Breathing Autumn

Fated Love Saga #1

by Maelana Nightingale

Autumn Flynn never expected a second chance at love in her forties.

But when her boss, Cole Waters, sparks feelings she thought were long gone, she’s forced to confront the ethical and logistical hurdles of a workplace romance. Together, Autumn & Cole navigate their tangled histories, the challenges of grown children, & the looming threat of a persistent stalker—all while trying to protect their fragile new connection.

Breathing Autumn kicks off an emotionally rich, character-driven series that charts the evolving journey of Autumn & Cole. With captivating side stories exploring the lives of their children, this saga offers an intricate & deeply compelling exploration of love, family, & fate.

791 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2025

About the author

Bestselling author Maelana Nightingale writes romance that bleeds, breathes, and burns—stories where love is messy, healing is hard, and desire is sacred.

Her novels span contemporary found-family romances, dark and taboo stories, and sweeping romantic fantasy, united by raw emotion and unflinching realism. Known for intimate, character-driven storytelling, her work explores connection, power, and trust in ways that feel lived-in rather than performative—and never shies away from the complicated edges of love.

A nurse by trade and storyteller by soul, she brings authenticity to every page—from medical precision to the psychology of trauma, trust, and connection. When she’s not writing, she’s usually wrangling one of her five children or navigating the controlled chaos of her corporate healthcare day job.

Reviews

[Keri M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathing Autumn will have you in all the feels. I loved everything about this and cannot wait for this story to continue! Each character is so well developed and there is spice with a plot! Absolutely amazing!!!

[LivingReadGirl666 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet contemporary romance follows divorcée Autumn as she rediscovers her groove with divorced (&her boss) Cole. As they navigate their fiery attraction and daily life, it felt reminiscent of a soap opera. I was just waiting for the conflict to arise. It was refreshing to read about people with lived in mom and dad bodies and lives where they juggle parenthood, jobs, and romance. This book caught me by surprise, as it was the first of its kind for me.

I was given a free copy. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[CAS CA Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I. Love. This. Book. SO MUCH!!

It feels so real and genuine and beautiful! Not just in an idealistic way, like so many other sweet romance reads, but in a way that could be someone’s true story. This is told from Autumn’s POV and it’s a heartfelt story of finding the love she never knew she really dreamed of and missed out on in her first marriage. In her mid-late 40’s and having been single and content for over a decade, this reawakening of a desire for love takes her on beautiful journey with Cole. The obstacles they face are from outside forces and not from their own damaged pasts of insecurities or miscommunications. This story portrays a couple with a deep desire to love and support each other in healthy ways and fierce determination to overcame anything, as long as they can go it together.

And don’t even get me starts the rest of their family(ies). They each have 3 kids and I just.. 🥹🥹🥹 I love it! I can’t wait for this series to continue, with Cole’s POV and each of the spin-offs from the rest of them. (Which makes alpha reading bitter-sweet; getting the good early but having to wait in limbo a lot longer! lol)

[Sonya Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️
3.5 🌶
Maelana has done it again. This was the most perfect love story ever. The fact that I could actually picture that this could be my life. I've never related to a FMC more than I have with Autumn. The fact that she was in my age group, with a mother's body, and depicted as such was amazing. I connected with her right away. And Cole, I need this man in my life!! ( This will be my husband's training manual, he better get to studying)
The way Maelana sucks you into Autumn and Cole's world is pure perfection. I was definitely not disappointed, and you will not be either!!!
The only reason I did not give this 5 stars was that a few things were a little repetitive, but that's was probably just my personal issue. The book is still absolutely AMAZING!!!!
I can't wait for the continuation of this epic story. And to find out what happens to Mr. Douche Canoe...IYKYK

[Jamie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! It’s refreshing to read a book with characters around my age, and I connected with it immediately. Maelana has a wonderful ability to write characters that are very real and relatable, and she definitely did that with this book. The relationship between Autumn and Cole seemed so natural and genuine. Like a couple you may be friends with in real life. This was an overall great story, that had me rooting for them the entire time, and left me smiling at the end. Do yourself a favor and run to add it to your TBR!!

“I want you to be mine, fully, unconditionally, and indefinitely mine.” ~ Cole

“We might be older than the characters in most great love stories, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have one.” ~ Autumn

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breathing Autumn is a story of finding yourself and love later in life. I must say, this is a long book but don't let that turn you away. It pulls you in and you fly through it. This story is told just through Autumn's POV with Cole's POV coming next. I loved Autumn's character. She was such an amazing fmc, I saw myself in her. You felt every emotion she went through. I loved the relationship she had with her children, best friend and of course Cole and his kids. Everyone was so well written. Autumn goes through so much, on and off page, but she is strong and comes out better for it. I cannot wait for more of this series.

[Miracle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was by far one of easiest "romance" novels to lose myself in. The fact that I could "see" myself in Autumns POV. The way her story was so everyday real.
To have someone who understands and will stand by your side through everything that you face... and you face it together.- This is Autumn and Cole's story.. And its absolutely BREATH taking!

I can't wait to see where the spin off's of this story continues....

[Crystal Luther · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful contemporary romance with soo much spice! The plot was on point! I loved the chemistry and the connection that grows throughout the book! Character development was perfection and the twists and drama had me on my toes! Totally recommend for anyone wanting a good live story with drama and spice!

[Abby Kirkland · Rating 4 out of 5]

So…I’ve read Maelana Nightingale’s Unbinding Trilogy and Fighting for Evangeline. Breathing Autumn is different, it’s, to me, the most realistic and down to earth. This story had conflict, but I don’t think that it was over the top drama, but more on par with what a normal person might, or could, experience in real life. I felt like the spice was spicing and the conflict management was relatable. Love Autumn as a strong, level headed female, and LOVE Cole as a male character.

Again, different than her other books, but still good. It was like reading the story of someone else’s real life and I enjoyed it!

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book from Maelana Nightingale. If you are looking for a heartwarming story between Autumn and Cole. Having talked for two years over text and work calls, they slowly got closer. Meeting in person for a conference the sparks start from the first accidental touch. I love how their relationship grew and how each of the families were with the news. I am looking forward to the next book.

[Michaella · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review: Breathing Autumn by Maelana Nightingale
Rating 4⭐️ and spice 2🌶️

I enjoyed this book, it was very different from boss and employee romance. The fact they are older Dre me in. Most romances when it includes work the guy is older and the girl is like early- mid 20s but the fact they were more mature and finding love was sweet. Cole seems like a hottie haha

Autumn- divorced mom with three older kids who love her dearly, she works for a company from home as a sales woman but has a work meeting to finally meet her team face to face including her boss, this one trip changes so much for her

Cole- divorced dad with three older kids who is respectable boss and has loved his team for all their accomplishments, he finally gets to meet them all and yet the one woman he can’t stay away from is his subordinate, how will this end for them both when higher up hears how he feels

[nightlyreadingheather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a romantic spicy read that makes you want to find "the one" and fall in love all over again! This was my first dive into Maelana's writing, and I was thoroughly impressed. This book was like a movie playing out in my mind as I read.

I loved Autumn as the FMC. She was a breath of fresh air during any situation. Such a positively written character that could find the light in even the darkest situation. Cole was great! I believe that every woman on this planet strives to find a Cole for herself. Such a sweet and caring character even after all he had dealt with in his life.

I did get teary-eyed a few times while reading and so happy this book gave me all the feels. The spice was there and very tastefully written.

Thank you to the author for the ARC copy for this review.

[Kim Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Passionate!