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How is This My Life?
When your boyfriend, practically husband, of thirteen years, asks you for an open relationship, knowing it was a huge fat no, it feels like the end of the life you had planned. For Elise? She runs to her best friends, her chosen family, and they help her through the ups and downs of this breakup.
Adrian has just gotten medically discharged from the military and drives hours to make it to his best friend's house to help finish all of the wedding planning for his best friend. He's trying to work through some of his PTS, and not looking for love. He doesn't think he's ever going to get it until she walks in.
- He Falls First
- Military Man
- Small Town Romance
- Surprise Pregnancy
- Single Mom
- HEA for main characters
Adrian has just gotten medically discharged from the military and drives hours to make it to his best friend's house to help finish all of the wedding planning for his best friend. He's trying to work through some of his PTS, and not looking for love. He doesn't think he's ever going to get it until she walks in.
- He Falls First
- Military Man
- Small Town Romance
- Surprise Pregnancy
- Single Mom
- HEA for main characters
- GenresNovella
67 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 26, 2025
I loved this one. Elise's boyfriend of 13 years asks for an open marriage. She leaves and it turns out to be the best decision she could have ever made.
April 19, 2026
How is This My Life, part of the Shorts series, was about 30-year-old Adrian, a retired military veteran, and 29-year-old Elise Adams, a nurse at the local hospital.
Elise and Trevor Stoodermyer, her 29-year-old boyfriend of 13 years, had recently broken up because, instead of getting married as she thought they would, he wanted to have an open relationship (something he had apparently been planning for a while with a female co-worker). The same night, she had two of her friends help her move out before he returned home. Three weeks later, she learned she was pregnant. Two weeks after confirming the pregnancy, Elise was visiting a family attorney, who suggested they contact Trevor from her office. They did, letting him know the call was being recorded, then she told him about the pregnancy and wanted him to terminate his parental rights. He immediately agreed and showed up at the attorney's office. The paternity test proved he was the father, and the day their daughter was born, he signed the termination papers.
Elise's friends Denise and Aaron, who took her in when things went bad with Trevor, found out shortly after she did that they were also expecting and planned to get married. Aaron's friend, Adrian, was going to be part of the wedding and, as he had recently been medically discharged from the military, planned to move to their town. He was quickly introduced to Elise and her daughter, Tennley.
The night of Denise and Aaron's wedding, a very drunk Trevor showed up and accosted Elise while she was trying to get her daughter to sleep. Adrian realized they had been gone a while and caught up just as Trevor was yelling at her. Then the book jumped ahead a full year to when Tennley was about to turn two, with Elise saying the night Trevor accosted her was the beginning of her relationship with Adrian. But there wasn't anything else said between them. No buildup of a relationship; no chemistry; nothing. Then it jumped to five years into the future, and we got Trevor's POV, and he filled in a bit about how his life turned out regarding the "open relationship(s)" he had gotten involved in, and more...what a waste of space and words.
The whole short story was weird, not even romance, and nothing cute about it. Basically, it could have been a diary of a teenage girl who just shared either a fantasy or a nightmare she'd had. Whatever it was, this was not a romance story for the ages.
It wasn't worthy of a star, but I gave it one anyway, for pure daring to write such a tale.
Elise and Trevor Stoodermyer, her 29-year-old boyfriend of 13 years, had recently broken up because, instead of getting married as she thought they would, he wanted to have an open relationship (something he had apparently been planning for a while with a female co-worker). The same night, she had two of her friends help her move out before he returned home. Three weeks later, she learned she was pregnant. Two weeks after confirming the pregnancy, Elise was visiting a family attorney, who suggested they contact Trevor from her office. They did, letting him know the call was being recorded, then she told him about the pregnancy and wanted him to terminate his parental rights. He immediately agreed and showed up at the attorney's office. The paternity test proved he was the father, and the day their daughter was born, he signed the termination papers.
Elise's friends Denise and Aaron, who took her in when things went bad with Trevor, found out shortly after she did that they were also expecting and planned to get married. Aaron's friend, Adrian, was going to be part of the wedding and, as he had recently been medically discharged from the military, planned to move to their town. He was quickly introduced to Elise and her daughter, Tennley.
The night of Denise and Aaron's wedding, a very drunk Trevor showed up and accosted Elise while she was trying to get her daughter to sleep. Adrian realized they had been gone a while and caught up just as Trevor was yelling at her. Then the book jumped ahead a full year to when Tennley was about to turn two, with Elise saying the night Trevor accosted her was the beginning of her relationship with Adrian. But there wasn't anything else said between them. No buildup of a relationship; no chemistry; nothing. Then it jumped to five years into the future, and we got Trevor's POV, and he filled in a bit about how his life turned out regarding the "open relationship(s)" he had gotten involved in, and more...what a waste of space and words.
The whole short story was weird, not even romance, and nothing cute about it. Basically, it could have been a diary of a teenage girl who just shared either a fantasy or a nightmare she'd had. Whatever it was, this was not a romance story for the ages.
It wasn't worthy of a star, but I gave it one anyway, for pure daring to write such a tale.
August 3, 2025
3.7-4⭐️
Very cute novella, even though it was short/ fast paced it had a lot of emotional depth in it from both the FMC & MMC.
- he falls first
- small town
- surprise pregnancy
- single mom
- wedding setting
- military mmc
Very cute novella, even though it was short/ fast paced it had a lot of emotional depth in it from both the FMC & MMC.
- he falls first
- small town
- surprise pregnancy
- single mom
- wedding setting
- military mmc
September 23, 2025
Careful what you ask for.
Grass is not always greener on the other side. Boy he went downhill after asking for an open relationship. I'm so happy that she and her daughter ended with a good man.
Grass is not always greener on the other side. Boy he went downhill after asking for an open relationship. I'm so happy that she and her daughter ended with a good man.
July 16, 2025
Trevor really blew it…
If you truly love someone, the OW can’t talk you into doing anything. Trevor thinks the grass is greener but what he ends up doing is throwing away their relationship of years, and ending up pretty much a drunken addict.
Elise is heartbroken when Trevor tells her he wants an open relationship. Tell me you want to cheat on me without telling me you want to cheat. But she has good friends that stand by her, helping her through the pain.
And then Adrian appears…
KU read, and while short, this was a great little story. Minor editing issues but I like this author’s style, and I hope to see more of this author’s work.
If you truly love someone, the OW can’t talk you into doing anything. Trevor thinks the grass is greener but what he ends up doing is throwing away their relationship of years, and ending up pretty much a drunken addict.
Elise is heartbroken when Trevor tells her he wants an open relationship. Tell me you want to cheat on me without telling me you want to cheat. But she has good friends that stand by her, helping her through the pain.
And then Adrian appears…
KU read, and while short, this was a great little story. Minor editing issues but I like this author’s style, and I hope to see more of this author’s work.
April 6, 2026
SO BITTERSWEET
Trevor thought he was missing out because of having been in one monogamous relationship since his teens. He threw away a 13 year relationship with Elise because he let another woman-a coworker-Tawnya, get into his head about the advantage of an “open relationship”. Trevor signs away his parental rights to baby Tennley. He was partying with drugs, drinking, multiple sexual partners, swapping, kinky clubs - until he hit rock bottom. But it was much too late. He’d lost his woman Elise and his daughter Tennley forever.
What wonderful, supportive friends Elise had in Aaron and Denise. Great couple with their own extended family issues. They’re a biracial couple and neither of their families will accept them. Their wedding is the catalyst for introducing Adrian and Elise, ultimately bringing them together as a couple.
Now let’s talk about Adrian. Such a great guy, just who Elise and Tennley needed in their lives. AND they were just what Adrian needed in his life too. They’re a couple you’ll find yourself rooting for to get together.
I love the way all these rejected “misfit” persons form their own loving family together. Family is not always blood, often they’re people who are chosen because they are present and want to be an integral part of someone’s life.
HEA for Elise & Adrian, Aaron & Denise and of course little Tennley and Nathaniel. Almost, but only almost, felt sorry for Trevor in the end. Trevor got his just desserts.
Trevor thought he was missing out because of having been in one monogamous relationship since his teens. He threw away a 13 year relationship with Elise because he let another woman-a coworker-Tawnya, get into his head about the advantage of an “open relationship”. Trevor signs away his parental rights to baby Tennley. He was partying with drugs, drinking, multiple sexual partners, swapping, kinky clubs - until he hit rock bottom. But it was much too late. He’d lost his woman Elise and his daughter Tennley forever.
What wonderful, supportive friends Elise had in Aaron and Denise. Great couple with their own extended family issues. They’re a biracial couple and neither of their families will accept them. Their wedding is the catalyst for introducing Adrian and Elise, ultimately bringing them together as a couple.
Now let’s talk about Adrian. Such a great guy, just who Elise and Tennley needed in their lives. AND they were just what Adrian needed in his life too. They’re a couple you’ll find yourself rooting for to get together.
I love the way all these rejected “misfit” persons form their own loving family together. Family is not always blood, often they’re people who are chosen because they are present and want to be an integral part of someone’s life.
HEA for Elise & Adrian, Aaron & Denise and of course little Tennley and Nathaniel. Almost, but only almost, felt sorry for Trevor in the end. Trevor got his just desserts.
September 11, 2025
Cheating = h's boyfriend wants an open relationship but in reality he had already begun an affair with OW (office co-worker) it just had not progressed to a physical one. h immediately breaks up wth boyfriend when he asks for an open relationship.
h sees H with OW = h saw OW with her boyfriend at a work event and made it know to the boyfriend that the OW wanted him, BF scoffed and told h there was nothing there, yeah right...later OW sends texts, pics and videos of OW with the boyfriend depicting orgies and such. Classy.
F-preg = h finds out she is pregnant, ex-boyfriend signs away rights and later h meets the real H of the story
h sees H with OW = h saw OW with her boyfriend at a work event and made it know to the boyfriend that the OW wanted him, BF scoffed and told h there was nothing there, yeah right...later OW sends texts, pics and videos of OW with the boyfriend depicting orgies and such. Classy.
F-preg = h finds out she is pregnant, ex-boyfriend signs away rights and later h meets the real H of the story
July 18, 2025
Finding her Happily Ever After (HEA)
After thirteen years together, the MMC wants an open relationship. The FMC knows her worth and leaves. This book is about the angst of a long term relationship gone bad and the growth of the FMC as she navigates her new life. There is a HEA for the FMC. For the MMC not so much. Overall it’s a great little read and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a feel good short story.
After thirteen years together, the MMC wants an open relationship. The FMC knows her worth and leaves. This book is about the angst of a long term relationship gone bad and the growth of the FMC as she navigates her new life. There is a HEA for the FMC. For the MMC not so much. Overall it’s a great little read and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a feel good short story.
July 20, 2025
loved this!
Most of the time in books like this, there is a very dissatisfying situation where the bad partner grovels a bit and then the abused/neglected/cheated on partner forgives. That is not what this is at all and I loved it! There is still plenty of emotional stuff and drama, and I wouldn’t have been mad with a few extra chapters or so as the storyline was a little rushed for page count, but it’s still an enjoyable quick read. I managed the whole thing in one sitting.
Most of the time in books like this, there is a very dissatisfying situation where the bad partner grovels a bit and then the abused/neglected/cheated on partner forgives. That is not what this is at all and I loved it! There is still plenty of emotional stuff and drama, and I wouldn’t have been mad with a few extra chapters or so as the storyline was a little rushed for page count, but it’s still an enjoyable quick read. I managed the whole thing in one sitting.
July 27, 2025
a quick read
This was such a quick read! I liked the characters and I appreciated the different POVs.
They mentioned the FMC’s parents paying for everyone’s college but there was no mention of how she was able to be a single mom, so that would’ve been a nice explanation.
I’m not sure why Denise and Aaron named their child after their grandfathers, when they turned against them but it was a great story otherwise.
This was such a quick read! I liked the characters and I appreciated the different POVs.
They mentioned the FMC’s parents paying for everyone’s college but there was no mention of how she was able to be a single mom, so that would’ve been a nice explanation.
I’m not sure why Denise and Aaron named their child after their grandfathers, when they turned against them but it was a great story otherwise.
August 4, 2025
Adrian and Elise!
I loved Adrian! He was such a sweetie and he fell so hard and so fast! I loved it! I absolutely love the open relationship trope and this filled that well!! I loved that Elise would be even entertain the idea of one. Her and Adrian were so sweet together! I just loved them. I could have read a full novel on them, because they were that great together! I didn’t want it to end!
I loved Adrian! He was such a sweetie and he fell so hard and so fast! I loved it! I absolutely love the open relationship trope and this filled that well!! I loved that Elise would be even entertain the idea of one. Her and Adrian were so sweet together! I just loved them. I could have read a full novel on them, because they were that great together! I didn’t want it to end!
September 15, 2025
3.5✯
-mostly h's POV
-no cheating between the MCs
-surprise pregnancy (with om/ex before meeting the H)
-mild om drama (h's ex)
-likeable MCs
-insta attraction for the hero
-great secondary characters (I loved the h's friends)
-talk of racism
-they never said 'I love you' :(
-clean romance
-epilogue: 1 year and 5 years later (the 2nd epilogue is told from the POV of h's ex) -h/H are happily married with 2 kids and another on the way
-mostly h's POV
-no cheating between the MCs
-surprise pregnancy (with om/ex before meeting the H)
-mild om drama (h's ex)
-likeable MCs
-insta attraction for the hero
-great secondary characters (I loved the h's friends)
-talk of racism
-they never said 'I love you' :(
-clean romance
-epilogue: 1 year and 5 years later (the 2nd epilogue is told from the POV of h's ex) -h/H are happily married with 2 kids and another on the way
October 20, 2025
Short story
How can you love and hate a character at the same time! That’s how I feel about the MMC. It’s hard maintaining a relationship when people connect at such a young age. I’ve seen success stories but more often situations similar to this one. However he was a weak man letting a young girl get in his ear and sway him to the dark side .😁 Then when she finished sewing her wild oats, she found her forever partner and left him high and dry. The MMC’s epilogue was sad.
