Haven

by Emma Page

She needed a place to disappear. He needed a reason to believe in love again. Haven gave them both exactly what they weren’t looking for.

Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2026

About the author

Emma Page is a contemporary romance author who resides in Louisiana with her husband and three children. Her debut novel broke the top 100 for Rockstar Romance on Amazon. A lover of all things angst, musical easter eggs, strong leads, and love interests that range from sunshine in human form to slightly morally grey. When she's not writing or daydreaming, you can find her thrifting, scoping out concerts, or reading in her favorite local bookstores.

Reviews

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an advance copy as an Arc reader. (Truly an honor)

“The thing that I was learning about intimacy with her, too, was that it only made me want her more. Not just in a sexual sense, but my God, I would die a happy man underneath her. Above her. Any way that she would have me.”

“You don’t know me,” I whisper finally. Silence. “No,” Elliot agrees gently. “I don’t.”Another second passes.“But I’d like to.”

This book contains heavy themes like domestic violence, gun violence, trauma, mental health, & BDSM.

It had me hooked from the start.. the Louisiana setting throughout felt real and the characters pulled me in & kept me intrigued.

Peyton, her strength is quiet but powerful, and watching her slowly reclaim her sense of self worth was my favorite thing about the book.
When Peyton meets Elliot, who is struggling with his own life, their connection feels natural and almost inevitable. They aren’t perfect, and their love doesn’t magically fix everything, but it becomes a safe place… a Haven.

The side characters were the best added bonus to an already great book! The people around Peyton and Elliot create a support system that feels genuine and heartfelt. It felt really supportive to the idea that healing isn’t something you have to do alone.

Overall, it’s a story about resilience, growth, second chances, and choosing yourself and love even when it feels impossible.

Aside from the book, the author, Emma is a pure gem!

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be chosen to ARC this book and I’m so thankful I was. I love the pace, the spicy scenes, the bonds we grow with the other characters besides our main characters. I think their relationship is so good and the southern Louisiana culture is picturesque the way that she describes it. Highly recommend you give this book the chance it deserves.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not prepared for how hard was going to hit me. Like… I went in expecting something soft and healing and came out emotionally rearranged, clutching my chest, and whispering “Elliot and Peyton” like they personally ruined me.

This book feels like exhaling after holding your breath for way too long.

Peyton?? My girl just needed somewhere to disappear, somewhere quiet enough to piece herself back together, and the way Haven becomes that safe little pocket of the world for her… it’s so gentle it almost hurts. You can feel the exhaustion in her, the need to just exist without being watched or judged. And then Elliot walks in—

Elliot, who is carrying his own heartbreak like it’s stitched into his bones. This man is soft in the way that sneaks up on you. Not loud, not flashy, just steady and kind and quietly broken. The kind of broken that doesn’t beg for attention but changes everything when you notice it.

And together??? Oh my god.

They don’t crash into each other. They settle. Slowly. Carefully. Like two people learning how to trust the ground again. Every conversation, every shared moment feels small on the surface but carries so much weight underneath. It’s all in the pauses, the glances, the almosts.

The romance is this beautiful slow bloom where healing and love get tangled together until you can’t tell where one ends and the other begins. No chaos for the sake of it, no unnecessary drama—just two people finding something real when they least expect it.

And the setting of Haven itself?? It feels like a character. A quiet sanctuary wrapped around them, holding space for all the things they’re not ready to say out loud yet.

By the end I was a complete mess. The soft kind. The kind where your heart feels fuller but also a little bruised.

Five stars, easily. This one doesn’t shout—it lingers. And somehow that makes it hit even harder.

[Elize Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma, you have absolutely smashed this book, oh my goodness. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to ARC read for you, it’s been an absolute pleasure to read your writing!

I started this last night, genuinely didn’t put it down on the train to work this morning and finished it after work. It’s all I’ve thought about all day 😭😭. I’ve never read something so fast. I was genuinely so hooked!! This is not my typical genre but you have changed me for the better!!! This is definitely a reread for me ♥️

I don’t actually think I can put down in words how this book made me feel.

You have a guarded and closed off FMC called Peyton and her character development throughout the book is genuinely incredible to read. You just want to hug her!

You have a soft dom MMC called Elliott who is just 😍🤭.

This small-town romance is just the thing to read at the moment! The love, the comfort, the hurt. All of it was just absolutely amazing and had me gripped. The dynamic between Peyton and Elliott had me giggling and kicking my feet. But that ending, had me sobbing. Justice was finally served, I genuinely couldn’t imagine a better ending 😭. This book is so healing!

If you like these tropes, then you’d love this book:

✨Small Town Romance,
✨Found Family,
✨Age Gap (6 years),
✨Hurt x Comfort,
✨Soft Dom MMC.

My Favourite Quotes:

♥️ “I think you’ve judged me a little too harshly, Ms. Mitchell”,
♥️ “Ma Fleur”,
♥️ “I’m so f*cking proud of you, ma fleur. So f*cking proud of you”,
♥️ “YOU ARE MY HAVEN” 😭😭😭

*TRIGGER WARNING- please check triggers/warnings before reading*

[Alexandria Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the author herself, and I just loved it! I could read a whole series based on this town and the people who live there! There is also a playlist and several recipes for you to check out as well! Thank you Emma for my personal copy of this book and letting me read it! It is now one of my favorite reads of the year!

You have Peyton Mitchell who is shy and just escaped a bad DV situation. She’s just trying to heal from her trauma and start over with her chosen family. Then, there is Elliot Rousseau who comes from one of the wealthiest families in town and struggles to deal with his overbearing mother. He is also recovering from his failed engagement to a woman who couldn’t understand his preference for BDSM. When their paths cross, there is an instant connection. With the help of their therapist, their families, and each other, they will work to overcome their fears and learn to love again. There will be drama, suspense, and a little bit of spicy romance involved! Will they make it to the end? Check it out!

[Ebony · Rating 4 out of 5]

the 🌈 at the end we all need!

4🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶️

This was an absolute pleasure reading. I very much enjoyed the healing the journey that both Elliott and Peyton were on, both together and individually. This is a reminder that there will always be rainbow 🌈 at the end of the storm.

This was giving fifty shades of Grey but Peyton wasn’t inexperienced and Elliott wasn’t flashy with his money. He was someone who thrived on control, yes, but he also was gentle. Elliott was the personification of a what a true dom should look and feel and carry themselves.

My entire time reading I was hearing J.F. Harding’s voice as Elliott and would go between Chloe Ryan, Michelle Sparks and Amy Hall for Peyton. The southern charm in their voices is why they would pop into my head.

The theme to this story was healing ❤️‍🩹 and that’s it’s always a work in progress. Nothing is too much for the right person, for your person.

[Ashley Beilfuss · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, Thank you so much Emma Page for choosing me to receive an ARC copy, it truly means a lot!

Once I got to reading Haven I honestly couldn’t put it down and got through it so fast, I really didn’t want it to be over.

Both Elliot and Peyton have stolen my heart if I’m being honest, I knew I related to Peyton in some ways more than others but once I noticed her dislike for circus peanuts I was like “That’s my girl” LOL.
I love how patient and in love Elliot is with her and I’d be lying if I said the way he treats her didn’t give me butterflies! I would have loved to have had more of Elliot’s past with his Mom and Kate as well as Peyton’s past with her Grandmother other than that this book has become one of my all time favorites. ❤️

[VagabondBooker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book touches on several heavy themes, including violence, suicidal ideation, BDSM.. Though these elements are not deeply developed or explored in great detail.

Both Elliot and Peyton have their own demons, which they are working through with the help of therapy. Their initial introduction in a therapeutic setting, followed by a chance encounter through mutual acquaintances, creates a palpable attraction that draws them together.

While the book is not bad written and engaging, I found myself wanting more depth in certain areas. In particular, Elliot’s role as a DOM didn't feel entirely convincing to me.

Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐
Spice: 1.5/5🌶️

[Angel Tartaglia · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW:
• Mention of s_!c!de
• Attempt SA
• Mentions of DV
• BDSM
• G_n Violence

I think the authour did a good job with Peyton and what she went through with her Ex before meeting Elliot. I enjoyed reading her healing journey a lot.

The chemistry is amazing! 🤩 I love how he “chases” her by giving her gifts, notes, and attention. Both of them suffered yet they were able to find love in each other. I think it was cute and romantic with how the relationship started. My favourite part was that the DOM Male lead didn’t rush her, instead took his time to gain her trust.

[Stephanie Skiffington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these small town romances! Peyton was running away from a very bad relationship and wanting to start off fresh somewhere new. Then she met Elliot and there was instant connection. He was also healing from separating with his fiancee and needed somewhere to just be himself. The description of this small town was so good, I felt like I was right there. You also get that Louisiana southern culture mixed in there too! They really helped each other heal and just have someone to lean on. Their relationship was so wholesome and amazing, this story was just so heartwarming.

[Chloe ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, thank you dearly to the author for this copy and in no way this review is intended to hurt the herm

Starting off positively, I enjoyed the flow of the writing and how fast it was. Good paving, good writing, and topics that touched me and the beginning really grabbed me.

I then started to continue enjoying the book but once the insta love got in, I unfortunately decided to deduct my rating as it gives me the ick. I prefer a slow romance in my opinion.

[Tracy Cannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as an advanced copy and I did enjoy it.
I found the storyline flowed quite well but I felt it was rushed in some places and that made it feel like I had missed bits.
I would have liked to dig a bit deeper into Elliots past life with his ex and mum but I kind of pieced it together in the end.
All in all, it was a good book with likable and relatable characters, I just wish it had a bit more depth

[Jen R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven is an easy and predictable read that goes by quickly. The characters were strong and mostly likeable. Refreshing to read about a dominant who knows being dominant is not the same as abuse. And he worked hard to gain trust. Check trigger warnings if you have an aversion to reading about domestic violence.

I received a copy of this book as an ARC reader. This is my independent and honest review. Thank you Emma Page!

[Tammy Lemaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book! The characters were very believable and I fell in love with Elliots character and the way he was so patient with Peyton, but also gave her everything that she needed at the time without overstepping his own boundaries! I felt like I could actually visualize Haven and Rousseaus&Co, like I could picture the outline of both placed, which helped me feel more intune with the story.. as if I had been there before, seen it before.. and I loved the aspect of both MC's healing from past relationships and experiencing the healthy side of BDSM together and learning to love all over again ❤️ Loved this book so much! I give this book 4/5 stars! Highly recommend reading this! Its amazing ❤️

[Crystal Harbour · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice palate cleanser, after reading a number of psychological thrillers. Predictable, but sweet and enjoyable. A very emotional and touching HEA. I felt called out in chapter 2: my anxiety makes me rip dead skin off my lips, too! Yikes, lol. #ARC

[Max Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love

I loved everything about this book! I honestly think its the best one shes written yet! The characters are so well thought out and the story is so well developed! It is a bit of a heavier read twords the end but its so worth it!

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

small town louisiana romance where there is absolutely no kinky things or gun violence occurring