Off Limits

by Brynn Winslow

Clara Bennett has built her entire life on control. As the youngest principal at Lincoln High, she's fought twice as hard to prove she belongs—no shortcuts, no scandals, no distractions. Especially not Officer Ethan Morales, whose steady presence during a student crisis makes her carefully constructed walls feel dangerously thin.

Ethan knows better than to want her. She's off-limits in every way that matters. But when he shows up at her office with an apology and a smile that undoes her, Clara discovers that some risks are worth taking.

For three perfect months, they steal moments between duty and desire. Then a formal investigation into her handling of the student case threatens to unravel everything—her career, her reputation, her carefully guarded heart. Suddenly, Clara faces an impossible choice: retreat to the safety of her solitary world, or fight for the one person who's ever seen through her armor.

Because sometimes the bravest thing you can do isn't protect yourself.

Sometimes it's let someone else.

238 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2026

About the author

Brynn Winslow is a contemporary romance author who writes heartfelt love stories filled with charm, banter, and small-town magic. Her books center on strong, relatable heroines and steady, swoon-worthy heroes who find themselves navigating messy lives, complicated pasts, and unexpected connections that change everything.

Drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary emotional moments, Brynn blends humor and warmth with deeper themes of healing, trust, and the courage it takes to choose love. Her fictional worlds are full of close-knit communities, found family, and the kind of slow-burn chemistry that makes every stolen glance and late-night conversation count.

When she isn’t writing, Brynn can usually be found daydreaming about her next meet-cute, rewatching her favorite rom-coms, or hunting down the perfect cup of coffee. She believes in happily ever afters, grand gestures, and that sometimes the best things in life start completely off limits.

Reviews

[Sarah Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story delivers an emotionally rich romance layered with real stakes and heartfelt vulnerability. Clara’s fiercely controlled world and Ethan’s steady, grounding presence create a magnetic push and pull that makes their connection feel both forbidden and deeply earned. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but it’s the emotional depth the fear, the risk, the quiet moments of trust that truly drives the story. With career pressure, public scrutiny, and a tender love worth fighting for, this romance balances heat with heart in a way that feels authentic and satisfying. Perfect for readers who love strong heroines, protective heroes, and love stories that demand courage.

[Yarelis Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly don’t think I’ve ever read anything like this before. Even on my Kindle, the story completely pulled me in, but not in the usual way. The characters feel alive, the plot twists feel clever and unexpected, and there’s a depth here that caught me off guard. This book made me feel, think, and smile in ways I didn’t see coming. Truly unforgettable.