The Watcher

by Cindy Dawson

Ava escapes to her family’s cabin in the depths of the Chesapeake Forest, desperate for a quiet holiday break. But when an unexpected blizzard slams the region and severs all contact with the outside world, her peaceful getaway turns isolating.

Then her father’s best friend, Scott, arrives, the man she’s known her entire life. But he’s nothing like the controlled businessman etched in her memory. He’s bearded now and every bit the formidable mountain man of her wildest fantasies.

With the cabin shrinking around them, crackling tension ignites into something neither of them can contain. But just as their boundaries blur, an unsettling presence begins to stalk the edges of their refuge. Strange sounds call out in the night. Shadows move where none should exist.

As desire deepens and the threat closes in, Ava and Scott are forced to ask was giving in to temptation worth it, or did crossing that line awaken something far more sinister than their forbidden attraction?

Genres: Dark Romance, Novella

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2026

Reviews

[da͟r͟i͟a͟ · Rating 2 out of 5]

i give it 2.5 ⭐️ because there were moments that genuinely creeped me out and were maybe a little scary, but the romantic subplot — ugh. i hate it when the characters do nothing but sexualize each other

[『 Dıʀᴛʏ Gʀᴇʏ 』 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ 4 🌶️
🎧Released: 02.20.26
⏳3hrs 34mins

💭 im sorry but if u tell me age gap, dad's bestie who traded his suits to be a mountain man, & theyre snowed in?! then throw in a mysterious stalker too?!? OH IM THERE🙌🏽 i will lap it up, every minute of it!! &... I DID 🤭 coz something bout those tropes make the shmex xtra spicy🔥 & IT WAS !! so whats not to like in a quick forbidden suspense/thriller full of spice?!? absolutely nothing 🙌🏽

🎧 solo narration is probably always going to be a challenge for me. but wren carter did a great job at bringing the characters of this audiobook to life!! she held her own very well & looking forward to hearing more of her works♥️

✨ thankU Cindy Dawson for this ALC & am voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts
‼️ ur mental health matters. ✔️ 🆃🆆/🅲🆆

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

What did I just read!? O. M. G! This book was wild in the most wickedly twisted and delicious way. I ate this book up! Ava thought she was getting quiet time in the mountains. NOPE! She got her dad’s best friend and something lurking outside. Forbidden attraction and stalker, in one book!? Yes please! Okay, we don’t know that what’s lurking outside is a stalker, but a girl can hope lol.
This book has me grouping the pages like my life depended on it. It was hot and spicy. Intense and suspenseful…I NEED MORE!!! How can you do this to me?

[Sam Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay but this was actually scary lol. At no point did I have any idea of what was going to happen next. I wish we had more with Scott and Ava though - maybe some in depth conversations, so it’s easier to emotionally connect instead of it feeling like they were just thrown in our face. BUT with that being said, this is a super short, fast paced erotic horror. By fast paced I mean this story takes place over a few days time. It ended so fast and I wasn’t ready for the story to be over.

Ava is the first of her family to arrive at their mountain cabin, only to be snowed in with her dad’s best friend since college. While the storm worsens, the fire ignites within the cabin in more ways than one. Will their awakening feelings be a distraction to what’s lurking right outside? Watching…waiting…

And at what point will the rest of her family be able to join them?

[Dawn Smit · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh my 😱 that was good!!

The only reason why this is not getting 5 stars is because I wanted a longer version, the ending felt a little rushed and I just wanted to stay longer

We have a cabin in the woods, a snowed in storm and her dad's hot AF best friend 🫠 yes yes yes please - absolute perfection 🌶

And then the plot twist 😱 I'm not saying anything more except - get the book/audiobook immediately - you will not be sorry

[Wo0t · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not the story I was expecting, but I was here for every minute of it! The ending did feel a bit rushed which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5, but the story kept your attention from the tension & suspense to the spice, Cindy did a great job with this one!

[alltoowell_and_wellread_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Watcher

By: Cindy Dawson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Released: 1/9/2026

❄️Dads Best Friend
👨🏻Age Gap
❄️Isolated Cabin
👨🏻Forced Proximity
❄️Thriller


Blurb:

Ava escapes to her family’s cabin in the depths of the Chesapeake Forest, desperate for a quiet holiday break. But when an unexpected blizzard slams the region and severs all contact with the outside world, her peaceful getaway turns isolating.
Then her father’s best friend, Scott, arrives, the man she’s known her entire life. But he’s nothing like the controlled businessman etched in her memory. He’s bearded now and every bit the formidable mountain man of her wildest fantasies.
With the cabin shrinking around them, crackling tension ignites into something neither of them can contain. But just as their boundaries blur, an unsettling presence begins to stalk the edges of their refuge. Strange sounds call out in the night. Shadows move where none should exist.
As desire deepens and the threat closes in, Ava and Scott are forced to ask themselves: was giving in to temptation worth it, or did crossing that line awaken something far more sinister than their forbidden attraction?

———*———*———-
My thoughts:

Wtfff! Did I just read!! I was not expecting that at all! The fact it was in an isolated place when a snow storm was happening and they didn’t have no service to make phone calls made it even more eerie!!! I was literally like what thaaaaa hell is going on here. So much weird shit going on where I was definitely like okay she is definitely losing her marbles because what else would you think right?

Ava & Scott did they make me so happy! He was trying to avoid it all but of course he couldn’t which made it so much ahhhh!!! The tension between them too was great.

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

Thank you so much Cindy for the ARC! I can’t wait for the audiobook! I appreciate it!


As a reminder please always check TWs!

[booking _with_romancegirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secluded with forbiddenness and the haunting feeling of being watched

TROPES
🖤 Romantic Suspense
🖤Age Gap
🖤 Dad's Bestfriend
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤One Bed
🖤Novella
🖤Spicy
🖤 Thriller

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
🔥🔥🔥.5

Book Overview

Scott, I shouldn't want my best friend's daughter being stuck in this cabin I'm starting to see her as a woman instead of my best friend's kid no something is watching us can I figure it out...

Ava, I came to our family cabin to spend time with my family ended up being stuck with my dad's best friend I'm hot and bothered by it and yet I'm being watched can I have my dad's best friend before what's watching me takes over...

My Thoughts 💭

So I'm not a thriller girly with that being said I would reread this again because I ate this book up. I was on the edge of my seat I kicked my feet and giggled by the tension between Scott and Ava. Ava is a bratty FMC who even know is scared out of her mind she still has this like this sexy vibe to her and Scott is entranced by her even though this is so forbidden.

The spice is really good there were a few scenes that I wanted more of just because of how good they were.

I was blown away by The watcher blown away I was shocked out of my mind by the turn of events. It definitely though explains a lot when you get full circle but the entire time you're saying what the f because it's so what's going to happen next moment and you just can't sit still.

Attention to detail in this book is very on point with it being a novella you do see so much detail for how small the book is and it is very well written and very well captivating for the audience that's reading it.

My only wish is that there would have been at least four more chapters because I loved the book so much that I just wanted more of it 🖤

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started the new year out with a damn good book! I went into The Watcher blind and I loved every second of it. I knew I’d be reading some spice and an age gap situation, but the spice actually takes a backseat to the mystery that features in The Watcher and I can honestly say, I was thoroughly creeped out.

There’s something so ominous about a stalker vibe set in an isolated, snowed in location, that feels almost claustrophobic. This has that vibe locked down and i genuinely felt a chill at what i was reading.

Ava is a 20 yr old college student who’s arrived at her family’s isolated cabin for a get together after not seeing her parents for a while. She arrives just before a heavy snow storm moves in….that doesn’t stop. Ava’s alone. Her parents can’t get there till later, the roads are un drivable and Ava is stuck….noises outside the cabin, scratches on the outside cabin walls, is someone there or just an animal?

Ava’s dads best friend, Scott arrives to spend time with the family, but Ava’s grown since he saw her years ago, and the attraction is undeniable…but he’s double her age.

Noises in the dark, shadows by the windows, the feeling of being watched and spice to heat up the cold night and a great ending made this an excellent, quick read.

[Alice Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

❄️ ARC Review 🖤

Firstly I wanna thank Cindy a thousand times, it’s been such an honour arc reading this book!!! Secondly, I will NEVER be shutting up about this book.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Review:
If you love books with an older, protective MMC, who gets snowed in with his best friends daughter, this book is PERFECT for you!!

Okay, I’m honestly at a loss for words wit how much I loved this book, like truly. I didn’t pause once, I physically couldn’t stop reading, I didn’t want to either. Ava and Scott were literally everything. The way he didn’t hesitate to choose her, speechless.

I went into this almost completely blind, I’d forgotten everything I’d seen about this book with how busy life has been and that made it a thousand times better. I had no idea what was going on, I was sacred for Ava and Scott, I can’t imagine how scary it must have been for her, she handled it way better than I would. She’s such an amazing character, the way she fought for Scott was just perfect, in every way.

There is something in the way Cindy write in general that just draws me in, but when you combine it with a storyline like this one, it becomes truly mesmerising. I cannot begin to explain just how much I truly loved this book. I cannot recommend it enough!!

[McKenzie McCollin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an early copy and I am personally offended it ended where it did. This book grabbed me by the throat, whispered sweet nothings, and reminded me I was never safe…
This book is SHORT and absolutely off its damn rocker. Remote cabin? Immediate nope. Ava thinks she’s alone and the universe said lol bet 👀 The vibes are SCREAMING, the paranoia is paralyzing, and then Scott (dad’s best friend!!!) rolls in and suddenly the tension is illegal, unethical, and aggressively hot 😮‍💨🔥 All while someone is very clearly lurking, watching, breathing??? Sir??? Jail.
Every page is suspense, spice, dread, and me whisper-yelling “WHAT IS HAPPENING” at 2am 🫣 Then the reveal drops and it’s OBSESSIVE STALKER LEVELS OF UNHINGED. Like sir she is not your thorn, you are a disease 🧠💀 That ending had me staring into the void, foaming at the mouth, demanding MORE Ava & Scott because I need the aftermath, the healing, the chaos, the unwell domestic bliss.Read it if you like your suspense sweaty, your romance messy, and your sanity lightly threatened.

[Angela Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kicked off the new year with a banger of a read. I went into The Watcher totally blind and was obsessed. I knew there’d be spice and an age gap, but the real star here is the creepy, slow-burn mystery and wow, it genuinely got under my skin.

An isolated, snowed-in cabin + stalker vibes = instant chills. The atmosphere is so claustrophobic and ominous, I felt watched right along with Ava. She’s a 20yr old college student who arrives at her family’s remote cabin just as a brutal snowstorm hits…and doesn’t stop. She’s completely alone, hearing noises, seeing scratches on the walls, and questioning whether someone’s out there... or if it’s something worse.

Then Scott, her dad’s best friend, shows up. Ava’s not a kid anymore, the tension is there, and yes, he’s twice her age. 👀

Between the eerie suspense, shadows at the windows, spicy moments heating up the cold nights, and a super solid ending, this was such a quick, addictive read. Highly recommend if you love creepy romance with bite. ❄️📖

[With a W Kerr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look, I loved the plot. Loved the setting. Loved both Ava and Scott separately. Loved the age gap, the scary vibes, the dad’s best friend of it all.

It lost me in the connection between Ava and Scott. It didn’t feel emotional at all, just lust. And it didn’t really have an ending just a HFN.

The reveal also lost me. I thought it would be supernatural bc of the points of time when sound all cut out, like after Ava hurt her hand. But it was just stalker dude. Why was sound cutting out? And why was there bloody piece of shirt they found? Why did they have to cover everything up? It was clearly self defense and with their injuries plus her documented case with campus security. Speaking of injuries…Scott being knocked out for so long clearly indicated some sort of brain injury, plus his broken ribs, not to mention being choked unconscious. Ava had to have a concussion. Both obviously need stitches in their heads. They both need a hospital. How are they just playing that off and getting horny?

[OooLaLa Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blizzard, Desire, and Danger

OMG besties, a blizzard + isolated cabin is my weakness, and "The Watcher" delivers. Ava runs to her family’s cabin in the woods for peace, only to be snowed in when Scott (her dad’s best friend) shows up looking rugged, dangerous, and tempting AF. Forced proximity turns feral fast, and the emotional push-pull between Ava and Scott... So steamy it fogs the windows.

But it’s not just spice. The suspense had my nerves fried. Knocks with no one there. No footprints. Sounds in the woods that make your skin crawl. I felt that creeping anxiety right alongside them, wondering what the hell was watching.

And THEN that plot twist… WHOA 🤯. This novella was quick, dark, spicy, and wildly addictive. Add it to your TBR immediately... you’ll thank me later.

My Ratings:  ⭐ 4/5  ▪︎  🥵 2.5/5

🥀 For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤

[Nikki B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Watcher is a very hot and spicy story that was also super creepy.
Ava and her family are to be vacationing in a cabin in the woods. They are arriving seperately, but she arrives first. Then a snow storm hits and she gets isolated in the cabin and her family has to postpone their arrival. The whole time she's in the cabin though, she feels like she's being watched. Scott is the first to arrive, though he's not family. Scott is Ava's father's best friend and she's known him since she was a kid. Being snowed into a cabin alone with him though has them feeling things and it takes a very spicy turn. The two of them are hot and intense. Until they realize that Ava's feelings of being watched may've some merit to it and they may not be alone.
I loved the suspense and creepy vibe this brought with the watcher with the intensity and chemistry between Ava and Scott. This story is sure to keep you entertained!!

[Jessica Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book had it hook in me from the start. I love that we get an age gap romance but not only that we get suspense mystery and a thriller all at the same time. This was a very quick read. We get to read about Ava going to her family cabin. She the first one that get there and is having to wait for her family to arrive but Scott her father friend makes it there first before getting snowed in. There are noise happening that has Ava on her toes feeling like she is being watched. The whole time reading this book your trying to figure out who this third person is or what is going on. I love that we get to see that Ava and Scott have a pull to them from the start after not seeing each other in years. I love the spicy scenes . Cindy stories will keep you entertained the whole time. You will not want to put this down.

[Andreanna Q · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a good light reading!

I like the tropes in this book :
- stalker, age gap, daddy’s best friend, mystery / thriller, forced proximity, and more.

Also, the spices are good in place as well, not too much, just right with the where the story goes. So heads up if you’re looking for a whole smut - this book taking you more into the mystery than smutness. I like how that goes, refreshing for the tropes it gives.

Plot are really light and simple. Ngl, I thought there’ll be more into it, but it’s fine, it’s still enjoyable with a good kind of ending as well I think. Makes me want more of the couple, despite knowing that is the end.

Characters are good too, I like them. Mostly it’s the two of them, and plus the watcher. Such a good addition, and nice reveals too about everything.
Overall, such an enjoyable light reading! 🫶🏻

[Paige Edmonson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read but full of suspense and drama. Ava is at her families remote cabin when she starts to feel like she is not alone after all. Her father’s best friend shows up and things heat up between him and Ava, but the feeling of being watched continues. With this book you get suspense, spice, mystery, danger, action, and a bit of romance sprinkled in. My only wish is that we got to see a bit more after the drama died down, I would love to see where the MCs are in a year or two and get a bit more of their love story going forward. I was provided this book as an ARC by the author and this is my honest unprompted review.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ only because I wanted more before the story ended.

[Hannah The Awkward · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Watcher by Cindy Dawson is heart racing and thrilling romance that is willing to kill in the name of love. I found myself bingeing this on New Year’s Day and WOW what a way to ring in the New Year. A must read for thriller and romance lovers alike.

Ava being stranded in her family cabin due to a blizzard with no cell service and little to no food is nightmare inducing by itself. Then Scott, her dad’s best friend, arrives just in the nick of time before the storm fully closes them off from civilization with food, his trusty Jeep, and his inner fight to not give in to his feelings for his best friends 20-year-old daughter. As their time in the cabin lengthens the closer they get and the crazier things get. Open doors, footsteps, and slamming on the outside of the cabin itself leads Ava to believe there’s something out there. Watching. Waiting.

Thank you Cindy Dawson for providing me an eARC for review— I loved it!

All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

[Gem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snowed in
Age gap
Dad’s BFF
Sexual tension
Spice +++++
Mind playing tricks?
Sinister elements
Protective MMC

Ava heads to the family cabin deep in the forest in the midst of blizzard. Snowed in & alone with an unshakable feeling, she’s soon joined by her Dad’s bestie, Scott who she’s not seen for sometime. Their chemistry is hot, all while something lurks in the trees.

Oh, this was an addictive read!! Fast paced with Cindy drawing you in to a dark & uneasy scene, far away from civilisation. The tension is high, both with the sparks that fly between the MC’s & the underlying threat of what hides in the forest. The age gap trope (25+) is *chefs 💋 & I loved the whole build up to the conclusion. Highly recommended read from one of my favourite authors!!

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Watcher is a quick yet enjoyable read full of suspense, spice, and sexual tension! I don't think I'll ever get tired of the "isolated cabin in a snowstorm" plotline. What made this isolated cabin novella different to the others I've read was the addition of something (or someone) sinnister. Knowing that Ava was either crazy or in potential danger made the story all the more interesting. I loved the plot twists and the intense sexual tension between Ava and her dad's older best friend, Scott. It was the perfect blend of suspense and spice and I look forward to reading more from this author!

I'm super thankful to have been chosen as an ARC reader for this book and I am voluntarily leaving this review! :)

[Cindy thismomreadsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this one was unexpected, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. This was a new to me author and I really liked the characters and storyline. It was a quick read that had me wanting more. Although I did find the last bit slightly rushed, I’m curious about how things would continue to play out between Ava and Scott in the future-I was happy with the ending and easily flew through the book.

I loved the tension between Ava and Scott-they shared some delicious chemistry, which lead to some good spice - they just couldn’t stay apart.

The suspense was page turning and literally kept me on the edge of my seat with curiosity anxious right along with Ava. It was very well done with the best sort of creepy vibe that had me guessing.

Snowed in with your dad’s best friend….add in a feeling of being ‘watched’, a bit of a twist, some action-and a completed devoted MMC; so happy I read this one!

4⭐️

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Watcher is a thriller romantic suspense novella where Ava and Scott, Ava’s dad best friend, are trapped in an isolated cabin due to weather. While tension between the two of them beings to ignite, strange things begin happening and appears someone is watching.

I was not expecting this at all. But I was here for it. I love age gap romances and this was perfect. Love the tension between Ava and Scott.

I listened to this book on audiobook and it was fantastic. The suspense! Had me on the edge of my seat while listening.

The ending did feel rushed to me. Left me wanting more. That’s the only reason I didn’t give this 5 stars.

Thank you Cindy for providing me with an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an early copy of this book!!

Whew! Talk about a book that keeps you on edge! The Watcher is the kind of book that grabs you by the throat from page one and refuses to let go. There’s a presence lurking—someone or something—and Ava is desperately trying not to give in to the things she thinks she hears and sees. Scott’s arrival at the cabin only makes things worse, stirring up a tension and anger in whatever is hiding out there. I love how the tension between Ava & Scott is perfectly paced and throughout the entire book the atmosphere is completely eerie. If you want a page-turner that delivers suspense, tension, and chills- read this book!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

****ARC REVIEW****

Oh my gosh, Ava & Scott .. danggg

This hot, age-gap, taboo thriller dark romance had me devouring pages like I hadn’t eaten in days. The thriller + dark romance combo is soooo good. Cindy was out here zigging, zagging, and keeping me permanently unwell with the plot twists.

Ava is a 20-year-old college student who gets to her family’s snowed-in cabin first. Alone. Or… so she thinks. Cue the creepy vibes, the tension, and the constant “ma’am what do you mean someone else is there?????”energy.

Enter Scott, Ava’s dad’s BEST FRIEND. Daddy, sorry, Scott shows up next, and the tension IMMEDIATELY spikes. He’s determined, bold, and very much ready to risk it all for the woman he wants. Wowza.

Without giving anything away: this book is a BANGER!!!!Fast-paced, addictive, spicy, and just unhinged enough to keep you glued. I flew through it and immediately needed to scream about it.

Do yourself a favor and read this ASAP!…. Or on 01/09/26


Thank you to Cindy Dawson for the opportunity to read this ARC❤️

[Lucia Manzotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know you shouldn't want him, he is your dads best friend, but the uptight, always in a suit man you used to know, traded the suit in for some flannel, and now he has a beard and is looking oh so delectable? Aaand you're snowed in alone with him 😏😏😏

this one had a lil bit of everything you could ask for; tension, spice, romance, teasing, bed sharing, and even that dab of suspense to keep you at the edge of your seat. cause what do you mean, someones out there watching and messing with us?

Yeah I'd cross that line tooo 🫠

I know this is a short little novella, but.... I deff need more of these two. 🥵😍😘🤌🏻

[Michelle N · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book!! This was such a great combination of genres and tropes: romance, thriller, suspense, age gap, forbidden romance, stalker. I mean you name it, it’s here. Cindy Dawson had me on the edge of my seat! This novella was the perfect length for a quick one day read.

Ana and Scott’s story is amazing. The forced proximity between Ava and her dad’s best friend gives you the angst and tension you crave while the unexplained presence of something else around them gets your heart racing in suspense.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
this was a quick, intense, suspenseful, and also hot novella.
Ava got way more than expected from her time at the family cabin. Definitely think it'll be something she'll never forget, for more than one reason.
it's definitely for me to get words down without spoiling anything.
but this will keep you on the edge of your seat, for multiple reasons.


honestly I wouldn't mind reading more of Ava and Scott especially after that ending. 🤭

thank you Cindy for the arc 🫶🏻

[Arnisha]

Thank you for the arc
4.5 ⭐️

This novella is a captivating blend of intensity, suspense, and passion. Ava's experience at the family cabin exceeded all her expectations, leaving her with unforgettable memories for various reasons. While I strive to capture my thoughts without revealing too much, I can assure you that this story will keep you on the edge of your seat for several compelling reasons.

[irisreads_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this was a wonderfully hot thriller. Scott and Ava have no idea what they are in for during a little getaway to Ava’s family cabin. Snowstorms, sexy fun time, and a little psychological mind&ck thrown in. Cindy does it again. This novella had me on the absolute edge of my seat the whole time. Between the pearl clutching spicy scenes and the dancing shadows, The Watcher became one of my favorite novellas.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️