Make You Mine

by Bailey Johnson

She’s moving on after a breakup.
He’s only here for one to honor a promise.
A photo shoot between strangers takes a turn neither saw coming.

Sibyl Massy is ready to find the one—someone who will choose her. One drunken decision propels her into taking a chance like never before. She never dreamed she'd actually be picked for a session, but being set up by a photographer couldn't be worse than her current dating prospects…could it?

Eli Logan isn’t looking for love, he already had that and lost it. People don’t get happily-ever-after twice, and he’s not one to tempt fate. But when his son begs him to try again, he finds himself standing in his favorite park, waiting for a match he doesn’t believe in.

Nerves thrum through them as the blindfolds fall away, and their worlds collide. Eli doesn’t know how to respond, and Sibyl can’t believe her luck, or is it fate?

In the middle of a park, with cameras clicking, two strangers might discover that sometimes the best matches aren’t the ones you plan…they’re the ones that surprise you entirely.

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2026

About the author

Bailey Johnson has been writing stories since she learned to write. Filling composition books up front to back in high school. Now, as a stay at home Mama, she’s pursuing her dream to become a full time author. She lives on a farm in North Dakota, with her husband and son, and a boatload of animals. Getting inspiration from ranching, rodeo, and music. Infusing her characters with personal hardships, Bailey writes heartfelt romance books that will leave you wanting more.

Reviews

[Jessica Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get n ARC of Make You Mine, and let me tell you I’ve never finished a book in one evening even if it was a novella.

I couldn’t get enough of Sibyl and Eli, I want more. Loved the instant love story no games involved!

Promise me when we leave here, it won’t be the last time I get to kiss you 🥰

Widowed dad, best friends sister set up photo shoot. I’m not sure which character I loved most. You start out and you just need to know the whole story. Couldn’t put it down!

[Raena · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review: “You can kiss me whenever you want.” Well okay then Sibyl. The stranger session is literally the chef's kiss! Stranger sessions are so popular right now, what a great relatable concept. Oh and who matched together, I love a good plot twist. Their chemistry was so unmatched & I loved them together from the start! It was such a smooth read and I was able to read it in 3 sessions.

[T || · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Olive Press Publishing & Bailey Johnston for this ARC ❤️ I really loved Don't Leave Me Behind, so I couldn't resist getting this one too!!

Although MYM is just over 105 pages, damn did Bailey do good. Make You Mine opens with the FMC Sibyl, who's got herself into a dilemma and is in the back of an uber (that was halerious) , I can relate, drunk me used to do shit that sober me would be like, wtf is that about 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. "It’s one of my favorite places on earth. Drunk Sibyl was screaming that this was meant to be. Sober Sibyl wants to bury her head in her hands and scream." I think drunk me and drunk Sibyl could have been friends 🤣🤣.

The book liturally had me sucked in from page 1 and the banter was brilliant. It is all about the FMC who is getting on with life after a breakup with a jackass, so does something on a whim and Ohhhhhhhhh!!! Things notch up Alooooooot. The pace isnt slow with this one, and for more than the first time this week. Im actually glad of a fast paced plot. As always Bailey's writing is amazing, the depth, descriptions and vividness, really aids you as a reader into imagining things inside your head.  I kinda loved like everything about this.

I cannot recommend Bailey enough & her books!!!
Thanks OPP & Bailey

[VeroniCanRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet yet spicy - childhood crush to lovers

4 ⭐ ARC Review - Spicy yet sweet meet cute of a single dad / brothers best friend and the woman who’s always been perfect for him.

📸 For Fans of:
- novellas
- meet cute vibes
- childhood crush
- recently single FMC
- single dad with child
- brother’s best friend
- spicy romance
- dual POV

✏️ Spoiler-Free ARC Review
Such a great little brother’s best friend novella with so much heart!

I loved seeing both sides of the story and the insight into their past. It’s so short that I don’t want to give anything away, but it’s so cute how they already fit perfectly into each other’s lives *swoon*

🖤 Thank you to author Bailey Johnson for the free, physical advanced reader copy (ARC)! NOTE: I did also read the second half through Kindle Unlimited on publishing day.
As always, my reviews are honest, my own, and voluntary!

📚 Book: Make You Mine by Bailey Johnson
📅 Release Date: May 2, 2026
⭐ Rating: 4 out of 5

[Irene Estevez · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

Eli and Sybil are my new favorites! Not only was their story heartwarming, it was honestly perfection. Although this book was faced paced- it did not skip a beat with the softer moments of battling grief, moving on, family, kids involved, and ultimately finding that your true love has been in front of you your whole life! Easy 5 star from me and I hope there is more about Eli and Sybil coming soon !

[Micheal Wilbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review (Spoiler-Free)

I received an advance reader copy of this book, and I’m leaving an honest review.

From the very first page, I connected with Eli immediately. He felt real, grounded, and easy to invest in right away. Sibyl took me a little longer to warm up to, but once I did, both characters felt incredibly authentic and emotionally well written.

One of the strongest parts of this story is the character interaction. The group dynamic feels natural and believable, and every scene flows in a way that makes you feel like you’re right there with them. The dialogue and relationships never feel forced, which made the entire experience that much more immersive.

I tend to gravitate toward stories that focus on emotion and consequence, and this book absolutely delivers on both. It’s easy to connect with the characters, easy to follow, and even easier to feel what they’re going through. Nothing feels overcomplicated, and that simplicity works in its favor.

The writing itself is very cinematic. Everything plays out vividly, almost like watching a movie in your head. That kind of storytelling makes it hard to put the book down.

There are also moments that carry a lot of emotional weight, especially within the family dynamics. Those scenes felt genuine and personal, and they hit hard in the best way. This book got to me more than once, in the best way.

There’s a great balance of playfulness, intimacy, and deeper emotional moments throughout the story. It pulls you in early and keeps you invested all the way through to a very satisfying conclusion.

The only minor thing that occasionally pulled me out of the story was some of the dialogue during more intimate scenes, though this comes down to personal preference and didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.

Overall, this was an incredible read. It’s emotionally impactful, beautifully written, and hard to put down. I found myself going back to reread certain moments because they stuck with me that much.

From one writer to another, I’m honestly a little jealous of how well the emotional moments were handled. I’ll definitely be reading more of your work.

If you enjoy romance with strong emotional depth, believable characters, and meaningful moments, I would absolutely recommend this book.

[Nicole W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I soooo loved Make You Mine by Bailey Johnson. It was a mix of spicy and sweet all in one novella with those Sweet Home Alabama southern small town vibes. I was giggling and smiling the whole way through!
You have Sibyl who is still trying to nurse herself after a breakup and signs up for a stranger photoshoot after getting a little tipsy one night. Then you have Eli, a widower, who signs up to take a chance after his son says he wants a “momma” like the other kids.
So they both show up nervous and wonder to themselves “What the heck did I just sign up for!”.

But then, when they take the blindfolds off, Eli sees that his photoshoot partner is none other than his best friend’s little sister!!!! And Sibyl is standing there looking at the man she’s had a crush on since she was a teenager.
They’ve had family dinners together, grown up around each other, and most importantly Eli’s son LOVES Sibyl.
They start to realize what they’ve been looking for has been right in front of them the whole time.
It does move quickly, but this whole story just works. It goes from the photoshoot, to the spice (wink wink), to Eli dealing with guilt about his wife, to pushing Sibyl away, to chasing her down, and finally opening his heart.
And that HEA ending OMG!!! It was the best 🩷
Bailey did it with this one. I loved it. 🩷

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of the book and minor spoilers.

Ideal for those looking for a fast-paced, romantic palette cleanser.

The idea of a photoshoot between strangers was super cute! I didn't realize the book was a novella, so the author covered a lot in a short amount of pages. I actually wish the book was longer, so there could have been better character development. I was a bit taken aback of how quickly Eli and Sibyl started making out during the photoshoot.

I loved meeting all the different characters, but ~8-9 of them in a 81 page book made it hard for me to keep track of their relationship to each other.

Overall, I thought the book was cute, but thought the author could have expanded the story into something longer like 250-300 pages with room for more books based on the different characters (i.e. Sibyl's brother, Kellan could have his own story. For example, a girl is running away from her big city life when her car breaks down near Willow Park and it gets taken to his auto body shop for repairs)

Tropes:
- single dad
- small town
- brother's best friend

[Rayya O'Reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an ARC and it was such an enjoyable short read.

4🌟 2🌶
It was a whirlwind romance, thats for sure.

Our MMC is a widow, he's grieving and he hasn't really opened his mind to love again. Until now. He loves with his whole heart and so intensely too. He's a single dad but his relationship with his friends and friends families is the community he needs.

Our FMC, is confident, sassy and has always loved our MMC. She is also his best friends sister. She has such a close knit relationship with the MMC and his son to begin with, so developing the feelings from there comes easily.

It was a shorter read, it was fun, it was spicy. The MCs had chemistry and they had some back and forth banter which is always a must in my romance books.

"Sibyl was always ours. I just need to make her mine"

Tropes to expect?
-friends to lovers
-brothers best friend/best friends sister
-light br33ding at the end
-single dad
-photo shoot
-touches upon themes of grief
-smart and witty child!
-banter and more.

I would have liked a little more depth of characters and depth of them as a couple too. But I understand that this is a novella, and surprisingly; a lot was fit into it!

[Erika Ankeny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely love the blind date photoshoot videos, they are some of my favorite clips to see on the internet currently. The fact that was incorporated into a novella was SO cute!!!🤍

Sibyl was a sweetheart, she was so patient and understanding of Eli’s past. I think personally that would be very difficult to navigate, but she did it with nothing but poise!

Eli was a good guy, I liked his character but at the same time, there were some moments that made me question why he was bringing up his deceased spouse…for example, directly after they made love, he was in the bathroom talking aloud to his late wife. I know grief is a very real thing, but I felt like it was a little uncomfortable for Sibyl in that moment, which made me sympathetic for her.

Overall though, the book was a fun and quick read! I had a great time and i’m a sucker for friends to lovers. Eli having the sweetest son also, and him approving of Sibyl made my heart happy!!!🥺

Thank you for the advanced reading copy in return of an honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

[Kenyah The Cultivated Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the premise of this story. I always enjoy watching the stranger photoshoots on social media and expected the main characters to be strangers, but in this story, they know each other. The MMC, Eli, is the FMC, Sybil's brother's best friend. I think the story is written fairly well. My main issue is that I didn't like the MMC. He was very presumptuous, and he acted as if Sybil were already "his." She had to reiterate what she wanted several times before he agreed. There were also multiple occasions where he was squeezing her to the point of mentioning discomfort. And I think the way they went about introducing their relationship to his son was uncomfy. He is also clearly still grieving his wife, and I couldn't accept kicking Sybil out after he slept with her. Overall, I don't really think they should be together because the MMC has some red flags I couldn't overlook. I think this either should have been longer to accommodate all the tropes and characters, or the same length but remove at least one of the grieving widower, best friend's brother, or single-dad elements.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and fun read

I love the premise of this story. Those stranger photo session/blind dates are so fascinating to me. I could never be so bold as to actually do one (nor am I single), but they make for excellent plots for a book. This one is cute in that the daters know each other already.

Eli is Sybil's brother's best friend, a single dad, and her childhood crush. So it's so satisfying on many levels for him to have the reaction he does when he turns around and sees Sybil standing in front of him. Sybil is super relatable as well. I think this book compiles a lot of popular tropes in a way that is not so expected.

Fair warning, it is a novella, so it's quick paced. It does not feel rushed at all though. I do feel like I want to spend more time with all the characters, but since this will be a series, I'm sure we will see them pop by in later books.

If you have a couple hours, this is a fun, spicy and sweet way to spend an afternoon.



Thanks to the author for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Soha Amer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Make You Mine by Bailey Johnson is a soft, emotional romance built around chance, healing, and the quiet possibility of second beginnings.

Sibyl Massy is trying to move forward—still hopeful, still open to love, even after disappointment. Eli Logan, on the other hand, is not looking for anything new. He’s already loved deeply, lost it, and convinced himself that kind of love doesn’t come twice.

And then a blindfolded photo shoot changes everything.

What starts as a stranger-meeting-stranger setup quickly turns into something more delicate and unexpected. When the blindfolds fall, so do assumptions, expectations, and emotional distance.

What makes this story special is its softness:

* accidental connection vs guarded hearts
* grief vs hope
* fear of loving again vs choosing to try
* fate vs timing

Eli and Sibyl’s connection isn’t rushed—it unfolds gently, like two people slowly realizing they might be exactly what the other didn’t know they needed.

It’s tender, comforting, and quietly hopeful.

[Kayleigh Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc read
Make you mine Bailey Johnson
Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chilli 🌶️🌶️

Thank you olive press publishing and Bailey for this arc!
Wow! This was fast paced! I really enjoyed this one! This best friend’s sister was so fun to read! A spicy novella filled with laughter and tears. Learning to love after losing a love is always hard. Drunk sibyl is definitely all us girls who make bad choices while drunk in the back of an uber🤣
This story is fast and by no means slow. Bailey well and truly put the fast paced trope into this one. I loved all the characters in this book. They all brought this book together! I was hooked by the first chapter. I’m a dark romance girly through and through but this was a nice palette cleanse!
I think I need a full novel of Sibyl and Eli!

[Tiffany Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest ARC Review...

I absolutely loved this novella. It was fast paced and who doesn't love a HEA. The "Stranger Photography Session" does seem to be on the rise lately on social media, and I liked this aspect in the story. I wouldn't consider this an "instalove" trope because they have know each other for so long. I couldn't put this book down once I started. Thank you Bailey for the the opportunity to read another story of yours. Keep them coming!

Make You Mine
Bailey Johnson

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t usually real novellas but LOVED this quick read! I was hooked from the beginning, and the author really did so much in just over 100 pages.
This book is a duel perspective of Sybil and Eli. Eli is Sybil’s brothers life long best friend and a widowed single father, Sybil is getting over a horrible breakup. Both characters sign up for a photo shoot with a stranger session and happen to be matched. The novella follows their whirlwind that soon follows, and despite being short, holds powerful messages about how love is not limited to one person, moving on, found family and how a little open communication can go a long way.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as a ARC and I felt so honored to be able to read this prior to release! While the couple was cute, and the storyline, I felt it was super rushed. I get it’s a novella/small book, I just wish it was slowed some in some parts! The main characters are cute, sibyl seemed realistic as it gets! Eli, he was “meh” in some parts, others he was great! The spice level? MA’AM! lots of it!! Read this in a couple hours! Was a cute book all in all! Just felt these two deserved SOOOO much more!

[Angel Tartaglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy from the Authour.

Eeeee 😆
I just love Sybil and Eli!!!

Yes, it’s a novella and short, but it’s just as great as a full length novel. I was squealing and squaking over Eli and his little behaviour towards Sybil. Girlie, I would be fangirling too with him acting like that.

I did cry at the middle especially when Eli went into the past in his memories and got scared and overwhelmed with what he was feeling with Sybil, especially in the house he made home with his late wife. I was so happy to see them overcome that challenge with communication.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW……..

This story was sweet and relatable on so many levels.

When I first heard about the concept I thought it was such a great idea.
Two people who want to find love, put it in the hands of a stranger taking their picture, hoping that it all works out.

The character development and willingness to adapt was well written.
The love between all the characters in the book is delightful.

I have loved all of her books and cannot wait for the next.

[Miley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh... Typically, I'm a dark romance smutty reader girlie. But when I say this book had me SQUEELING, I say it with my whole chest. It started out so strong and I was hooked by the end of chapter 1. The connection between the FMC and MMC was addicting and I ate it up. I'm not a quick reader but I devoured this book in less than a day. If you like small town, a hot single dad, second chance and found family... this is absolutely for you.

[Jenn Thorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Make You Mine by Bailey Johnson was the perfect mixture of romance and spice in my opinion; however, I wanted more of the story of Sibyl and Eli. This is the first time that I’ve read a Novella that I was left with a feeling of needing more of their story. This is the only reason that I am rating it a 4 star other than that it is a quick yet satisfying read. Please Bailey, give us more of Sibyl and Eli’s story, your writing skills are superb.

[Zara Astrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eli & Sibyl are such a cute sweet couple.

Yes, this book is spicy. But it’s oh so wholesome. I want to give it a hug. Bailey Johnson’s writing always make me laugh and smile. I absolutely adore it and believe she deserves so much more recognition for her craft at storytelling heartfelt books that also make you giggle at the banter and sweat at the spice.

Thank you to the author & Olive Press Publishing for the E-Arc.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Reader Review

5⭐️ for sure! This was super fast read and it scratched the itch that I needed for a fast paced romance that didn’t leave me hanging. I loved the connection between Eli and Sybil. It was sweet and it was refreshing to see two people admit their feelings for one another rather than hide them and keep playing the “what if” game. The family dynamic between all the characters, the friends and the Dad, was perfection.

Can’t wait to read more from Bailey.

[Jea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect romance novella! Eli and Sibyl have known each other for 20 years, since he is her brother’s best friend. When they both show up for a stranger photo session and decide to follow through even though they’re not strangers, they realize there’s a spark. Eli is a widowed father of a spunky 5-year-old, which complicates his feelings. The story is well written and wraps up a HEA in only 110 pages 😉

[YourBookGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make you mine is a sweet stranger photography novella with a relatable FMC and a swoon-worthy MMC. We love a man who takes a girl out in a boat on the lake. Their chemistry was unmatched and they were perfect for each other.

Lovable quote!
"I needed her at nineteen but you...you're perfect for who I am now."

What a fun quick read! I read it in two short reading sessions!💜

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an amazing meet cute story. I loved the dynamic between the two main characters. This had all the tropes brothers best friend, single dad with also the friends to lovers vibes. For being a novella it had the perfect amount of spice that had you faning yourself as you read it. I can’t wait to see what’s next for this author.

[crystal 𑁍 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was actually such a cute a novella.
What a super fun idea doing a photoshoot blind date.
I love a best friends brother trope and this one was done properly.
Sybil and Eli’s story was sweet, spicy, and sad and one of the cutest happily ever afters I’ve read in a long time.
This is my first book by this author and the storytelling was stupendous and the tension and angst were perfect.

[Jess Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC read
Omg this was just the perfect short story. I finished this in a day because I just couldn’t put it down for long and had to keep coming back.
So romantic and real, showing real situations like grief and moving on after and being on the other end of that situation too.
I loved Sibby and Eli and I want more of their story.

[April Kelly- McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I typically am not one for a novella but this was good, it was 🌶️🌶️ and I loved it! Only downfall was I wish it was a full length book, because I think I would have been obsessed with Sybil and Eli 🥰
I loved the “stranger” photo shoot that threw them together and how he instantly realized what he had been missing!

[Heather Samples · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am thankful for this ARC opportunity and enjoyed this novella. I read it in a day and couldn’t get enough of Sybil and Eli. I love watching the videos of strangers meeting at photo shoots and enjoyed this as well. The author does a great job and giving enough backstory so that everything flows and makes sense.