Gray Area

Off the Books #3

by Kay Cove

Her ex said she was past her prime. Her younger man begs to differ.

***

Two decades designing couture for the elite, and building a billion-dollar fashion brand, should feel like success. Instead, I have an empty mansion, a fresh divorce settlement, and the sinking feeling that I traded everything meaningful for a life that looks better on social media than it does in the mirror.

When my practically estranged best friend passes away, she leaves me with the one thing my ex-husband never gave me a chance to have—a baby. Well, a soon-to-be baby, currently residing in a surrogate’s belly. Surprise!

Guilt-ridden, and scared to face this alone, cue my desperate funeral plus-one Saylor, an escort with bedroom eyes and a smile that makes me forget I’m supposedly “past my expiration date.” He’s over a decade younger and shouldn’t give me a second glance after the check clears.

Only he does.

And while I’m spiraling over surprise motherhood and the thoughts of launching a new fashion empire, away from the clutches of my ex, this way-too-young-for-me man has the audacity to look at me like I’m the only woman in the world.

“Too old” is what society whispers about women my age starting over. Too old for babies. Too old for new beginnings. Definitely too old for Saylor’s salacious advances that make me feel like a teenager in lust.

But what if the happily ever after isn’t lost, just fashionably late? And what if the unattainable escort couldn’t care less about earning his money, because he’s making a play for my heart?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fake Dating

401 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 12, 2026

Reviews

[mary ♡⋆ ࣪₊ꫂ᭪݁⋆˙ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The gray area is when you’re at the end of something awful breaking apart, but you’re also on the cusp of something beautiful coming together.”

I honestly didn’t expect to go into this and cry this much.

This story balances heartache and hope in a way that just works. It felt different from anything I’ve read before, there’s something about it that sticks with you without trying too hard.

The character development was actually insane, especially for that side character I was 100% sure had no redemption arc.

“He kisses my forehead and it already feels different. Familiar. Possessive. Like someone can claim you with their lips pressed just below your hairline. How beautifully simple.”
🥹🥹🥹🥹

what to expect:
💜 reverse age gap
💜 she’s the billionaire
💜 surprise guardian
💜 grief / loss
💜 acts of service

[Kay Cove]

Releasing May 12, 2026!

Pre-order today!
Amazon: https://geni.us/grayarea

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3W7D2JJ

[_goldenchapter · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Thank you Kay Cove and Valentine PR for this ARC!

Kay Cove did it again, I absolutely loved Saylor and Celeste’s story! This was my first reverse age gap and she’s the billionaire romance, and it didn’t disappoint. Celeste spent a long time in a marriage where she was constantly undervalued and put down, so seeing Saylor come into her life and only see her strength, heart, and worth was refreshing.

What stood out to me was the emotional connection between them. Their relationship was built on genuine support, understanding, and seeing the parts of each other that others overlooked. Even the spice included reflected the vulnerability and trust they shared rather than just physical attraction. Saylor was exactly what Celeste needed during such a heartbreaking time, and I loved how he helped reconnect her to Whitney while also helping her rediscover herself again.

Watching them fight against the odds, work through personal struggles, and slowly build not only their love but also a family together made for an emotional ride.

I truly adored Saylor and Celeste’s story and it’s message from the dedications page: “Throw out the timeline. The best version of yourself doesn’t have a deadline.”

[Dawn Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

This was the most emotional book of the series - I had lots of tears, sad and happy - beautifully written.

Saylor carries the weight on his shoulders and wants to take care of everyone around him. He doesn’t see his own worth which broke my heart! He caused 80% of my tears with his words and actions.

Celeste is a badass - simple as that. She finds herself throughout this story and it was refreshing to see her realistic struggles with being older than Saylor, not being creative with her job and honoring her friend who she lost.

I loved the surrogacy storyline and wish we got more of that relationship with Raven who brought amazing comedic relief anytime she was on the page.

Thank you to Valentine PR for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jen Altman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kay Cove never disappoints! Gray Area follows Celeste, a billionaire fashion mogul who is starting over after a messy divorce, only to find out she’s been named the guardian of her late best friend’s unborn baby. Enter Saylor, the younger escort she hires as her funeral plus-one who ends up being the ultimate green flag hero and everything she didn't know she was looking for in a partner.

The chemistry between them is absolute fire, but what really got me was the total he falls first energy. Saylor is such a cinnamon roll, and I'm completely here for it! This man had me swooning, giggling and kicking my feet! He is so supportive and sees Celeste in a way no one else ever has, especially as she navigates this unexpected maybe baby situation. It’s a beautiful second-chance-at-life story that proves you’re never past your prime for a new beginning or your happily ever after.

If you love a spicy, billionaire romance with plenty of heart, you need to add this to your TBR immediately. Without a doubt a 5-star read!

[Shannon Mayhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only @authorkaycove could make a series about male escorts and make them so book boyfriend worthy. I absolutely loved this one. A woman in her late 30s whose ex husband makes her feel less than because he is a dirtbag. A younger man who comes in and shows her all she is worth. This story is EVERYTHING! I went through all the emotions and loved every minute of it.

[Fernanda Dzib · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

I had the pleasure of reading this trilogy since the arc of the fist book, and I can’t be more happy and honored to read the last one 🥹✨and also kind of sad because I don’t want to say goodbye to his characters! I learned to love every single one of them and they all have a very special place in my heart ❤️

Now, Celeste and Saylor, oh my god, from the moment I read the blurb at the end of Paper Hearts I knew this was book was going to be my favorite and I was right! Celeste lost her best friend from twenty years Whitney, and when she had to go to the funeral she hires Saylor to go with her, and the tension and chemistry was there from the first second! Before taking about Saylor and Celeste’s relationship, I want to address Celeste’s grief, oh my god my heart broke those first chapters because I could felt Celeste’s pain and grief about losing her best friend so suddenly and even worse because the last time they were together they had a very bad fight and that lead them to be apart for two years, and that’s not all, because Celeste is newly divorced from a man who constantly was trying to make her feel old and who cheated on her so 😩 my girl was having a very hard time but she was trying her best to get through all of that beautifully🥹

Cue to Saylor, oh my god, I love him, I just can’t say anything else about him, he’s so sweet and mature and emotionally mature and responsible and he’s trying to help his mom get better from a very bad accident that let her to be in chronic pain and very little mobility 💔 so reading him struggling to pay his mom medical bills and rent and grocery and everything working three jobs also made my heart broke for him 🥺💔 thankfully, Whitney’s funeral brought them together, and from that moment Saylor was trying to gain Celeste’s heart even when he knew she’s a very successful CEO, older than him and also, trying to gain custody of her best friend’s unborn baby 👀 but let me tell you something, Saylor is THE man, because he was all even before Celeste let her heart win the battle and give him a chance ❤️

I also loved all the characters here, minus Greg hehe, and yup, that includes Eleanor 👀 Ada stole my heart the same way Raven did and I just loved them all, the relationship between Ada and Saylor got me in tears many times and I’m just so happy about her ending ✨

This is definitely my favorite book of the three, and I just want Rina’s book pretty please ✨

[Emily Johnston (Booked.Up.With.Emily) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so totally unexpected in the best ways! It was filled with so many emotional moments that had me tearing up into the book!

🩶Reverse age gap
🩶Billionaire FMC
🩶Forced proximity
🩶Fake engagement
🩶Grief and loss

Ever since Celeste’s divorce from her cheating, narcissistic ex, she is trying to find her way. And when she finds out that her best friend has passed away, she hires Saylor, an escort, to be her companion for the funeral. What she doesn’t expect is for her life to change with one conversation.

Saylor has the weight of the world on his shoulders. Her constantly trying to dig his way out of financial stress, while also taking on the burden from his mother’s accident and her consequential pain.

This book is filled so many tearful moments that Kay Cove wrote so heartbreakingly, yet beautifully at the same time. Celeste and Saylor are so far apart in their lives, but when they come together for one goal, their love story transcends their differences!

The friendship between Celeste and Whitney was such a huge and important piece to this book! And Raven’s added hilarity brought a lightness that was needed between all the heavy parts.

I highly recommend!

[Cassies.EndlessReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Her brain has been wiped clean by a twenty-six-year-old Australian who walked into her office, blindfolded her, and performed an act on his knees that should be classified as both a workplace violation and a public service.”
🌶️🌶️🌶️

My god that story was beautiful! Celeste hires a male escort to be by her side at the funeral of her best friend so she isn’t alone, little does she know that will be the best decision of her life. Saylor is only working as a male escort to help pay for his mother’s medical bills, but when he is hired by Celeste, he falls for her hard and fast.
I started crying at about chapter 6, and continued to have these big emotional charges throughout the book as Saylor and Celeste fake an engagement, build a nursery, and fall in love. It’s quiet and messy, it’s beautiful and perfect.

“He kisses my forehead and it already feels different. Familiar. Possessive. Like someone can claim you with their lips pressed just below your hairline. How beautifully simple.”

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fresh off a brutal divorce from her unfaithful high school sweetheart, thirty-eight-year-old fashion mogul Celeste should feel free. Instead, she’s never been more alone. When her estranged best friend suddenly dies, Celeste hires an escort, Saylor, to accompany her to the funeral—only to discover her friend has left behind a baby, carried by a surrogate, and a life-changing responsibility Celeste never expected.

As she struggles to balance grief, guardianship, and her billion-dollar empire, Saylor becomes more than just hired help. What starts as support turns into a fake engagement to strengthen her claim for custody—but the lines between real and pretend quickly blur.

Now, Celeste must decide if she’s ready to risk everything for a second chance at motherhood… and love with a man she was never supposed to fall for.

This book was highly entertaining, with strong yet flirty banter and great characters. I especially loved the reverse age gap storyline—it was such a refreshing change. Finally reading a book with a woman my age made for an especially enjoyable experience. I found Celeste relatable in many ways, particularly with her age references and her ’90s childhood memories.

I loved the nods to She’s All That, 10 Things I Hate About You, and Clueless. I watched all three of these movies endlessly when I was younger, so those references really hit home. I found myself laughing out loud as Saylor tried to understand their significance. I also enjoyed the way the story touched on the differences and shared experiences between Millennials and Gen Z.

Celeste is such a boss, and I loved her character. She’s incredibly strong, even while dealing with social anxiety. There are moments where you can really see how her age impacts her self-image as she navigates life as a recently divorced, career-driven woman.

Saylor—oh, Saylor—was a fantastic character for the reverse age gap dynamic. He’s incredibly mature for a twenty-six-year-old, and his love for his mother is heartwarming. His level of maturity really made the story work. Without his life experiences, he could have easily come across as immature, but instead, he’s a wonderful male main character. I especially loved how deeply he cared for Celeste and how patient he was, giving her the time and space to see what he saw in her.

Greg is such a complete tool. I honestly wouldn’t have minded if he disappeared from the story altogether. I’m so glad Celeste left him behind. Kay does an excellent job of writing him as a truly despicable character.

The “gray area” moment—when we learn the meaning behind that phrase—ugh, my heart. It was one of the best parts of the book.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read, and I can’t wait to go back and read the other two books in the Off the Books series. I’ve had Paper Hearts sitting on my Kindle for a while now, but after reading one of Kay Cove’s books, I’m definitely moving it to the top of my list.

Thank you Kay Cove and Valentine PR for a gifted eARC of Gray Area. I really enjoyed this book and the characters!

[Abigail the Reading Pharmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Kay Cove did it again!! I loved Celeste and Saylor's story. We first met Celeste in Role Play and I've been dying for her story ever since.

Celeste is still trying to pick up the pieces of her life after getting a divorce from her husband/high school sweetheart, Greg, after his serial cheating became blatantly obvious. Unfortunately she still has to work with said ex at the fashion company she started. Celeste even chose Greg over her best friend, Whitney, when Whitney couldn't take seeing the way Greg was flirting with every woman in her mid 20s and tried to get Celeste to own up to the truth and leave him. Unfortunately Celeste chose wrong and hasn't spoken to her best friend in 2 years.

One day, Celeste receives the news that her best friend has died and it destroys her. All the things she should have said and all the time she wasted by not having to courage to admit she chose wrong. Celeste is determined to go to the funeral but knows she'll need moral support since she have to deal with Whitney's mother, who never really liked her, as well as the rest of society that will be there. In walks Saylor, escort extraordinare.

Saylor has been doing everything he can. To take care of his mother, who became disabled after a horrific car accident that Saylor feels responsible for. He's working multiple jobs just trying to make ends meet, especially with the added expense of his mother's care and medicine. When Rina tells him she'll pay triple the normal rate, he can't turn it down. Not to mention he's been thinking about Celeste ever since he first saw her.

Celeste gets the surprise of her life when she finds out that Whitney had a surrogate and she was listed as the guardian in Whitney's will. She's in for a fight when Whiteny's mother makes it known that she wants to raise Whitney's child. Celeste needs to prove she has a stable place to raise a baby, which isn't her all glass apartment in the city. Saylor volunteers to fix up her parent's old house as long as he and his mom can stay there.

As other pieces of Celeste's like fall apart, will Celeste get to raise her best friend's baby or will Whitney's mom get custody? What about Saylor and Will? She's older than him but Saylor obviously isn't bothered by it but will Celeste be able to trust him? Will she be able to move past her hangup?

This book was so good. Kay writes her characters so well that it doesn't take long before you are emotionally connected to them. The book moved at great pace and I never felt like it was rushing or dragging .

Kay writes to best MMCs and I always love them for how they are willing to do anything for their girl but also will stand up for them and always remind them that no matter what others have made them feel in the past, they are worthy of love and to be loved in return. There is spice but it only adds to the story. There always seems to be a part in Kay's books that guts me and has me crying and this one was no different.

Gray Area will have you laughing, gasping, yelling, blushing and maybe even shedding a few tears. No matter what though, its definitely a book you should pick up. While Role Play and Paper Hearts, the other 2 books in the series don't have to be read to understand Gray Area, the characters from the 1st two books to make cameos in Gray Area, so you might as well go ahead and read them too! 🤣🤣


**I was given a free advanced readers copy by Valentine PR for an honest review. I was under no obligation to rate this book a certain raiting. These are my own honest thoughts on the book**

[Leahspinkpages · Rating 5 out of 5]

“For everyone who was told they were too old to start over, too late to begin again, too far gone to want something new”

When I say this book was top read for me this year I mean it. When you are going through things in life and you feel that you have to have a time frame for events in your life to occur let me tell you we are absolutely wrong at how we are living our lives. Grieving is a tricky part of life when we lose someone so close to our heart we don’t know how we can move forward with our lives but with Grief also comes the unknown and the unexpected with love and continuing to live life . Little did Celeste know that this would be her new reality. 🩷

Celeste is our amazing , powerful , strong , hardworking woman who has built an amazing line of fashion but she has just lost her best friend Whitney and she doesn’t know how to handle this loss. They were not just best friends but they were sisters. She feels that her world has already fallen apart with an ex husband who didn’t value her and making her feel that she wasn’t worthy to feeling alone and adding a divorce on top of that what makes her think that adding a surprise that she never saw coming which is becoming a mother. Her best friend was having a baby via surrogacy and it’s something Celeste always wanted. How would Celeste get through all of this if she hadn’t hired Saylor to accompany her. She realizes that maybe having his company isn’t such a bad thing for her

Saylor my man my man my man 😍I firmly believe age is nothing but number this man he was so understanding loving , mature , caring, responsible. Learning the why he was an escort pulled at my heart He began working as an escort to help take care of the medical bills for his mother and help ensure that anything she needed was taken care of . He puts everyone he loves first . He saw something in Celeste that she didn’t see in herself and that made him want to have her even more for him she was everything he wanted not because of who she was or what she had but because of the heart Celeste had as a woman .

To see how supportive he is for Celeste and in wanting to make sure she knows how involved he wants to be in the baby’s life they being fake engaged is one of my favorite tropes to see how their chemistry blossomed more and more after every page turn was chiefs kiss and this book wrecked me in all the ways and I am so glad I could see how Celeste let her walls down and realized that Saylor is the man for her .

“That’s love by choice. No strings.”

Thank you Valentine Pr for this amazing chance to read this early and to Kay cove for writing a book and letting us know that there is no time limit and when our life begins 🙌🏽🩷

Tropes

Reverse Age Gap
Surprise Guardian
Grief/Loss
She’s the Billionaire
Acts of Service
He Falls First

[Kay Daniels (Kay Daniels Romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kay Cove has once again written a lovely story with the best green flag man to fall in love with.😍

The Gray Area is a bit of a slow burn, but when the feelings hit, they hit hard. I was all in on Saylor from the beginning, as he's a huge cinnamon roll who is extremely easy to like. He takes care of his mother full time, works multiple jobs to keep everything afloat, and easily cares about others in his orbit. He's sweet, caring, and just a super nice guy. Like I said, he's super easy to fall for. Unless you're Celeste, but I had to give her a break because she's been down a tough road and it isn't Saylor himself that she doesn't like, it's that she just doesn't have the bandwidth to spare to allow him into her very limited emotional orbit.

Celeste has been bitten by love before, and not in a fun or nice way. Her ex did her dirty, all while cutting her down and simultaneously cheating on her for years. Celeste is no wallflower, as she's a successful business owner and fashion designer, but her love life is non-existent and at the present she isn’t looking for love, much less a younger man to fill any particular needs. However, Saylor is practically impossible not to like, especially when he's just being himself 😍. He craves to take care of her, it's basically in his DNA. So when he knows she needs help, he just can't help himself by lending a hand.

Celeste has been waiting for years for her life to begin while her ex pushed her aside, and now she's ready to begin while everything is sort of falling apart. But during this gray area of her life, her bright light is Saylor. Their story is beautiful, but also angsty, for both Saylor and Celeste, but well worth it in the end.👌💋

To me, The Gray Area could be best stated that it's about forging ahead in life, spinning your wheels with the day to day, thinking, "maybe tomorrow is when I'll do....." whatever that plan is that's been held off for a break or a moment of rest, but that break never comes. You know, those moments that we all put off for the next day or the next. Well, both Saylor and Celeste were doing the same, but they were also lucky enough to find one another while living in the gray and even though it may not have seemed like the perfect time to meet someone new, sometimes it actually is. Especially when you find the person who can see beyond the day to day noise and actually see into the beautiful horizon. 😍❤️

[Briana smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Infinity stars😭😭😭

This was my first Kay Cove book and this will not be my last cause my GOODNESS. That was so beautiful🥹

Celeste and Saylor....wow yep. Im in love. I need a movie of this like asap. Please. The way I had every emotion possible within the span of 5 minutes. I was leaking like a faucet one minute and then laughing while said tears were still coming. This was devastating, heartbreaking, gutwrenching but so beautiful.

After Celeste lost her bestfriend to something so tragic and then having to live with not talking to her for a few years before was so hard. Then grieving all to turn out shes going to be a mom to her bestfriends baby that she had a surrogate carry? Yep😀 the tears were leaking 😀 My GOD!!!! The way this girl went through the worst marriage, lost her bestfriend, her life she built in her company was slipping and having a baby to come in her like (to have that be a constant battle as well)... I wanted to hug her and love her hard. She was so badass, she was so strong and the way she fought was so seen.

Saylor. The man that you are. He came in just to help a grieving woman feel not so alone. He helped her instantly feel warm by his help at the funeral. He put his life on hold to help her with this baby. What a man honestly. I honestly forgot there was a age gap half the time cause he was so mature. But that age gap....REVERSE AGE GAP? COME ON!!!! Panties? Evaporated 🙂 He was so gentle, so kind and so patient. He helped her open up to new things and showed her she was worthy of love, she was starting a new life.
The way this man stepped up made me CHOKE. He did everything for Celeste no questions asked while he had a shitstorm of his own.

Two people who deserved to be parents. The ending was so gorgeous and I just once again had too many tears shed. I love them. 🥹

“I’m your boat too. That’s how it works. We don’t just save each other. We refuse to let the other one drown.”

"The gray area is when you’re at the end of something awful breaking apart, but you’re also on the cusp of something beautiful coming together. All you can do is sit with it. That’s hard for a lot of people, to have hope when everything seems bleak.”

“The gray area isn’t so bleak if you’re sitting in it with the right person.”

Thank you vpr and Kay Cove for this earc 🥹

[Emily Hawes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an eARC and my honest review is below - thank you to Kay Cove and ValentinePR for the eARC.
My rating: 4.5 stars.

Saylor is young, but he doesn't act like it (save for one moment in the book where I was reminded). Celeste thinks she's past her prime but Saylor is here to convince her that there is no such thing. I loved their dynamic, their ability to communicate, that even though Saylor was the younger one he was often the more mature/insightful person in this relationship - overall I think Kay Cove put together (yet another) fantastic book. There were SO MANY things working against them as a couple and yet they never gave up on each other, and they always talked through their problems (or at least indicated that they weren't ready to talk about it yet). I wish we'd gotten a little more depth into how their relationship bloomed. It felt a little like they went from 0 to 100 in terms of how smitten they were, but it wasn't quite to the instalove level. Saylor was calm and constant in this book - yes he had his share of issues he was dealing with (which I think made his character more relatable), but he was always present, always showing up when he was needed, and I loved that.

Eleanor was one of my favorite characters in this book - she was often described as shallow or callus or mean or whatever, but the moments where Celeste saw that exterior crack and saw her show emotion were truly wonderful. . I felt like the ending of the book was well built up to. It didn't feel like a cop-out when Eleanor granted Celeste custody of Whit's baby. Instead it felt like a mother finally realizing what she could do to honor her child and repair relationships and do what was best for her grandchild. . I honestly wish we'd gotten a little bit more with Raven's character (am I crazy to hope Kay will make her a FMC in the future??). She was such a bright spot in the book, constantly trying to do what was best, but never changing herself to fit the mold that was expected. I loved her. Greg was truly the worst - not only an asshole to Celeste, but also a terrible "manager" of the buisiness that she built. Eleanor buying him out and then being the investor for Celeste to continue with her company is honestly the most full circle, wonderful ending I can think of. .

[Angie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was AMAZING!!

Celeste is a thirty-eight year old fashion mogul who has recently divorced her high school sweetheart who couldn't be faithful if he tried. He is also her business partner so she can't get away from him and his cheating ways. When her best friend she has been estranged from for the past two years (due to her ex-husband) suddenly dies, Celeste hires an escort named Saylor to accompany her to the funeral. Celeste is stunned when she finds out her best friend was having a baby via surrogate and has named her the baby's guardian.

Celeste is struggling! Her ex-husband has told her she's "too old", her best friend has died, she's trying to prepare for a baby she wasn't expecting and her company is nearing bankruptcy. She doesn't know how to deal with all of the changes that are going on in her life. Now, this hunk of a man, Saylor wants to help her deal with everything, but he's twelve years younger that her. He can't begin to know what he wants out of life.

Should Celeste take a chance and see what can happen when she let's go and starts living again?

This book was gut wrenching! The way Kay wrote about the relationship between Celeste and Whitney had made me crying both happy and sad tears. Whitney was the one person that saw Celeste for who she was and who she could be. Everyone deserves a friend like that.

Greg is a man no woman needs in her life. He is a complete scumbag. He cheats, he makes Celeste feel small and unlovable. I was so happy when Celeste finally told him off!

Saylor is the man so many of us want! He's sexy, he takes care of his mom and wants to give Celeste the things Greg never even thought to give her. Things that money can't buy.

I love how Kay reminds us that now matter what we need to tell the people that mean the most to us just how much we love them. Also, that people will kick us when we are down. We just have to have the courage to get back up. The right person will come along to show us that what we thought was the end might just be the beginning of something we never knew we deserved.

I'm so glad I was picked as an ARC reader. Thank you! I can't wait to see where the next book in the series takes us.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book that is about to be released on May 12th called, Gray Area. Celeste has spent the last 20 years of her life building a successful fashion company. Now she is almost 40, divorced from her cheating high school sweetheart, and just found out her estranged best friend passed away. Not wanting to go to the funeral by herself, she hires Saylor to accompany her. Saylor is over 10 years younger than her, but he is used to taking care of people and is exactly who she needs beside her to get through the funeral. Especially when she finds out her best friend was having a baby via surrogate, and that Celeste was the one named in her will to get the baby if something happened to her. As she is trying to wrap her head around how she could possibly balance motherhood and her fashion company, Saylor inserts himself into her life to support and help her. He doesn't see age, he just sees her. Celeste has obstacles in front of her but she wonders if she could possibly have everything she wants; her company, a baby, a second chance at love, and finally a family of her own.
This was such a beautifully written book, Celeste has multiple uphill battles in this book but she is strong, resilient, and willing to fight for the life she wants. Saylor was such a sweet character with so much depth. The way he stepped up and became the partner Celeste needed without her asking and giving her the love and support she deserved, was so beautiful. The chemistry and connection between them was so genuine and heartfelt. I was so invested in their story and eager to see them get their happy ending! This reverse age gap romance has banter and spice but also deals with grief, starting over, and emotional healing. I love Kay's books so much, the emotion and heart she puts into them, they blow me away every time!
Also, I recreated Saylor and Celeste's first date for my review pics. This was all waiting when she got home from work (he was recreating a sleepover in college like she used to have with her best friend) it was so incredibly sweet! (See pics on my bookstagram!) 💜📚

Thank you Kay Cove, Page & Vine, & Valentine PR for this physical ARC & eARC of Gray Area.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good reverse age gap and Saylor was steady as can be with his conviction that Celeste was the one he was waiting for. This book had a lot of ups and downs but through it all was a woman who thought her story was over but was actually just beginning.

Celeste is a fashion designer who has always lived with money. Post divorce Celeste is just going through the motions. When she finds out her soul sister, whom she has not spoken to in 2 years, has died, Celeste needs someone to lean on during the funeral. In walks Saylor, an escort who has always been aware of her but is in awe of her after meeting her officially for the first time.

Saylor was so straight forward with his intentions of Celeste, that I was in awe of his tenacity. This man did not see age when he saw Celeste, he saw a woman he wanted to get close to and was finally able to explore his interest. Saylor taking care of his mom hit me right in the feels. This man had so much depth to him and I loved it!

Celeste was hanging by a thread in this book, everything coming down around her and Saylor was her life raft, a chance to really write her own story. Her ex husband was literal garbage and every time he opened his mouth in this book, he gave me the ick. With the progression of this book, and the backbone Celeste finally grows, I was cheering for this woman and how her character developed. Also, the fact that Celeste got to feel like a woman again with a man who worshipped her in every aspect. Saylor showed her what it was like to be desired and have a partner through the good and the bad.

I also cried a little in the fact of the talk of guardianship and raising a baby the neither Celeste, nor Whit (her soul sister) got to have growing up themselves: parents that loved them and were there for them in moments that mattered. That money and prestige were not the most important things. That the baby would know love and know that there were people in their corner no matter what.

Thank you to Kay Cove and Valentine PR for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Tropes:
💜Reverse age gap
💜She’s the billionaire
💜Surprise guardian
💜Grief + loss
💜Acts of service

[NewariMaicha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Kay Cove and Valentine PR for eARC!!

It took me a second to realize this Celeste was the same one from Role Play, and I loved that connection. You don’t have to read the previous books to enjoy Gray Area, but I’d still recommend it for the full pictureespecially since this story flips the usual trope with an escort MMC finding love, which was done so well here.

Celeste and Saylor completely carried this story for me. Celeste is a creative, driven designer who’s trying to rebuild her life after a divorce, all while dealing with social anxiety. She’s strong but still very real, and I loved watching her slowly come back into herself. And Saylor was such a standout. He’s younger, but incredibly mature, and the way he shows up for Celeste is everything. He’s patient, steady, and so caring, especially with how devoted he is to his mom. He doesn’t rush anything and gives Celeste the space she needs, which made their relationship feel genuine and really meaningful.

Their connection grows from an unexpected meeting into something deeper, and I loved how natural it felt. The story has a great balance of humor, emotion, and flirty banter. The reverse age gap was such a refreshing change, and Celeste felt especially relatable, from her mindset to the little nostalgic details. Watching Celeste find her confidence again and finally feel seen and desired was one of my favorite parts. Saylor doesn’t just love her, he supports her and helps her step into her own strength. And I really liked how Kay incorporated the concept of gray area at the perfect timing.

My only small wish was to see more of the group dynamic from the first book. We get a glimpse, but I would’ve loved a bit more of that found-family feel. Overall, this was such a heartfelt and engaging read with strong characters and a relationship that really delivers.

Rating: 4.5⭐

Tropes: Reverse age gap, she’s the billionaire, surprise guardian, grief & loss, acts of service

Favorite Quote: The problem with cruel people is not that they lie. It’s that they aim their cruelty at the exact spot where your own doubt already lives, and then all they have to do is agree with it.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Young, old—those are states of mind. But beauty is completely transcendent of numbers.”

Gray Area was such a beautifully emotional read, and it touched my heart in so many ways. Celeste and Saylor’s journeys—both individually and together—were filled with heartbreak, self discovery, hope, and the kind of quiet rebirth that feels so real. I loved them both deeply, and the growth we see in every single character felt honest and meaningful.

“For the first time in as long as I can remember, I’m building something that I actually want to see finished.

Saylor is one of those characters who carries so much more than he lets on. He spends his days caring for his mother and his nights working as an escort, and the weight of his past is almost suffocating him. The guilt, the fear, the pain—it’s all right there beneath the surface. And yet he still manages to be this steady, grounding presence for the people around him, especially Celeste. He’s kind, thoughtful, and so much stronger than he believes. Watching him slowly figure out what he wants from life and finally allow himself to let go of the past was such a beautiful, emotional journey. I couldn’t help but fall for him.

“Celeste is…a lot. In all the right ways.”

Celeste was incredibly relatable. She’s coming out of a failing marriage, a broken friendship, and a business that’s barely staying afloat. She’s standing in the middle of a life she no longer recognizes, and then she receives news that forces her to reevaluate everything. Her journey hit me so hard—the way she felt like life was already behind her, when really she was just beginning again. Seeing her open up, let her guard down, and rediscover who she is was so moving and so real.

“We don’t just save each other. We refuse to let the other one drown.”

Gray Area is easily the most emotional book in the series. It handles sensitive topics with so much care and compassion, and the story is full of heartbreak, angst, grief, loss, hope, and love. The characters are phenomenal, the emotions are raw and honest, and this is absolutely a story you don’t want to miss.

[ꜱᴛᴇᴘʜᴀɴɪᴇ ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✧ ᴀʀᴄ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ! ✧
↬ 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙗𝙮 𝙆𝙖𝙮 𝘾𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙑𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙋𝙍 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾.
★ 𝙄 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 2.94 𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙤𝙛 487 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨, 𝙨𝙤 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝙢𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬. ★

❝𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐰𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐭. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞, 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐤.❞

ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴏɴᴇ ɪꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏᴍᴇɴ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀᴀʏ ᴀʀᴇᴀ—ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴᴇꜱ ᴄᴀᴜɢʜᴛ ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪꜰᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜰᴇʟʟ ᴀᴘᴀʀᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʜᴀꜱɴ'ᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇɴ ꜱʜᴀᴘᴇ ʏᴇᴛ.
ꜰᴏʀ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴏɴᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛᴏʟᴅ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴛᴏᴏ ᴏʟᴅ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛ ᴏᴠᴇʀ, ᴛᴏᴏ ʟᴀᴛᴇ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇɢɪɴ ᴀɢᴀɪɴ, ᴛᴏᴏ ꜰᴀʀ ɢᴏɴᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ɴᴇᴡ.
ᴛʜʀᴏᴡ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛɪᴍᴇʟɪɴᴇ.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞.

✧ ʀᴇᴠᴇʀꜱᴇ ᴀɢᴇ ɢᴀᴘ
✧ ɢʀɪᴇꜰ/ʟᴏꜱꜱ
✧ ʜᴇ ꜰᴀʟʟꜱ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ
✧ ꜰᴀᴋᴇ ʀᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱʜɪᴘ
✧ ʙɪʟʟɪᴏɴᴀɪʀᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ
✧ ᴀᴄᴛꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴇʀᴠɪᴄᴇ
✧ ꜱᴜʀᴘʀɪꜱᴇ ɢᴜᴀʀᴅɪᴀɴ

𝐒𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐬 & 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐲.

Gray Area has my favorite storyline in the Off the Books series. It’s gut-wrenching, heartfelt, and everything in between. I devoured this book in just a few hours because I simply couldn’t put it down.

Saylor uses humor as a shield to hide the weight he carries on his shoulders. He’s driven and determined, and completely obsessed and possessive when it comes to Celeste. He also has an incredible boss and an amazing group of friends whose unwavering support adds so much depth to the story. I honestly can’t get enough of them.

Celeste struggles with social anxiety, is newly divorced, and then faces the devastating loss of a longtime friend while trying to balance her career and manage a grieving mother. She’s endured enough pain for a lifetime, but Saylor becomes her safe place. I absolutely adore them together, and they’ll always hold a special place in my heart.

And finally, my favorite supporting character is definitely Rina. I’m truly hoping she gets her own story because I would love to see her finally get the happily ever after she deserves. Please and thank you.

[b cozy book lounge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gray Area completely pulled me in ,this book had emotion, heartbreak, healing, and a beautiful slow-burn romance that had me fully invested.

Celeste is a 38-year-old top fashion designer struggling after a very public divorce from her cheating husband and years of betrayal. Emotionally drained and creatively stuck, she is forced to face even more heartbreak when she learns her estranged best friend has passed away, a friendship she lost years earlier after choosing her husband over the friend who had tried to warn her.

When Celeste attends the funeral, she discovers her friend has left behind something unexpected: responsibility for a baby through a surrogate, something her best friend’s controlling mother is determined to fight her on. Suddenly, Celeste finds herself battling grief, guilt, and a custody fight while trying to prove she can provide a loving home.

Needing support for the funeral, Celeste hires an escort through a service she’s been using for public appearances since her divorce, enter Saylor.

Saylor, 26, is juggling three jobs, barely sleeping, and caring for his mother after a serious accident left her struggling with chronic pain. Despite having very little, he has such a huge heart. What started as an arrangement slowly turns into something so much deeper as he becomes fully invested in helping Celeste fight for the baby and create a stable home.

Watching Saylor help fix up Celeste’s neglected childhood house and quietly show up for her in all the ways that mattered completely melted me. He sees the woman behind the walls, the heartbreak, and the carefully controlled image she shows the world.

This is such a beautiful slow burn. The age gap, financial differences, and emotional baggage between them added depth rather than drama, and I loved how thoughtfully it was handled. Celeste is guarded for so many understandable reasons, while Saylor is patient, caring, and emotionally supportive in a way that felt so genuine.

This book made me cry, smile, and gave me so many emotional “aww” moments. The vulnerability, healing, and character depth were written so beautifully, I was completely invested in their journey.

[Simone ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you so so much to the incredible Kay for allowing me to ARC read this one the excitement I felt when I saw this hit my inbox was NEXT LEVEL and I adored this from start to finish, Celeste & Saylor’s story was so beautiful yet full of flirty fun 🤭

Trying to explain everything I loved about this read is going to be hard but my top has to be the family element and how family is so important to these characters, I adored seeing Celeste, Saylor & Ada become their own unique little family even though it was never in Celeste’s conscious plans - I loved seeing all of these wonderful people come together to not only support each other & care for each other but to truly see, appreciate and love each other no matter what, I adored how natural their bonds were and how effortlessly they all worked together especially Saylor and Celeste because for me they were perfect for each other from the moment Saylor drove Celeste car to stop her being a hazard on the road 😅

Now I have to admit I wasn’t expecting this one to be as emotional as it was but it had me in my feelings the entire time and I loved every second of it; I laughed, I cried, I blushed & I squealed but I never wanted this read to stop. I adored getting to learn more about Whitney and the sisterhood she had with Celeste and I loved how they were portrayed within the read, they are the perfect example of female friendships to me and I could easily see some of my own relationships within their dynamic & they reminded me to be grateful for my people and to remind them how much I appreciate them because life is shorter than we think 🥹

Overall, everything about this was perfection; from Celeste’s confidence to Saylor’s compassion. I adored this more than life & I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!

[Yesenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

KAY!! You have done it again, this book literally made me openly cry in public. No joke I was reading this book at my local coffee shop and started bawling. That’s when you know the author is absolutely amazing at what they do! This book will have you crying, laughing, cringing, reminiscing on the good ol millennial days, swearing, swooning, and drooling 🤤. Saylor and Celeste bring the reverse age gap with so much humor and grace that it just works. Saylor is our lovable Gen Z that is so traumatized and guilted by his past that he’s trying to carry the weight of it alone. While our lively Celeste is the boss babe millennial that thinks she is past her prime thanks to a douche of an ex. Two worlds collide and you will literally be sucked in, 👀 😂. Come on, sometimes we need a good pun in there. There is some trauma and triggers, so be prepared to deal with that in this book. But there is also soooo much love and openness. You can literally feel it in every page. I just wanted their stories to continue. I needed more!

And in true Kay Cove fashion she hits so much on mental health awareness that you can’t help but love her for it 🖤! But I especially loved her outlook on Celeste, not once was her age ever seen as an issue or a hindrance. Woman are beautiful, powerful, intelligent, and beyond capable at any age!

Celeste, you are a queen and deserve to be treated as such!!!! I wanted to hug you from the get go. You are stronger than you know and I loved her character!!! Bravo to her character in the end 🖤!!!

Saylor! This man deserves all the love, the guilt he carries would crush anyone 🖤. And that accent! I need a demo of what his voice sounds like please 🙏!!! He’s got a heart of gold and deserves all the good things the world has to offer.

1000% recommend this book!!! And 100000% recommend all the books that Kay Cove writes!!!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gray Area was such a fun and unexpectedly emotional read.

I was hooked on Celeste and Saylor from the start. Their dynamic is so compelling, especially with the reverse age gap and “she’s the billionaire” setup—it created such an interesting balance of power, vulnerability, and chemistry. And the fact that he falls first? Absolutely loved that. Saylor’s feelings for Celeste came through so clearly, and the way he showed up for her—especially through acts of service—made their connection even more meaningful.

This story also carries a strong emotional core with themes of grief and loss woven throughout, which added depth to what is already a really engaging romance. Watching Celeste navigate everything life throws at her while still opening herself up to something new felt both realistic and rewarding.

The dual POV worked really well here, giving insight into both of their perspectives and making their relationship feel even more layered. And I made several reader noises along the way—this book definitely had its moments.

I also have to say, I loved being back in this universe Kay Cove has created. It continues to feel immersive and addictive, and I’m already excited for more.

There was one character I didn’t particularly like, which honestly just made me more invested in everything that was happening. And while I had a few theories as the story unfolded, it was so satisfying to see some of them play out the way I suspected.

The ending was absolutely perfect. It felt earned, emotional, and like the ideal conclusion to Celeste and Saylor’s story.

Huge thank you to Kay Cove for the ARC—I had such a great time reading this.

Spice: Ch. 15, 16, 21

[Paula Downey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story. These characters. The Gray Area was a book I genuinely could not put down.

What begins in grief and heartbreak slowly unfolds into a story about healing, love, and discovering that happiness can still exist after life takes an unexpected turn.

Celeste is a 38-year-old fashion designer navigating life after divorce while still running the luxury brand she built with her ex-husband.
When the death of her estranged best friend leaves her facing a life-changing situation, she’s forced to confront emotions and possibilities she never expected.

Saylor is hired to stand beside her at the funeral, but quickly becomes so much more than that. Beneath his charm and easygoing nature is someone incredibly caring and emotionally grounded.
His relationship with his mother, the guilt he carries from his past, and the quiet way he supports Celeste made him such a lovable character. He’s absolutely that golden retriever MMC you just want to wrap in a hug.

I loved these two together. The reverse age gap (12 years) was handled really well and, aside from Celeste needing time to process it, it never felt like the defining focus of the story. More than anything, this book is about realizing life doesn’t end just because it looks different than you imagined. There can still be new beginnings, new dreams, and new love waiting for you.

I didn’t realize this was part of a series, but each book can be read as a standalone. I’ll definitely be going back to read the first two. Highly recommend.

Thank you to Valentine PR and the author for the electronic advanced copy to read and review.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Page and Vine Books for this gifted physical finished copy!

I read this in one day, immediately after reading an incredibly huge and heavy hitting fantasy, and I think this was just the perfect cleanser read for me. It read so quickly, the writing flowed so well, and the romance and plot was really engaging. I was a little worried at first when I got this book in the mail from the publisher and I saw the cover with the baby items, I don't generally enjoy books with pregnancy, but this one was totally different than what you would expect.

The FMC is so cool with an in charge and boss vibe that she carries off incredibly well. I absolutely loved that she was in her late 30's, I'm 36 myself, so it was really nice reading about a character that was older and established in her career. The MMC is really great as well, I absolutely loved him. He was almost immediately smitten with the FMC and it was really fun to see him win her and her concerns over. This is an age gap romance where the FMC is the older of the two, she's coming out of a really horrible divorce and the MMC really helps piece her back together in some ways.

I thought this was so enjoyable, I really couldn't put it down, the plot kept up with the romance and that is something I so love about a romance book. I need that depth and storyline to really be invested in continuing it. If you enjoy a romance with an age gap, a golden retriever MMC, and a woman who is absolutely the boss, this will be the romance book for you.

*This advanced finished copy was gifted by Page and Vine Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

[Sylviane BM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vous êtes divorcée, vous êtes une femme qui a tout donnée pour votre entreprise, vous devez travailler avec votre ex, l’entreprise vous représente, mais vous pensez que vous êtes trop vieille, que c’est trop tard, jusqu’au jour où on vous apprend le décès de votre meilleure amie, qui souhaitait être mère, qui a fait appel à une mère porteuse, et qui vous a nommé tutrice.
Que feriez-vous?
Que feriez-vous si pour vous accompagner il y avait un jeune homme qui serait à la fois, votre chauffeur, votre escort? Que feriez vous si on vous disait qu’une femme ne peut pas sortir avec un homme plus jeune? Que feriez vous pour assurer d’être la tutrice de cet enfant à naitre? Accepteriez vous de faire semblant d’être fiancé.e à ce jeune homme?


Celeste a bati son entreprise, et heureusement qu’il y a Saylor pour la soutenir dans ses projets, pour être un soutien. Non elle n’est pas périmée, et si ça ne suffisait pas, elle doit lutter contre son ex et la mère de sa meilleure amie. Il y a de quoi péter un cable. Saylor quant à lui cumule les boulots pour s’occuper de sa mère devenue handicapée. Il se sent coupable et il adore aider les gens.LA différence d’âge? il s’en moque et oui ce qui peut être un frein c’est de ne pas être à la hauteur financièrement, et il ne veut pas de la pitié. Il veut tout résoudre.

Dans un sens ils se complètent et c’est un couple atyique, certes mais qui se soutient. Beacoup d’émotion avec une fin au top. ( ce que dit la grand mère c’est vrai! sous ses airs de méchante, elle a un coeur)
Donc non mesdames, passé 40 ans vous n’êtes pas vieille, périmée, et il n’est jamais trop tard pour avoir une famille, une entreprise. Nous sommes fortes!

[Madi (madifett.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you a million times Kay and Valentine PR for this STUNNING scene ARC of Gray Area 😍 I cried when I got the email saying I had been chosen to receive one. And knowing there are only 150 of them in the world? This is it. I’ve peaked!

Gray Area is book three in Cove’s Off the Books series, and it’s my favorite so far. Like…it’s one of the best books I’ll read all year. Cove’s writing is incredible, full of heart and cutting wit. She holds ZERO punches when writing scenes of grief, joy, and frustration. I cried so many times while reading, which doesn’t normally happen 😅

It was an absolute delight to read a romance with an FMC in her late 30s. I adored Celeste and was so excited for story, after meeting and completely falling for her in Role Play. She and Saylor are perfection together - they take care of each other and are the epitome what a genuine relationship should look like.

The tropes in Gray Area are perfection, too. SHE’S the billionaire, fake dating, surprise guardianship - they’re all so good. And although age gap isn’t one of my favorites, the flip on this one feels so fresh. The late 90s/early 2000s pop culture references made my millennial heart so happy, too 🥹 but the hilarious banter and unique tropes aren’t all that’s mentioned in Gray Area. Saylor is his mom’s caretaker, and Celeste has just lost a loved one. Grief and loss are prevalent in this book, so please read the content warnings and take care of yourself 🫶

Kay, you’ve done it again, and I can’t wait to see what happens next in this series. Thank you endlessly for this ARC, and happy pub day 🥰

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness where do I even start with Celeste and Saylor? When we first met Saylor, I couldn’t help but notice just how much of a kind soul he had, even when they were shooting each other with paintball guns. Seeing how Saylor cared for his mother after a horrible accident, leaving her in constant physical pain, then the way he continued to step up for Celeste, despite her trying to push him away, he very much is a person to take on other’s problems and do his best to fix them. Celeste is still reeling from from her divorce when she finds out that her best friend has passed away. Now, thanks to the will, Celeste is give guardianship over an unborn baby. She has to now not only deal with the loss of a marriage, the loss of a best friend, but she’s now also dealing with the court system in order to keep the baby. Saylor ends up remodeling her childhood home so that it is fit, set up, and ready for a baby. All while still caring for his mother and doing anything he can to prove to Celeste that he’s serious about her. About them. Truly, this book had me kicking my feet like a school girl so many times. Saylor’s actions for Celeste were so incredibly genuine and was able to read her needs/wants better than she could have expressed them. Sure he has some flaws, (he is a man ha!) but Saylor is a walking green flag if there ever was one. The men that we have met throughout this series are truly just *chefs kiss*, but I feel like Saylor is #1 – just barely, but nevertheless. I cannot wait to read Rina’s story next! After all her boys left the business because they found love, it’s about time that Rina get’s her own story. I hope we get to see the boys again with her! The ease of this book, and the feelings really had me devouring it so quick, and it’s definitely one I’ll for sure re-read (honestly that’s the whole series!)