Almost Settled

by Sabrina Miranda

A small-town love story about starting over, letting go, and choosing something better. Genevieve thought she’d made peace with her life; a quiet routine, a strained co-parenting agreement, and a heart held together by threads. When a sudden move brings her and her daughter to the small town of Briar Creek, she’s not looking for a fresh start. She just wants a place to breathe. What she finds instead is community, safety, and eventually… Wesley. Wes is steady in a way Genevieve has never known; a man who shows up without being asked, listens without needing to fix everything, and looks at her like she’s worthy of more than just surviving. The past doesn’t loosen its grip easily. Especially not when it shows up uninvited, dragging fear and familiar patterns with it. As Genevieve begins to build a new life, not just for herself, but for her daughter, she must decide if she’s ready to trust again, love again, and finally let herself be fully known. Because sometimes, life doesn’t fall apart. Sometimes, it quietly falls into place.

295 pages, Paperback

Published February 21, 2026

About the author

Sabrina Miranda writes contemporary romance with a focus on emotional depth, quiet connection, and love that unfolds naturally. Her stories explore relationships shaped by vulnerability, trust, and meaningful moments.

When she isn’t writing, she’s usually reading, drinking coffee, thinking about her next story, or keeping up with the joyful chaos of her daughter’s world.

Reviews

[Sabrina Miranda]

I wrote this book because I wanted to talk about a kind of relationship that doesn't always get labeled as abuse, even though it can be just as damaging. The kind where nothing looks "bad enough" on the outside, but you're constantly being made to feel like you're failing.
I was interested in how hard it can be to leave when you're co-parenting, and how much heavier it feels when a child is involved. How easy it is to start second-guessing yourself, to shrink, or to lower the bar just to keep the peace for yourself and for your child.

I have always dreamed of living in a small town, I wish that was part of my childhood. Growing up I was set on having kids and raising them in a town where everyone knew everyone... Well, that didn't happen for me, so what better way to share my first story than to choose a small town setting.

I wanted a place where things could slow down for Genevieve. Where she could find her own routines, meet neighbors, and understand that kindness does not have to be earned. Of course that's not always realistic, but it feels more achievable in a small town.

This story became less about the past relationship and more about what comes after it. Finding a place that feels safe, and a person who doesn't turn small things into big ones. Someone calm, someone patient, and someone who shows, in simple ways, that love doesn't have to hurt.

I am so grateful for the group of people who have read this before it's official release, so thankful I have been able to share it.

22 more days until the rest of the world can read it. (even if that's only ten other people)

[Ashley Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read this book before its official release, and it was such a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to choose yourself. Watching a mother find the courage to leave a toxic relationship and start over was raw, emotional, and incredibly relatable. The small-town setting felt warm and grounding like a safe place to land when life has torn you apart.

What I loved most was how real the healing felt. This wasn’t an instant fairytale—it was growth, self-worth, and learning to trust again. The romance unfolded naturally and tenderly, and the love she finds is genuine, supportive, and exactly what she deserved even when she wasn’t looking for it.

This book is for anyone who’s ever had to rebuild, who’s questioned their worth, or who believes that love should feel safe. Emotional, hopeful, and deeply satisfying I couldn’t put it down.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Ky · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to be a part of the group who got to read this before it’s officially published.
I think it’s heartfelt and beautifully written. It’s about family you choose, and sometimes that’s better than the family you come from 🩷

[Summer]

Almost Settled immediately draws you in, vesting you in the characters. A brave story of starting over, loving through the hurts of the past, and realizing ones worth and place in the world. A beautiful testament to the bond shared between a mother and child, also a poignant example of breaking the cycles of emotional abuse to forge a better life rooted in love and understanding. This book is well written, hard to put down and has you rooting for a happy ending. Bravo Sabrina!