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Taken by Surprise: A Spicy Valentine's Day Novella
Roses are red. Boundaries are crossed.
This Valentine's Day, the most dangerous thing in her apartment isn't the intruders... it's the chemistry.
Every Valentine's Day, Rose celebrates her beloved holiday Anti-Valentine's Night. She holes up in her apartment with greasy takeout, cheap red wine, and the goriest horror movies she can find. Love is a distraction she doesn't need--especially after last year's breakup disaster.
But this year, she's not spending the night alone like she planned. Rose is halfway through her second bottle of wine when two strangers break into her apartment, clearly not here for a meet cute. They need the space for surveillance, and her apartment has the perfect vantage point.
What starts as an unwanted invasion slowly turns into something far more dangerous--lingering looks, shared adrenaline, and a pull between all three of them that makes Rose question whether control is something she actually wants this Valentine's Day.
This Valentine's Day, the most dangerous thing in her apartment isn't the intruders... it's the chemistry.
Every Valentine's Day, Rose celebrates her beloved holiday Anti-Valentine's Night. She holes up in her apartment with greasy takeout, cheap red wine, and the goriest horror movies she can find. Love is a distraction she doesn't need--especially after last year's breakup disaster.
But this year, she's not spending the night alone like she planned. Rose is halfway through her second bottle of wine when two strangers break into her apartment, clearly not here for a meet cute. They need the space for surveillance, and her apartment has the perfect vantage point.
What starts as an unwanted invasion slowly turns into something far more dangerous--lingering looks, shared adrenaline, and a pull between all three of them that makes Rose question whether control is something she actually wants this Valentine's Day.
196 pages, Paperback
Published February 10, 2026
About the author
Nicole J. Owens
2 books50 followersNicole J. Owens lives in North Carolina with her husband, their son, and their two dogs--Benny the Bernedoodle and Ruby the Miniature Cockapoo--who are all equal parts chaos and comfort.
A lifelong reader, Nicole has always found her space tucked inside the pages of a good book. When she's not writing, you can find her with a book in one hand and a glass of red wine in the other.
BENEATH YOUR LIES, releasing on Sept. 23rd, is her debut novel.
A lifelong reader, Nicole has always found her space tucked inside the pages of a good book. When she's not writing, you can find her with a book in one hand and a glass of red wine in the other.
BENEATH YOUR LIES, releasing on Sept. 23rd, is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 26, 2026
Rose hates Valentines so she ordered up some take out and settles in for some horror movies …. Then two masked men break into her apartment……
This was a fantastic Novella! You have why choose, and a bit of suspense . I am so here for it !!!
This was a fantastic Novella! You have why choose, and a bit of suspense . I am so here for it !!!
February 11, 2026
beta read✨️💕
February 15, 2026
This book started off very strong, with an interesting concept that immediately pulled me in. Unfortunately, as the story progressed, the plot began to unravel and lose its sense of logic (apparently a tiny black box could somehow track and explain everything happening at all times, literally made no sense
The characters repeatedly stressed how personal and important the mission was to them, yet halfway through decided it was the perfect moment to abandon said mission in favour of bedroom activities, completely forgetting the supposed urgency.
By the time I reached the ending, it felt as though one or several chapters were missing altogether. The main storyline was never fully resolved, which was disappointing given how promising the beginning had been.
The characters repeatedly stressed how personal and important the mission was to them, yet halfway through decided it was the perfect moment to abandon said mission in favour of bedroom activities, completely forgetting the supposed urgency.
By the time I reached the ending, it felt as though one or several chapters were missing altogether. The main storyline was never fully resolved, which was disappointing given how promising the beginning had been.
February 15, 2026
The 2 plot lines in this story should have been 2 different books... the spice was great but throw in the serious job those 2 men were supposed to be doing but got distracted by a woman.... we're doomed.
March 26, 2026
I loved Taken by Surprise! It was a quick read, fast paced, and had masked men (which is always a win for me).
The story follows Rose, who’s spending Valentine’s Day alone in her apartment, and Zane and Isaac, who break in during a mission to access their targets. There is a little suspense and lots of banter, physical tension and spice!
What I loved most was how obsessed Zane and Isaac were with Rose, but in the best way. They were protective, attentive, and took very good care of her… emotionally and physically 👀
I’d honestly love to read more about them!
The story follows Rose, who’s spending Valentine’s Day alone in her apartment, and Zane and Isaac, who break in during a mission to access their targets. There is a little suspense and lots of banter, physical tension and spice!
What I loved most was how obsessed Zane and Isaac were with Rose, but in the best way. They were protective, attentive, and took very good care of her… emotionally and physically 👀
I’d honestly love to read more about them!
February 11, 2026
Loved this very anti Valentine’s Day novella about a woman whose apartment gets broken into by two men. Two men who don’t want to hurt her but end up falling for her.
All I’m gonna say is Rose is one lucky lady. Zane was such a goofball and Issac so serious, this woman got the best of both worlds.
I just loved the gradual tension building there was even though it was a novella. And getting all of their POV’s, loved that!
All I’m gonna say is Rose is one lucky lady. Zane was such a goofball and Issac so serious, this woman got the best of both worlds.
I just loved the gradual tension building there was even though it was a novella. And getting all of their POV’s, loved that!
February 12, 2026
Intense!
This book is really good. It is intense for a lot of reasons, the smexy parts, the reason the men are in Rose's apartment to begin with, and all the emotions. I did have a hard time reading about the reason for their break in. I'm being vague so I don't spoil it, but it did hurt my heart. The book needs a little bit more editing, there were a few errors.
This book is really good. It is intense for a lot of reasons, the smexy parts, the reason the men are in Rose's apartment to begin with, and all the emotions. I did have a hard time reading about the reason for their break in. I'm being vague so I don't spoil it, but it did hurt my heart. The book needs a little bit more editing, there were a few errors.
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August 17, 2026Some inconsistencies with placement of items and people. Next to the railing, by the door, then somehow on the table for an item and there is a character that apparently leaves at some point, having to make that connection in our minds.
February 10, 2026
This was such an easy, spicy, thrilling read!
February 12, 2026
swooning HARD!!
Such a cute and intense little novella! I knew I’d love it and I love being right 😌💕
Such a cute and intense little novella! I knew I’d love it and I love being right 😌💕
February 14, 2026
Hello dark romance Valentine’s Day novella. This is a great MFM reverse harem that involves TWO masked men and a ton of spice.
March 30, 2026
Balanced
This book is well written.
The steamy bits and the details balance perfectly with the story and the plot.
There is action and sex and cuteness in equal measures
This book is well written.
The steamy bits and the details balance perfectly with the story and the plot.
There is action and sex and cuteness in equal measures
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews