I had one plan. Work hard and save up enough to build a life outside of being ‘the mechanic’s daughter’ of Bratton Hollow. No crushes. No chaos. And definitely no getting weak in the knees over the town’s grumpy, too-old-for-me, off-limits sheriff. Then I got lightheaded, and he got bossy. He called me little girl and I... called him Daddy. Now Royce Hoffman watches me like he owns me. He feeds me when I forget, scolds me when I don’t listen, and tells me I don’t have to be strong all the time. And when he puts me over his lap and says it’s time for Daddy’s rules? Let’s just say I don’t need a tune-up, just a towel. But someone doesn’t like the attention I’m getting. And when my stalker decides I'm his, Daddy puts himself between me and danger. No matter the cost.
A deliciously dirty, age-gap daddy dom romance with a possessive sheriff, a stubborn grease-stained heroine, and just enough suspense to make the heat hit harder. SAFE, no cheating, filthy-sweet HEA.
Bratton Hollow sheriff, Royce Hoffman, has kept an eye on Mindy Burkholder for years.
Despite being half his age and an having an unpleasant history with her parents, when a carnival ride puts her in danger, he knows he can no longer keep her at arms length.
The second standalone in the new Bratton Hollow series has just enough storyline to quell any guilt for devouring this kinky quickie!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Darkness: 🩶 Heat: 🌶️🌶️ Range of Emotions: 🫢🥵😳🤬😍 Ending: 💗 {HEA} POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present}
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance 🗂️ Subgenre(s): New Adult
⚠️ Warning: This sweet and steamy read will leave your panties damp and your cheeks flushed.
🚩 Safety Squad: Stalker (Not MMC) and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Yes, Sheriff is part of the Bratton Hollow series, but can be read as a standalone.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
This is the second novel in the Bratton Hollow series (and my second book)!
Y'all I'm not going to lie, I've changed this whole book twice. They say second books are the hardest, right? Well, they weren't lying. The basic idea has stayed the same, the words on the pages have been rewritten, but I'm finally happy with the result.
I think you're all going to love Mindy, the sweet daughter of Bratton Hollow's mechanic, who enjoys nothing better than working on an engine just like her dad. She's also the obsession of Sheriff Hoffman, and when a chance encounter leads to more than just longing looks, things change forever...
He’ll protect her at all costs. She’ll trust him with everything she is.
When Mindy (h19) catches the eye of Sheriff Royce (H), the pull between them is instant and impossible to ignore. She’s battling family pressure, money trouble, and a stalker who keeps calling her “rare.” He’s a man with a dark reputation, a past scarred by lies, and a need to keep her safe no matter what. Their connection starts in the shadows of a small-town garage and quickly turns into something intense, possessive, and all-consuming.
As Royce takes control of her safety, her health, and her heart, Mindy learns what it means to lean into his rules and protection. From the county fair to his home, he feeds her, cares for her, and makes it clear she’s his. But someone else wants her, and danger is never far away. Royce stands between her and every threat, determined to protect what’s his.
What they build together is more than just romance. It’s a bond rooted in trust, caretaking, and rules that make her feel safe enough to let go. Through every challenge, their love only grows stronger, and neither is willing to let go of what they’ve found.
A darkly passionate, instalove, age gap, DDlg, small-town romance exploring love, protection, dominance and submission, family secrets, small town politics, personal healing, trust, and claiming the life you deserve.
Second book in the Bratton Hollow series is here and just as good as the first! Royce is the town sheriff with a dark past and an obsession for the mechanics daughter Mindy. I LOVE Mindy! She is the badass eldest daughter that holds everything together but allows Royce to be her safe space. It was validating in a way that women can dominate male spaces and still have a strong man at home who allows her to be soft. Can’t wait for more from this author.
Sheriff Royce Hoffman has lived under the shadow of a dark history with the Burkholder family for more than two decades. That past should have kept him away from their eldest daughter, Mindy, but instead, he finds himself unable to resist watching over her, quietly, from a distance, telling himself it’s enough. Until it isn’t. One touch shatters his restraint, and suddenly Royce realizes what he’s long denied: Mindy was always meant to be his. Mindy, for her part, has harbored feelings for Royce for as long as she can remember. But when he calls her his “little girl” and claims the role of “daddy,” her world shifts irrevocably. From that moment, their dynamic shifts into something raw, vulnerable, and consuming. This is not just a romance, but an exploration of trust and surrender. Royce becomes the steady force in her life. He feeds her, reminds to take her medication, and sets rules that make her feel cherished and safe. For the first time in her life, Mindy discovers the freedom that comes with letting go. However, their relationship is not without obstacles. As they battle family disapproval, an even darker figure emerges, someone who also believes Mindy belongs to him. Yet Royce’s unwavering protection and devotion never falter, reinforcing the powerful bond they share. This story is a heady blend of small-town secrets, dangerous obsessions, and a searing DD/lg romance. It’s darkly passionate, unapologetically intense, and brimming with themes of protection, healing, trust, and the fierce claim to a love that was always meant to be. For readers who enjoy intense, protective heroes and heroines learning to embrace both vulnerability and strength, this book delivers a compelling and emotionally charged journey. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
He’s lived in the town, his whole life gathering false accusations years ago. He’s now the town sheriff. She is his accuser’s daughter, too young for him but that doesn’t mean he can let her go. She grew up in a tumultuous household family always bickering. Her escape was under the hood in her father‘s garage. She feels more at home with a wrench then she does anywhere else. She’s used to being the mediator, parenting, her parents when they can’t see on their own problems. But when he steps forward and shows interest in her all of that chaotic energy relaxes. He is 100% dom and in control. He is ready to make all the choices for her and let her be his baby girl. She never thought that was something she was interested in tell him. He makes her feel safe protected and wanted in ways she never has before. This is an age gap story, complicated family dynamics, DDlg, with an alpha Daddy and his girl.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mindy’s plan to escape her “mechanic’s daughter” label goes sideways the moment Sheriff Royce Hoffman calls her “little girl”… and she cheekily calls him “Daddy.” Cue bossy protector energy, age-gap tension, and heated rules that make you weak in the knees. Oh, and there’s a stalker stirring trouble, thankfully, “Daddy” has her back. No cheating, a filthy-sweet HEA, and enough small-town spice to scorch your screen.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a fantastic book with a great plot. Royce has spent the last twenty years under a cloud of lies spread by a woman against him. As a result, he's lived through very tough times. Mindy is the daughter of his high school friend, and Royce is deeply attracted to her. Unbeknownst to him, Mindy feels the same. The story features an excellent plot with several twists that keep it exciting. Be prepared for plenty of steam and a perfect happy ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I just finished this story, and I had fun reading it! Royce and Mindy have a very interesting and spicy relationship. Royce is the sheriff in Bratton Hollow, and he can't seem to stay away from Mindy. He does everything in his power to keep her safe and happy. I liked their dynamic and chemistry. The only thing that threw me off was the sippy cup that he bought her, but to each their own. The story was still good. It had a nice pace and a good storyline. I can't wait to see what's next!
I really enjoyed this novella about a young woman learning what she likes. Sheriff Hoffman has his protective eye on the beautiful redhead Mindy. He knows she's too young but he can't help it. He wants her even though she's only 18. Mindy is just trying to get by and build a life for herself. When Royce calls he Little Girl everything changes. Now she has a Daddy and she loves it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Sheriff Royce has his eye on Mindy tongues begin to wag was gossip and old tell start up. Mindy is use to taking care of everyone and not use to someone taking care of her. When Royce gives her a taste of a DD/LG life she wants it. This book was amazing and a quick read and so spicy like Carolina Reaper spicey.
+: liked the little kink parts and the representation of it and the care
-: first scene was really weird and kind of creepy/predatory, because there was no buildup and the age difference was so big, had a weird grooming creepy feeling the whole book and idk maybe its just me
This was good but not completely my cup of tea. I liked the forbidden, age gap tropes. I liked that Royce was protective of her. I guess I’m more of a Daddy lite enjoyer(the possessive, protective stuff and the nicknames) and less of the age play dynamics.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.