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Don't Let Go
Not yet published
Expected 17 Mar 26Lovemaking. Heartbreaking. Soul-shaking.
Is their marriage worth saving?
For twenty years, Jayne Prescott has done everything right—built a career she loves, raised two kids, and kept her marriage to Rhys, one of Baltimore’s top cardiac surgeons, from flatlining under the weight of his ambition.
She’s the glue that holds everyone together, until she overhears Rhys confiding to a female colleague that his wife doesn’t appreciate him and that home feels like hell.
For the first time in their marriage, Jayne doesn’t rush to mend the crack. She lets it widen. And when Rhys admits that’s truly how he’s been feeling, she wonders if there’s anything left to save.
For Rhys, the wake-up call comes hard and fast. Realizing how much he’s taken for granted and how much of himself and his marriage he’s lost, he does the unthinkable by taking a sabbatical from surgery to rebuild the life he nearly destroyed.
Now, with roles reversed and emotions raw, Jayne and Rhys must relearn what partnership truly means. Between school pickups, burnt dinners, and buried resentments, they rediscover a love that never left—it just wandered down the wrong road for a while.
Don’t Let Go is a Modern Vintage Romance, bringing you all the emotions of classic Mills & Boon novels with a modern, steamy touch. It features your favorite in CrisisOverheardMedicalLater In LifeOther Woman DramaBetrayal & GrovelNo CheatingComplete Standalone
Is their marriage worth saving?
For twenty years, Jayne Prescott has done everything right—built a career she loves, raised two kids, and kept her marriage to Rhys, one of Baltimore’s top cardiac surgeons, from flatlining under the weight of his ambition.
She’s the glue that holds everyone together, until she overhears Rhys confiding to a female colleague that his wife doesn’t appreciate him and that home feels like hell.
For the first time in their marriage, Jayne doesn’t rush to mend the crack. She lets it widen. And when Rhys admits that’s truly how he’s been feeling, she wonders if there’s anything left to save.
For Rhys, the wake-up call comes hard and fast. Realizing how much he’s taken for granted and how much of himself and his marriage he’s lost, he does the unthinkable by taking a sabbatical from surgery to rebuild the life he nearly destroyed.
Now, with roles reversed and emotions raw, Jayne and Rhys must relearn what partnership truly means. Between school pickups, burnt dinners, and buried resentments, they rediscover a love that never left—it just wandered down the wrong road for a while.
Don’t Let Go is a Modern Vintage Romance, bringing you all the emotions of classic Mills & Boon novels with a modern, steamy touch. It features your favorite in CrisisOverheardMedicalLater In LifeOther Woman DramaBetrayal & GrovelNo CheatingComplete Standalone
- GenresSecond Chance
238 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 17, 2026
136 people want to read
About the author
Maya Alden
53 books1,106 followersA top 20 Amazon Bestselling Author, Maya Alden pens angsty contemporary romances.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 22, 2025
This is the best marriage in crisis book I’ve read so far. It’s realistic, heartbreaking and beautifully written, I loved how it started and how it kept progressing, how they rebuilt and reconstructed their relationship it was so good to go through it with them.
December 6, 2025
Don’t Let Go is a Modern Vintage Romance, bringing you all the emotions of classic Mills & Boon novels with a modern, steamy touch. It features your favorite tropes:
* Marriage in Crisis- There is give and take in every relationship, and rarely, when analyzed, is it a true 50/50. Now, a 60/40 relationship can usually keep going without much issue. But what if that give and take is more 80/20? or 90/10 and has been going on for years? What if your spouse believes providing is all they need to do? You need to be more understanding. You need to quit your job. You should be grateful. I am a catch! Etc…Well put on your seatbelts, because this marriage in crisis is going to get a little bumpy!
* Overheard-The heroine overhears husband talking to female work colleague…sharing things that were not work related.
* Medical-the H is a highly sought after cardio surgeon. It is an important job. He saves lives on a daily basis. Funny that his job consists of fixing hearts, when he is breaking the heroine’s at the same time!
* Later In Life-Not explicitly stated with an actual number, but characters are early 40’s
* Other Woman Drama-Tory is another female coworker who smells success and ambition and wants in on the action. Not deterred by the fact that the object of her affection is married with 2 kids. These women always get me, because they never want to be with someone and go through the struggle years, nope! They want the already established attractive male, even if he is married with children. Better yet because she wont have to mess her body up and the children won’t be around much.
* Betrayal & Grovel-He betrayed his marriage by
* No Cheating-there is no cheating. Not even emotionally. He shared information with the ow, but this was not an ongoing thing. He kept things pretty professional up to this point and is very in love with his wife. He didn’t even notice that the ow was making some very calculated moves.
* Complete Standalone-It is a complete stand alone. There are no reoccurring characters from other stories here
So, I really found myself relating to many of the feelings expressed by Jayne in this story. Even though my life with my husband does not come close to the one between Rhys and Jayne financially speaking or even family wise, it was very easy to relate to the issues they were having. I am not going to use this platform to go into the specifics of my own relationship, but just saying….I feel Jayne’s exhaustion and defeatist attitude to the situation deeply.
The next part has slight spoilers, so stop now if you do not want anything spoiling your reading . 🛑 SPOILERS POSSIBLE 🛑 SLIGHT SPOILERS HAPPENING NOW 🛑
Rhys is a successful Doctor and his job his high stress. He has a drive to prove himself rooted in his childhood. While he was going to school, Jayne sacrificed her dreams of being a lawyer to support his of becoming a Dr. She has held a job their whole marriage as a paralegal and office manager at a law firm. She is well respected, works hard, and loves what she does. While doing this, she also takes on most if not all of the responsibility of keeping her family running smoothly. Notice I said family, because it isn’t just about taking care of the kids, she also takes care of her husband. He basically doesn’t have to think about anything except his job. He comes home when he wants to he leaves when he needs to …no thought to how the kids are getting to school, what activities they are in, no dinner planning, no laundry cleaning etc…. When he is asked to step up, or pay attention etc…he strikes out as his wife. He gets defensive and “runs” away to the shower or the office. Now on a certain level this reaction is due to guilt. He knows that he is leaving much of their life up to Jayne, yet he feels he can’t or won’t change his way of life. Basically, indicating what he does is more important and Jayne should just quit her job. Worse than that, he even dictates her personal time. She finally decides she is going to do a girl’s night, but it falls on yet another hospital shindig where she gets to be decorative and ignored while he flits around being the big man! He basically threatens her with taking a coworker instead if she doesn’t go(he regrets that, but he knows Tory the ow, is a jealousy bait for his wife, later in the story he gets a taste of jealousy himself).
So she cancels on her friends(again) and goes. This time he does try and stick close to his wife.
So we see the ins and outs, and the ups and downs. Rhys puts in an attempt to do better, but ends up failing his wife and children again. She goes to see him at work to drop off his lucky cap, and that’s when she overhears him telling the ow stuff, that he shouldn’t. She leaves quietly but goes home to lie in wait like a leopard waiting to strike. Now, I want to be clear, Rhys is not having an emotional affair. He knows he went over the line sharing things with Tory, but it is not like they have had ongoing discussions. We see his thoughts clearly, and never once has it been indicated that he is interested in Tory at all. This was a one off as far as sharing his life with Tory. What the stupid hunk of a Dr. doesn’t see, is how Tory has ingratiated herself and was prompting him to share, so she could stroke his ego…and men love their ego stroked 😂….
Anyhoo, he gets home to an angry wife. He knows what he said. He knows what she heard. From here on out, changes need to be made if this marriage is to survive. It looks like Jayne is ready to make the ultimate sacrifice, but thanks to some friend intervention, Rhys realizes that it should not be her to make anymore sacrifices to save their marriage and destroy who she is. So Rhys makes a decision. I am not going to say he sacrifices anything, because I think, and Rhys would agree…the change he made probably benefited him more than anyone else!
The new and improved Rhys was wonderful to see. The family working together, the memories they made. The two children in the story were well written. They enhanced the story, not detracted from it. We also had Paul and Claire, two very good friends of the couple. Claire was instrumental in getting Rhys to truly look at himself and what he was doing. Jayne’s bff didn’t have a huge role, but the few scenes she had were some great comic relief. She was most decidedly anti Rhys in the beginning, but by the end of the book she was regaling him with stories about her dates like he was just another gal pal 😂 We also get to see in the bonus epilogue, that Jayne finally fulfills a lifelong dream, and she has the support of her husband and children. They are her biggest cheerleaders.
I really feel this story does a great job exploring the dynamics in a marriage that most of us have been up against. I love Maya’s overheards and marriage in peril stories, so having them both in one story was a double positive for me! Oh, and let’s not forget the smexy times. One of the sexiest moments took place in the car after the H gets a little bit jealous of Jayne’s younger boss! Also, satisfying is when Jayne gets to put the ow wannabe in her place, with her husband by her side cheering her on!
All around a very satisfying story!!! I read this arc so fast because I wanted to get to the next chapter, I will most likely reread it before it releases in March 😂
* Marriage in Crisis- There is give and take in every relationship, and rarely, when analyzed, is it a true 50/50. Now, a 60/40 relationship can usually keep going without much issue. But what if that give and take is more 80/20? or 90/10 and has been going on for years? What if your spouse believes providing is all they need to do? You need to be more understanding. You need to quit your job. You should be grateful. I am a catch! Etc…Well put on your seatbelts, because this marriage in crisis is going to get a little bumpy!
* Overheard-The heroine overhears husband talking to female work colleague…sharing things that were not work related.
* Medical-the H is a highly sought after cardio surgeon. It is an important job. He saves lives on a daily basis. Funny that his job consists of fixing hearts, when he is breaking the heroine’s at the same time!
* Later In Life-Not explicitly stated with an actual number, but characters are early 40’s
* Other Woman Drama-Tory is another female coworker who smells success and ambition and wants in on the action. Not deterred by the fact that the object of her affection is married with 2 kids. These women always get me, because they never want to be with someone and go through the struggle years, nope! They want the already established attractive male, even if he is married with children. Better yet because she wont have to mess her body up and the children won’t be around much.
* Betrayal & Grovel-He betrayed his marriage by
* No Cheating-there is no cheating. Not even emotionally. He shared information with the ow, but this was not an ongoing thing. He kept things pretty professional up to this point and is very in love with his wife. He didn’t even notice that the ow was making some very calculated moves.
* Complete Standalone-It is a complete stand alone. There are no reoccurring characters from other stories here
So, I really found myself relating to many of the feelings expressed by Jayne in this story. Even though my life with my husband does not come close to the one between Rhys and Jayne financially speaking or even family wise, it was very easy to relate to the issues they were having. I am not going to use this platform to go into the specifics of my own relationship, but just saying….I feel Jayne’s exhaustion and defeatist attitude to the situation deeply.
The next part has slight spoilers, so stop now if you do not want anything spoiling your reading . 🛑 SPOILERS POSSIBLE 🛑 SLIGHT SPOILERS HAPPENING NOW 🛑
Rhys is a successful Doctor and his job his high stress. He has a drive to prove himself rooted in his childhood. While he was going to school, Jayne sacrificed her dreams of being a lawyer to support his of becoming a Dr. She has held a job their whole marriage as a paralegal and office manager at a law firm. She is well respected, works hard, and loves what she does. While doing this, she also takes on most if not all of the responsibility of keeping her family running smoothly. Notice I said family, because it isn’t just about taking care of the kids, she also takes care of her husband. He basically doesn’t have to think about anything except his job. He comes home when he wants to he leaves when he needs to …no thought to how the kids are getting to school, what activities they are in, no dinner planning, no laundry cleaning etc…. When he is asked to step up, or pay attention etc…he strikes out as his wife. He gets defensive and “runs” away to the shower or the office. Now on a certain level this reaction is due to guilt. He knows that he is leaving much of their life up to Jayne, yet he feels he can’t or won’t change his way of life. Basically, indicating what he does is more important and Jayne should just quit her job. Worse than that, he even dictates her personal time. She finally decides she is going to do a girl’s night, but it falls on yet another hospital shindig where she gets to be decorative and ignored while he flits around being the big man! He basically threatens her with taking a coworker instead if she doesn’t go(he regrets that, but he knows Tory the ow, is a jealousy bait for his wife, later in the story he gets a taste of jealousy himself).
So she cancels on her friends(again) and goes. This time he does try and stick close to his wife.
So we see the ins and outs, and the ups and downs. Rhys puts in an attempt to do better, but ends up failing his wife and children again. She goes to see him at work to drop off his lucky cap, and that’s when she overhears him telling the ow stuff, that he shouldn’t. She leaves quietly but goes home to lie in wait like a leopard waiting to strike. Now, I want to be clear, Rhys is not having an emotional affair. He knows he went over the line sharing things with Tory, but it is not like they have had ongoing discussions. We see his thoughts clearly, and never once has it been indicated that he is interested in Tory at all. This was a one off as far as sharing his life with Tory. What the stupid hunk of a Dr. doesn’t see, is how Tory has ingratiated herself and was prompting him to share, so she could stroke his ego…and men love their ego stroked 😂….
Anyhoo, he gets home to an angry wife. He knows what he said. He knows what she heard. From here on out, changes need to be made if this marriage is to survive. It looks like Jayne is ready to make the ultimate sacrifice, but thanks to some friend intervention, Rhys realizes that it should not be her to make anymore sacrifices to save their marriage and destroy who she is. So Rhys makes a decision. I am not going to say he sacrifices anything, because I think, and Rhys would agree…the change he made probably benefited him more than anyone else!
The new and improved Rhys was wonderful to see. The family working together, the memories they made. The two children in the story were well written. They enhanced the story, not detracted from it. We also had Paul and Claire, two very good friends of the couple. Claire was instrumental in getting Rhys to truly look at himself and what he was doing. Jayne’s bff didn’t have a huge role, but the few scenes she had were some great comic relief. She was most decidedly anti Rhys in the beginning, but by the end of the book she was regaling him with stories about her dates like he was just another gal pal 😂 We also get to see in the bonus epilogue, that Jayne finally fulfills a lifelong dream, and she has the support of her husband and children. They are her biggest cheerleaders.
I really feel this story does a great job exploring the dynamics in a marriage that most of us have been up against. I love Maya’s overheards and marriage in peril stories, so having them both in one story was a double positive for me! Oh, and let’s not forget the smexy times. One of the sexiest moments took place in the car after the H gets a little bit jealous of Jayne’s younger boss! Also, satisfying is when Jayne gets to put the ow wannabe in her place, with her husband by her side cheering her on!
All around a very satisfying story!!! I read this arc so fast because I wanted to get to the next chapter, I will most likely reread it before it releases in March 😂
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating System (as of 8/14/2025):
⭐: It was a struggle to read. I almost DNF
⭐⭐: This could have been so much better.
⭐⭐⭐: Good/Average
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Great book. I will probably reread it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: I absolutely loved this book.
***********************************************************************
Triggers:
🚩Marriage in Trouble
🚩Medical Procedure Discussion
Tropes:
💕Marriage in Trouble
💕Overheard
💕Medical
💕Later in Life
💕OW Drama
💕Betrayal & Grovel
💕No Cheating
💕Complete Standalone
Spice Level:
🔥🔥🔥
Spice Level Rating System (as of 9/4/25)
🔥: Clean. Handholding. Kissing.
🔥🔥: Non-Descriptive/Implied on Page Sex
🔥🔥🔥: Hot-Descriptive on Page Sex
🔥🔥🔥🔥: So Hot—Do Not Read in Public
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥: Oh My-BDSM. Blood Play. Smut.
************************************************************************
Quote:
"Lives," he spoke over me. "Yeah, I know, Mom. You're also doing important work. Just because he's a surgeon doesn't make your work any less."
Summary:
MFC and FMC have been married for twenty years. MFC is a leading surgeon. FMC is a paralegal who also takes care of the home. The MFC has become so caught up in his identity as a surgeon he is not present at home. In his mind, the issue is that the FMC has decided to go back to work.
There comes a moment when the FMC overhears the MFC discussing his unhappiness with the OW (no cheating). This causes a shift in their marriage. The MFC is forced to recognize his part in his marriage being in trouble. As a result, he chooses to take a six-month sabbatical. The rest of the book is about the healing that takes place during this sabbatical: healing of the MFC, healing in their marriage and in his relationships with his children.
Review:
I am a Maya Alden fan. This may mean to some that I can't be impartial. Yes, there have been books I loved and books I liked. This book I loved. This is a book about a marriage in trouble.
You get frustrated with the MFC and FMC as well. You root for them when they begin to communicate. You will understand the FMC and how she has continually sacrificed her wishes and dreams. You witness the key moment when the MFC recognizes all the sacrifices. You will also understand how the FMC is skeptical.
You will grow to love the children and how they too are healed during the MFCs sabbatical. You will cheer for the side characters who help the MFC and FMC to change and work on their marriage.
The book is well written and will keep you in your feels.
I RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS AN ARC HOWEVER MY REVIEW IS BASED ON MY OPINION OF THE BOOK ITSELF AND NOT INFLUENCED BY THE AUTHOR, ETC
*****************************************************************************
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https://www.instagram.com/bibliodarling/
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TIKTOK📢
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JOIN MY VIRTUAL BOOKCLUB: BOUNDLESS WOMEN BOUNDLESS BOOKS (GOODREADS GROUP)
Rating System (as of 8/14/2025):
⭐: It was a struggle to read. I almost DNF
⭐⭐: This could have been so much better.
⭐⭐⭐: Good/Average
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Great book. I will probably reread it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: I absolutely loved this book.
***********************************************************************
Triggers:
🚩Marriage in Trouble
🚩Medical Procedure Discussion
Tropes:
💕Marriage in Trouble
💕Overheard
💕Medical
💕Later in Life
💕OW Drama
💕Betrayal & Grovel
💕No Cheating
💕Complete Standalone
Spice Level:
🔥🔥🔥
Spice Level Rating System (as of 9/4/25)
🔥: Clean. Handholding. Kissing.
🔥🔥: Non-Descriptive/Implied on Page Sex
🔥🔥🔥: Hot-Descriptive on Page Sex
🔥🔥🔥🔥: So Hot—Do Not Read in Public
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥: Oh My-BDSM. Blood Play. Smut.
************************************************************************
Quote:
"Lives," he spoke over me. "Yeah, I know, Mom. You're also doing important work. Just because he's a surgeon doesn't make your work any less."
Summary:
MFC and FMC have been married for twenty years. MFC is a leading surgeon. FMC is a paralegal who also takes care of the home. The MFC has become so caught up in his identity as a surgeon he is not present at home. In his mind, the issue is that the FMC has decided to go back to work.
There comes a moment when the FMC overhears the MFC discussing his unhappiness with the OW (no cheating). This causes a shift in their marriage. The MFC is forced to recognize his part in his marriage being in trouble. As a result, he chooses to take a six-month sabbatical. The rest of the book is about the healing that takes place during this sabbatical: healing of the MFC, healing in their marriage and in his relationships with his children.
Review:
I am a Maya Alden fan. This may mean to some that I can't be impartial. Yes, there have been books I loved and books I liked. This book I loved. This is a book about a marriage in trouble.
You get frustrated with the MFC and FMC as well. You root for them when they begin to communicate. You will understand the FMC and how she has continually sacrificed her wishes and dreams. You witness the key moment when the MFC recognizes all the sacrifices. You will also understand how the FMC is skeptical.
You will grow to love the children and how they too are healed during the MFCs sabbatical. You will cheer for the side characters who help the MFC and FMC to change and work on their marriage.
The book is well written and will keep you in your feels.
I RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS AN ARC HOWEVER MY REVIEW IS BASED ON MY OPINION OF THE BOOK ITSELF AND NOT INFLUENCED BY THE AUTHOR, ETC
*****************************************************************************
FOLLOW ME ON:
INSTAGRAM📢
https://www.instagram.com/bibliodarling/
SUBSTACK📢 https://open.substack.com/pub/mterron...
TIKTOK📢
https://www.tiktok.com/@bibliodarling...
JOIN MY VIRTUAL BOOKCLUB: BOUNDLESS WOMEN BOUNDLESS BOOKS (GOODREADS GROUP)
Review of advance copy received from Author
I don’t even know where to start with this one, it truly had me in a chokehold.
💔Marriage In Trouble💔
The Premise:
Rhys is a cardiac surgeon and Jayne is a paralegal. They’ve been together for 24 years and married for 20, but somewhere along the line, they simply stopped communicating. Jayne became a pushover, letting Rhys’s actions (and inactions) simmer until deep resentment began to surface.
Jayne sacrificed her own dream of becoming a lawyer so Rhys could thrive in his medical career. While she was happy to be his support system, she didn’t sign up to do everything alone for two decades. Now, she’s burnt out. Between her job, the kids, and the house, she’s left wondering: who is taking care of me?
The Turning Point:
Everything hits the fan when Jayne overhears Rhys complaining about her to Tory, a female colleague Jayne was already suspicious of. The words he used were so cutting they had me tearing up. To say Jayne was "hurt" is a massive understatement.
The Conflict:
I have to be honest: I actually started to feel bad for Rhys. He genuinely attempted to change, but being a doctor means long, unpredictable hours. After 20 years of doing nothing, he tried to step up, but it wasn't a smooth transition (like leaving his son in the cold for 30 minutes because he forgot a pickup).
However, it felt like Jayne didn’t appreciate the effort. At times, her internal monologue made it seem like she wanted him to fail just so she could say, "I told you so." While I know the burden had been on her shoulders for years, I felt that any progress, even with "bumps and bruises" along the way, should have been acknowledged. When she finally voiced her needs and he tried to meet them, she almost spit in his face because it still wasn't "enough" or exactly what she wanted.
The Resolution:
I loved how realistic the marital problems felt. Even the scene where their son speaks up for his mom was powerful; it forced Rhys to realize that the dysfunction wasn't all Jayne's fault.
We see immense growth from Rhys. He transforms from an egotistical, pompous jerk into a loving, doting, and present husband/father. However, I didn't feel that same growth from Jayne, except in her career. The balance felt off to me: as Rhys stepped back from work, Jayne stepped forward into a more demanding role. I found myself asking, why can’t they both thrive? Even in the bonus chapter, Jayne is excelling while Rhys just seems to be... there.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Even if I didn't agree with how every plot point panned out, anything by Maya Alden is a must-read for me. She remains one of my all-time favorite authors! ♥️
* I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own ♥️
💔Marriage In Trouble💔
The Premise:
Rhys is a cardiac surgeon and Jayne is a paralegal. They’ve been together for 24 years and married for 20, but somewhere along the line, they simply stopped communicating. Jayne became a pushover, letting Rhys’s actions (and inactions) simmer until deep resentment began to surface.
Jayne sacrificed her own dream of becoming a lawyer so Rhys could thrive in his medical career. While she was happy to be his support system, she didn’t sign up to do everything alone for two decades. Now, she’s burnt out. Between her job, the kids, and the house, she’s left wondering: who is taking care of me?
The Turning Point:
Everything hits the fan when Jayne overhears Rhys complaining about her to Tory, a female colleague Jayne was already suspicious of. The words he used were so cutting they had me tearing up. To say Jayne was "hurt" is a massive understatement.
The Conflict:
I have to be honest: I actually started to feel bad for Rhys. He genuinely attempted to change, but being a doctor means long, unpredictable hours. After 20 years of doing nothing, he tried to step up, but it wasn't a smooth transition (like leaving his son in the cold for 30 minutes because he forgot a pickup).
However, it felt like Jayne didn’t appreciate the effort. At times, her internal monologue made it seem like she wanted him to fail just so she could say, "I told you so." While I know the burden had been on her shoulders for years, I felt that any progress, even with "bumps and bruises" along the way, should have been acknowledged. When she finally voiced her needs and he tried to meet them, she almost spit in his face because it still wasn't "enough" or exactly what she wanted.
The Resolution:
I loved how realistic the marital problems felt. Even the scene where their son speaks up for his mom was powerful; it forced Rhys to realize that the dysfunction wasn't all Jayne's fault.
We see immense growth from Rhys. He transforms from an egotistical, pompous jerk into a loving, doting, and present husband/father. However, I didn't feel that same growth from Jayne, except in her career. The balance felt off to me: as Rhys stepped back from work, Jayne stepped forward into a more demanding role. I found myself asking, why can’t they both thrive? Even in the bonus chapter, Jayne is excelling while Rhys just seems to be... there.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Even if I didn't agree with how every plot point panned out, anything by Maya Alden is a must-read for me. She remains one of my all-time favorite authors! ♥️
* I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own ♥️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rhys and Jayne are definitely a marriage in trouble.
Rhys is completely self absorbed in his work as a cardio surgeon and all the responsibilities that come with that. Rhys has got to the stage where he has lost focus on his wife and children, choosing to give 110% to his work and role within the hospital where he is employed. For Rhys it is easier to be at work than help to carry the load at home, after all isn't this the domain of Jayne.
This is encouraged by the OW Tory, who has stars in her eyes for Rhys, a woman that Jayne has previously raised concerns about, who actively places herself in the position for Rhys to verbally dump too on what he sees as issues with Jayne and their marriage.
Jayne, who gave up her dreams and furthering her education to support Rhys through his training and residency has made a career for herself where she initially started as an para-legal, has had enough of effectively being a single working parent. Jayne is tired of Rhys running off to the hospital every time the conversations get hard. A last straw for Jayne is effectively being made to attend a hospital function when Rhys threatens to take Tory if she does not change her plans to attend with him.
Jayne, after another bumpy conversation with Rhys, decides to call into the hospital to see Rhys, where she overhears the dumping conversation Rhys is having with Tory. Jayne decides to not confront Rhys, but leaves and later that evening has it out with him, letting him know she overheard everything.
This is a turning point for Rhys, he realises just what he has to lose, knowing he is jealous of the platonic friendship Jayne has with her boss, and receives a good dose of perspective from one of his colleagues and that colleagues wife.
Rhys decides to make changes to avoid losing his marriage and family, where he takes a six month sabbatical, instead becoming a stay at home dad doing all that he had left to Jayne for many years.
The remainder of the novel follows the journey of Rhys making amends, a real dig deep grovel to get not only his wife back but the trust of his children. We see him finally acknowledge the substance of the role Jayne has in the law firm where she works, and the respect in which she is held when she is offered a significantly larger role.
There is of course a HEA for Rhys and Jayne, which in my view is quite realistic with the work Rhys did to repair the damage he had caused and the rebuilding of trust within his family.
I certainly have no hesitation in recommending this novel to readers.
Rhys is completely self absorbed in his work as a cardio surgeon and all the responsibilities that come with that. Rhys has got to the stage where he has lost focus on his wife and children, choosing to give 110% to his work and role within the hospital where he is employed. For Rhys it is easier to be at work than help to carry the load at home, after all isn't this the domain of Jayne.
This is encouraged by the OW Tory, who has stars in her eyes for Rhys, a woman that Jayne has previously raised concerns about, who actively places herself in the position for Rhys to verbally dump too on what he sees as issues with Jayne and their marriage.
Jayne, who gave up her dreams and furthering her education to support Rhys through his training and residency has made a career for herself where she initially started as an para-legal, has had enough of effectively being a single working parent. Jayne is tired of Rhys running off to the hospital every time the conversations get hard. A last straw for Jayne is effectively being made to attend a hospital function when Rhys threatens to take Tory if she does not change her plans to attend with him.
Jayne, after another bumpy conversation with Rhys, decides to call into the hospital to see Rhys, where she overhears the dumping conversation Rhys is having with Tory. Jayne decides to not confront Rhys, but leaves and later that evening has it out with him, letting him know she overheard everything.
This is a turning point for Rhys, he realises just what he has to lose, knowing he is jealous of the platonic friendship Jayne has with her boss, and receives a good dose of perspective from one of his colleagues and that colleagues wife.
Rhys decides to make changes to avoid losing his marriage and family, where he takes a six month sabbatical, instead becoming a stay at home dad doing all that he had left to Jayne for many years.
The remainder of the novel follows the journey of Rhys making amends, a real dig deep grovel to get not only his wife back but the trust of his children. We see him finally acknowledge the substance of the role Jayne has in the law firm where she works, and the respect in which she is held when she is offered a significantly larger role.
There is of course a HEA for Rhys and Jayne, which in my view is quite realistic with the work Rhys did to repair the damage he had caused and the rebuilding of trust within his family.
I certainly have no hesitation in recommending this novel to readers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Marriage in Trouble is one of my favorite tropes and throw in that it is a medical story, and I'm extremely happy to have read this book. Jayne & Rhys have a twenty-year relationship, with two kids. He is a successful surgeon, and she is a successful COO at a law firm as well as keeping the house and kids schedules running smoothly.
💔Marriage in Crisis - struggles over what Rhys feels is traditional family roles. He feels he provides for his family and that, to an extent, should be enough. He wishes Jayne would just stay home because he makes enough money that she doesn't have to work, totally missing the point that she enjoys her job.
🤫Overheard - he confides in a co-worker, Tory, as a one-time thing and instantly regrets it. Unfortunately, Jayne overhears the exchange. He puts Tory in her place later on because he realizes it was inappropriate to make a personal comment to a professional colleague.
⚕️Medical - Rhys is a very successful and sought after surgeon. He really cares about his patients and definitely takes a personal interest in their care and well-being, so much so that his wife and kids get less of his time than his patients do.
👨🏼👩🏼👧🏼👦🏼Later in Life - established family and home/school/life routines. Jayne has asked him numerous times to help with specific tasks related to the kids, but he forgets entirely or has to bail on her over and over again.
😈Other Woman Drama - Tory the co-worker. Still pushing after Rhys told her to back off. He never had any romantic thoughts about her what-so-ever. She just happened to be there when he was extremely frustrated, and he vented to her one time. She corners him at a gala and pushes her agenda again, but Rhys gives her a verbal smackdown as does Jayne when she comes up to them during the conversation.
💔Betrayal & Grovel - they both work together to identify and resolve their marriage issues. It is a non-linear journey, with some bumps along the way, but they struggle through because their love is still alive, it just dimmed a bit during the years.
💕No Cheating - None, nada.
One of my favorite books.
💔Marriage in Crisis - struggles over what Rhys feels is traditional family roles. He feels he provides for his family and that, to an extent, should be enough. He wishes Jayne would just stay home because he makes enough money that she doesn't have to work, totally missing the point that she enjoys her job.
🤫Overheard - he confides in a co-worker, Tory, as a one-time thing and instantly regrets it. Unfortunately, Jayne overhears the exchange. He puts Tory in her place later on because he realizes it was inappropriate to make a personal comment to a professional colleague.
⚕️Medical - Rhys is a very successful and sought after surgeon. He really cares about his patients and definitely takes a personal interest in their care and well-being, so much so that his wife and kids get less of his time than his patients do.
👨🏼👩🏼👧🏼👦🏼Later in Life - established family and home/school/life routines. Jayne has asked him numerous times to help with specific tasks related to the kids, but he forgets entirely or has to bail on her over and over again.
😈Other Woman Drama - Tory the co-worker. Still pushing after Rhys told her to back off. He never had any romantic thoughts about her what-so-ever. She just happened to be there when he was extremely frustrated, and he vented to her one time. She corners him at a gala and pushes her agenda again, but Rhys gives her a verbal smackdown as does Jayne when she comes up to them during the conversation.
💔Betrayal & Grovel - they both work together to identify and resolve their marriage issues. It is a non-linear journey, with some bumps along the way, but they struggle through because their love is still alive, it just dimmed a bit during the years.
💕No Cheating - None, nada.
One of my favorite books.
Review of advance copy received from Author
One of the best, if not the best marriage in crisis books I have ever read. Why I hear you asking well let me tell you it is because - You know this couple, if they are not you and I hope they aren't they are in your friends group. The couple that appears on the outside to have the perfect life but on the inside one person is keeping that life together by a skin of their teeth.
Rhys is world class Cardic surgeon and Jayne is an office manager at a law firm. Jayne gave up her dream of becoming a lawyer so Rhys could have his dream of being a surgeon. Somewhere along the way being a surgeon has become Rhys's default and he has sidelined being a husband and a father.
Jayne at breaking point with managing her job, the house and her kids asks Rhys to step up. He does try but when it is all said and done his job is really important right and it always comes first.
When Jayne hears Rhys talking to a female college about their marriage she is done and she confronts him. Realising that he has asked and expected that Jayne to make all of the sacrifices for their marriage and their kids and that it is not fair. It cuts him to the core when he realise his kids don't trust him either to be there for him. He does the one thing that no one ever saw coming he decides to take six months off to rebuild their trust and to be there for them. Even more important than that he acknowledges Jaynes sacrifices and allows her the space to finally acheive her dream. His love for Jayne and his kids shines through and it is a delight to read.
I loved this book so much I have already reread it and I plan in reading it again.
Rhys is world class Cardic surgeon and Jayne is an office manager at a law firm. Jayne gave up her dream of becoming a lawyer so Rhys could have his dream of being a surgeon. Somewhere along the way being a surgeon has become Rhys's default and he has sidelined being a husband and a father.
Jayne at breaking point with managing her job, the house and her kids asks Rhys to step up. He does try but when it is all said and done his job is really important right and it always comes first.
When Jayne hears Rhys talking to a female college about their marriage she is done and she confronts him. Realising that he has asked and expected that Jayne to make all of the sacrifices for their marriage and their kids and that it is not fair. It cuts him to the core when he realise his kids don't trust him either to be there for him. He does the one thing that no one ever saw coming he decides to take six months off to rebuild their trust and to be there for them. Even more important than that he acknowledges Jaynes sacrifices and allows her the space to finally acheive her dream. His love for Jayne and his kids shines through and it is a delight to read.
I loved this book so much I have already reread it and I plan in reading it again.
Review of advance copy received from Author
: Marriage in trouble
: OW drama
: Overheard
: Medical drama
: Later in life
: Betrayal and Grovel
: No Cheating
: Full standalone
For 20 years, Jane Prescott is the glue that has held her family together. She built a career that she really loves, she has raised two children and helped build her husband, Rhy’s career. He is one of Baltimore’s top cardiac surgeons. She has been the one that has been holding the family together.
When Rhys forgets to pick up his son, Jane starts to feel that Rhys does not appreciate all that she does and he is not really pulling his weight. The marriage starts to strain and one day
she overhears Rhys telling, Tory, a female colleague that his wife does not appreciate him and that home feels like hell.
Feeling disappointed that he has confided in another woman Jane asks him if that is really what he is feeling. When he admits he is feeling like that Jane cannot help feeling if her marriage is secure anymore and she begins to feel and think there is nothing left to save. Rhy’s realizes that something is not right with Jane and has a wakeup call that his marriage is in trouble.
He really loves Jane and does not want to lose her or his family so he takes a 6 months sabbatical from his career.
Taking the 6 months to rebuild their marriage is the best thing. Both learn truths about themselves and rediscover the love that never went away it just went a little sideways.
: OW drama
: Overheard
: Medical drama
: Later in life
: Betrayal and Grovel
: No Cheating
: Full standalone
For 20 years, Jane Prescott is the glue that has held her family together. She built a career that she really loves, she has raised two children and helped build her husband, Rhy’s career. He is one of Baltimore’s top cardiac surgeons. She has been the one that has been holding the family together.
When Rhys forgets to pick up his son, Jane starts to feel that Rhys does not appreciate all that she does and he is not really pulling his weight. The marriage starts to strain and one day
she overhears Rhys telling, Tory, a female colleague that his wife does not appreciate him and that home feels like hell.
Feeling disappointed that he has confided in another woman Jane asks him if that is really what he is feeling. When he admits he is feeling like that Jane cannot help feeling if her marriage is secure anymore and she begins to feel and think there is nothing left to save. Rhy’s realizes that something is not right with Jane and has a wakeup call that his marriage is in trouble.
He really loves Jane and does not want to lose her or his family so he takes a 6 months sabbatical from his career.
Taking the 6 months to rebuild their marriage is the best thing. Both learn truths about themselves and rediscover the love that never went away it just went a little sideways.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I should start off by saying that I devoured this book in one setting. I couldn’t stop reading!
Rhys has a God complex, understandable as he is a top cardiac surgeon used to holding life in his hands.
Jayne is his wife and the backbone of the family and her job. She is the one that financially supported Rhys through med school by providing a roof over his head, food on the table, and later, a family for him to love.
Both have demanding jobs and a young family so why is it that all responsibilities for the family fall on Jayne? Should Rhys get a free pass on all family related matters because he happens to save lives in his day job?
Jayne and Rhys love each other but may have taken each other for granted with the grind and demands of life, children and two demanding jobs throw them into a bit of a tug of war.
It was a bumpy road for a bit but so very beautiful to watch these two value each other and make appropriate adjustments for their family.
Favorite Quotes:
Jayne used to look at me like I hung the moon. Now she looks at me like I’m blocking the sun.
The key is to remember is that when you fight with your partner, it’s not a competition.
You’re not supposed to win. You’re supposed to connect. Not everything is about being right.
Rhys has a God complex, understandable as he is a top cardiac surgeon used to holding life in his hands.
Jayne is his wife and the backbone of the family and her job. She is the one that financially supported Rhys through med school by providing a roof over his head, food on the table, and later, a family for him to love.
Both have demanding jobs and a young family so why is it that all responsibilities for the family fall on Jayne? Should Rhys get a free pass on all family related matters because he happens to save lives in his day job?
Jayne and Rhys love each other but may have taken each other for granted with the grind and demands of life, children and two demanding jobs throw them into a bit of a tug of war.
It was a bumpy road for a bit but so very beautiful to watch these two value each other and make appropriate adjustments for their family.
Favorite Quotes:
Jayne used to look at me like I hung the moon. Now she looks at me like I’m blocking the sun.
The key is to remember is that when you fight with your partner, it’s not a competition.
You’re not supposed to win. You’re supposed to connect. Not everything is about being right.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jayne and Rhys are facing the implosion of their marriage. He’s a workaholic cardiac surgeon with a God complex and she’s an office manager at a law firm while also raising their two children and keeping everything running smoothly at home.
Frustration, resentment, anger, and fear have become commonplace in their home and in their relationship. Rhys loves is wife, but never fully appreciated everything she did to keep their family’s life running smoothly. Words of wisdom from a close friend help him see a clear path forward that will repair his relationships with his wife and children, and help him to rediscover himself too.
Don’t Let Go is full of heart that has you pulling for Jayne and Rhys from the beginning. Their journey to rediscovering what truly matters in life was filled with emotion, honesty, and humor. The story was low on angst, though there is some OWD, and I’m glad that the focus was on the familial relationships that needed healing. There’s an honesty in this story that I believe makes it very relatable to anyone who’s experienced what’s it’s like to go through life at a certain rhythm, not realizing all that your missing and taking for granted along the way.
Don’t Let Go is another beautifully written story by Maya and I highly recommend it!
Frustration, resentment, anger, and fear have become commonplace in their home and in their relationship. Rhys loves is wife, but never fully appreciated everything she did to keep their family’s life running smoothly. Words of wisdom from a close friend help him see a clear path forward that will repair his relationships with his wife and children, and help him to rediscover himself too.
Don’t Let Go is full of heart that has you pulling for Jayne and Rhys from the beginning. Their journey to rediscovering what truly matters in life was filled with emotion, honesty, and humor. The story was low on angst, though there is some OWD, and I’m glad that the focus was on the familial relationships that needed healing. There’s an honesty in this story that I believe makes it very relatable to anyone who’s experienced what’s it’s like to go through life at a certain rhythm, not realizing all that your missing and taking for granted along the way.
Don’t Let Go is another beautifully written story by Maya and I highly recommend it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I think Maya Alden really does marriage in trouble so well, I really truly do.
Jayne and Rhys have reached the point in their relationship where all the cracks are truly visible and there's no ignoring it anymore. It feels so realistic, the way the resentment builds and the taking your partner for granted just becomes natural, and unlike other marriage in trouble I've read where the man is the villain, we see a couple who have forgotten how to communicate and instead of working through problems push them off for another day.
They both say some truly hurtful things to each other, and Jayne hearing Rhys venting to a woman who is clearly interested in more than friendship with him is that tipping point. So what happens? They talk. They self-reflect. They learn to set boundaries and Rhys finally gives up something so that his wife doesn't feel like she has to shrink herself to make their lives work. The resolution is believable and realistic and healthy. You actually believe these characters will make it.
Jayne and Rhys have reached the point in their relationship where all the cracks are truly visible and there's no ignoring it anymore. It feels so realistic, the way the resentment builds and the taking your partner for granted just becomes natural, and unlike other marriage in trouble I've read where the man is the villain, we see a couple who have forgotten how to communicate and instead of working through problems push them off for another day.
They both say some truly hurtful things to each other, and Jayne hearing Rhys venting to a woman who is clearly interested in more than friendship with him is that tipping point. So what happens? They talk. They self-reflect. They learn to set boundaries and Rhys finally gives up something so that his wife doesn't feel like she has to shrink herself to make their lives work. The resolution is believable and realistic and healthy. You actually believe these characters will make it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Raw, emotional, and unforgettable
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5/5)
Don’t Let Go is a powerful, gut-wrenching marriage-in-crisis romance that hits all the emotional beats. Jayne and Rhys’s story isn’t about infidelity—it’s about neglect, resentment, and rediscovery. It’s about what happens when a marriage starts to unravel under the weight of ambition, exhaustion, and silence. Jayne is the kind of heroine you feel for deeply—tired of being the glue that holds everyone else together, and finally stepping back to let things fall where they may. Rhys, a brilliant but emotionally distant cardiac surgeon, is finally forced to reckon with everything he took for granted—and I loved watching him do the hard work of rebuilding what he nearly lost. This isn’t a flashy love story. It’s real. Quiet. Messy. Hopeful. And deeply intimate. From overheard pain to school pickups and burnt dinners, Maya Alden captures the ache of long-term love—and the healing that comes from choosing each other again.
One of the most emotionally honest romances I’ve read. Highly recommend. 💔💍❤️🩹
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5/5)
Don’t Let Go is a powerful, gut-wrenching marriage-in-crisis romance that hits all the emotional beats. Jayne and Rhys’s story isn’t about infidelity—it’s about neglect, resentment, and rediscovery. It’s about what happens when a marriage starts to unravel under the weight of ambition, exhaustion, and silence. Jayne is the kind of heroine you feel for deeply—tired of being the glue that holds everyone else together, and finally stepping back to let things fall where they may. Rhys, a brilliant but emotionally distant cardiac surgeon, is finally forced to reckon with everything he took for granted—and I loved watching him do the hard work of rebuilding what he nearly lost. This isn’t a flashy love story. It’s real. Quiet. Messy. Hopeful. And deeply intimate. From overheard pain to school pickups and burnt dinners, Maya Alden captures the ache of long-term love—and the healing that comes from choosing each other again.
One of the most emotionally honest romances I’ve read. Highly recommend. 💔💍❤️🩹
Review of advance copy received from Author
* Marriage in Crisis
* Overheard
* Other Woman Drama
* Betrayal & Grovel
* Complete Standalone
* FMC Jayne x MMC Rhys
If you have read a kiss from a rose by Maya alden and loved it like i did then this book is right up your alley. A kiss from a rose was my favourite book by Maya but it has been knocked out by Don't let go.
The story is heartbreaking but by the end you truly believe in the grovel and their love.
Most heartbreaking quotes in reference to their daughter:
"Is she learning that a man’s busyness is ambition, but a woman’s is neglect?"
It is quite common for society to put different pressure on parents depending on their genders. A father busy with work, shows their ambition to provide for their children. Their drive to excel whilst potentially missing their children's lives is understood as them being amazing fathers. On the other side mothers doing the same thing are treated as if they are not fit to be a parent and negligent. Maya does a wonderful job on touching on the double standard prevalent in today's society.
* Overheard
* Other Woman Drama
* Betrayal & Grovel
* Complete Standalone
* FMC Jayne x MMC Rhys
If you have read a kiss from a rose by Maya alden and loved it like i did then this book is right up your alley. A kiss from a rose was my favourite book by Maya but it has been knocked out by Don't let go.
The story is heartbreaking but by the end you truly believe in the grovel and their love.
Most heartbreaking quotes in reference to their daughter:
"Is she learning that a man’s busyness is ambition, but a woman’s is neglect?"
It is quite common for society to put different pressure on parents depending on their genders. A father busy with work, shows their ambition to provide for their children. Their drive to excel whilst potentially missing their children's lives is understood as them being amazing fathers. On the other side mothers doing the same thing are treated as if they are not fit to be a parent and negligent. Maya does a wonderful job on touching on the double standard prevalent in today's society.
December 23, 2025
4.75⭐️
Maya never fails to write an engaging and emotionally impactful story. In Don’t Let Go, we are immaturely dropped into the trenches of a marriage-in-trouble. Jayne and Rhys have been married for 17 years; but, life and shifting priorities have put extra strain on a cracking foundation.
This a heartbreaking and beautiful story of finding your forgotten voice and new found purpose in those you love. Identity is multifaceted and its complexity should be supported and strengthened by your life partner: Loving is both a noun and a verb that must be chosen and nurtured time and time again.
Jayne and Rhys’ struggle is not uncommon; and bearing witness to their journey is both visceral and redemptive. I urge you to take a chance on this couple when their story releases on March 17th, you will not be disappointed.
As always, please check content warnings if you find certain subjects triggering.
Maya never fails to write an engaging and emotionally impactful story. In Don’t Let Go, we are immaturely dropped into the trenches of a marriage-in-trouble. Jayne and Rhys have been married for 17 years; but, life and shifting priorities have put extra strain on a cracking foundation.
This a heartbreaking and beautiful story of finding your forgotten voice and new found purpose in those you love. Identity is multifaceted and its complexity should be supported and strengthened by your life partner: Loving is both a noun and a verb that must be chosen and nurtured time and time again.
Jayne and Rhys’ struggle is not uncommon; and bearing witness to their journey is both visceral and redemptive. I urge you to take a chance on this couple when their story releases on March 17th, you will not be disappointed.
As always, please check content warnings if you find certain subjects triggering.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Marriage in trouble is one of my favourite tropes to read and Maya Alden writes them beautifully, this book will be a definite re-read for me. This book is Jayne and Rhys's story. Rhys is a top cardiac surgeon and Jayne is a paralegal/office manager for a legal firm. They have two kids and the cracks are appearing in their marriage. They don't communicate, Jayne shrinks herself to make things easier, Rhys has a god complex and believes his job is more important that Jayne's. There is other woman drama from a female colleague of Rhys's and he discusses things with her that Jayne overhears. This is the tipping point for Jayne. Jayne talks to Rhys and he realizes that if he wants to save his marriage and family changes need to be made. Their road to healing and fixing their marriage is believable, they both put in the effort and work to fix things. If you love marriage in trouble stories you won't be disappointed with this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Maya once again blew a marriage in trouble out of the water. This is right up there with a kiss from a rose. Rhys and Jayne were realistic both busy both working. Rhys had a bit of a god complex in the beginning but he pulled his head out of his *** and took steps to work on his marriage
Minor OW drama from a woman at the hospital who was definitely up to starting something with Rhys but beside ill timed and off the cuff conversation with her about his marriage he did not cross the line. He could have but he decided to work on his marriage instead.
Cheating is a choice it’s not a symptom of a marriage in trouble it’s a choice to cheat instead of working on the marriage or walking away first. Here Rhys made the right choice and it was great to see. Loved their HEA and the kids and friends were all good side characters. Really lovely read that brings reality but also real romance.
Minor OW drama from a woman at the hospital who was definitely up to starting something with Rhys but beside ill timed and off the cuff conversation with her about his marriage he did not cross the line. He could have but he decided to work on his marriage instead.
Cheating is a choice it’s not a symptom of a marriage in trouble it’s a choice to cheat instead of working on the marriage or walking away first. Here Rhys made the right choice and it was great to see. Loved their HEA and the kids and friends were all good side characters. Really lovely read that brings reality but also real romance.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rhys and Jayne, a marriage in trouble. Rhys is a cardio surgeon and although that is definitely a life saving job, he uses it as an excuse to get out of family responsibilities. Rhys doesn't seem to realise this and so doesn't acknowledge the work Jayne puts in, as well as working full time in a busy office where she manages many people and tasks everyday.
Rhys vents to the OW Tory, who he considers a work colleague only, but Tory wants more.
Without spoiling much, Jayne finds out and lets Rhys know how she feels, he decides to try harder at home and soon realises the amount of time Jayne puts in to running the family.
Rhys goes about saving their marriage, he loves her deeply and this book never questions that, if you want to read not only a grovel but a Man that fixes his mistakes and puts his wife first you will love this book!
I would recommend this book 100%
Rhys vents to the OW Tory, who he considers a work colleague only, but Tory wants more.
Without spoiling much, Jayne finds out and lets Rhys know how she feels, he decides to try harder at home and soon realises the amount of time Jayne puts in to running the family.
Rhys goes about saving their marriage, he loves her deeply and this book never questions that, if you want to read not only a grovel but a Man that fixes his mistakes and puts his wife first you will love this book!
I would recommend this book 100%
Review of advance copy received from Author
Heartwarming redemption story with adorable banter between characters and their kids.
What's a surgeon to do when he is at risk of losing his wife and family if he doesn't make a drastic change? well, for one thing he looks within and then takes action. i love the h and H in this story. The betrayal was definitely there but not as bad as I expected, which is nice to see especially since I got to see the H's pov and his inner monlogue and thoughts when the betrayal happened.
this story brings up something many couples sometimes encounter and putting it on paper for us to read in a story brings all the emotions to the surface.There was definitely some angst and definitely some grovel. So if you're looking for a marriage in crisis with slight ow drama and a Hero in the medical field as well as a strong independent heroiine , then this book will work for you. I highly recommend it.
What's a surgeon to do when he is at risk of losing his wife and family if he doesn't make a drastic change? well, for one thing he looks within and then takes action. i love the h and H in this story. The betrayal was definitely there but not as bad as I expected, which is nice to see especially since I got to see the H's pov and his inner monlogue and thoughts when the betrayal happened.
this story brings up something many couples sometimes encounter and putting it on paper for us to read in a story brings all the emotions to the surface.There was definitely some angst and definitely some grovel. So if you're looking for a marriage in crisis with slight ow drama and a Hero in the medical field as well as a strong independent heroiine , then this book will work for you. I highly recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Life happens, it gets busy, schedules get crisscrossed. Feelings get hurt. Marriage is not for faint hearted. Many times marriages fail not because there is lack of love but because stress of routines, schedules, high pressure jobs get in the way. One has to put themselves in shoe of others to understand the value they bring in relationship. That’s what Rhys literally had to do after messing up badly and then he truly understood how much his wife, Jayne is contributing to keep their family intact. She is the very core of the fabric who glues the whole family. But sometimes you are extremely strong until you finally break and she and their marriage are at breaking point. But Rhys opened his eyes in the nick of time and stopped being absentee husband and parent. They have well deserved hea. I really like the story. It flows so well. I enjoyed it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First, I live about 30 minutes out from Baltimore so imagine my surprise when I find out the story is based there. Queue restaurant recommendations and a new way to look at things I see quite often! This story isn't quite like Ms. Alden's normal fare. While similar to "Kiss From a Rose" it is different in that it could be anyone. This marriage in trouble story is everyone's marriage in trouble story. Both parties are in the wrong; both parties need to fix it. I never realized just how many books I read where the heroine completely "wronged". I enjoyed the Don't Let Go and appreciated how Ms. Alden took the mundane after school activities and car pooling and turned them into potential marriage issues and grovel activities. If that's not magic, I don't know what is!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Amazing marriage in crisis book written by Maya!
This is a story about Rhys, surgeon with a God complex, and Jayne, paralegal, hard working mom and wife.
I had never read the book, where I was so conflicted about main characters. I liked both MCs and at the same time I was annoyed with them. Despite that I wanted to smack Rhys on the head more times that I count, I've never doubted his love for Jayne. Jayne was strong character, but more than once I was like "just make up your mind already, please". Interesting thing is that most of us could find similarities with ourselves and those two of Maya's characters and their problems.
I love reading Maya Alden's books, and I highly recommend this book!
This is a story about Rhys, surgeon with a God complex, and Jayne, paralegal, hard working mom and wife.
I had never read the book, where I was so conflicted about main characters. I liked both MCs and at the same time I was annoyed with them. Despite that I wanted to smack Rhys on the head more times that I count, I've never doubted his love for Jayne. Jayne was strong character, but more than once I was like "just make up your mind already, please". Interesting thing is that most of us could find similarities with ourselves and those two of Maya's characters and their problems.
I love reading Maya Alden's books, and I highly recommend this book!
December 24, 2025
I love reading this author’s story. They come with so much feelings that you feel them in every page, in every chapter you read. Rhys and Jayne were a couple that were facing some hard moments in their lives. They lost their way for a moment but then they came to realize that their love was worth fighting for. I love reading their story because it feels so real seeing how this couple fight to be one another partner, one another love. It was just beautiful writing that you feel every single heartbreak every single struggle this two went through that it makes it more beautiful when you get to their happy ending.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely love marriage in trouble books and Maya’s always is bit more special. Her stories have everyday scenes that a reader identifies with well and then spins an absolutely wonderful angsty marriage in trouble story. Rhys and Jayne are that couple in this story. Rhys the “bread winner” whose belief that he is more important because of his job and how everyone should understand his busyness and why things should be catered around him. The story beautiful takes you on Rhys’s journey on rediscovering his priorities and putting his family first. The heartbreak, the angst is so really, it is hard not to be a part of Rhys and Jayne and their family.
It’s a beautiful written story.
It’s a beautiful written story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What an emotional and beautiful story. This author just writes amazing and heartfelt stories that make you feel all the feels. Rhys and Jayne - their story is so believable because things like this happen in a long-term marriage/relationship. What I loved about the story was that both MC's were able to recognize their part in the cracks forming in their marriage and learning how to communicate. Rhys - boy did I want to hate him (I did hate him at first)....but I loved the growth he showed in this story as a husband, father and person. Jayne - honestly I loved her and could relate so much to her - the woman who does it all and keeps on going. This story is full of hope and growth!!
December 22, 2025
Jayne and Rhys are married with two children. Jayne gave up her dreams to support her and her husband so he could become a doctor. He is a surgeon and has an ego and acts like his career is more important than his wife and kids. Jayne is tired of keeping everything together and just wants a partner in life and not have to be everything to everyone. Rhys eventually gets a wake-up call to be a better husband and father and Jayne finally gets the husband and partner she deserves. This was a great marriage in trouble story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
[eARC]I loved the way this book flowed. The insight into things going wrong, just compounding on themselves.
I could feel Jayne's dispair, fighting to keep everything going. I could feel Rhys' guilt and frustration at himself, Jayne and the whole situation.
Maya Alden has managed to capture the perfect combination of Jayen's dispair, Rhys' frustration and then Maya threw in the OW drama as well. It made for a very emotional read, with feelings coming through the words so strongly.
Jayne and Rhys had so much to fight for and I loved every step leading them back to their HEA.
I could feel Jayne's dispair, fighting to keep everything going. I could feel Rhys' guilt and frustration at himself, Jayne and the whole situation.
Maya Alden has managed to capture the perfect combination of Jayen's dispair, Rhys' frustration and then Maya threw in the OW drama as well. It made for a very emotional read, with feelings coming through the words so strongly.
Jayne and Rhys had so much to fight for and I loved every step leading them back to their HEA.
December 22, 2025
Maya Alden is the Queen of romance. Don’t Let Go was amazing. This book might be fiction but the plot is real. Jayne and Rhys are a married couple going through a rough time. Anyone in a relationship can relate to this story line. Dating is fun but having a family is hard. Partnerships are work. This couple needs to communicate and find a way to thrive. The sacrifices they make and respect for one another will only strengthen their love.
I would highly recommend.
I would highly recommend.
December 22, 2025
There are not enough words to describe how much I love this book. Maya is the queen of marriage in trouble and later in life tropes. Rhys and Jayne's story is another favorite. This book made me sad, angry, and happy. I love how Maya brings to light so many things that the couple was struggling with. They both decide to fight they put in the work and Don't Let Go. Chef's kiss! A definite must read!
Review of advance copy
Wow! In Don’t Let Go we discover a marriage in crisis. It’s a great story that has all the feels. Our fmc was feeling so overwhelmed and was wondering if her marriage was even worth fighting for anymore. Our mmc had a superiority attitude- he is a surgeon who has saved many lives. They both need balance in the marriage between work and home life. We are shown both points of view and it is truly an amazing, emotional journey! Loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Once again Maya blew me away.
I gave this 5 stars solely because of the relatability of the plot.
Maya's storytelling is 💯 and navigating through the issues is spectacular.
Gut punch is always assured, because our dear MMC refuse to be reasonable and accountable.
DENIAL DENIAL DENIAL
This story woves you in and you're able to set yourself in the shoes of either character and be with them throughout their journey of finding themselves again
I gave this 5 stars solely because of the relatability of the plot.
Maya's storytelling is 💯 and navigating through the issues is spectacular.
Gut punch is always assured, because our dear MMC refuse to be reasonable and accountable.
DENIAL DENIAL DENIAL
This story woves you in and you're able to set yourself in the shoes of either character and be with them throughout their journey of finding themselves again
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