Deconstructed

by Sharon K. Angelici

After eight years, Firefighter Ella Eastman has a plan to create the perfect marriage proposal for her partner, Morgan. Inspired by Morgan’s to-be-read pile, Ella struggles to incorporate her favorite romance tropes while asking the big question. The ideas pile up, as do the failed attempts to create their once-in-a-lifetime memory.
How do you give the perfect partner the perfect memory of a perfect proposal? For Ella, it all seems to come together quite imperfectly. Revisit the Rage Room Romance’s chosen family as they unite for Operation Perfect Proposal.

Genres: Lesbian Fiction

279 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2025

About the author

Sharon K Angelici was born in the American Midwest, but her heart belongs to Colorado. She is a full-time Wife, Mother, Author, Artist, and lover of life. 🌈


She has been writing works of fiction, short stories, and poetry since childhood. Her first book, "Dear Kane; what I wish we would have said," was published by Write with Light publications and is available on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and direct from her website.

Sharon has published articles in

Archer Magazine, SBS Australia, The Tribe Magazine, GeekGirlAuthority, TAGG Magazine


Sharon and her son are working blacksmiths and artists. They have been making chainmaile jewelry and creating forged sculptures since 2013. Visit the Blacksmithing/Art page to see our work.

Reviews

[Kelly Branyik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possible spoilers ahead!!!
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Deconstructed is the continuation of Conned, and honestly, it felt like slipping right back into Ella Eastman and Morgan Hail’s world, even though this story is set years later. It almost felt like it picked up right where things left off, which I really loved. These characters were easy to reconnect with, and their relationship still felt grounded, familiar, and full of heart.

The story centers on Ella’s attempt to pull off “Operation Perfect Proposal,” and watching her try (and struggle) to plan the perfect moment for the person she loves was both hilarious and deeply relatable. The anxiety around wanting it to be meaningful enough, memorable enough, big enough, it felt so real. One of my favorite lines from the book really sums that up:

“Love isn’t a standalone novel, baby. It’s an epic series that we keep experiencing.”
That was my favorite quote.

I really loved this book, but I would have loved to see Ella fully devise the plan and watch how everyone was supposed to play their role before someone completely hijacked the hell out of it. I was genuinely excited to see the whole thing unfold, so that part felt like just a tiny missed opportunity for me.

That said, it was still a great continuation of Conned. The side characters were fun and memorable, and I’d especially love to see Toni and Lil’s relationship explored more in the future.

Overall, Sharon K. Angelici continues to write solid, heartfelt sapphic romance. The covers are beautiful, the audiobook editions are great, and this one is definitely worth the read.

[Peggy Babcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet read

Can't wait for the next one!! I love the characters from the first book ,Conned, and the unique story line

[Carol Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute!

Ella and Morgan have been together for 8 years, and now Ella is determined to have the most perfect proposal. Taking inspiration from Morgan’s romance novels, Ella struggles with her plans, but someone it ends up coming together in an unexpected way.

I loved every second of this! It was great to be reunited with Ella and Morgan after meeting them in Conned. You don’t have to have read Conned to enjoy this story as Sharon gives just enough background for you to understand the history between them, but I recommend reading it to really get to know Ella and Morgan properly before reading this one. Ella had me smiling and sometimes giggling a bit as she tried so hard to plan this perfect moment for them, but she really was struggling. Firstly, romance novels were not her things, but I appreciated her enthusiasm in trying to understand and get ideas. She was inquisitive enough to seem interested without Morgan catching on specifically to what she was trying to do. Everything she ended up planning, seemed to get thwarted somehow, but it was fun to go through the stages of planning with her.

Of course all this planning and failed attempts, or missed moments for her ideas lead to some drama and a lot of frustration for Ella, but it made the final plan even more special. There were lots of unexpected moments that caused it usually, or just overthinking on Ella’s part that her friends helped her to work through. It was great that this big plan for them was weaved in with another budding romance between Toni and Lil. I was just as invested in what was happening between them, as I was with Ella and Morgan, and in a way it was nice their lives were intertwined.

I really enjoyed this and hope it leads to future stories, maybe for Toni and Lil, where we can get a little update on Ella and Morgan.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Deconstructed’ is a second book in the Rage Room Romance series. I haven’t read the first one, so it took me a longer moment to get into character’s connections. It can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend to read ‘Conned’ first, and then this one as a follow-up. I think I would have enjoyed this book much more if I was already familiar with characters and some details that took place in book one.

The plot’s main focus is that Ella tries to create a perfect proposal to Morgan. But of course, it’s never that easy. Either in real life, or in a book. In some chapters we also follow other characters from their found family a bit. Normally, I’m not a fan, but here it really helped me connect with them and understand some of their dynamics. They’re a lovely bunch.

I enjoyed the writing. It was light and engaging, and not over the top. The characters are well-written, with incredible depth. It’s hard not to love them. The whole book is really good, has a great vibe, and is definitely worth a read. I hope the other characters, especially Lil and Toni, will get their own story in the future.

I received an ARC from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Guerunche · Rating 3 out of 5]

This follow-up to Conned, where the main characters fall in love after meeting at a Sci Fi convention, fast forwards eight years when cosplayer/firefighter Ella wants to create the perfect proposal for rage room owner Morgan, her ideal match.

I wasn’t clear why it took Ella eight years to reach the point of wanting to ask Morgan to marry her when both were so deliriously happy. Especially in an era where gay marriage is under threat. Regardless, the first 80 percent of the book is Ella trying to come up with a proposal worthy of her love for Morgan and she is foiled time and time again.

Where the story came alive for me was in the last 20 percent where an unexpected occurrence shifts the focus from that to other minor characters, which added depth to the story. I would have liked reading more about them and wonder if Angelici plans a follow-up short story or novel about them.

This is not a standalone book. Conned needs to be read first to know the back stories of Ella and Morgan.

I was prided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book I think I would have enjoyed a lot more if I had read the first book in the Rage Room series, Conned. Now it took me more than half the book before I really got the whole overview on how all the friends are connected and who is who which was a bit unfortunate.

Regardless of this it was nice to follow how Ella plans Operation Perfect Proposal for her partner Morgan, and issue after issue pops up so she must postpone her plans repeatedly despite all the support and help she gets from her friends. It is not like there is ever any risk that the love of her life Morgan will say no even if the marriage proposal is a cliché, but Ella does not want to take any risk, everything must be just right, the ring, the setting and timing so it is quite the endeavour.

Thanks to this extensive and delayed project we also get to know Toni, the flowershop owner and Lil, a Briikhead. They are showing a lot of promise as a couple, and I hope we will get more about them and on Lil’s trauma in a future book.

I received a free ARC from the author and leave a review voluntarily.

[Dulaine Roode · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the perfect follow-up to Conned. You probably have to read the first book to make sense of the second book. Because a lot of the minor details that happens in the first book comes back into play in this book.

During this book: Ella keeps wanting to propose to Morgan. As the book started out, I almost had a heart attack wondering what the heck was happening... but then it all came to light after her first attempt at setting the scene. I love the way it worked out in the end for Ella and Morgan. They did have a lot of stress around the whole thing, though.

A few of the other characters were also focused on in the book. I loved that, and I hope that they get their own books too...

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[KRISTEN CONNELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deconstructed takes the familiar romance trope of the “perfect proposal” and turns it into something charmingly imperfect. Ella Eastman’s determination to create an unforgettable marriage proposal for Morgan, combined with her attempts to incorporate Morgan’s favorite romance tropes, gives the story a playful premise with plenty of emotional warmth. The chosen-family element adds another layer, making the proposal feel like more than a romantic milestone—it becomes a shared celebration of love and community. With a 4.56 Goodreads rating from 16 ratings and 12 reviews, the book already has meaningful reader validation. Its strongest audience appeal lies in its blend of romance, LGBTQ+ representation, chosen family, humor, and the delightful tension between romantic expectations and real-life imperfection.

[L. S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

For readers who are fans of Angelici's Conned, Deconstructed proves to be a happy return to the lives of Morgan and Ella. Ella, in particular, struggles with a hard decision, which adds humor to the story. It's not all about these two and their rage rooms, however. A fun cast of supporting characters rounds out the book, making the ensemble feel real and three-dimensional.

Angelici does a nice job of keeping things interesting with an already-established couple. There's a lot of love given to beloved hobbies, and fans of those will certainly be delighted with their inclusion. All in all, Deconstructed is a strong follow-up to Conned in the Rage Room Romance series. I look forward to seeing where it's headed next.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!

Deconstructed is the latest from Sharon K. Angelici who is rapidly becoming one of my go-to authors. Her writing style is just so captivating and she has a knack for creating characters you can't help but fall in love with.

This particular one dives back into the lives of one of my all-time favorite fictional couples, Ella and Morgan, who we met in Conned.

If you're looking for a truly heartwarming and unforgettable read, especially if you're a fan of beautifully crafted sapphic romance, then you *absolutely* need to add this to your list

I received an ARC of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bonnie A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored Book 1 in this series (“Conned”) and I was super happy Sharon wrote a sequel … with more to come … I hope!

I love Ella and Morgan. And Ella’s attempts to propose to Morgan were hilarious but heartbreaking. But the ending definitely mends the heartbreaking part.

The main characters and the side characters are lovable, kind, funny and sweet.

Sharon is an amazing writer and she sure as hell met my expectations with this book. I loved it!

[Jamie R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the continued story of Ella, a firefighter, and Morgan who operates a rage room business. They met in the first of the series, Conned.
Their story continues now as Ella tries to find the perfect way to propose to Morgan. As I read the book I could feel the sweetness of their love coming through on the page. Although some difficult topics are mentioned the overall vibe of the story is sweet and light.
The MCs and side characters are easy to love and I often found myself smiling at their interactions as they try to help Elle and keep her secret from Morgan. Her many ideas and ultimate choice speak to the perfection found in imperfection.
If you are looking for a sweet romance with a HEA and a soothing balm from the chaos that abounds these days, this book will give you that.
Oh! And the cover art is chef’s kiss!

I received an arc from the author and leave my review voluntarily.

[Dulaine Roode · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the perfect follow-up to Conned.

You probably have to read the first book to make sense of the second book. Because a lot if the minor details that happens in the first book comes back into play in this book.

During this book: Ella keeps wanting to propose to Morgan. As the book started out, I almost had a heart attack wondering what the heck was happening... But then it all came to light after her first attempt at setting the scene. I love the way it worked out for Ella and Morgan. They did have a lot of stress around the whole thing though.

A few of the other characters were also focused on in the book. I loved that, and I hope that hey get their own books too.