What do you think?
Rate this book
Safe With Him: A small town, post-military, enemies to lovers, age gap, grumpy-sunshine contemporary romance
She doesn’t hate him less just because he saved her. Maybe.
Tilly Whitehurst left everything behind when she discovered her future wasn’t hers. It was questionable that she would even have a future at all. On the run, she allows herself one night of escape with grumpy and sexy Dawson Holland. As fate continually places him in her path, forced proximity changes her perception of him, but the threat to her very being prevents what could be. Right?
He’s continually drawn to her, yet pushes her away.
Former Force Recon Marine, Dawson Holland, likes order and keeps connections limited to his sisters and their families, and his military brothers and their families. Tilly Whitehurst was supposed to be one and done. Suddenly, she’s in his every thought, everywhere he goes, and has turned his ordered life into chaos. He's set to keep his distance, yet he’s overwhelmingly compelled to protect this challenging woman, while proximity confuses him about the future he thought he wanted.
He says he has his reasons. She says they’re just excuses.
Will Tilly get her life back and connect with Dawson as her heart desires? Can Dawson allow himself to protect and defend her and pursue the potential of a beautiful future with Tilly?
Discover small-town heart, steamy passionate heat, and irresistible swoon-worthy characters in Safe With Him (Love in Grove Point Book 2). New to the Love in Grove Point Series? No problem. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone romance. Grab your copy today!
Tilly Whitehurst left everything behind when she discovered her future wasn’t hers. It was questionable that she would even have a future at all. On the run, she allows herself one night of escape with grumpy and sexy Dawson Holland. As fate continually places him in her path, forced proximity changes her perception of him, but the threat to her very being prevents what could be. Right?
He’s continually drawn to her, yet pushes her away.
Former Force Recon Marine, Dawson Holland, likes order and keeps connections limited to his sisters and their families, and his military brothers and their families. Tilly Whitehurst was supposed to be one and done. Suddenly, she’s in his every thought, everywhere he goes, and has turned his ordered life into chaos. He's set to keep his distance, yet he’s overwhelmingly compelled to protect this challenging woman, while proximity confuses him about the future he thought he wanted.
He says he has his reasons. She says they’re just excuses.
Will Tilly get her life back and connect with Dawson as her heart desires? Can Dawson allow himself to protect and defend her and pursue the potential of a beautiful future with Tilly?
Discover small-town heart, steamy passionate heat, and irresistible swoon-worthy characters in Safe With Him (Love in Grove Point Book 2). New to the Love in Grove Point Series? No problem. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone romance. Grab your copy today!
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 25, 2025
1 person want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 10, 2026
Dawson
Really good. Loving this series. Dawson retired from the military and became a lawyer. He moved to grove point because all his friends were there. He saw Tilly at the diner that she worked at. You found out why she was there and that was because she was running from someone. Her best friend helped her leave her life behind. She as sad to leave her dad but she felt she didn’t have a choice. Dawson figured out she was hiding something. It eventually came out as to why. Can’t wait to read more from Chelsea and this series.
Really good. Loving this series. Dawson retired from the military and became a lawyer. He moved to grove point because all his friends were there. He saw Tilly at the diner that she worked at. You found out why she was there and that was because she was running from someone. Her best friend helped her leave her life behind. She as sad to leave her dad but she felt she didn’t have a choice. Dawson figured out she was hiding something. It eventually came out as to why. Can’t wait to read more from Chelsea and this series.
December 31, 2025
Tilly and Dawson
Book 2 in the love in Grove Point series is just as great as 1. This one is an age gap grumpy/ sunshine. You have 2 people running from different things her from her forced future and him from any commitment. What a great read.
Book 2 in the love in Grove Point series is just as great as 1. This one is an age gap grumpy/ sunshine. You have 2 people running from different things her from her forced future and him from any commitment. What a great read.
December 17, 2025
Safe with him
This was a great grumpy sunshine book. I really enjoyed watching them figure themselves out. There was a lot of realness to the characters. The spice was great.
This was a great grumpy sunshine book. I really enjoyed watching them figure themselves out. There was a lot of realness to the characters. The spice was great.
December 11, 2025
Tilly doesn’t hate Dawson less just because he saved her. Maybe.
Tilly Whitehurst left everything behind when she discovered her future wasn’t hers. It was questionable that she would even have a future at all. On the run, she allows herself one night of escape with grumpy and sexy Dawson Holland. As fate continually places him in her path, forced proximity changes her perception of him, but the threat to her very being prevents what could be. Right?
He’s continually drawn to her, yet pushes her away.
Former Force Recon Marine, Dawson Holland, likes order and keeps connections limited to his sisters and their families, and his military brothers and their families. Tilly Whitehurst was supposed to be one and done. Suddenly, she’s in his every thought, everywhere he goes, and has turned his ordered life into chaos. He's set to keep his distance, yet he’s overwhelmingly compelled to protect this challenging woman, while proximity confuses him about the future, he thought he wanted.
He says he has his reasons. She says they’re just excuses.
Will Tilly get her life back and connect with Dawson as her heart desires? Can Dawson allow himself to protect and defend her and pursue the potential of a beautiful future with Tilly?
Discover small-town heart, steamy passionate heat, and irresistible swoon-worthy characters in Safe With Him (Love in Grove Point Book 2). New to the Love in Grove Point Series? No problem. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone romance. Grab your copy today!
YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There is some content and scenes in this book that are not suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first at all times. Reader discretion is advised. Intended for readers 18+.
Tropes: On the Run, Escape, Grumpy/Sexy x Sunshine, Forced Proximity, Former Force Recon, Military Brothers, Protective MMC, Beautiful Future, Small Town Romance, Steamy Passionate Heat, Swoon Worthy Characters, Work Place, Suspense, Genuine Emotion, Danger, and Intrigue.
Dawson is your straight from the cookie cutter grumpy man and he’s growly and an alpha male who has met his perfect match in Tilly. And Tilly is the one who brings the sunshine into Dawsons life and along with the sunshine she brings the laughter.
Tilly feels trapped by all the choices that have been taken away from her and are being made for her rather than by her. Tilly has begun to fear for her life and with the help of her best friend, she slips out of her parent’s house in the middle of the night. She is bound and determined to live her life her way, even if that requires her putting space between her and her parents and going so far as to change her physical appearance and identity.
From the moment that Dawson and Tilly first meet the sparks are flying between them. But Mr. Grumpy Dawson is none to happy about these sparks. Dawsons instincts are screaming at him that Tilly’s hiding something and all she’s going to end up doing is bring him trouble. Dawson is a commitment-phobe and he still can’t stop thinking about the petite waitress who has cute pink highlights in her hair. He’s taken to calling her Pixie in her mind. He’s really not too happy about his obsession and more than that, he’s gone as far as snarling at Tilly about it.
But, Tilly shocks him when she doesn’t back down, rather, she snarks and snarles right back at him. And this does nothing less than knock his socks off. I just love a strong intelligent woman who knows how to push right back and stand up for herself. And I just loved Tilly for that very reason.
For eight long months circumstances keep them separated, and then Dawson ends up hiring Tilly to be his assistant in his law office. That one single development shocks both of them, since they have both been fighting their mutual attraction. Dawson knows that Tilly is still holding back and hiding things from him and he is bound and determined to find out what she’s hiding.
In a traumatic and terrifying incident Tilly is injured and suddenly everything changes for Dawson. This former Marine has suddenly gone into Alpha protective mode. He’s determined that nothing and no-one is ever going to hurt Tilly ever again. Agonisingly, Dawson screws up and ends up hurting both himself and Tilly in the process.
Serendipitously, both Dawson and Tilly have an amazing group of friends who they feel are more like family than friends, and they help to push and prod them towards each other over and over again. And honestly, I can’t help when a grovel is good and done right.
Safe with Him is not only entertaining, it’s also emotional, enthralling, and I have to admit that it will have my full recommendation for a long time.
Tilly Whitehurst left everything behind when she discovered her future wasn’t hers. It was questionable that she would even have a future at all. On the run, she allows herself one night of escape with grumpy and sexy Dawson Holland. As fate continually places him in her path, forced proximity changes her perception of him, but the threat to her very being prevents what could be. Right?
He’s continually drawn to her, yet pushes her away.
Former Force Recon Marine, Dawson Holland, likes order and keeps connections limited to his sisters and their families, and his military brothers and their families. Tilly Whitehurst was supposed to be one and done. Suddenly, she’s in his every thought, everywhere he goes, and has turned his ordered life into chaos. He's set to keep his distance, yet he’s overwhelmingly compelled to protect this challenging woman, while proximity confuses him about the future, he thought he wanted.
He says he has his reasons. She says they’re just excuses.
Will Tilly get her life back and connect with Dawson as her heart desires? Can Dawson allow himself to protect and defend her and pursue the potential of a beautiful future with Tilly?
Discover small-town heart, steamy passionate heat, and irresistible swoon-worthy characters in Safe With Him (Love in Grove Point Book 2). New to the Love in Grove Point Series? No problem. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone romance. Grab your copy today!
YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There is some content and scenes in this book that are not suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first at all times. Reader discretion is advised. Intended for readers 18+.
Tropes: On the Run, Escape, Grumpy/Sexy x Sunshine, Forced Proximity, Former Force Recon, Military Brothers, Protective MMC, Beautiful Future, Small Town Romance, Steamy Passionate Heat, Swoon Worthy Characters, Work Place, Suspense, Genuine Emotion, Danger, and Intrigue.
Dawson is your straight from the cookie cutter grumpy man and he’s growly and an alpha male who has met his perfect match in Tilly. And Tilly is the one who brings the sunshine into Dawsons life and along with the sunshine she brings the laughter.
Tilly feels trapped by all the choices that have been taken away from her and are being made for her rather than by her. Tilly has begun to fear for her life and with the help of her best friend, she slips out of her parent’s house in the middle of the night. She is bound and determined to live her life her way, even if that requires her putting space between her and her parents and going so far as to change her physical appearance and identity.
From the moment that Dawson and Tilly first meet the sparks are flying between them. But Mr. Grumpy Dawson is none to happy about these sparks. Dawsons instincts are screaming at him that Tilly’s hiding something and all she’s going to end up doing is bring him trouble. Dawson is a commitment-phobe and he still can’t stop thinking about the petite waitress who has cute pink highlights in her hair. He’s taken to calling her Pixie in her mind. He’s really not too happy about his obsession and more than that, he’s gone as far as snarling at Tilly about it.
But, Tilly shocks him when she doesn’t back down, rather, she snarks and snarles right back at him. And this does nothing less than knock his socks off. I just love a strong intelligent woman who knows how to push right back and stand up for herself. And I just loved Tilly for that very reason.
For eight long months circumstances keep them separated, and then Dawson ends up hiring Tilly to be his assistant in his law office. That one single development shocks both of them, since they have both been fighting their mutual attraction. Dawson knows that Tilly is still holding back and hiding things from him and he is bound and determined to find out what she’s hiding.
In a traumatic and terrifying incident Tilly is injured and suddenly everything changes for Dawson. This former Marine has suddenly gone into Alpha protective mode. He’s determined that nothing and no-one is ever going to hurt Tilly ever again. Agonisingly, Dawson screws up and ends up hurting both himself and Tilly in the process.
Serendipitously, both Dawson and Tilly have an amazing group of friends who they feel are more like family than friends, and they help to push and prod them towards each other over and over again. And honestly, I can’t help when a grovel is good and done right.
Safe with Him is not only entertaining, it’s also emotional, enthralling, and I have to admit that it will have my full recommendation for a long time.
November 26, 2025
Grumpy/sunshine? Oh yes, Dawson is most definitely a grumpy, growly alpha male who meets his match in Tilly who brings the sunshine and laughter into his life. Right from their first meeting, there are sparks between them, but Mr. Grump is none to happy about it. His instincts are telling him that she is hiding something and is going to bring trouble his way. Commitment-phobe Dawson can’t stop thinking about the petite waitress with the pink highlights in her hair. In his mind, he has taken to calling her Pixie. He is not too happy about his obsession and even goes as far as snarling at Tilly about it. She surprises him by snarking back at him, knocking his socks off during a steamy encounter and then leaving him behind without a word. Gotta love a woman that knows how to push back and stand up for herself.
Circumstances keep them apart for eight months, and then he ends up hiring her to be his assistant in his law office. That development was a shock to the both, since they both claim not to like each other. Dawson knows that Tilly is still hiding something and he intends to find out what it is. When Tilly is injured in a terrifying incident, everything changes for Dawson. The former Marine is now in Alpha protector mode. Nothing and no one is going to hurt Tilly again. Unfortunately, Dawson messes up and hurts them both of the process. Thankfully, they have a great group of friends, who are more like family really, to push and prod them toward each other other again. I do love a good grovel.
This entertaining, emotional and enthralling book has my full recommendation.
Circumstances keep them apart for eight months, and then he ends up hiring her to be his assistant in his law office. That development was a shock to the both, since they both claim not to like each other. Dawson knows that Tilly is still hiding something and he intends to find out what it is. When Tilly is injured in a terrifying incident, everything changes for Dawson. The former Marine is now in Alpha protector mode. Nothing and no one is going to hurt Tilly again. Unfortunately, Dawson messes up and hurts them both of the process. Thankfully, they have a great group of friends, who are more like family really, to push and prod them toward each other other again. I do love a good grovel.
This entertaining, emotional and enthralling book has my full recommendation.
November 26, 2025
Safe With Him by Chelsea M. Newton is book 2 in the ‘Love in Grove Point Series’. This is Tilly and Dawson’s story.
Feeling trapped by choices that are being made for her, Tilly Whitehurst fears for her life. With the help of her best friend, she leaves her parent’s home in the middle of the night. She is determined to live her life her way, even if that means putting distance between them and changing up her physical identity.
Dawson ‘Reaper’ Holland is a former Force Recon Marine who keeps his social circle small, consisting of his sisters and their families along with his military brothers and their families. Scarred by his own history, he’s certain marriage and fatherhood aren’t on his horizon. One-night stands are simple— they come with no promises and no pain. Then… he meets her.
She’s running from danger and he’s running from love. Together they can’t outrun fate. They had one moment where they acted upon their desire and that was supposed to be enough—simple and unscathed. But while she walks away offering nothing more than a wave and glance, he’s left with the reality that one time together will never be enough.
This beautifully written small town romance shows how love can transform what was once planned into what is meant to be. With strong and vivid details, Grove Point and the characters come to life through the pages making this story relatable and engaging. Without sacrificing quality content within the story, Chelsea includes plenty of emotion and spice making this a 5⭐️ read.
Feeling trapped by choices that are being made for her, Tilly Whitehurst fears for her life. With the help of her best friend, she leaves her parent’s home in the middle of the night. She is determined to live her life her way, even if that means putting distance between them and changing up her physical identity.
Dawson ‘Reaper’ Holland is a former Force Recon Marine who keeps his social circle small, consisting of his sisters and their families along with his military brothers and their families. Scarred by his own history, he’s certain marriage and fatherhood aren’t on his horizon. One-night stands are simple— they come with no promises and no pain. Then… he meets her.
She’s running from danger and he’s running from love. Together they can’t outrun fate. They had one moment where they acted upon their desire and that was supposed to be enough—simple and unscathed. But while she walks away offering nothing more than a wave and glance, he’s left with the reality that one time together will never be enough.
This beautifully written small town romance shows how love can transform what was once planned into what is meant to be. With strong and vivid details, Grove Point and the characters come to life through the pages making this story relatable and engaging. Without sacrificing quality content within the story, Chelsea includes plenty of emotion and spice making this a 5⭐️ read.
November 25, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 // 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Safe With Him was the first book I had the pleasure of reading by Chelsea M. Newton.
The story itself wasn't bad. It was a good length in my opinion. It wasn't too slow and it wasn't too fast. There were some parts that were redundant. I also didn't care for the parts where Dawson and his friends had been friends for years and they're suddenly giving him the silent treatment because he broke Tilly's heart when he called their fake relationship off, and then made it seem like he knew she was gonna receive bad news, so his timing was wildly inappropriate. It also annoyed me that they made it seem like he didn't care about her just because they were breaking off the relationship. Very gaslighty. The situation could have been handled way differently especially if they had been friends for as long as they had been friends.
However, outside of that, it wasn't terribly written. There was plenty of drama to keep the story moving and interesting. There is another book coming out for Cash and his 'one that got away', I hope I get a chance at seeing how that plays out!
Safe With Him was the first book I had the pleasure of reading by Chelsea M. Newton.
The story itself wasn't bad. It was a good length in my opinion. It wasn't too slow and it wasn't too fast. There were some parts that were redundant. I also didn't care for the parts where Dawson and his friends had been friends for years and they're suddenly giving him the silent treatment because he broke Tilly's heart when he called their fake relationship off, and then made it seem like he knew she was gonna receive bad news, so his timing was wildly inappropriate. It also annoyed me that they made it seem like he didn't care about her just because they were breaking off the relationship. Very gaslighty. The situation could have been handled way differently especially if they had been friends for as long as they had been friends.
However, outside of that, it wasn't terribly written. There was plenty of drama to keep the story moving and interesting. There is another book coming out for Cash and his 'one that got away', I hope I get a chance at seeing how that plays out!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2025
Safe With Him is book two of the Love in Grove Point Series.
Tilly is going through some troublesome times. She is in hiding and doesn't need complications from another man. However, Tilly and Dawson keep running into each other. When they reunite, we get to see Dawson's protectiveness come full force. When Tilly needs someone to be there for her, he steps in and works on keeping her safe. I loved seeing how protective and caring he was with her.
This is an emotionally charged read with some danger and intrigue. They both try to fight their feelings but we can see underneath all of their banter that they truly feel for the other. Good read.
Tilly is going through some troublesome times. She is in hiding and doesn't need complications from another man. However, Tilly and Dawson keep running into each other. When they reunite, we get to see Dawson's protectiveness come full force. When Tilly needs someone to be there for her, he steps in and works on keeping her safe. I loved seeing how protective and caring he was with her.
This is an emotionally charged read with some danger and intrigue. They both try to fight their feelings but we can see underneath all of their banter that they truly feel for the other. Good read.
December 2, 2025
"She doesn’t hate him less just because he saved her. Maybe."
Safe with him was such a great read, I couldn't stop reading. I love a great grumpy/sunshine romance, who doesn't. A grump alpha male in denial. Yes please.
"He’s continually drawn to her, yet pushes her away."
It's such a emotional, intense, steamy, suspenseful read. That will have you hooked to those pages and shouting and rooting their relationship on.
"He says he has his reasons. She says they’re just excuses."
Wonderful characters, amazing storyline. Just couldn't get enough of them. I can't wait to read more from Chelsea. Highly recommend.
Safe with him was such a great read, I couldn't stop reading. I love a great grumpy/sunshine romance, who doesn't. A grump alpha male in denial. Yes please.
"He’s continually drawn to her, yet pushes her away."
It's such a emotional, intense, steamy, suspenseful read. That will have you hooked to those pages and shouting and rooting their relationship on.
"He says he has his reasons. She says they’re just excuses."
Wonderful characters, amazing storyline. Just couldn't get enough of them. I can't wait to read more from Chelsea. Highly recommend.
January 2, 2026
We met Dawson in Liam and Shay’s story, but Tilly is a new character to the Grove Point world, on the run from a crazy mother. Dawson is drawn to her and is eventually drawn into helping her with what starts as a fake arrangement. Tilly’s broken hero is determined not to let their fake arrangement become real despite all indications that it is happening anyway, which leads to a bit of angst, but the wonderfully crazy cast of Grove Point characters and a few new ones who come along with Dawson and Tilly see to it that love wins in the end. So fun to be back in Grove Point – can’t wait for the next story!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews