Fighting For Evangeline

by Maelana Nightingale

Evangeline Giordano, having endured a traumatic and harrowing conclusion to her previous relationship, is in the process of rebuilding her life from the ground up. Amidst a series of setbacks, her neighbor, Paxton Sloan, unexpectedly steps in to offer support in ways she never imagined, even taking on the role of teaching her self-defense. However, Paxton, with a dark past and concealed secrets, has never experienced a genuine relationship, adding another layer of complexity. As they navigate this intricate dynamic, Evangeline must confront her haunting past, which continues to cast a shadow over both of their lives.

This book contains very serious trigger warnings for GRAPHIC DV and SA.

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 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]

This was so good, I’m almost speechless. Evangeline and Paxton are an amazing couple. Everything they have gone through to end up together really breathes life into this story.

“But now I'm the exasperated one. "Pax-ton," I take a deep breath, "Okay, maybe we're both so broken that we deserve each other for all the right reasons."
"Fuck, Evie," his voice is soft, "that might be exactly it."
He pulls me into his arms and hugs me close for a long, long time.”

[Michelle Brantley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to get an ARC of this book. I will say this will not disappoint you. There may be trigger warnings for some so check those out before you start. I wanted more and just wanted to stay in this book. I was sad when it ended…it had a good ending i just wasn’t ready to not be in Pax and Evie’s life anymore! There were some parts where I felt the intensity of it could have been more climatic; however, I feel that it was just enough for this book. It kept consistent with the authors writing. There was mention of a song “choice music playing” I love music and associating with the books so I was slightly disappointed I didn’t have one listed for me to put with the scene at hand.

“As I gaze into his eyes, I realize that perhaps, just perhaps, we are two imperfect souls finding solace in each other.
But now I’m the exasperated one. “Paxton,” I take a deep breath, “Okay, maybe we’re both so broken that we deserve each other for all the right reasons.”
“Fuck, Evie,” his voice is soft, “that might be exactly it.”

So beautifully put!! I absolutely love that drawn connection and electrifying energy.

I loved the community that was built to protect and build Evie to be able to defend herself. She was not weak! She is a survivor and owned it with the help of Pax!

[Jamie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really and truly resonated with me. I felt a connection with the main character Evie almost immediately, and that only grew stronger as her strength and resilience was shown throughout the book. And Paxton quickly became one of my favorite MMC’s…strong and fiercely protective, but also so caring and focused on what Evie needs. This book deals with some very heavy and possibly triggering topics, but it is written very well and I feel like it brings much needed awareness to a topic that needs to be taken more seriously. The character chemistry is off the charts, it has plenty of spice, and the story had me emotional on multiple occasions. Due to the subject matter, be sure to check the TW, but Maelana Nightingale did such a wonderful job with this story, and I would definitely recommend you check it out.

[Smuttybookoholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a good read. You have Paxton and Evie. Evie escapes her abusive husband and meets Paxton. Paxton is trained in fighting and on parole with a troubled pass. I loved seeing Evies growth in strength and confidence in herself. I love how protective and good for Evie, Paxton is! They both have been through terrible things, but then they finally find happiness with each other! They deserve the world! This book had he fell for her first, instant love interests, spice, found family, and plot twists! If you’re looking for a good, quick romance, then I 10/10 recommend!

[Kindra Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Evie and Paxton have such a deep and beautiful connection. A little spicy, a little savage. The sensitive topics were written with care and understanding. Another 5 star read from Maelana!

[Sonya Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to be an early reader for this book. This was my first read by this author. It was an amazing short read. It was just enough dark n twisty mixed with poetic romance. The tragedies, both the FMC & and MMC, had endured in their past and healed from together were unbelievable. I loved the way the authors writing was emotional and descriptive. It gave me all the feels!!!!! Please check your TRIGGER WARNINGS before reading this book. I'm hoping to read more of this authors work!!!

[Mars Rads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Fighting for Evangeline really hit me from the minute I started reading. This book has some heavy topics and it highlights the true strength of Evie. I really appreciated the story of both MCs and how neither of them had an easy road in their past. The book also shows how two people can come from such different places and come together.

I have to say that I was hooked in by this story from the very beginning, and by that I mean the dedication. I am someone that works with victims of domestic violence in my every day life and have a good understanding of the legal process. The book is dedicated to those that have broken cycles and walked away. This is such a strong statement to anyone who is familiar with DV victims and the cycle of violence. I knew from reading it that this book would either be something I really enjoyed or something that didn’t do the situation justice. I was very happy that I wasn’t disappointed with how the author dealt with what Evie went through.

Evie is so strong and what she is breaking free from is not easy. I really appreciated how the author described some of the things that are the hardest for DV victims when they are attempting to break free. It takes someone very strong to make the decision that Evie made and it made me love her character. I also really appreciated Paxton and his backstory. My favorite thing about him is the steps he took to make the best of a bad situation, obtaining his degree. I think that the best thing about both MCs is that although they both “have a story”, they are not weak and fragile. The author did a great job with the realistic portrayal.

This book definitely has some difficult themes and it could easily trigger the reader. As someone who has looked in the eyes of a DV victim, I can easily see how someone who has broken free could either love or not be able to read this book. If it doesn’t trigger you, this is a great look at a DV survivor and also just a great story to read with a good amount of spice.

[Michaella · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review- Fighting For Evangeline
Rating 5⭐️ and Spice 2🌶️

TROPES>>
🥊Domestic Violence Survivor FMC
🥊Healing Rough S3x
🥊Anti-Hero MMC
🥊Boy, Girl Next Door
🥊MMA & Felon MMC
🥊Standalone Valliant Protector
🥊Forced Proximity

‼️CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS‼️‼️

EVANGELINE- From the beginning she has been through so much and the traumatic even at the beginning will have you feeling multiply things. She is a survivor and she is fierce. She meets a hotty. Ext door and eventhough she sees all the red flags she can’t help but shush the angel on one shoulder and give in to the little demo on the other. Little does she know he may be exactly what she needs.

“If you own me, Paxton, the F^k me like you own me. Hell, f^k me like you hate me.”-Evangeline

PAXTON- Man is he hot. He is the neighbor I wish I had because I would shooo the angel on my shoulder too. He has secrets that shock you. However he has never done relationships but all he wants is to protect her, consume her, and own her. However he feels he isn’t a good guy. Them being together will either save her, break him, or just fit perfectly together. Everything he is makes him better than what he believes and the more he is around her the more she feels free. However once secrets come out will they scare her or make them closer🤫

"You've shattered every boundary, every wall, every defense l've built to keep people out. No matter what it looks like, I can't imagine a path forward without you by my side." - Paxton

“I told you, Evangeline, I’m not gentle. Right now, you get me as gentle as I come because you have been through hell and lived. But one day, I will open your eyes and show you a different kind of hell, the kind that will make you want more.”-Paxton

MAELANA you did it again. I always love your books and they never disappoint. Every time I get a new book of yours I always end up drugged down a rabbit while and can’t seem to not stop reading. I always tend to read in 24 hours or less and that’s saying a lot.

[Nikki Miskey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evangeline is a survivor, finally free from her abusive boyfriend and in hiding after he nearly kills her. Paxton is a former fighter with his own dark past. They wind up as next door neighbors and become fast friends, which develops into something more.

This was an emotional read, filled with grief and pain, but also hope and healing. Paxton is not a good guy, but he's not a bad guy either, and his strength helps Evie to gain her own back and feel confident again. There were many good moments, even one where neither of them get instantly jealous over others around their partner. It was refreshing to see that in MCs.

I recommend checking the trigger warnings before reading this. But if you move ahead, you'll find an uplifting emotional story where they heal each other and fall in love, and yes, the bad guy gets his.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨REVIEW!!✨ Fighting for Evangeline was a 5⭐️ read for sure! I absolutely LOVED this book!! It was a lot less dark than what I have been reading recently, however it still hit some pretty triggering and dark themes such as domestic violence, rape, and attempted murder plus more. The subject of domestic violence/abuse hits very close to home for me, so I felt a strong connection to both of the main characters and I think that’s part of the reason I loved it so much. Paxton was exactly the kind of man that Evie needed in her life, and he came into it at the perfect timing❤️ If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or need help, please contact the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at 800-799-7233

[Savanna Vandusen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evie barely escaped her last relationship with her life. Currently in hiding from her ex, Jack, she is severely traumatised and alone. She seeks friendship with the only person she can, the guy next door.

Paxton has been attracted to his next-door neighbor from the moment she moved in. As much as he would love to spend time with her, he knows he is no good. He is a convicted felon with a lot of emotional baggage - the last thing a girl like her would ever want or need.

This book follows both characters' journey through trauma as they learn to heal and grow together. It was very fast-paced and spicy.

Tropes:
-boy/girl next door
-one bed
-healing from trauma
-found family

Triggerss:
-stalking (not the good kind)
- SA
- DV
- r*pe
-manipulation

Be sure to check the full list of trigger warnings before diving in!

This is the 2nd ARC I have had the honor of reviewing for this author, and I hope there will be many more.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This right here my book besties is why Maelana Nightingale is one of my new favorite authors and I will read anything she writes!

It has all the tropes we love:
Insta Love
Forced Proximity
Found Family

Evie has escaped an abusive relationship within an inch of her life..... literally. When Evie meets her next door neighbor, Pax, she starts to feel things and envision a future she never thought possible.

When trouble comes knocking, Pax will do anything to keep Evie safe. Including enlisting the help of those at Jake's to train her in self defense.

The only time I put my tablet down to stop reading is to sleep.

[Sponkles · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Arc Review* This book is really good! I love how the 2 MCs had so much trauma to go through and they helped each other through. Shout-out to the 54321 grounding technique! Paxton and Evangeline's relationship was honestly adorable! The twists and turns that came up from Jack were crazy!! All of the side characters were amazing! This book has some dark themes/trauma so please check triggers!

[Queenie2023 aka Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story. A story of healing and love and learning to trust again and learning to allow yourself to be truly loved. From beginning to end - an amazing story belonging to Evangeline (Evie) and Paxton. Definitely a 5 ⭐️ star read and can’t wait to read future work from this author !!

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a beautiful tell on such a hard topic.

Evie is at the point where she has to start over in life. Luckily for her Pax lives right across the street. Both their lives have been changed due to their past, but even more so when Evie needs a ride for a job interview.

[LivingReadGirl666 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Evangeline escapes an abusive relationship and is completely alone. As she reassembles the pieces of her life she can’t help but notice the handsome stranger next door. A chance event brings them together and soon we have some forced proximity (👏) that leads to more than neighborly friendship. However, both have skeletons in their closet. Hurt/comfort and cinnamon roll protector/survivor empowerment were big themes in here. For tackling domestic violence, trauma, and tough guys- this book was amazingly healthy and seeing that on the page healed a part of me I didn’t know was wounded. The epilogue had me standing and clapping and shouting as I cheered the characters on. Although a short read, I enjoyed the pace and the plot had plenty of action and spice to keep me satisfied the whole time.

I was given a free arc and am leaving my review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.

[Miracle · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Check Your Triggers**
To say that I was on an emotional rollercoaster with this book...is putting it mildly. I cried, I laughed, I gasped and I was angry.

Evie is my new favorite FMC. She has gone through everything and survived. And she learned how to fight back.
Paxton... Oh Paxton. Those guardrails ain't gonna hold... Trust me when I say he is both Angel and Demon all wrapped into a gloriously tattooed package.

The storyline, the plot, the who freaking thing, had me flipping pages until there were none left.
The way she uses real every day scenarios and down to earth characters, it makes this so much more than a book. It's a beacon of hope for those who have and are Surviving.. YOU ARE TRULY MY HERO. NEVER be afraid to reach out .. WE SEE YOU!

[Unsavory Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a redemption story. Our MMC has had a troubled past and redeems himself and our FMC is left struggling after trauma and has a redemption of her own. It’s such a sweet love story, just with spice and a really hot guy. It doesn’t hurt that said hot guy is more than willing to follow his own moral code.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one sucked me right in and had me rooting for Evie and Paxton from the beginning 🙌🏻

[Smut Cartel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paxton, with a dark past and concealed secrets, has never experienced a genuine relationship, adding another layer of complexity. As they navigate this intricate dynamic, Evangeline must confront her haunting past, which continues to cast a shadow over both of their lives.

When tragedies bring two people together, the healing and growing journey can be something beautiful.
Evie is running for her life, and lands straight into her next door neighbour Pax.
Such a great read, very hard to put down!

Tropes:
- Found family
- Plot twists
- Forced Proximity
- Next door neighbours
- One Bed

[Crystel Pettit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and empowering story of found family, survival and protection. MMC Paxton thought he was a bad guy and didn’t deserve to ever have a relationship. That changed the moment he saw his new neighbor FMC Evie in distress while trying to change a tire. He immediately wanted to be her protector and never leave her side. This story shows how amazing it is when soul mates find their way to each other and things in life just slide together perfectly, allowing them to have their HEA. Beautifully written and heartwarming. There is a lot of sensitive content, so check trigger warnings before reading.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this read, Evie and Paxton have their own trauma and take care of each other amazingly. Evie has gotten out of an abusive relationship and ends up living next door to Paxton. Paxton has never been interested in anything serious with a woman, until he sees Evie. Immediately he wants to protect her and keep her with him. The trauma is well written, I felt like I was right there with the main characters. The action is paced well and never a dull moment. I love Paxton, he is soft and gentle at the right times and rough and dirty at other times.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you need someone to help you heal from a traumatic past and learn to love yourself for who you are and what you need to become, you need that one person who will help you keep pushing. That is what Paxton does for Evangeline. Not only does he become her savior, he demonstrates his needs for her in a way that was quite smooth.

Due to the type of story, some may find it a bit hard to read. I personally liked the story due to its growth and chemistry within the characters.

[Leighanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It starts off with trauma immediately so please read the trigger warnings.

The love that they showed each other even though things were really hard was real. One thing about it was that I’m afraid it was a trauma bond but who is to say. There is no time frame to get with someone especially when you already detached yourself from the previous person. The writing was pretty good.

[Jaeann · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved having this book be my birthday months book! I loved the book and the characters! The plot is there while the spicy stuff is sprinkled in as well!

If you love a protective man with a badass survivor and total simp vibes, please read!!

** make sure to check triggers!!!

[Wendy García · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lindo libro! He leído a muy pocas autoras indie y ella sin duda fue una maravilla! Temas fuertes de violencia doméstica, pero tratados de una forma muy respetuosa

[CAS CA Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

😮‍💨 This story is heavy… not in a dark & twisted way, but our MC’s have been through some STUFF!!! They come together so beautifully to find healing and strength. Eve walks away from a horrible DV situation and has to start over. Pax has a past he’s had to overcome as well. They’re the definition of better together!

TikTok review video: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTj5kcD2H/