Deann Soleil is a self-published author based in Virginia who focuses on writing forbidden romances. When not writing, she is a full-time social worker who works with victims of community violence to help them overcome their traumatic experiences.
If you’re looking for short, fast-paced books, then look no further.
Twisted Thanksgiving takes the classic dad’s best friend taboo and layers it with real emotional stakes. When Victoria flees an abusive relationship, she finds both refuge and temptation in the one man she shouldn’t want, Joel, her dad’s best friend. The forbidden tension crackles, but what makes this novella stand out is the balance between healing and desire. Victoria’s journey toward safety and self-worth is just as gripping as the slow-burn romance. Joel is determined to keep her safe and take care of her in every way possible. This novella is a bold, heartfelt read for fans of taboo love stories with depth. It leans into the mental health components with thoughtful care and raw vulnerability.
I loved the immediate connection between Joel and Victoria. Seeing as she finally started to feel safe and protected after enduring years of abuse was immensely gratifying! I can’t wait to see what happens next, hopefully Chase gets what he deserves for being a POS.
A huge thank you to Deann Soleil for the early copy!
This was a short but good read! There are mentions of things that could be triggering so please read that list. Although this was a good read, I feel the story was a bit rushed after the FMC leaves. The events all seem to happen in a matter of weeks, I just felt like Victoria’s story deserved so much more, like full book length.
I truly felt for Victoria (FMC), after all that she had physically and emotionally dealt with in her 10 year relationship, it was sad and empowering as the story goes on.
Joel (MMC) is such a special man to make room in his life to help Victoria in so many ways.
After years of being mistreated, Victoria finally packed a bag and returned back to her hometown as the town gathered for the Thanksgiving holiday.
She didn’t know what to do, where to go, or who to turn to… until she ran into him.
Joel White. He’s twice her age, off-limits, and no other than my father’s best friend.
He offers Victoria a place to stay and helps her get back on her feet, but the temptation to get closer to him is hard to avoid.
One-night changes everything.
Does she tell him her new secret, or does she go back on the run? YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There is some content and scenes in this book that are not suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first at all times.
Age Gap, (25/45), Father’s Best Friend, Touch her and die, Forbidden Romance, Secret Relationship, She’s off limits, Pregnancy from Violent Relationship, Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Mental Health Representation, Mention of suicidal ideation, Mention of self-harm, Brief mention of past miscarriage (Not from FMC), Soft Cliffhanger. A Twisted Thanksgiving Holiday by Deann Soleil.
I can honestly say that this is the perfect short, easy, one sitting read. But at the same time, it could be triggering for some readers so paying attention to the trigger warnings is a must.
Victoria finds herself in a terrible place, a place no woman ever wants to find themselves in. But, when she finally manages to escape, I couldn’t help but be overjoyed for her.
Victoria runs into Joel in the hospital and I could tell right away that they were going to click. And it was confirmed when he brought her home, bought her things, supported her, and I just found it all to be so super sweet. The entire way that Joel and Victoria’s story built felt so natural and was quick and sweet and I couldn’t get enough of it.
Even Victoria’s parents were so supportive and they said that they were going to be there for her no matter what and I thought that was such an amazing addition to the story. Victoria’s mom story about her own similar situation just warmed my heart so much. And I kind of chuckled the way I thought her dad was going to beat Joel up at first, but I’m glad he restrained himself and didn’t.
Deann did an amazing job in managing to never dive too deep and yet she managed to keep the book from feeling shallow and you never feel like you’re wondering about anything.
One of the things that I wish we had gotten is to learn how Victoria and Joel raised the baby. Or what happened with the court case and what the outcome of the case was.
But, in the end, I really did enjoy this book and I do wonder about the soft cliffhanger. It leaves me wondering what’s to come next. I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2.
This book was super surprising, I absolutely loved it!! Fast-paced and suspenseful from the very beginning!!
🥰❤️📖❤️🔥📖❤️🥰
Trapped at the mercy of her abusive boyfriend, Victoria (FMC) has never tried to leave for fear of consequences and the false promise of change from the monster she can't seem to escape... ...until one night, she does...
Wracked with bruises and pain, her body screams for help as she finds herself at the ER of a local hospital...seeking to feel safe even if only for a short while...
It's there that things begin to take an unexpected twist...from the discovery of an unplanned pregnancy to finally pressing charges against her abuser, to not knowing where she's going to go or what she's going to do next, perhaps the most unexpected turn of events is the man whom then comes to her rescue...
Dr. Joel White (MMC), a man 20 years Victoria's senior and her father's best friend, happens to be working the ER that same night and offers to take her in...
An intelligent doctor with a ruggedly sexy cowboy vibe outside of his profession (*swoon* 😍), Victoria soon finds herself falling for the one man whom she never expected to...and the feeling is mutual as Joel begins to fall for the one girl who has always been off-limits to him...
*Note: Open Door, Medium Spice*
...but what will happen when Victoria's father finds out over Thanksgiving dinner that his little girl is in love with his own best friend...and what will happen when Victoria's abuser comes after her and finds her in the security of another man’s arms...?
Definitely a thrill ride of emotions with a happy ending and a perfect Thanksgiving holiday read!!
Be sure to check out "A Twisted Thanksgiving Holiday" by Deann Soleil!!
This novella delivers an emotional, intense, and fast-paced story centered on survival, healing, and unexpected connection. Victoria has finally reached her breaking point after years with Chase, a boyfriend whose charm has long since given way to physical and emotional abuse. When a late night at work leads to another violent attack, Victoria seizes her moment of escape. She drives for hours with nothing but fear and instinct guiding her—only to end up back in her hometown, seeking care at the local hospital.
It’s there she encounters Joel, her father’s best friend, who immediately recognizes both her pain and her need for safety. Joel steps in without hesitation, offering her a place to stay and a chance to rebuild. As the two settle into an unexpected domestic rhythm, the comfort and security Joel provides slowly ignite a very different kind of heat. Their chemistry grows quickly, adding a layer of forbidden tension to an already emotionally charged setup.
Though this is a quick read, it packs several heavy themes, and readers should be sure to check the trigger warnings before diving in. The storyline is compelling, especially in how it handles escape and recovery, but the brevity of the novella leaves limited room for deeper character development. With a bit more exploration of Victoria’s inner journey and Joel’s motivations, the emotional impact could have hit even harder.
Still, for readers who enjoy intense, protective romance with a darker edge, this novella offers a gripping and engaging escape.
A quick emotional read as Victoria finally flees an abusive relationship to journey back to her home town. She presents to the ER at the local hospital and meets up with her dad's best friend, Joel. Realising she needed help and support he stepped up and provided her with somewhere to stay as she came to terms with her situation. Finding that she was unexpectedly pregnant from one of her many r3pe encounters with Chase, she needs to decide what she wants for her future and whether she could possibly want Chase's baby. So starts the journey of healing and the beginnings of a new relationship with a much older man....Victoria is 25 and Joel is 45. The time line seems to be expedited and rushed, as Victoria accepts Joels offer for shelter and soon develops feelings for him, and he reciprocates those feelings. The delicate subject matter about Victoria's abuse was written with respect of all DV survivors and handled well through out the story line. I am a first time advanced reader for Deann and although I enjoyed the basics of the story, it lacked the context of a more in-depth narrative. I am sure as Deann becomes a more prolific writer this will develop with experience. Finishing on a soft Cliff hanger, makes us want book 2 in this duet to be released soon, so we can see where Joel and Victoria's relationship goes and how they handle raising a baby together. And What happens to Chase? How does Victoria handle going to court and giving evidence, as the pregnancy won't stay a secret from Chase forever? Ahhh so many questions! Here's hoping book 2 delivers!
Please check the trigger warning and this is a short Novella:
This book handles some incredibly heavy and sensitive topics with care, and I really appreciated the way the author didn’t shy away from the raw, painful parts of the main character’s journey. From the very beginning, you’re pulled into the world of a girl who’s endured more tragedy than anyone should, and your heart breaks for her as she tries to piece herself back together.
What made the story so powerful for me was how authentically her healing was portrayed. It wasn’t quick, easy, or simple—there were setbacks, confusion, and moments where she questioned whether she even deserved happiness. Watching her slowly learn to trust, to open up, and to confront the hurt she’s carried was both emotional and inspiring.
And while the romance added a beautiful layer of hope, it never overshadowed her own growth. Instead, it complemented it. The love she finds feels gentle and patient, the kind that supports rather than saves. By the end, her journey toward loving someone else becomes intertwined with something even more meaningful—learning how to love herself.
This is one of those stories that stays with you long after you finish, both heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting. If you’re looking for a book that handles difficult themes with grace and delivers a deeply emotional, healing arc, this would be a recommended read for you then.
This book was was definitely an emotional one. It contains some dark themes including domestic violence among other things so please check your triggers. Victoria escapes chase who has been abusing her for years. Takes solace in her father’s best friend Joel as she heals. This novella is a quick read but I feel like so much happens in such a short time period but I didn’t feel like the writing was rushed. I could definitely appreciate how straight forward everything seemed, there wasn’t a lot of filler in the book which made it very simple to read. I am a sucker for a good age gap and it was delivered with Joel and Victoria. While I would have loved a little more banter because to me it seemed a little forced and robotic I loved watching their relations grow as she was on her healing journey. I definitely appreciated that he respected her boundaries as she was trying to navigate everything on her life after everything was trying to come back together. I do question how easily everything was accepted. I don’t have any personal experience with this type of situation but I feel it takes a little more time for things to pass and a person to accept a new relationship. However being this was a shorter read I feel like it was passed on a good timeline and wasn’t incredibly rushed. I could read a whole book about these characters and their stories. Joel was the sweetest man Victoria could have found in this situation.
Age Gap, (25/45), Father’s Best Friend, Touch her and die, Forbidden Romance, Secret Relationship, She’s off limits, Pregnancy from Violent Relationship, Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Mental Health Representation, Mention of suicidal ideation, Mention of self-harm, Brief mention of past miscarriage (Not from FMC), Soft Cliffhanger
For those who have experienced trauma, You’re stronger than you know. You can do this! A story of survival, courage, love and the steps to move forward.
This a contagious story of a young woman Victoria experiencing horrific abuse in a long term relationship. Finally having that courage to believe in herself to take the steps to finally leave.
Victoria has been broken so much from all her suffering. Though finally she starts believing in herself and to trust others in her journey forward.
Meeting Joel, a chance encounter as the Hospital she's getting treated at, happens to be her Father's Best Friend.
Joel ends up being her support, who brings her into to his home. Wanting to give Victoria anything and everything she needs in her recovery.
Forming an emotional and physically connection. Victoria finally feels and sees she can and is enough. To be loved, to feel save and to have a courage to move forward for her future.
A Twisted Thanksgiving Holiday by Deann Soleil is a Dark Forbidden Romance Novella following Victoria Maddox and Joel White. 🚩🚩 This is for readers 18 years and/or older as it has mature content and not suitable for underage readers. I cannot stress this enough…there are extremely dark themes so please check out the content warning before you dive in 🚩🚩
My thoughts 💭 Goodness this one is so good. Hard to read but damn good. I was fortunate enough to be a Beta Reader for this baby and I am so grateful for that opportunity. Deann Soleil has a way with words that just draws me in every time, she’s so gentle and respectful with how she formulates her thoughts and writes about the details of trauma and I appreciate that more than anything. The way that Dr. Joel White is so patient and gentle with Victoria is just so beautiful. After years of abuse she needed that more than anything. Her entire story broke my heart but Joel quickly stitched it back together 🖤 this is a quick read and ends in a slight cliffhanger but it is worth it. If you love a dark and twisted holiday novella with some spicy forbidden romances then you will devour this one too!
✨I would like to thank the author Deann Soleil, for the opportunity to read and review A Twisted Thanksgiving Holiday.
This story features our fmc Victoria, and we meet her as she is smack dab in the middle of a horrifying and physically abusive relationship.
Finally gathering her courage after things escalate one night, Victoria decides to flee into the night. Her first stop is the emergency department of the hospital a couple hours away in the town where her parents live, as she is beat up pretty bad. While being evaluated, she runs into her dad’s best friend Joel, who is a doctor working at the hospital.
From here things nice super quickly, as Victoria navigates her healing journey while moving in with Joel, who has offered her a safe place to stay while she gets her life together. Things heat up, and the forbidden romance ensues.
This author definitely told a tale of healing and overcoming adversity, while also entertaining us with the heat of a taboo romance.
My only complaint at all (not really a complaint), is that I wish the story had been a bit longer so we could have gotten to know the characters even more and dove into their back stories and emotions even more, because the author definitely had me invested in their story. I can’t wait to see what happens next and hopefully Victoria and Joel continue on in their happy ending while Victoria’s abuser does not!
Spice/ 🌶️🌶️ I was given an eARC of A Twisted Thanksgiving Holiday by Deann Soleil and I’m leaving this review completely voluntarily.
This was a quick, intense novella that hooked me right from the start. Please be sure to check the trigger warnings. This story definitely goes into some heavy territory. We follow Victoria, who finally breaks free from a brutal 10-year abusive relationship, only to discover she’s pregnant. Overwhelmed and scared, she returns to her hometown… and that’s when she reconnects with her dad’s best friend, Dr. Joel.
Joel is the definition of a protective gentleman. He genuinely wants the best for Victoria and her baby, and even offers her a safe place to stay. As the weeks pass, their bond shifts into something deeper, something neither of them expected, but both can’t seem to ignore. Their relationship unfolds with quiet tenderness, forbidden longing, and the kind of protective intensity that makes you hold your breath.
If you love age gap (25/45), dad’s best friend, forbidden romance, “she’s off-limits,” secret relationships, and touch-her-and-die energy , then grab a copy of A Twisted Thanksgiving Holiday. It’s fast, it’s emotional, and it delivers exactly what it promises.
I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. OMG wow what a ride!! This was a fast pace dad’s best friend romance. I devoured this book in one sitting!! This was an emotional roller coaster. FMC Victoria is in an abusive relationship and finally gets away and meets her dad’s best friend in the hospital and he takes her in to help her and keep her safe! She knows she can’t fall for her dad’s best friend but can’t help it!! I can’t wait to see how things turn out for her boyfriend Chase and Victoria and Joel!! Need the next book!!
“After years of being mistreated, I finally packed a bag and returned back to my hometown as the town gathered for the Thanksgiving holiday.
I didn’t know what to do, where to go, or who to turn to… until I ran into him.
Joel White. He’s twice my age, off-limits, and no other than my father’s best friend.
He offers me a place to stay and helps me get back on my feet, but the temptation to get closer to him is hard to avoid.
One night changes everything.
Do I tell him my new secret, or do I go back on the run?”
This novella had NO business being this gripping. I picked it up thinking I’d read a chapter… and suddenly I was 80% in, emotionally attached, stressed, and rooting for characters who felt way too real for a short read.
This story takes the dad’s best friend trope and flips it into something raw, emotional, and honestly unforgettable. Victoria’s escape from an abusive relationship had me in a chokehold, and the way she slowly finds safety, self-worth, and a spark of forbidden hope with Joel? I ate it UP. The tension between them is thick, but what really got me was the way the book balances healing with desire. It’s not just dark romance, it’s a story about reclaiming yourself.
And Joel? Listen. The man is determined, protective, gentle when she needs softness, and fierce when she needs someone in her corner. I loved.
I devoured this in two days and still wanted more pages. If you love: ✨ forbidden tension ✨ dark romance with heart ✨ healing arcs ✨ characters who make you FEEL something
…this deserves a spot on your TBR the second it releases.
**ARC REVIEW** I loved the description for this book! It is a fast paced dark romance novella with a lot of dark themes. unfortunately, i ended up being disappointed with it. i absolutely loved the trigger warnings at the beginning of the chapters that they were in, that was super thoughtful for people who A. don’t know to read TWs or B. (like me) don’t care to, however, this novella didn’t feel like i was reading a book, it felt more like a summary/diary entry with how fast paced it was. not that there’s anything wrong with that, there just wasn’t much emotion or time to really connect with the characters and have your own opinions/feelings towards them besides the ones you’re “supposed” to have given the description of the book. i was a little thrown off when everything happened within days of each other because of how intense the theme of the story was because i expected a few weeks or so before things started up between the MMC & FMC. the plot was great, but because of how fast paced between the characters everything was, it all felt like poor timing throughout the book.
Twisted Thanksgiving surprised me in the best way. It starts with this heavy, aching loneliness, then drops Joel White into the story like a warm, dangerous spark. The age gap hits, the forbidden tension hits, and suddenly I was flipping pages trying to figure out who was going to break first. The slow build of trust mixed with that off-limits craving gives the whole story this addictive, intimate pull.
I loved the way Deann Soleil wrote the connection between them. Joel feels steady and protective without ever stealing the spotlight, and the FMC’s vulnerability makes every moment between them feel earned. Their chemistry is soft one second and scorching the next, and watching her find safety in someone she should not want made the emotional beats land even harder.
If you love age gap, brother’s best friend, and that “touch her and die” energy paired with real heart, this one delivers. It is quick, intense, a little messy, and the perfect kind of forbidden. I devoured it.
I am a part of the ARC team for A Twisted Thanksgiving Holiday, and I give this review honestly.
Victoria has escaped an abusive relationship that she has been in for the past 10 years, and ends up running into Joel, Victoria's Dad's best friend. He takes her in to keep her safe, and their relationship grows throughout the book.
I did love the storyline of this book, and loved seeing the representation of abuse survivors. I do believe this book could have been more fleshed out, as it reads super quickly and is missing quite a bit of descriptive factors. Victoria and Joel's relationship was also super fast-paced, and I would have loved to read more about Victoria's healing journey before she got into another relationship.
Overall, even though the writing needs work, the premise of this book is pretty good, and I did enjoy the storyline.
Please check your trigger warnings before reading this book.
Blurb: After years of being mistreated, I finally packed a bag and returned back to my hometown as the town gathered for the Thanksgiving holiday. I didn't know what to do, where to go, or who to turn to... until I ran into him. Joel White. He's twice my age, off-limits, and no other than my father's best friend. He offers me a place to stay and helps me get back on my feet, but the temptation to get closer to him is hard to avoid. One night changes everything. Do I tell him my new secret, or do I go back on the run?
Review *Contains spoilers* 🥧This was the perfect short easy read, I basically read it in one sitting! However, it could be triggering for some. 🥧 Victoria was in a terrible place no woman ever wants to be in, or should be in. But she finally escaped and when she did I was overjoyed for her! 🥧 In the hospital when she ran into Joel, omg I could tell they were instantly going to click. And the fact that he brought her home, bought her things, and supported her was super sweet. The way Joel and Victorias story built was quick and sweet, I loved every moment. 🥧 Her parents were supportive and said they’d be there for her which I thought was a great edition to the story. Her mom even shared that she has a similar situation. I did think her dad was going to beat up Joel more than he did. 🥧 The book never dove too deep into anything but wasn’t shallow and didn’t leave me wondering. 🥧 I am a little sad we didn’t get to find out about how they raised the baby, or what the outcome of the court case was but overall really enjoyed this book.
Honestly, this one started off so good, but then it just took off way too fast! It felt really rushed in parts.
A major thing for me was the dialogue; a lot of it just didn't sound real. Plus, I didn't feel any spark or chemistry at all between the main characters.
However, I liked the FMC, Victoria. Seeing her go through so much domestic abuse and then having the strength to escape and get help was genuinely powerful. She was a strong character.
It ends right on a cliffhanger, but I'm just not interested enough to pick up the next book.
‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧
➳❥Short Dark Romance Novella ➳❥ Age Gap / Dad’s Bestfriend ➳❥ Domestic Abuse ➳❥Touch Her & Die ➳❥ Secret Romance ➳❥ Pregnancy from Previous
The story hooked me from the very first page. It follows a heron returning to her hometown after years of mistreatment, completely lost and uncertain until she crosses paths with Joel White, her father‘s best friend, a man who should be entirely off-limits. There were union sparks of slow burn tension that feels both forbidden and inevitable, and I couldn’t get enough of their dynamic What really stands out is how the book balance is healing with desire. The heroin trauma is handled with care, and watching her gradually feel safe again, especially with Joel was deeply satisfying when that life-changing night finally happens, it’s passionate, tender, and absolutely worth the weight. The ending introduced a twist that raises the steaks in the best way. Her new secret adds a layer of emotional conflict that left me desperate for the next chapter. Do they confront it together, or does she run again? I’m still thinking about it.
5/5 Stars Genre: Emotional Romance, Age-Gap, Second-Chance, Holiday Novella A Twisted Thanksgiving Holiday is an intense yet deeply healing age-gap romance novella.
It tackles heavy themes of childhood trauma and psychological abuse with impressive grace and sensitivity.
The story is about a woman who returns home after years of mistreatment and finds refuge and unexpected love with Joel White, her father's best friend. This book is an impactful, "incredibly healing" story focusing on resilience.
The author is lauded for treating triggering topics with respect and intention. The "softness" of the blossoming romance and the "strength" of the protagonist’s recovery effectively balance the heartbreak.
This fast-paced read is highly recommended for those who enjoy deeply emotional romance that culminates in a satisfying, feel-good ending.
Release date: November 28th 💕
Note: Readers should check the trigger warnings Can’t wait for more thanks again for letting me be an ARC for you 🤗
Thank you to Deann Soleil for allowing me to be an arc reader.
The warning was perfect in the first few pages as it was needed and it warned you each chapter. This was a great dark novella as it was about Victoria’s trauma. When she finally escaped she ended up at the hospital hours away and Joel was there who is her dad’s best friend. Fast forward to them having thanksgiving with her parents and her dad punches him for being with his daughter. This was a great quick read that left you with a cliffhanger. I really want to know what happened next.
I do not recommend for anyone under 18 to read.
Content warnings Age gap Fathers best friend Touch her and die Secret relationship Off limits Pregnancy from violent relationship Domestic violence Sexual assault Mental health representation Mention of suicidal ideation Mention of self harm Mention of miscarriage Soft cliffhanger
Please check trigger warnings before reading this short novella! (The author does a great job in listing them all accurately)
This story line was a play on the classic Dad's best friend and age gap tropes, with a heavy focus on trauma and healing. Joel is Victoria's Dad's best friend and is able to provide an immediate safe place for her when she initially leaves her long term abusive boyfriend, Chase.
Joel and Victoria's relationship is fast moving while still being a slow burn over the course of the novella- their intimate feelings progress as Victoria makes strides to heal. The author did a wonderful job at balancing the progression so that Joel remained the hero in her story.
This novella was a quick read that packed in a few really heavy themes. I love that it ends on a happy, hopeful note. Looking forward to seeing what comes next!
This book is a very quick read which doesn't leave a lot of time in it for deep character development. The story is a bit dark with the plot centering around abuse domestic and violent. The main characters have an undeniable chemistry and Joel is a very caring and supportive man.
I wish the story were longer so that the author could delve a bit more into the development of the characters and story itself. It has some key elements that make the story interesting and allows readers to invest in it. The author does leave the book with a note that more is to come for this story and that this is just a taste of what is to come. This makes me want to read the next book.
I really enjoyed the book and wished it was a bit longer so that the author could have developed the story better. This book feels like maybe she is laying the ground work for a longer and better book.
I really enjoy reading Dean's stories as they address serious issues but also walk through finding solutions and coming to terms. A Twisted Thanksgiving Holiday was no different. It deals with serious situation from the start and our FMC Victoria fears facing the struggle alone . But a chance meeting with someone from her past, Joel during a huge life changing decision gives her support where she hadn't expected it. With a lot of things to decide and a lack of family or friends to support her we watch as the relationship grows and changes between or FMC and MMC. When Victoria reaches out to her parents about coming for Thanksgiving, she fears their reaction but with Joel's support she is prepared for anything that can happen. I feel like the story ends with showing us that it's never to late to make changes and mend bridges.
I am appreciative that I received this ARC. I am excited to read more of Deann Soleil's work. This felt more like I was reading the FMC's diary. I felt like the dialogue wasn't natural. There was over explanation for things that didn't need to be explained. And then there was background info missing that should have been explained. I love a taboo age gap. But there was no background on Joel and Victoria's Dad. How did they become friends ? How long had they been friends? I felt this info was necessary to explain how quickly she was willing to get into his bed. It felt more creepy than forbidden love and sexual tension. The storyline was there, I think there just needed to be more detailed. Overall, it was a quick and easy read. I liked the concept. She was abused and ran into a man who would love, protect, and cherish her. And it just so happened to be her dad's best friend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This novella delivers an emotional and intense story of healing, safety, and unexpected connection. Victoria has been through more than anyone should, and I loved how Joel stepped in with zero expectations. Just genuine care and protection. His only goal was to help her feel safe again, and the slow shift from comfort to something more felt earned and tender, even with how fast everything moved. Their chemistry builds quickly, but their bond feels rooted in trust, warmth, and rebuilding.
Though it’s a short read, it touches on heavy themes with honesty, and the journey Victoria takes—learning to breathe, heal, and believe she deserves good things—was beautifully done. Joel’s presence adds a quiet strength that made their relationship really stand out. It’s fast, emotional, and full of heart, perfect for readers who love protective heroes and healing arcs.
This book presents an unconventional and controversial plot. The pacing was fluid and quick, making it an easy read to move through.
Victoria’s character stood out as the strongest element of the story. After everything she endured, her ability to recognize what she needed to heal her mind while her body recovered was inspiring.
While I appreciated Joel’s immediate care and concern for Victoria, I didn’t feel their relationship development was as strong as it could have been. The bond between made their dynamic less convincing compared to Victoria’s individual journey.
Overall, this was a bold story with a memorable character. Though certain aspects of the relationship fell short for me, I admire the author’s willingness to take risks with this type of storyline.
✨ARC Review✨ A short story packed with a lot of triggers so go in with caution because Deann Soleil lays out all the triggers for you like a picnic blanket. It was written in the sense that had me feeling like I was watching (reading) an informative play, what to do or what could happen in the event you find yourself in a domestic violence situation when you actually find the strength to leave. You know like those informative pamphlets you find in clinics, that’s what it was like but reading the storyline on how she utilizes every resource handed to her before it was too late. A great reminder we may never know what people go through behind closed doors.
This novella is good for fans of age gap (dad’s best friend) / twisted romances looking for a quick Thanksgiving read. I was able to fly through this in one sitting!
This story touched on some very triggering themes (including but not limited to DV/SA) so please be sure to read all the warnings. I do feel this story was a bit short to take on such heavy themes and give the emotions / relationship building justice.
It was very refreshing to see that our FMC was taken seriously from the get-go and to watch the relationship develop between the FMC and MMC, as well as her healing journey. Fingers crossed we see justice in book two!