How can you love and hate a character at the same time! That’s how I feel about the MMC. It’s hard maintaining a relationship when people connect at such a young age. I’ve seen success stories but more often situations similar to this one. However he was a weak man letting a young girl get in his ear and sway him to the dark side .😁 Then when she finished sewing her wild oats, she found her forever partner and left him high and dry. The MMC’s epilogue was sad.
June 30, 2025
Quick Read with a Strong FMC
This is a great book. I read the original on Wattpad. This version is better as the story is expanded and the author adds more context and character growth. I very much enjoyed the "bonus chapter" (aka, "Trevor's POV). It's not super heavy and the spice level is low. Thank you, EJ Knight!
This is a great book. I read the original on Wattpad. This version is better as the story is expanded and the author adds more context and character growth. I very much enjoyed the "bonus chapter" (aka, "Trevor's POV). It's not super heavy and the spice level is low. Thank you, EJ Knight!
August 1, 2025
I love it when things really go south for the cheater.
This has a great epilogue from the cheater's point of view, too. I LOVE when an author does that.
Deliciously poured salt in those cheating wounds.
lol
I found this humorous too - when Elise would get so exasperated by the absurdity of things and I liked that.
Nice for folks
This has a great epilogue from the cheater's point of view, too. I LOVE when an author does that.
Deliciously poured salt in those cheating wounds.
lol
I found this humorous too - when Elise would get so exasperated by the absurdity of things and I liked that.
Nice for folks
September 11, 2025
This Novella was fast paced, angsty and spoke more of a cautionary tale of thinking the grass is greener on the other side and it not being. Too late though for the ex. The fmc was witty and had gunption. The new love didnt seem too well developed and the romance just seemed to breeze on by but I still enjoyed reading the story.
September 20, 2025
Heartbreaking to Beautiful
To start a story with so much heart and end with the most beautiful story made my heart heal. But the most awesome part was to read the future of all their lives, and the consequences of all the decisions they made were catheric. Thank you for this story.
To start a story with so much heart and end with the most beautiful story made my heart heal. But the most awesome part was to read the future of all their lives, and the consequences of all the decisions they made were catheric. Thank you for this story.
September 29, 2025
Sometimes a person gets what they deserve!
When you have the best person by you for years and throw it away, you realize too late you lost the life you could have had! Trevor lost it all and then suffered for it! Elise shattered and then rebuilt a life for herself and her future.
When you have the best person by you for years and throw it away, you realize too late you lost the life you could have had! Trevor lost it all and then suffered for it! Elise shattered and then rebuilt a life for herself and her future.
April 26, 2026
Good short read
Elise wants to get married her idiot boyfriend wants a open relationship she walks finds out shes pregnant but her life gets so much better ,hes so called party life style crashes and burns so he dsnt get the happy ending .I love her best friend's friend Adrian who adores elise and her baby ,he is definitely the hero ,good HEA
Elise wants to get married her idiot boyfriend wants a open relationship she walks finds out shes pregnant but her life gets so much better ,hes so called party life style crashes and burns so he dsnt get the happy ending .I love her best friend's friend Adrian who adores elise and her baby ,he is definitely the hero ,good HEA
July 9, 2025
great
What a great read imagine your boyfriend of 13 yrs asks for a swingers lifestyle. Read how Elise gets to have a happy ever after
What a great read imagine your boyfriend of 13 yrs asks for a swingers lifestyle. Read how Elise gets to have a happy ever after
August 4, 2025
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Bad decisions. That’s all Trevor made. Ruined his relationship and life. Missed his daughter’s life. At least Elise was stable and smart.
Bad decisions. That’s all Trevor made. Ruined his relationship and life. Missed his daughter’s life. At least Elise was stable and smart.
August 21, 2025
2.5 weird pacing, little-to-no interaction between the leads, felt unfinished, and repeated the title like 1,000 times
August 22, 2025
very good read
I enjoyed this very much! The development of the characters was great and it was a very good story kudos to the author
I enjoyed this very much! The development of the characters was great and it was a very good story kudos to the author
September 20, 2025
Cheating dumbass gets the life he deserves and the beautiful found family has all the love they should. All the feels wrapped in a very great, short read.
September 26, 2025
Must quick read.
I love EJ Knights books. All the emotions and easily read while doing laundry, or when you have some time to kill.
I love EJ Knights books. All the emotions and easily read while doing laundry, or when you have some time to kill.
December 11, 2025
short quick read. h moves on with other man.
April 15, 2026
👌🏼
Okay little novella. Well written and intriguing. Though, using the phrase "how is this my life" as often as it was made my eye twitch a little.
Okay little novella. Well written and intriguing. Though, using the phrase "how is this my life" as often as it was made my eye twitch a little.
January 31, 2026
Really enjoyed this <3 great novella!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews