything better than banter and grand gestures? I write because I love to create and I love words. I love books, and I love stretching my imagination. I love love, and if you do too, bring your coffee and have a seat. I think we’re gonna be friends.
Stay connected!
Instagram: http://instagram.com/quirkybird
Facebook: http://facebook.com/stacihartnovels
Reader Group: http://facebook.com/groups/stacihart
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
August 14, 2017
I really loved the way this story sort of loops around.
Very short spooky story.
Very short spooky story.
September 25, 2014
Dammit. Only Staci could gut me in so few pages.
The whole story can be read in under ten minutes, but it will leave you with enough tears and chills to last for weeks.
The whole story can be read in under ten minutes, but it will leave you with enough tears and chills to last for weeks.
October 4, 2014
Once is for people who...
...enjoy a short, haunting read.
...like evocative writing.
...can appreciate how difficult it is to pack that much emotion into such a short piece.
Yeah, Staci Hart's books tend to be gut-wrenchers. This little beaut managed to do the same in a handful of pages. Which is awesome. Sad and haunting, but awesome. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
...enjoy a short, haunting read.
...like evocative writing.
...can appreciate how difficult it is to pack that much emotion into such a short piece.
Yeah, Staci Hart's books tend to be gut-wrenchers. This little beaut managed to do the same in a handful of pages. Which is awesome. Sad and haunting, but awesome. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
December 18, 2014
My Review:
This is a quick read but so beautifully done. Haunting, Poetic and emotional this book gave me chills from start to finish! Once might be short but the feels...oh my the feels. Staci did a fantastic job, very well done...I even get the chills thinking about it.
Recommend: 110%
This review was originally posted on Because reading is better than real life
This is a quick read but so beautifully done. Haunting, Poetic and emotional this book gave me chills from start to finish! Once might be short but the feels...oh my the feels. Staci did a fantastic job, very well done...I even get the chills thinking about it.
Recommend: 110%
This review was originally posted on Because reading is better than real life
December 13, 2015
4.5 "Lost Loves" Stars
Once by Staci Hart is a 2500 word short story and it's a very sad one.
Right at the beginning you kind of have some kind of clue about who the main character is and what happened to her. This isn't necessarily a dark story but it does have death in it.
I absolutely love the cover.
Once by Staci Hart is a 2500 word short story and it's a very sad one.
Right at the beginning you kind of have some kind of clue about who the main character is and what happened to her. This isn't necessarily a dark story but it does have death in it.
I absolutely love the cover.
September 25, 2014
It really only takes three words to describe ONCE by Staci Hart. Beautiful. Haunting. Heartbreaking.
It's mind boggling how much detail and emotion Staci Hart can put into just a few pages. It seemed instantly she had me at the edge of my seat. Mind racing as to where her mysterious lead might be taking me.
From the first words I knew this was going to be a haunting tale. And yes, ONCE is a Halloween short, but this story could have gone any one of a thousand ways. Staci choose to make it a beautiful, desperate cry. A cry that called to me, made my heart ache, and left me wanting to find Lizzie and make the world right as rain for her ONCE again.
ONCE is a small glimpse into the brilliance that oozes out of Staci's being. She's a magick that gets under your skin. Vibrant, tingly, and chilling. She makes you think, feel, and dream. And that's exactly what I'm searching for when I open a new book.
Grab ONCE and see what I mean. I guarantee her words will capture you and leave you begging for more.
It's mind boggling how much detail and emotion Staci Hart can put into just a few pages. It seemed instantly she had me at the edge of my seat. Mind racing as to where her mysterious lead might be taking me.
From the first words I knew this was going to be a haunting tale. And yes, ONCE is a Halloween short, but this story could have gone any one of a thousand ways. Staci choose to make it a beautiful, desperate cry. A cry that called to me, made my heart ache, and left me wanting to find Lizzie and make the world right as rain for her ONCE again.
ONCE is a small glimpse into the brilliance that oozes out of Staci's being. She's a magick that gets under your skin. Vibrant, tingly, and chilling. She makes you think, feel, and dream. And that's exactly what I'm searching for when I open a new book.
Grab ONCE and see what I mean. I guarantee her words will capture you and leave you begging for more.
October 2, 2014
Was originally posted on Paranormal Sisters: http://paranormalsisters.blogspot.com...
Oh my god, I don't know why I was so worried this wouldn't meet my high expectations. But with all those 5 star reviews I started to get nervous, but no matter, I dived head first and all I've got to say is oh my god!
Beautiful, haunting, gripping...these are just a few words to describe this heart retching story by Staci. God, the emotions that flowed through had me sitting on the edge of my seat! Lost and grief, just imagine having to go through that kind of pain over and over again.
Staci has done it again! Such poise, the detail enticing and just in time for Halloween! A magnificent short story and one I wished would have kept going by how beautiful Staci's words were! Truly an amazing read that'll suck you in, in just a matter of a few words! This tale has definitely made me a bigger fan of you, Staci, and I would love to see more works like this!
October 28, 2014
This may be a short story, but the author did a beautiful job. The writing and descriptions are superb. It is not your typical Halloween story. It’s not going to frighten you, leave you creeped out, or have you looking over your shoulder. It is a haunting tale of love, loss, and unbearable grief. It left me feeling sad with every turn of the page. This was my first experience reading this author’s work, but I would love to read more by her in the future. If she can turn a few pages into something so heartfelt and emotionally gripping, I would like to see what she can do with a full length novel.
March 8, 2015
Sometimes it’s fun to try a short story by a new author, it gives you a bit of a taste of what the author can do. Staci Hart certain showed me that she can write a gripping story. In a very short time span she pulled me in and made me care about the protagonist. I could sense her pain and her loss. The story was well written, as a reader I could appreciate the time, effort and energy that Staci Hat put into this story. It is an excellent read for the Halloween season.
4 Stars
4 Stars
September 25, 2014
An elegant and haunting short story just in time for Halloween! Staci always does a remarkable job of creating a picture in my mind with just words on a page. This beautiful story plays on the grief and loss of a family, a woman battling to remember her life and what she has lost. But would you want to remember for it to only replay over and over again?
October 10, 2014
This was a really good story. Very well written. My issue with it, however, is that it is described as "a Halloween short story" and I have no idea how it was Halloween related at all. It wasn't creepy, spooky or scary. It was actually quite sad.
January 23, 2017
This was a beautiful, poetic and haunting read that just took your breath away. It makes you feel so many emotions in such a short span of time, truly amazing.
https://www.auniversaltruth.com/?p=18...
https://www.auniversaltruth.com/?p=18...
September 20, 2014
"I would be a prisoner of every breath I took."
Gah, this short story really did a number on me. Read it!!
September 20, 2014
A chilling and haunting tale about loss and finally finding peace.
I received an ARC of this short story from the author and it sent chills up my spine as I read it. I felt Lizzie's pain and grief over the loss of her son, her life and her love. Staci Hart has told a tale that can be seen in your mind like a movie while you read the pages. This story has a very "old-time" feel to it.
Well done Miss Hart!!! I look forward to reading more of your work in the very near future!!!
I received an ARC of this short story from the author and it sent chills up my spine as I read it. I felt Lizzie's pain and grief over the loss of her son, her life and her love. Staci Hart has told a tale that can be seen in your mind like a movie while you read the pages. This story has a very "old-time" feel to it.
Well done Miss Hart!!! I look forward to reading more of your work in the very near future!!!
April 26, 2017
Once is a tiny novella I read in about 20 minutes, if that. Hart has a way with words that made me wish she had continued the story just so I could keep reading however she did a FANTASTIC job that when it was over, I was glad to have read it. Once is about a woman stuck in limbo, reliving her life and death over and over. I loved this. It is told in the POV of the ghostly woman and done so beautifully. I really felt for her throughout the prose.
August 12, 2018
A very good short read for anyone looking for something quick and moving which not many short stories are. This was a haunting and heart breaking story that just grabbed your attention from beginning to end. I recommend this book to everyone and I usually have a range of people I would recommend certain books to, but not in this case.
June 22, 2016
I haven't written review for many books I've read but I had to say something about this short story.
Reading it lasted about 5-10 minutes and I can't remember last time I felt so emotional. Its different from most things I read recently. Its honest and passionate. I'm in tears. This is truly one beautiful piece.
Reading it lasted about 5-10 minutes and I can't remember last time I felt so emotional. Its different from most things I read recently. Its honest and passionate. I'm in tears. This is truly one beautiful piece.
October 7, 2014
Awesome read
True to form, this short by Hart was an excellent read. In fact, it was one of her best works to date, in my opinion. I had chills reading this heartbreaking story of a woman who lost everything and was trapped in an endless cycle of misery. I definitely recommend.
True to form, this short by Hart was an excellent read. In fact, it was one of her best works to date, in my opinion. I had chills reading this heartbreaking story of a woman who lost everything and was trapped in an endless cycle of misery. I definitely recommend.
February 24, 2015
Imagine living a storybook life only to have it crumble to dust and then having to relive it all night after night. "Once" is a Halloween short story told from a ghost's point of view. Well written but sad tale.
September 25, 2014
Well I'm done. I can only say one word about this story, haunting...
October 6, 2014
Wow
incredibly short but so jam packed with emotion. loved it. grab it. you will not be disappointed!! fabulous. vivid. colorful. dynamic
incredibly short but so jam packed with emotion. loved it. grab it. you will not be disappointed!! fabulous. vivid. colorful. dynamic
October 30, 2014
Perfect short story. Hauntingly beautiful
April 21, 2015
A beautifully written short story that takes you very quickly through a life filled with happiness and then sorrow. It takes about five minutes to read.
October 30, 2015
Thought I'd read a quickie ghost story as it's almost Halloween!
Ughhh huge mistake.
Way, way, WAY too melancholic for my taste.
Ughhh huge mistake.
Way, way, WAY too melancholic for my taste.
January 23, 2021
It is too short a book but it gives a lot of emotions.
When I opened it I didn't know what to expect. When I read that it was a short story from Hallowen I thought: I shouldn't be too scared, but as soon as I started I was shocked because I didn't expect this story.
With so few words the author transported me to Lizzie's world, I felt her pain, her despair, I elaborated theories about where we would go but never expected that ending. She left me telling me WHAT?
A beautiful, haunting read. I think that only by reading it you can understand what I say.
When I opened it I didn't know what to expect. When I read that it was a short story from Hallowen I thought: I shouldn't be too scared, but as soon as I started I was shocked because I didn't expect this story.
With so few words the author transported me to Lizzie's world, I felt her pain, her despair, I elaborated theories about where we would go but never expected that ending. She left me telling me WHAT?
A beautiful, haunting read. I think that only by reading it you can understand what I say.
November 15, 2023
Wow, en tan pocas páginas me hizo sentir demasiado.
Una vez fui hermosa. Una vez él me amó.
Era una prisionera de cada aliento que respiraba.
Sentí su mano en mi mejilla, recordando cómo me quería y me dio su corazón y construimos nuestro propio mundo, construimos nuestra felicidad.
Nuestro amor murió lentamente, desvaneciéndose como papel tapiz viejo, rizándose y despegándose de la pared, suplicando ser rasgado y destrozado, para ser limpiado.
Una vez fui hermosa. Una vez él me amó.
Era una prisionera de cada aliento que respiraba.
Sentí su mano en mi mejilla, recordando cómo me quería y me dio su corazón y construimos nuestro propio mundo, construimos nuestra felicidad.
Nuestro amor murió lentamente, desvaneciéndose como papel tapiz viejo, rizándose y despegándose de la pared, suplicando ser rasgado y destrozado, para ser limpiado.
August 8, 2017
Short short story
This was a super short story that was beautifully written about a mother and surfing the loss of something so horrific it's almost unbearable and how life moves forward
This was a super short story that was beautifully written about a mother and surfing the loss of something so horrific it's almost unbearable and how life moves forward
August 13, 2017
This was a short story. And of curse she rips your heart
August 23, 2017
Short story but it broke my heart.
October 27, 2017
I don’t know what to say... I can’t stop crying 😢
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews