Not Alone

by Rabea Scholz

Jane-two-seven works in a dangerous, intense process that helps people reclaim their humanity after centuries of numb survival.

It is the most intimate work in her world. Jane sits beside strangers while their defences are torn down, holds their hands when they shake, and stays – unconditionally. Then she files her report and walks away.

That is how restoration is meant to their feelings, not hers.

For years, Jane excels at her work. Most of her subjects survive – until one night, a restoration goes catastrophically wrong.

Jane is taken off duty, stripped of contact with subjects and reassigned to protocol design from behind a screen – far from touch and further from feeling.

But something in Jane has cracked. And once the restoration cascade begins, there is no turning back.

Not Alone is a quiet, emotional speculative novel about grief, connection and the slow, aching return to humanity – perfect for readers who love character-driven stories like Never Let Me Go, Klara and the Sun or Station Eleven.

If you want to be changed by the last page, click to read a free sample now.

435 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 23, 2025

About the author

Rabea Scholz, born in 1982, loves books, spends a lot of time inside her own head, folds paper frogs, speaks three languages, writes stories full of longing and hope, teaches primary school children, studies grammar for fun, and has recently learnt how to drive. She is addicted to tea with just the right amount of milk and honey, and prefers to write at night, with everyone else asleep.

In a perfect world, her day would have 48 hours of which she could spend 24 sleeping and then still have another 24 hours left for her family, for writing, reading, friends, lesson plans, pointlessly staring at the wall, carefully selected TV shows, and of course chocolate.

She lives with her wife, her step-daughter, a cat, and two rabbits in Berlin, Germany.

Reviews

[Brittany C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is a must read!!! It is quiet and emotional. It follows a character named Jane that you will love! You will explore fear, loss, love, friendship, pain and so much more. I cannot stop thinking about this book.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating!
I was swept away into Jane‘s world. Each twist and turn had me wanting more. I had my first intense cry and sob at around page 100 on my Kindle. My heart was aching and like so many characters in the book I needed to remind myself to breathe.
I felt like I knew characters so well, that I felt along with them.
I would love to know more - please write a second book.
Although being a completely fictional book, there are many strategies of acceptance and coping and understanding myself that I actually used while reading it. I’m sure these will stay with me. I feel like there is a deep connection in dealing with and appreciating “humanness” life. I highly recommend this book.

[Katherine Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a psychological thriller lover to the core. However, over the past few years, I’ve found a real love for dystopian novels. Especially if they contain characters who are discovering their humanity. This is a dystopian novel that highlights that concept well. Speculative stories with characters who aren’t entirely human are absorbing if they’re well written, and I found this fascinating. The process of learning how to sleep, feel pain, and even die is done using beautiful writing. Jane-two-seven is a great character, and it’s as though her psyche dictates the thoughtful writing style. The prose is gentle and feels understated, but it still delivers a punch.

The novel is about the people and half-people, and about giving them space to understand grief. Luma is another lovely character. And the slow-build relationship between Jane and Matthew is captivating. The emotional core of the book is powerful. Not Alone is a gorgeous dystopian read about what it means to be human and the toll that takes on the main character. A cracking book that wasn’t what I thought it would be.

[Sean Bellairs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rather than a story, this felt like an experience. A book about a different world, perhaps a future world, perhaps medical care for recovery in a dystopian world. A world where super sensory carers support patients as they transition through stages of rehabilitation. Jane is a carer who is particularly skilled, and as we get to know her, clearly ‘normal’ in this world is different. Failure to successfully transition is carefully analysed, as the consequences of failure are severe. The first part of the story sensitively gives the experience of Jane as nurse/carer/guide in this strange world. The experiences and interactions are sensitive, complex and considered. Although it felt strange at first, it absorbed my attention, and I enjoyed the book very much.

[Katie Gerber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating!
I was swept away into Jane‘s world. Each twist and turn had me wanting more. I had my first intense cry and sob at around page 100 on my Kindle. My heart was aching and like so many characters in the book I needed to remind myself to breathe.
I felt like I knew characters so well, that I felt along with them.
I would love to know more - please write a second book.
Although being a completely fictional book, there are many strategies of acceptance and coping and understanding myself that I actually used while reading it. I’m sure these will stay with me. I feel like there is a deep connection in dealing with and appreciating “humanness” life. I highly recommend this book.

[Danielle Dobias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Alone is a rich, character driven, dystopian about healing. It's about not giving up on yourself or others while exploring the emotions of fear, grief, loss, and deep connection. This book will change you. It isn't action packed, and instead you sit so intimately with the characters.
You will feel as if you are there with them as they move through life. If you need a good cry, you have to read this book!