Since I First Laid Eyes On You

by F.R. Burns

Grayson

She was over twenty years younger than me. She was off-limits and the last person I should want. I never intended to make her mine. No father plans on stealing his son's girlfriend.

Paige

Do you believe in love at first sight? How about lust? I certainly didn't, until he walked onto the plane. From that moment, everything changed.

Genres: Novella, Romance, Age Gap Romance

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2025

Reviews

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short spicy 23 year age gap!! Ex boyfriend’s dad…. 🫠🫠🫠 yes please!!!!

[Katie Thayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

Since I First Laid Eyes On You
By: F.R. Burns

“Everything around me fades, my sole focus is on the absolute beauty in the picture. Fucking hell. I've never seen anyone more stunning in my life. She looks so young, fresh, innocent; she's exquisite. Mine. The unbidden thought enters my mind, taking over every part of my body. Get a grip, Gray, this is your son's girl. It doesn't matter though, everything is screaming inside me that she belongs to me, that this girl is mine, not my sons, not anyone's. Mine.”

“This guy. He is everything. I’ve known him hours, a literal matter of hours, but I feel like he can see inside me. I’d been seeing Edward for nearly six months and not once did I ever feel seen.”

“I’ll praise you for being a good girl, don’t think I won’t spank you for being a bad one.”

What a spicey novella! I really enjoyed Grayson and Paige’s story. Grayson sees a picture of Paige and instantly is head over heels for her. Fast forward 6 months and Paige is no longer dating Grayson’s son and Paige and Grayson are on their way to the same wedding. Spending 4 days together and not wasting a second of getting it on. This novella is fast paced and spicy!

Tropes:
Ex boyfriends Dad
Age Gap
Breeding K!nk
Forced Proximity
Insta Lust

Spice starts at: 15%🔥

Spice: 4/4🌶️
Stars: 4/5⭐️

Available on Kindle Unlimited

[Tai]

The potential was there for sure and I didn’t have to wait for the smut (yay!) Buuut, this didn’t work for me so I just finished it because I’m tired of DNFing tbh.

🩷’d:
— h + her besties friendship


⚠️ + Info:
— Dual POV
— Instalust & love came real quick
— Sons Ex/Exes Dad
— Age gap: 22 (h) 45 (H)
— No Virgins • H celibate 6 months / h celibate 18 months
— OMD: the H’s son causes some friction but it’s resolved within minutes
— all the way 🥵 @ 21% chp.3 of 14
— No: OWD, sharing, cheating, push/pull, separation or 3rd act break up
— HEA: Dang I forgot but I think they are married or headed there for sure. 🩷

[Anja · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️|4🌶️

If you’re craving a forbidden age gap novella that brings the ALL the spice, look no further. This one delivers 👏

Grayson has been secretly fighting his attraction for his son’s girlfriend for months… and now she’s single. A mutual friend’s wedding brings them together. And with the forced proximity, they waste no time giving into each other. It is HOTTT😮‍💨

This is definitely a fast paced, insta lust read, but it’s the perfect palate cleanser when you’re in the mood for something quick & filthy in between books. Highly recommend picking this one up if you love delicious spice!

Huge thanks to FR Burns for the ARC! 🤍

Tropes
-Insta-lust
-Praise kink
-Breeding kink
-Ex’s dad
-23-year age gap
-Possessive MMC
-He falls first

[Olivea · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so good??? 😭 I ate this shit up!

[Ava Ly · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a flight to your best friend’s wedding you’re seated next to the most gorgeous (older) man you’ve ever seen. The conversation flows and you quickly realize you’re both going to same hotel for the same wedding. But things quickly escalate when that the hotel only has one room left and that stranger you sat next to isn’t actually a stranger at all- he’s your exes dad 🫠

This book is SO spicy and fun. It’s a novella so the plot is condensed and it’s meant just to be a good time. The writing was great and I ate this up in one go. All your favorite tropes in under 70 pages?! Sign me up!

📷 age gap
♥️ ex’s dad
📷 one bed
♥️ bre3ding
📷 instant love, lust, everything

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵

[thebeespot72 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paige’s ex-boyfriend’s dad is truly better than her ex, mostly because her ex-boyfriend embellished everything about the two of them—can we say red flag?

Gray, the ex’s dad, is a dream. He falls first. He’s big in the places that count. He says, “It will fit.” There’s br33d!ng and c0ck warming in this novella. And when he comforts his son—that scene was amazing. I enjoyed this one.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a spicy filthy novella THIS IS IT!
Grayson is DIRTY 🥵 and also Happens to be her ex’s dad. Like yes and yes again!

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶🌶
HEA: 🌟🌟🌟/3
❗️Safety and Small Spoilers Below❗️



📌 Triggers: Death of loved-one's (off-page; past)

📌 No Cheating/Sharing

📌 No OWD: MMC has been celibate for 6 months, since he first saw FMC.

📌 No OMD: FMC 'dated' MMCs son, they were never intimate. She hasn't been with anyone in 18 months.

📌 No Separation/Third-act Breakup

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ★

[nicklein · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cutesy

[Sara's reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ✨
Age gap, pai do ex, muito smut!! Incrível 👀

[Alice Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love spicy, age gap novellas. This book is for you!!!

OH. MY. GOD. I am genuinely at a loss for words. This book was absolutely incredible, In every single way. I never wanted it to end!! The story was absolute perfection, the characters were so lovable and worked so well together, and the writing? Absolutely exceptional. From beginning to end, I was hooked. There were so many things I loved i'd be here forever trying to list them all. But anyways, the second I saw the tropes, and read the blurb I fell in love and my entire TBR got pushed aside for this and I don't regret it one bit. I'm an absolute sucker for an age gap, especially an ex's dad, and the author absolutely NAILED it.

I was not even 30 pages in, and this man had me blushing, like honestly, genuinely speechless. Within 22 pages I had fallen completely in love with him. The way he loved and cared for Paige was everything. I loved how down bad he was for her, there's nothing he wouldn't do for her and that is just everything to me. And Paige? God, she was perfect in every way. Strong, intelligent, independent, supportive, the list goes on. But the way she loves Chloe and helped her, their friendship was something else entirely.

I can't not mention Angus, that man deserves Dad of the year award. The way he loves and talks about Paige, as if she were his own, I cried a tiny bit (a lot) he was such an incredible character, impossible to not love him, along with Nana Pearl, that woman was an absolutely ICON.

And as for Edward, what an absolutely selfish prick, god I hated him more and more as the book went on.

I have so much more to say, but I don't wanna ruin it, but go read it!!!

[Ivy-Lynn Hie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ABSOLUTELY FREAKING YES. What ever Grayson asks, the answer is always YES!! im honestly speechless as a debut novel this was so freaking good and I would recommend to anyone and everyone who loves an age gap romance. This is a lot of insta lust into love. Grayson Stone
(45) has been happy being single and working his days away until a weekend away has him and Paige Andrews (22) thrown in together, at a mutual friends weekend wedding. This was a quick, hot, kinky and all kinds of spicy novella, that I was TOTALLY here for.

[Faiza BEGUM · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had been sitting on my TBR for the longest time, and now I can honestly say… I’m mad at myself for not picking it up sooner.

Because WOW.

I genuinely don’t even know how to put my feelings into words. This book is absolutely incredible. An age-gap romance with the ex’s dad trope? A thousand times yes. It delivered everything I didn’t even know I needed.

Gray being obsessed with Paige from the moment his son showed him her picture? Elite behavior. And Paige feeling that instant attraction the first time she saw him? Double win. This is pure instalove done right — intense, consuming, and completely unapologetic. There are absolutely no boundaries when it comes to the spice, and let me tell you… I was left breathless. Kicking my feet. Gasping. Screaming. The chemistry between Paige and Gray is electric, and they just *belong* together.

And August? That man deserves his own moment. The way he stepped up as a father figure for Paige and constantly looked out for her melted my heart. He was protective, supportive, and exactly what she needed. And Chloe? The kind of friend every girl deserves — loyal, grounding, and always there.

I loved this book so much that I finished it in one sitting. I literally couldn’t put it down.

If you love age-gap, obsessive heroes, high spice, and intense chemistry, this one is absolutely for you.

[Sarah | sarah.onemorechapter · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ | 4 🌶️

Since I First Laid Eyes On You is a spicy, age gap, insta-love novella that is such a fun and easy read. Need a break in between arcs and you’re feeling something spicy -read this one!

Paige and Grayson meet on a plane headed to a wedding they both happen to be invited to. The moment their eyes meet sparks fly and by the end of the flight they are hooked on each other.

What sweet Paige doesn’t know is that Grayson is the father of her ex boyfriend and he’s had a thing for her since his SON showed him a picture of her six months ago… Is man is a little obsessed with her? Yes but we love it. And Paige is just as obsessed with him too.

Their love and relationship is a whirlwind and it happens so fast but hey when ya know ya know!

This book was all about the spice. You can expect insta-lust/love, “it won’t fit” moments, only one bed and the man is possessive.

Thank you F.R. Burns for reaching out and allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy!

•ex boyfriends dad
•age gap (23 years)
•insta love / insta lust
•br33ding k*nk
•only one bed

[Dahlia’s Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Short, Scorching, and Impossible to Resist

This might be a short story, but it brings the heat fast—and doesn’t let up. Grayson is everything: sexy, older, attentive, and just the right amount of dominant to make you weak in the knees. Paige never stood a chance—and honestly, neither did I.
What starts as a small encounter in the plane turns into something much more when Grayson ends up heading to the same wedding as Paige. One room mix-up later, and let’s just say things escalate quickly… and deliciously.
Their weekend together is filled with steamy moments, undeniable chemistry, and just enough emotional depth to leave you wanting more. Secrets are uncovered, choices have to be made, and by the end, you’ll be rooting for them both.
A fantastic, fiery debut from F.R. Burns—perfect for when you want something quick, sexy, and totally satisfying.

[Megs · Rating 5 out of 5]

✈️🖤Book Review🖤✈️

I don’t even know where to start, this Novella was EVERYTHING‼️

I love me an Age Gap but when you make it ex boyfriends dad, and they way that Grayson is so down bad for Paige ugh it was perfection‼️

From the moment Paige laid eyes on Grayson on the plane, she knew she wanted him, and when they end up at the same place for the same wedding it was kismet‼️

The way these two fell for each other was beautiful, Grayson keeping who he was hidden, eh I get it… but I am completely obsessed with these characters‼️

FR Burns you write the most EPIC down bad love stories with all the savory goodness 🤭

Tropes:
✈️Airplane Meet Cute
🖤Age Gap
✈️Ex Boyfriends Dad
🖤Secret Identity
✈️He Falls First
🖤No 3rd Act Break Up

[Tasha_loves_to_read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daddy Grey 🥵. I have no words. What a perfect little smutty forbidden story. I absolutely inhaled their story. Paige was perfect for Greyson. You could feel their chemistry and tension. Chefs kiss 💋 @frburnsauthor

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

age gap
ex boyfriend's dad
he falls first
breeding kink
dom

quick enjoyable read with a hea

[martta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blah blah blah, proper name, place name, backstory stuff 🤭

[A Wimbleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, what a debut!! This spicy novella was the perfect palate cleanser.

Paige and Grayson definitely cause some heat between the sheets, I mean pages. At one point the visual was right there in my eyes!

Their chemistry was off the charts and Gray's love was damn obsessive but perfect.

It's high on the kinks which makes for a good read and could even have you discovering something you like. Ok wouldn't mind being Gray's warmer 😜.

For a quick spicy, delightful read with likeable characters this one is for you. Excited to see what's to come.

[Amy Bergesen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super-steamy insta-love between hedge fund manager Grayson and his son’s ex, Paige. They meet at a wedding, and the rest is all spice and an HEA. Novella length, age gap, 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Fated Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beta review

5 fucking stars, BITCH 😮‍💨🫠

Grayson is nasty, filthy, disgusting. I’m into it 😏

[MaeReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

father disowns son in order to get some play. 3 stars. it was quite nice actually.

[gena_bookish_reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. Like actually loved it.
It was filthy, forbidden, fast paced and just hit every single spot I wanted it to. The second I started I knew I wasn’t stopping until I finished and yep I devoured it in one go.

You meet a gorgeous older man on a flight to your best friend’s wedding… the connection/lust is instant, the flirting is effortless and then you both realize you’re staying at the same hotel. There's only one room left. And just when you already know this is going to be spicy.. it drops the bomb, he’s your ex’s dad. Like i was there for it. 😏

𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮, 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵? 𝘋𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘺-𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳-𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳? 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘩𝘦𝘳?

From that moment on, it’s pure OBSESSION and SPICE.
Grayson has been secretly into Paige for months. And now that she’s single? He doesn’t waste a second. He’s older, possessive and SO dirty. Honestly?? I'd give in too. Like he was HOT AF. Every scene with him had me blushing and giggling. 🤭

“𝘐’𝘮 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦, 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘺. 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦. 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦. 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬. 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘮𝘦. 𝘙𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴.”

I love novellas that know what they are and embrace it. This one didn’t try to drag anything out it gave me spice, vibes.. and just enough plot to make it addictive.

This was just pure smut and exactly the kind of quick, steamy read I crave between darker books. Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for something short, hot, and forbidden.

What to expect:

- Age gap (23 years)
- One bed
- Breeding kink
- Insta - lust
- Obsessive MC
- Ex's dad
- Praise
- Spiceeeeee

[Obsessively Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you say HOT!?!? Grayson’s his very ungrateful son comes home from Uni showing his Dad a picture of the girl he has been seeing since their graduation. His first thought is 💘MINE💘. Six months later, he is sitting on a flight✈️ headed to his BFF’s daughter's wedding. Who should stop at his row to sit in the seat💺next to him? Her, Paige, the woman he has been obsessed with since he saw her picture👩‍🎓on his sons phone. No longer his son's girlfriend. She thinks she is sitting next to the hottest man🥵 to ever walk this earth. When they land at their destination they find they are both going to the same wedding! The hotel has had a booking issue and Grayson’s room was double booked. Paige, knowing what will definitely happen behind the door when it closes 🛏, offers Grayson to stay with her. Once they start 🌶️spicy time🌶️ together it is explosive💣 , seeing🌟 stars🌟 and blacking out from O’s explosive💥. Once home he tells his son. He chooses himself and chooses her, giving them their happiness and their future. He moves her in with him 🗝 and tells her they are getting married💍. No, that was not a typo, there was no question. From there their future begins!
😉This book is full of our favorite tropes!
❤️Duel-POV
❤️He Falls First
❤️Ex’s dad/Dads BFF
❤️Obsessed MMC
❤️Age Gap
❤️One Bed
🗣 Spicy things said you will feral for:
🌶️“Good Girl”
🌶️“Will it fit?”
🌶️“Eyes on me”
🌶️“You were made for me”
🛏Spicy times things to look forward to:
🥵“Bossy” MMC
🥵Dirty Mouthed MMC
🥵Praise Kink
🥵C🫢ck Warming
🥵Breeding K!nk😉😜
My expectations going in:
It is F.R. Burns , it will be amazing. All of her work is amazing!
My thoughts after reading:
You did it again F.R.,you did it again. Ready for the next taboo tale.
My Spice Rating:
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
My Book Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🔥 : 15 %
#TabooNovella #OneBed #OneYear #AgegapRomance #DuelPOV

[Simone ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m truly struggling to put into words how much I adored this read because it was A LOT, it has everything I love in one place; a man double my age, sizzling tension, one bed and a man who favourite pastime is telling his girl how naughty she’s been 👀😮‍💨 The way that Grayson loved & worshipped Paige was phenomenal and I think he should teach the rest of the male population what it means to really love your girl because damn that man can love his girl! Now while I am desperately in love with Grayson we need to take a moment to appreciate the absolute badass that is Paige, I can’t work out if I want to be her or be with her she is truly iconic - she is grace, elegance and brains all in one human and I can completely understand why Gray refused to let anyone else have her because I fear I’d also rather keep her for myself 🤭

This was the perfect read to help me escape from the chaos of life and I will now be making it my personality for a little while because i’m already getting withdraws and want to scream from the rooftops from it, and as always I need to admit that Wonderland was right when she told me that I would love Grayson & this book 📚 Overall, I don’t think i’ll ever fully be able to explain how much I adored this read, it was short, spicy but full of heart & soul in the best way ever. I cannot wait to read dive further into the world of F.R Burns and to continue falling in love with the characters she creates ❤️‍🔥

[Priscilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS NOVELLA!!!!! HOLY MOLY!!!!

I came across this book scrolling one morning and it hit all the tropes I enjoy in my books. One of them being age gap and Ex's dad. I hurried up, tagged my friend to buddy read and downloaded it.
I ate this book up in hours and took a cold shower afterwards because Mr. Gray was one hell of a "daddy."

This book had everything I want in a book but in this case, it was a novella. Gray is obsessed the moment he see's Paige through a picture and a wedding brings these characters together for an amazing hot steamy weekend. This book did not disappoint one bit. Paige may be half his age but very mature for her age. On the way to her best friend's wedding, they are seating next to each other on the plane and strike up a conversation. The chemistry is sparking, and sexual tension is rising. The moment these two know they are heading to the same destination they can't help but want each other. The perfect opportunity arises when a room isn't available, and they decide to share. What can go wrong?

Overall, READ THIS!!!! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it. Thank you F.R. for this amazing story and hope to see more of your stories soon.

[FictionHealsMe · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first pages this story completely captivated me. It was one of those books that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. I think it was actually my first age gap romance, and I loved every second of it.

The situation itself made me giggle more than once. He is twice her age, and she just happens to be his son’s ex-girlfriend. It sounded so wild at first, but the way everything unfolded felt natural and intriguing. I couldn’t stop reading because I was genuinely curious to see how their relationship would develop and where the story would take them.

Their love story is honestly so freaking amazing. Grayson instantly became my new book boyfriend. He is protective, intense, and completely impossible not to fall for. And those spicy scenes… let’s just say they were so good. 🔥

F. R. Burns did such an incredible job bringing this story to life. The emotions, the tension, the chemistry, everything just worked perfectly. I can’t wait to dive into more of her books and see what she writes next.