Saving Sophia: A Forced Proximity Dark Country Romance

by E.S. Portman

Sophia

All my life, I believed a lie.

I’d been raised in a world where that lie wasn’t abnormal—

No use for your brain unless it was being used to please your husband.

Only, my mind couldn’t shut off like so many other Southern Belles I’d seen do the same old song and dance before.

I thought something was wrong with me until I met Grant Brooks—the tattoo artist from a nothin’ town who seemed to care too much about what went on in my head.

He has no idea what stepping into my world really entails, and the dangers that come along with trying to interfere with the plans that had been laid out for me since birth.

And as hard as I try, I don’t think Grant is one to give up so easily.

Grant

When you’re raised the way I was, you learn to grow up fast.

I found out early on that sometimes you had to let the Devil inside free, or something much worse would take you for themselves.

None of that bothered me until I met Sophia Pierson, who I swore held the same look in her eyes that mine did—a ruthless glint more fierce than the bullets that left her gun.

Only problem was, someone was putting their hands on her and getting away with it.

As hard as I tried to put it out of my mind, I couldn’t let it go.

If she wasn’t going to take care of the issue, I was—no matter the stakes.


This book is a dark romance. Please check the full list of content warnings on author's website.

413 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 26, 2026

Reviews

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was delicious. I absolutely love Grant and Sophia. Their own traumas have shaped them into the characters they are. This book had the perfect combo of plot and spice. This book is dark and has dark themes so check your triggers. Thank you E. S. Portman for the opportunity to read this as an ARC.

[Jamaica · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:

I don't even know where to begin.

I'll be honest here, I never read the first one, but I definitely will now, hoping there is no order. Ahah. Forgive me on that. But I was going in blind, not knowing what to expect. This was definitely dark, absolutely juicy in spice (clean up in aisle four!), and the raw emotions I could feel when reading this? I've never read Dark Country before, and I was extremely impressed by it. It was beautifully written, and it kept pulling me in more and more each day. This novel had me gritting my teeth with rage, knowing exactly how Grant felt on a personal level. This novel also had my heart stopping near the end because I had thought something bad had happened. Thank god I kept pushing on, or I would've been in absolute tears.

Also, seeing Peaches get jealous over June was absolutely adorable! Grant's obsession over Peaches? Stole my whole heart.

Thank you for this terrific read! I would 1000000% recommend this to anybody who craves a slow burn with obsession, a dark twist, and a happy ending for everyone!

[Sophie Bonacorda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.45/5 ⭐️

I will be so honest here. I read this because I have the same name as the FMC. So duh. How could I not. When I say this was so good and I definitely could’ve eaten up another 350 pages of Grant and Sophia, I mean it with my whole chest.

This book had me feeling ALL the emotions. Happy, sad, mad, you name it and I felt it. Sophia’s story gutted me. Don’t even get me started on Grant’s story. A sad and wild ride indeed.

I loved seeing Carver and Lyra (the characters from book one) make appearances. You definitely don’t need to read book one, but I’m glad I did.

The spice was soooo good! This book had a really nice balance of spice and plot.

Definitely recommend this book to everyone! I will absolutely be reading this again!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

I first discovered this author when I read “Ly to Me”. I fell in love with that book and I’ve fallen even more in love with this book. Saving Sophia captures your attention immediately. Right away it peeks your curiosity and makes you want to know the full story ASAP. It was so hard for me to put this book down once I started because the love and growth that is shown within this book is nothing short of exceptional. The spice is delicious and in my opinion has the perfect amount without it becoming repetitive. I highly recommend this book. No cliffhanger which is a huge plus for those of us who love a strong HEA. I can’t say enough about this story!!!!

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about this is one? I enjoyed every single second of it and you cant tell me other wise. Sophia and Grant what a team, what these two people have gone through, to them find each other and have tome together so much so that neither one knew how say goodbye. But I am sure you and me are glad they didnt. They action, the drama, the story, the characters, I mean all of it ate up. When I tell you I stayed up reading this one? I did very late in the night and dont regret it becuase its one of those that keep you wanting more and more. I think this are the only dark romance I have read, review and absolute loved. This author? She is amazing at what she does♥︎

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I was in a reading slump for TWO months and this pulled me right out. It had my emotions all over the place. Happy, sad, mad you name it. LOL.

I fell in love with Grants character. Whew! Is it hot in here or is it just me? Ha! He’s literally the perfect man. “Darlin’” is my new favorite word. I really loved that despite everything Grant went through, he didn’t let that turn him into a bad person.

Poor Sophia, ugh my heart ached for her. I wanted to jump into the book and give her a hug.

I loved the characters from book one popping in.

Anddd of course the spice & writing was greaaaat.

[Briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start out by saying I want to thank @esportman.author for the amazing opportunity to Arc read Saving Sophia. Book 2 in the Devils of Alliston Springs series. This book was so good I couldn’t put it down. Dare I say I loved it more than Ly to Me! Grant is the best book boyfriend. So protective and loving. E.S Portman did such an amazing job with Grant and Sophia’s story! Saving Sophia is a forced proximity dark country romance with troupes of captor/captive, trauma/healing, reverse age gap,forced proximity and bdsm. Saving Sophia comes out May 26, 2026 on Kindle Unlimited. Ly to Me is book 1 so make sure you read that one before Saving Sophia comes out!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two and does have some crossovers with the characters from book one. Small town southern dark romance.
The way Grant is a “touch her and die” protector to Sophia is amazing. The way this book was put together was absolutely incredible. This book is done by a double point of view and had flashbacks to the past, but it was never confusing.
The story and character building was on point. I giggled out loud, cried and awed the whole time. Cannot wait to read more books!
This book was a BETA and ARC book for me, amazingly done E S Portman!!

[Samantha Chlebo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grant and Sophia's story is incredible!! Once I started it couldn't put it down! The back and forth with them, how he calls her Peach 😍 everything about the two of them is just swoony! E.S. Portman's story telling is amazing, pulls you in and keeps you hooked from the very first chapter to the last page. And the spice??? 😮‍💨🤤🔥 it's the perfect amount of spice to get you into the dark romance genre. This dark cowboy romance is perfect! It can be read as a standalone but definitely recommend reading Ly to Me before to get more into the Devils of Alliston Springs universe.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two in the Devils of Alliston Springs series was delicious as a peach. Grant and Sophia will be your new favorite dark romance couple. I was very happy to be back in Alliston Springs and the world E.S. Portman has created. You will fall more in love with the characters you were briefly introduced to in Ly to Me (but you do not have to have read Ly to Me to enjoy this book). If you like morally grey/black MMCs with touch her and die vibes, some light kidnapping, and revenge this is for you!

*Check trigger warnings*
eARC for honest review

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cow! This was my first E. S. Portman read and I have to say it won't be my last! I can't wait to dive into more of her works. I just love her writing style.

Saving Sophia has moved into my top 10 reads and Grant is my new favorite book boyfriend. I'd have given more than 5 stars if that were possible.

What I'd give to hear an "atta girl" ...

Seriously, do yourself a favor and read this book. You will not be disappointed!

[Chelsea K Rinehart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie and Grant! The trigger warnings should be looked at before you read however this book was phenomenal and I loved it, it is a dark country romance.

There is a strong back story to each of the main characters and they are sad but unique. Grants obesssion and the way it forms was interesting and it made the spice that much more exciting to read too!

I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in dark country romance!

[Becci Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book! 😀 check you trigger warnings before reading this delicious 🍑 book!
Matching traumas & kinks make it 🔥💋!

Grant & Sophia deserve each other, their personalities were definitely a match! The storyline was a great read and I couldn't put it down!

I dont want to give away spoilers but I cant wait to read about Hayes and how he breaks his truth to Grant.

Oh and does Farrah get her queen? 🤔👑😉

Thabk you E.s. Portman for letting me read this as an ARC! ❤️

[Mallory Holy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book was definitely a roller-coaster of a read. I was captivated almost the entire time. Around 68% in I felt like things slowed a little bit and I had to push myself a little harder. Turns out that was just the calm before the storm so to speak. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this as an ARC and I cannot wait for what comes next

[AJ Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was put together so well. You get the POV of the FMC, Sophia, and the MMC, Grant. He's definitely the definition of "touch her and die". Life wasn't the best for Sophia, but Grant is the perfect man to show just how great it could be. I'd definitely recommend it!

[Jennifer Lowry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this one!!! Grant is my new favorite book boyfriend!! This was a perfect follow up to Carter and Lyra's story. This was a heavy story in parts but it was an absolutely beautiful story with a HEA!

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review coming soon!

[sierra kiyota · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love ES Portmans writing style so much ! Grant is for sure another book boyfriend that will be added to the list. Since the first time he laid eyes on her he just couldnt seem to get her out of his mind.