The Wrong Name on Valentine's

by Audrey Halliwell

When he finally gave me attention, he accidentally whispered another woman's name.

For years, I competed with Ross’s firm—and his eager junior associate, Tabitha—for a scrap of his attention. I thought Valentine's Day would be the night he finally came back to me. Instead, it became my nightmare.

After a night of heated passion, Ross didn't whisper my name. He whispered hers.

Shattered by the realization that he brought another woman into our bed, I vanished. Now, Ross claims he’s ready to do the burn his career, his partnership, and his legacy to the ground just to prove I’m the only one he sees. He’s willing to become a ruin to save us, but I don’t know if a foundation this cracked can ever hold again.



Marriage in CrisisBetrayal & GrovelOW DramaWorkaholic HeroSecond Chance RomanceSame HeroNo CheatingOTT Shorts are designed to jump right into the dramatic plot. They can be read in any order.

Genres: Second Chance, Novella, Contemporary, Second Chance Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romance

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2026

About the author

Audrey Halliwell writes messy, twisty, can’t-look-away romance.

The kind where the other woman has secrets, the ex-fiancé still lingers, and the plot twists slap you like a betrayal at brunch. If you’ve ever screamed at your Kindle, rewritten endings in your head, or fallen in love with a character who absolutely should’ve known better, you’re in the right place.

Audrey blames her obsession with dramatic romance on her mother—she was watching soap operas in elementary school and devouring V.C. Andrews and Gossip Girl by middle school. Armed with a college degree and an unapologetic love for emotional chaos, Audrey writes stories where women stumble through heartbreak, betrayal, and obsession before reclaiming their power.

Her heroines might be messy, but they always find their glow-up.

When she’s not plotting angsty love triangles or crafting emotionally ruined men with great hair, you’ll find her designing something on Canva or rereading her favorite tropes like it’s self-care.

Reviews

[Paula (in & out) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Marriage in trouble trope
No cheating (physical or emotional). MMC not attracted to OW.

MMC is a workaholic and he puts his job first over his wife and she had enough, especially after he randomly said "Goodnight, Tabitha" - aka calling the OW's (his Ass't) name after sex.

A little OW drama (his Assistant) who is in love with him and tries to cause trouble but MMC is not having it.

Some redemption but not enough in my eyes.

[Tatianna Castellanos · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would like to preface this by saying the writing was great….

but i didn’t like our hero / Main character. Originally you believe it’s about Margaret and her pain/ neglect but it’s more about him learning how to be a husband/ present.

I won’t lie, i did cry so maybe i could potentially move it up to a 2.25 - 2.50 but it was more out of heartache for Margaret. I just felt like she kept wishing for him to chose her and he continues to chose his job.

I highlighted a couple of lines to express my thoughts.

“that I ordered for her—oat milk, one pump of vanilla. I remember. See?”

one thing i appreciated is that she saw his manipulation and drama. but this line made me so upset because this was him being like i remember what she likes, im doing good which is like 😣 ugh just because you remember means nothing if you aren’t there


“I know I’m the villain in this version of the story.”
erm sir in every version you are the villain to me 😖

but i’ll be honest this isn’t my trope that i normally go for so i think maybe it hit too close to home and the pain and confusion of Margaret really hit home.

I just wished we had more time with the couple but i guess the ending was good. I just was so upset because it was so real but a lot of it was unrealistic but hey it’s a fiction book. I think if you love 👁️‍🗨️ Marriage in crisis 👁️‍🗨️ OW drama 👁️‍🗨️ Betrayal, grovel & redemption 👁️‍🗨️ Workaholic hero 👁️‍🗨️ Second-chance romance 👁️‍🗨️ No physical cheating 👁️‍🗨️ Same hero you could love this book. I loved being able to branch out to a different trope for a change but it’s not my cup of tea

I think the book did put me through the wringer of emotions and anger which is what great writing does! I just didn’t agree with the emotions i was supposed to feel, but that’s what makes this relationship real because it doesn’t make sense to anyone but you. There will be ups and downs and the rekindling was real and raw which i give high praise but i just didn’t feel how i was meant to feel.

[Kiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wrong Name on Valentine's, part of the OTT Shorts, was about Ross Calder, an architect, and his wife, Margot Calder, an artist. (Their ages were never given, but from the constant reminder that Ross had "salt-and-pepper" hair, they weren't spring chickens in their 20s.)

Ross and Margot had been married for ten years. All that time, Margot had taken a backseat to his career. Now things were getting worse because, for the past five years, Ross had been constantly late returning home from work, and his seeming interest in a junior co-worker named Tabitha. On Valentine's Day, Ross was late for dinner...again. But the worst part was after they had been intimate, Ross whispered, "Goodnight, Tabitha," as he was falling asleep. While his brain finally caught up to his words and he tried to dig his way out of the doghouse, those words were the last straw for Margot. He called it "muscle memory", while she considered it betrayal. She called her BFF, Wren, who told her to pack a bag and go stay at her place. So she did.

The next morning, he chose to go to work instead of saving his marriage, thinking he had to save that to save the other. Margot noted that he had left 3 voicemails, so she decided that she'd give him ONE chance. If he answered the phone and was home, she'd talk with him about salvaging things. But if he had chosen to go to work, she was done. When it went to voicemail, she had her answer...and it wasn't her marriage. She agreed to meet him later that day, but while he waited for her to arrive at the coffee shop, work called him...again. He took the call, dealt with the crisis, and missed his wife's arrival and departure. But she left a note telling him she wanted a separation.

Inconsistencies: Ross said he had gotten Margot flowers, but they were "in the car right next to my briefcase". However, the next morning, his briefcase was in the house, ready for him to pick up on his way out the door to go to work. Over the next several days, Ross kept choosing work over Margot. Then he broke down and told his only friend at work what was going on. This friend told him the truth: he hadn't said the wrong name in bed. He had proven to his wife that he wasn't present in his marriage...that he put work before her. When Ross said he had worked hard to "sacrifice his time at work" to secure their future. However, again, his buddy told him he hadn't "sacrificed for the marriage, but rather he had sacrificed his marriage to save his job instead. He said the only way to save his marriage was a nuclear solution", which was to resign from his job, because "anything less is noise". But once again, he chose the job over his marriage. The next day, Tabitha cornered him in his office. She had overheard him telling his friend that he had called his wife by her name, and so she used that to verbally undermine Margot and his marriage. She went so far as to touch him inappropriately, and he froze...until she tried to kiss him. Just as her lips touched the corner of his mouth, he finally stopped her. Then he finally got the balls to quit. When he was telling Margot what he had done, his boss called. He put him on speaker so Margot could hear him tell the man "no" for the first time. Instead, what they both heard was the truth about why their marriage actually failed. His boss told him...on the phone and in the hearing of Margot and her BFF...that he had known Ross' marriage was in crisis five years earlier, so he deliberately gave him an overload of projects to force the end of the marriage. That was when Margot realized everyone at work knew what was going on, even if Ross hadn't...and yet he had allowed it to happen. That broke her.

The story was full of angst, anger, heartache, and an emotional rollercoaster that had too many twists and turns for the length of the book. There was the usual push/pull between the two main characters, and the conflict with the other woman drama. What it lacked was any real work being done on the relationship itself because the author focused more on the work each main character was doing on their own, separate life, rather than working together to salvage their marriage. Once Margot left, they were rarely ever together. When they were together, other people were in the mix, so that they weren't really focused on their relationship. The author waited until it was almost too late for them to do the actual work on the relationship.

The timing was frequently off in the story. When the author was telling it from Ross' POV, several days had passed, but when it went back to Margot's POV, it was only two days. From the moment she left in Chapter 3, only Chapter 5 was from her POV. We got 6-9 from Ross' POV, until it was her POV again in Chapter 10, all of the days were mixed up, as was much of the facts already shared. For instance, he already knew where she was staying because he had found out from her parents. But in Chapter 10, he had only just found out...umm...nope.

The concept of the storyline was great. However, the final product fell flat as a board. There were too many things that weren't cohesive, or they disappeared without any resolution. It created the feeling of unfinished or missing significant information.

While both main characters were fully developed and mature, they lacked personality and the depth needed to feel more real. The growth that was done was more verbalized than fulfilled in actions, which was disappointing.

I only gave this a three-star rating because it needed more tweaking and finessing. It was a decent story, but it just needed to be refined. I just didn't live up to the hype.

[J McCabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read!

Oh my heart! This was a great Valentine’s read. The novel opens with not only a major heartbreaker but a major spirit breaker too. Our FMC is emotionally wrecked and decides she’s had enough. We watch her character develop and grow from being a “back burner” wife to allowing herself to shine. Our MMC is painfully clueless. PAINFULLY clueless. He’s a mess. He’s lost. He’s confused. He reminds me of my teenager sulking but I absolutely adore the friendship he builds with Elias. Elias is his perfect Yoda and reminds me of my dad when he’s at his wits end but has still decided to (very reluctantly) guide me. We all need an Elias in our lives.

OW drama - yes
Emotional cheating - yes
HEA - yes

On a side note, I feel like this novel would be a great companion for a lesson on the 5 Love Languages.

I had this one on my wishlist and got super lucky when our amazing author reached out looking for ARC readers.

[Debbie DiFiore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know

I think the heroine is a little too hard on him. I totally understand what he did was egregious. I would have nailed him to the wall for crying out loud. But he totally changed his life to.get her back. I don't nothing he was ever attracted to Tabitha and she ended up being more than just a caricature of a wannabe OW. I didn't like her but she accepted that her actions were out of line. I'm glad it ended up the way it did. I was worried shed reject him after all he did to please her. But it was good.

[Jill Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was fine. I didn't feel the angst. The book did not grip me as I expected it to.

My review was tagged as being a review of an advance copy provided by the author. It was not. I was not provided a copy

[Kierra Brice · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Review: The Wrong Name on Valentine’s by Audrey Halliwell


The Wrong Name on Valentine’s by Audrey Halliwell follows Margot and Ross Calder through one of the most emotional, messy, and deeply human journeys I’ve read in a long time. Margot is married to Ross, an architect who’s been distant for years, and she hopes Valentine’s Day will finally bring them closer—until, after they make love, Ross falls asleep and calls her by another woman’s name, Tabitha. Shocked and heartbroken, Margot tells him to get out. She calls her best friend Wren, who urges her to leave, and Margot packs her bag and walks out with the devastating line: “To a place where no one calls me by someone else’s name.” Ross spirals, calling repeatedly, begging to explain, but when Arthur calls needing last-minute Dubai project edits, Ross chooses work again instead of going after his wife. Later, they plan to meet at a coffee shop where Margot intends to ask for a separation, but Arthur interrupts yet again, pulling Ross away—and Margot leaves him a note reading, “Keep the glass cage. I want a separation.” Ross finally breaks down and confides in his coworker Chan, who tells him to quit and stop letting Arthur run his life. Ross tries to resign but hesitates… until Tabitha comes onto him, thinking the name slip meant he wanted her. He snaps, kicks her out, storms into Arthur’s office, and resigns for real. He goes to Wren’s to apologize to Margot, but Margot tells him quitting isn’t enough—five years of neglect aren’t something you just forget.


Separated, they each try to find themselves. Ross can’t go home, so he ends up staying in his neighbor’s guest room, learning hands-on skills and working with tools. He starts trying to prove to Margot that he can be present, dependable, and not the distant workaholic she married. Arthur drives by harassing him, insulting Margot, and Ross finally stands up for her, telling Arthur no, right in front of her. Ross gets a new job at Affordable Homes, one where he can be out of the office by six and actually show Margot she is the only one on his mind. After dinner one night, Margot invites him to her showcase; he brings flowers, and when he gets a notification, he turns off his phone and walks toward her, choosing her over everything. Tabitha later approaches Margot to apologize for disrespecting her, trying to wreck their marriage, and treating it like a technicality—owning the hurt she caused before saying goodbye.


Ross continues rebuilding himself. He fixes the bathroom leak after learning from Elias, and he tells Margot he’s committed and ready whenever she is. They walk in the park they used to go to when they were dating, and Ross admits he got a small studio apartment because he wants to establish himself before asking for a future with her, to date her properly. But Margot worries he’s hiding again, shrinking himself into another box. She surprises him by asking him to cancel the lease, give her six months, and move back into the house—just not in their bedroom yet. They fall into a routine of morning coffee and soft conversation, but Ross keeps narrating every chore he does, acting like a guest performing “husband duties,” and Margot calls him out—she wants the real him, not a project, not a performance. One night he promises he’ll be home by six to cook carbonara, but when he’s forty-five minutes late with no call or text, Margot fears he’s falling back into old patterns. She throws the pasta away—only for Ross to burst through the door covered in grease, with a cut hand, explaining his tire blew on I-96. He ran up the driveway because he knew exactly what she’d think. Later, while she works in the office turned art studio, he offers thoughtful artistic advice she never expected, and she finally asks him to move back into their bedroom.


Six months later they host friends for dinner; Ross cooks roast chicken from scratch, and everyone toasts to the man he’s become. When his phone buzzes on the table, he doesn’t touch it—he just looks at it, looks back at the group, and shares the news out loud that the Hemlock Project got approved. After everyone leaves, he washes dishes while Margot dries. And on the next Valentine’s Day, he gets home early to Margot making carbonara—properly, without cream. They cook together, talk about their days—her being asked to lead the community outreach program for her collective, him saving a porch and getting renovation permits for the library. Ross gives her a handmade leather book filled with pages of his handwriting, focused on the present instead of the future. That night, as they get in bed, he kisses her goodnight and, this time, he says, “Good night, Margot.” And for the first time in years, it feels real.


I absolutely love second-chance romances, and this one delivered everything I look for. There’s no physical cheating at all — just a heartbreaking misunderstanding tied to Ross being so buried in work he didn’t notice how Tabitha acted around him. This was my first time reading Audrey Halliwell, and she captured heartbreak, rebuilding, and emotional tension beautifully. It’s a hearty Valentine’s novella that pulls you in from the start, and you should definitely pick it up. And honestly, I would’ve reacted exactly like Margot — because if a man ever called me the wrong name in bed after sleeping with me? Oh, I’d be FURIOUS too.




If You Love:

Dual POV
Second Chance Romance
No Physical Cheating
Spice
Healing
Drama/OW
Workaholic
Marriage In Crisis
Betrayal
Same Hero



Add This To Your TBR Immediately 📚💗




-Kierra Brice🩷

[Jess · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are so many things just don’t make sense.

1. First Ross has been absent for a few months then only the last three weeks then really the last 5 years.
2. He says his clothes smell like Wrens place. Ross was at Wrens house for probably 5-10 tops trying to talk to margot and then he walked out into the pouring rain…how would his clothes smell like wrens place?
3. Ross is supposed to be some great architect and he I’m guessing has a nice house but his neighbor has cracks in the ceiling and a sagging porch.
4. Ross quit his job but then his boss sends a gift basket to his neighbors house for him. How would he know that Ross is staying there?
5. Tabitha is supposed to be the “work wife” secretary. But then in later chapters she goes to Ross to ask him to join a new firm she’s creating. Isn’t she an assistant??? And another thing she shows up at the neighbors house to talk to Ross and says she knows he was there because she saw his car. Why would Ross move his car when they are next door neighbors.
6. Margot and Ross have been separated for two weeks and she hasn’t painted in years yet she has a showcase event happening only two weeks after she left him???

[Joanne Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when your nelgectful husband says another woman's name on Valentine day after you have been intimate - nothing good that is for sure. This is a really great look at a marriage in trouble.

[olivia V.]

again.. not rating this book. decent story, had potential, felt the anguish a bit when the shit hit the fan but ai assisted writing leaves a lot to be desired.. again with the smells, it's like a hallmark of chat gpt or something. things in this book smell like regret, impermanence, redemption?? so weird. i've never read about a couple who liked talking about lamb so much.. she made lamb and it was mentioned so many times. did she not know how to cook anything else? there are odd time jumps and inconsistencies, take you right out of the story. anyways.. the mmc took a bit too long to get his head out of his ass but he did and it was ok. I actually had a hard time liking the fmc. note to self, avoid this author.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't feel anything!

I don't know how to explain it except I didn't feel anything from this book. It absolutely did not bring out any kind of emotion in me.

You have a couple, he says wrong name, they work on it I guess. It as if a robot wrote the book that did have any feelings.. Just strange.

[Serena Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

’Prefiero ser miserable en un tejado y feliz en mi cocina que un dios en esa ciudad y un fantasma en mi propia casa.’



•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers.
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.



The Wrong Name on Valentine's de Audrey Halliwell

Argumento:

Cuando finalmente me prestó atención, accidentalmente susurró el nombre de otra mujer.

Durante años, competí con el bufete de Ross —y con su entusiasta socia junior, Tabitha— por un poco de su atención. Pensé que el Día de San Valentín sería la noche en que finalmente volvería conmigo. En cambio, se convirtió en mi pesadilla.

Después de una noche de pasión intensa, Ross no susurró mi nombre. Susurró el de ella .

Destrozada al darme cuenta de que había traído a otra mujer a nuestra cama, desaparecí.
Ahora, Ross afirma estar listo para hacer lo impensable: quemar su carrera, su sociedad y su legado hasta los cimientos solo para demostrar que soy la única a quien ve. Está dispuesto a convertirse en una ruina para salvarnos, pero no sé si unos cimientos tan agrietados podrán volver a resistir.


Mi humilde opinión:

Romance con segunda oportunidad y matrimonio en crisis.

En serio Ross, cómo llegas dos horas tarde a la cena de San Valentín, en tu aniversario? Y para el colmo llamas Tabitha a tu esposa, una compañera de trabajo, después de una noche pasión el mismo día? Para Margot fue la gota que derramó el vaso. Honestamente no sé como aguantó cinco años esa situación, debería haberlo dejado mucho antes.

Es después de susurrar el nombre de otra mujer en la cama y que su esposa se fuera de la casa que Ross se empieza a dar cuenta de cuan abandonada tenia a Margot y su matrimonio, cuan negligente fue con ella y cuanto le falló cambiándola por su trabajo. A pesar de que es consciente de todo eso y que lo primero que debería haber hecho es ir por ella, explicarse y probarle que le importaba, qué es lo que hace él? Se va a trabajar al día siguiente, sigue poniendo en primer lugar su trabajo! Quería “arreglar las cosas con ella”, como si fuera simple, y todo lo que pensaba hacer me sonaba tan calculado y falso.

Detestaba el Ross ambicioso adicto al trabajo que terminó destruyendo su matrimonio pero el Ross que intentaba salvarlo comenzó a caerme bien. Podría haber seguido como siempre porque estaba teniendo éxito en su trabajo, podría haber dado todo por perdido con Margot, pero no lo hizo, quizás demasiado tarde pero por fin iba a despabilar.

Aunque le costó romper las viejas costumbres, Ross comenzó un largo camino, sin darse por vencido, para recuperar a Margot. Pero Margot no lo perdona fácil y teme que caiga en los viejos hábitos. Quiere ver un cambio genuino en él. Durante la mayor parte del libro Ross se humilla y hace grandes cambios en su vida para convertirse en el hombre merecedor de su amor comenzando por renunciar a su trabajo.

Por un momento pensé que Tabitha sería la típica villana creando más problemas entre Margot y Ross. En la parte en que ella intenta seducirlo pensé que Ross iba a ceder, y a pesar de que él se paralizó ante sus avances, piloteó bien esa situación porque en realidad él nunca estuvo interesado en ella mas que laboralmente, aunque esta no lo había entendido así. Una vez que él le dejó claro esto, ella pidió disculpas y se alejó.

Si bien no hay infidelidad, sí me pareció que hubo engaño emocional. Las cenas perdidas por quedarse trabajando hasta tarde, atender el teléfono cuando estaba pasando tiempo con su esposa, flores y joyas, regalos que impersonales que ni siquiera los elegía él porque su cabeza estaba en sus proyectos laborales, era como estar engañándola con su trabajo.

Me pareció que fue algo bueno que los protagonistas tuvieran su tiempo de separación para encontrarse a si mismos, ver la perspectiva del otro, reconocer errores, sanar y ver lo que les hacia feliz individualmente. Se notaba que todavía se amaban, se aferraban a eso y no se daban por vencido con el otro. Por eso me hubiera gustado más verlos trabajando para componer su relación porque los momentos juntos fueron pocos, mucho me lo contaron y no mostraron.

Este es un romance para el día de los enamorados diferente, no es divertido ni dulce, tiene mucho drama y angustia, es sobre un matrimonio que prácticamente muere y no sabes si podrán volver a revivirlo, es sobre sacrificios y elegir lo que realmente importa, cuidar y valorar a quien te ama.

La historia no es extensa, se lee fácil y tiene una escritura decente. Noté inconsistencias, hubo preguntas sin respuesta y la encontré un poco repetitiva pero me gustó.

[JillyB · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing to note about Audrey’s writing, is she doesn’t usually go the typical route. It is what makes her style unique! Ross and Margot have been married for 10 years. He is an architect and for the past 5 years he has worked for a firm that builds skyscrapers and they are amazing. He really wants to make partner…so he has become a workaholic. Late nights, missed dinners, impersonal gifts, phone calls during couple time…everything. In addition to this he has an attractive coworker that is the jelly to his peanut butter. Tabitha…..When he comes home late on Valentine’s Day, his wife Margot is upset but somewhat resigned to this life. However, after smexy times, in the afterglow He says, “ Goodnight Tabitha” he instantly realizes what he did but the damage is done!
Ok so since this is a Novella I will stop here but I will check off the tropes list the author provided.

Marriage in Crisis- Yes! and for some time. We are coming in at the moment it all changes. Where it is no longer just a marriage in crisis but a marriage on its deathbed.

Ow drama: Yes! Tabitha working so “closely” has developed feelings for Ross. I mean she is with him more than anyone else. However, what is interesting is how AH handles this OW. This is where her unique style comes in. You will want to read this to the end!

Betrayal and grovel: Yes! Well the betrayal is pretty obvious. The wrong name was only part of it. Does he grovel? Most of the book is him making the changes to become the man who loves his wife. To me that is a pretty long grovel. There is no easy fix, and Margot doesn’t accept things that do not show real change.

Workaholic hero- Yes! He likes the status as well. So this isn’t just about making money, there is ego involved here!

Second Chance Romance- Yes! This couple has to find their way back to each other, but both make changes along the way.

No Physical Cheating- Yes! There is no physical cheating and to be honest there is no emotional cheating with another person despite that name drop. However, Ross is emotionally cheating on his wife with his job!

Same hero-Yes! However, the hero makes such drastic changes that one might say he is not the same hero. He has a makeover for the better.

This novella arrives just in time for Valentine’s Day! It is a novella, so you may have questions or wonderings, but for the sake of keeping the story short the author has to skim things that may be expanded on in a longer story. I guess as a reader you can fill in the blanks! There is really only one smexy time, at the beginning and it is mild. The book is really focused on the aftermath and how the two characters are able to come back together.

[Ꭿຖᥲ·♡ ྀི · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5✯

-2nd chance
-dual POV
-married couple (10 years)
-no om drama
-no cheating/both celibate during separation
-ow drama: like the blurb says the hero said OW's name a few minutes after he finished having sex with his wife -this woman was a co-worker and she had feelings for him but he had no interest in her- he said her name bc he was a workaholic so he was spending more time with her at work than with his wife, ("Saying her name wasn't because I want her. It was because she's the personification of the office.")... the OW tried to make a move while the MCs were separated, she cornered him and tried to kiss him, when her lips touched the corner of his mouth he pushed her away, in the end when the OW realized that the hero didn't want her she apologized to him and the h
-pushing away from h
-the hero cried and begged on his knees
-there were several inconsistencies with the timeline
-epilogue (HFN): 1 year after the first chapter
----------------

“For almost five years, we were a team, Ross. We shared everything. And then… you whispered my name. In your sleep. In your bed.” She swallows hard. “You don’t do that with someone you don’t have feelings for. That’s why I thought… that’s why I cornered you. I thought you were afraid to make the first move.”

****************

“I need to be clear,” I say, keeping my voice low. “I didn’t stay late because of you, Tabitha. I stayed late to avoid my life.” She freezes. “You were the deadline,” I say. “You were the pressure. You were the work. When I whispered your name, it wasn’t desire. It was anxiety. You were the symbol of the world I couldn’t put down. You were the panic attack I woke up to. You were efficient,” I continue softly. “You made the work easier. But if you had been a sixty-year-old man, I would have spent the same amount of time at that desk.””

[Mairi Swan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this arc and this is my honest opinion.
This is a story of a neglected wife with OW drama, second chance, grovel.
The heroine, who is an artist, is married to the hero, who is an architect, for 10 years and the story begins on Valentine's day where the heroine has made a dinner but hero is late once again. He tries to apologise, again, and they sleep together where after doing the deed and in the brink of falling asleep the hero whispers his assistant's name!
You would think that he has an emotional affair with his assistant but truly this isn't the case here. It is devastating to read something like that and even worse after as a reader you realise it was just a slip like muscle memory. But the damage is done and it was the cherry on the top. Because their relationship has been damaged long before the slip.
It's quite emotional reading it, the hero's realisation that he made a mistake and the devastation that his betrayl is more than a slip. His confusion as to what the next step for gaining back his wife and the feelings in that moment. I wanted to get in the book and slap him to make him see some sense. He eventually clears his head and he takes every action to make that true. But mostly to make himself a better man in order to deserve her.
And the heroine doesn't budge easily and calls him out on his mistake when he tends to slip in his older ways.
Overall it was an emotional reading with some angst and a lot of grovel. It's quite short so it can be read in one afternoon, or monring in my case.

[Melanie Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading romance but I tend to shy away from second chances, love triangles, and “other woman” drama. When Audrey posted that she was looking for arc readers along with the blurb, I was already fuming on the fmc’s behalf and doubted I would be happy with any resolution at the end of the story… but I couldn’t have been more wrong!

This was lovely to read. The story of a husband who has become so caught up in being the best at work that he’s lost sight of what really matters, and who only realises what he had when it’s gone.

I loved that it was a dual point of view, and you got to look into Ross’ mind, understand his thinking, and see him genuinely trying to turn his life around; and I enjoyed seeing Margot begin building a new life where she came first. No pun intended but, on that note, this is not a spicy read although there was one love scene. I would have enjoyed seeing more spice but it wouldn’t affect my rating in any way, this was a good read with or without the extra spice.

The only other thing I would have liked more of is seeing more of their life together once they’d reconnected rather than having a time jump straight after… I enjoyed the dinner party and it perfectly showcased the new life they’d mapped out for themselves, I just wanted more of them in the moment as they finally reconciled… but maybe I’m just being greedy!!

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally, I think groveling is overrated. So, when I read this I was instantly surprised that the Margot stood her ground and basically focused on remembering herself while her world was falling apart around her.
Ross, on the other hand, had to do some major work because this was not going to be an easy fix. I appreciated how he used the time to work on himself, but according to Margot, he had to stop hiding and attempt to come out when he felt things were perfect because that wasn't going to work if they needed to have an honest reconcilliation.
As for Tabitha, the other woman, she wasn't too much at fault as we later find out that their boss kind of had a hand in the dynamics that led to Ross and Margot's split. But I still rolled my eyes so hard that they almost popped out of their sockets because the audacity of that woman.
I loved how honest and real this was. There wasn't a happily ever after from realizing that Ross was some sort of prince charming on a white horse after their kingdom burned down, but more like a happily for now after realizing that some work still needed to be done because after all everyone was human and that communication is key.
Definitely recommend!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It took me on a full emotional ride from start to finish, and I genuinely felt the hurt and crisis that the heroine was feeling. At the beginning, I couldn’t stand the MMC at all. I was angry at him, frustrated by his choices, and honestly questioning how he could ever be redeemed.

But as the story continued, I started to understand him more. His flaws, his mistakes, and the reasons behind his actions were layered in such a way that my feelings slowly shifted. How he put so much into his career that to him, not making partner would not only feeling like he failed, but more that he sacrificed all that time and energy for nothing. That he thought once he made partner, his marriage would get better. By the end, I felt like his redemption was earned, not rushed or forced. Watching him face the consequences of his actions and grow into a better version of himself was incredibly satisfying.

Marriage-in-crisis, betrayal, groveling scene, redemption. There is a little bit of OW drama, but aside from one chapter it wasn't jarring.

This book made me go from hating the MMC, to understanding him, to fully believing in his redemption—and that emotional journey is what made it such a powerful read for me.

[Tania Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started out really well, but lost its way somewhat towards the end. The story is basically about our workaholic H Ross and his forgotten h Margot.

After five years of marriage and Ross increasingly putting all things work before Margot, things come to a crunch on Valentines day. Ross arrives home very late, missing a romantic evening put together by Margot. Realising he has stuffed up, he wordsmiths his way out of this latest misstep and they end up having a much need reconnection in the bedroom. All is going well until Ross whispers "goodnight Tabitha". Tabitha happens to be his right-hand woman at work.

Kicking him out, Margot ends up at her sisters where she stays for a few days, while Ross is frantically trying to talk with her. There are a few more cumulative events where Ross puts his work before Margot, resulting in her advising there is no hope for them.

Ross eventually resigns from his work, not until after Tabitha makes a move on him, to his horror. The drama with Tabitha felt a little 'thrown in' to give more drama to the situation.

Ross works hard to make amends, and at times I felt Margot was over the top with her reactions to what he was doing to prove himself. There is a HEA at the end

[MiSsE · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

We have a hero who is clearly more married to his career than his wife. A total workaholic, he’s spent five years forgetting how to actually show up for his marriage.

The breaking point comes on Valentine’s Day. After showing up two hours late for dinner and full of excuses, he thinks sex is a "get out of jail free" card. To make matters worse, as they’re falling asleep, he whispers another woman’s name. Instead of chasing after his wife to fix the disaster, he still chooses work, justifying it with the logic that he can’t "lose both." After five years of neglect, his priorities are still backwards.

I usually love a good emotional gut punch, but I just didn’t feel it here. The lead-up to the name-slip lacked that heart-pounding tension, mostly because the chemistry was non-existent. Their connection felt like two business associates discussing their respective careers rather than a married couple.

As for the side characters, I found the hero to be TSTL in his office scene with Tabitha, the "frozen" excuse didn't fly with me. Also, I couldn't stand the friend, Wren. Unless there’s abuse involved, third parties have no business being that deep in the middle of a marriage.

[Denali Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly something else. I have not read a book that I HAD to force myself to put down in SO LONG. I couldn’t stop reading, it pulled me in. The writing style is very simple, more on a light descriptive side. It’s kind of hard to explain, as a new review, but to me, it was a simple understanding. She made it where you are able to feel the emotions of the characters as well as give small details about surroundings. The author also uses comparative language that fits her character’s. For example, the MMC is an architect, so the story contains a lot of similes. For example, one of the sentences was “He is not treating me like a delicate model made of balsa wood and glue”. I think it is brilliant!
During the story, you can feel the emotions of the characters very well, including the heart ache and the pain as they traveling on a second chance romance. In the beginning, I was hit hard with the feelings of pity and despair as I was able to relate to the story.
Overall, if you are wanting a short book to breeze through, but also enjoy, this is the book for you! It has some spice (just enough to get a taste, not make it the main focus), drama, healing and the idea that love can always come back around. It’s a great slice of life book!

[Midnight Dahlia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy this story. There was too much focus on Ross and his personal struggles, so I almost forgot that this was supposed to be a story about a married couple. After the incident, Ross and Margot hardly spent time together, which made it hard to feel their relationship. Because of that, I couldn’t connect with either of them.

Tabitha’s character also felt strange. Suddenly she was written as very “human,” but her behavior at Ross’s office was really inappropriate and uncomfortable. I don’t understand why she would act like that in front of Margot. If I were in her place, I would stay away from a married man who chose me over his wife. Men like that usually cause more problems, not less.

It also didn’t make sense that Tabitha kept showing up everywhere at his house after he resigned, and even later to talk to Margot. Her offering Ross a job and saying they would stay professional felt unrealistic and almost funny.

Another issue is that Ross and Margot rarely talked to each other about their problems. They were mostly dealing with things alone instead of working through them together. That made the story hard to relate to. A lot was happening, but the couple didn’t actually communicate.

In the end, I didn’t feel any chemistry, love, or longing between Ross and Margot. Their relationship felt more like roommates than a married couple. Because of all this, I couldn’t finish the book.

Rating: 2/10.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ‘hero’ (zero) was way TSTL. Downright dense, dim, obtuse… the list is endless.
Ross and Margot

Tropes:
* Marriage in crisis
* OW drama
* Workaholic MMC
* Betrayal, grovel, and redemption(?)
* Emotional cheating
* No physical cheating
* Second chance

My rage… when he said her name….

I loved Wren (Margot’s BFF)… She said all the things we want to say…

“The Emperor’s golden boy threw a tantrum. Is that supposed to fix the fact that you brought another woman’s name into your wife’s bed? Is unemployment supposed to make you faithful?”

Now, his epiphany came a bit ‘too little, too late’, but it did happen. I wouldn’t actually call his actions grovelling, but more that he upended his life to make a significant change.

I would have liked more Margot/Ross interactions, but this rightly focussed on Ross and the changes he was making.
I was happy when Margot called him out on his actions, though… His toxic behaviour continued throughout the story, even when he claimed he was trying to be better.

The ending? I’m not calling it a HEA, I’m not calling it a HFN… It’s somewhere in between.

Thank you Audrey, for the advanced copy.

[Mei · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella leans into the same marriage‑in‑trouble vibe you’d find in Maya Alden or in Aubrey Whitten’s Words We Didn’t Say, especially with its focus on an overworked husband who’s been neglecting his wife.

The story can feel a bit repetitive at times, and being a novella means there isn’t much room for deeper angst or a longer grovel. The emotional punch really centers on that brutal opening scene where he says the wrong name as he’s drifting off to sleep right after being intimate… yikes.

One thing that really stood out is that the other woman isn’t portrayed as manipulative or malicious; she actually apologizes, which keeps the conflict grounded instead of turning it into a villain subplot. After that initial shock, the tension stays lighter and the story shifts toward the wake‑up call and the quick, contained path to repairing the relationship.

It doesn’t break new ground in the marriage‑in‑trouble trope, but it delivers exactly what it promises. If you enjoy this niche, it’s an easy, satisfying bite‑sized read.

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

[Carole Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a dramatic and heart-breakingly realistic tale of betrayal and grovel - the author has pulled me into her exhilarating and satisfying story. This was an exciting novella that sure packed a punch!

Margot has been let down and forgotten for five years, in the eyes of her husband and the straw that broke it all was him calling her someone else’s name after smexy time in bed. Having had enough, she moves out.
Ross truly loves his wife but missed dinners, anniversaries, events and losing track of what should be most important to him, sees him lose Margot and then lose his mind.
This story is told with all the emotions and consequences faced through their time apart and they navigated a twisty path to find their way back to redemption.

From soulful and teary moments and heartbreaking drama to loving values - this tale faced a gamut of sensations and is another stellar offering from a talented author.
I’ve enjoyed the respite these hours of reading has gifted me and I thank the author for giving me the opportunity to enjoy the arc and provide my voluntary review.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this marriage in crisis story. Audrey and Ross have been married for 10 years. He is ambitious, which is not a bad thing; however, the path he chooses to reach his goal of partner means long hours at work, neglecting his wife and marriage. He comes home late for Valentine's dinner and is less than enthusiastic about it. The last straw is after dinner when they share an intimate moment, and he utters his co-worker's name as he drifts off to sleep. She is not having that at all. Calls her friend, packs her bags, and leaves him right there. He is devastated.

What follows is an emotional journey, for both of them. He decides what he needs to change, what he needs to prioritize, and what he needs to do to make both himself and his wife happy within a marriage that feels safe, feels like a partnership, and includes trust and open communication. She also remembers her dreams and decides to go for them.

The following Valentine's Day is very different. I especially like the gift Ross gave Audrey -- it reflected what he had learned and what was important.

[Margerm, Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars A satisfying read for a short story with a little bit of everything - OW, neglected wife, guy punch, grovel. Not especially original but OK for a quick read. The h is waiting for her husband, the H, to come home to their anniversary dinner which is also Valentine's Day. He is late again due to a project crisis. He finally comes home and clues into the signs of a ruined evening and makes up for it by taking the h to bed where he says another woman's name. The h throws him out of their bedroom. She packs a bag and leaves. Over the next two days the H allows work emergencies to come between reconnecting with the h so she asks for a separation. The H shares his marriage troubles with a co-worker and the OW overhears and interprets the events. She tries to come on to the H. He resigns from his architectural position with a toxic boss and work environment. Both the h and H reinvent themselves as they find out who they really are and look at a relationship that incorporates their new selves.

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chances , love triangles , marriage in trouble !!! Let me just say I was not prepared, not prepared at all for the emotional rollercoaster of a journey I was just taken on . The way Margot and Ross’s story resonated with me , I cannot even put into words . Everything margot went through and the emotional toll it took on her - my heart truly broke for her . But I also loved the way she found the strength inside herself to stand her ground . Ross - I have to be completely honest . I’m not really sure how I feel about him . Spending so much time at work , cheating on his wife ; not acknowledging how his actions affected his marriage and how they hurt Margot . Well at least in the beginning. He definitely had a lot of work to do on himself . This is most definitely not a happily ever after journey , it’s real , it’s raw and it’s extremely emotional. It will wreck you in alll the best ways and I can promise you will find yourself crying ugly tears , but you will also find yourself rooting so so hard for Margot

[ljamison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit the blurb grabbed me, a husband whispers another woman’s name I’m all for the angst and heartache. So I read this book assuming the husband was having an affair and inadvertently slipped and said the OW name. However, the book is actually about Margot and Ross a married couple who have grown apart. Margot is a housewife who paints. Ross is an architect and he’s on the fast track to partnership, but the job is taking over his life. Ross is muting Margot’s calls, he rarely calls to tell her he will be late and he is emotionally absent for his wife. So after a very loving, intimate moment Ross whispers his assistant’s name Margot is done. The story while intense and sad it lacked the angst that I was looking for and expecting. Margot reacts as any woman would do in that situation and she really does make Ross work so that they can reconcile. Most of the book revolves around Ross learning about himself and coming to some self realizations about life and his ambitions. Good story of a marriage trouble, easy and fast read.

[Erica Marselas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love marriage in trouble in romances and this was perfect on levels. This novella hit the spot and my favorite it this collection thus far. The length was absolutely perfect, that it hit every note and didn't drag, and wrapped everything in a bow. I admire authors that can leave no holes in a short story.



Tbh I almost felt sorry for Ross (haha, only because I'm a vivid dreamer and the things I have said in my sleep.. woot), but Ross wasnt dreamng when he said the ow name after hanky panky, soo he fd up big time.
, it was the last straw, forgetting about his wife Margot for so manny years. I wish ma'am spoke b4 butt it wouldn't be a story would it. However, that's love, patience and trusting that the man you love things will change. And it was a good wake up call for both MCs and I like how dear author helped them both grow.
If you enjoy marriage in trouble, angst, growth, grovel, total read.