Numb

by Ruby Tosemito

This novel is heartbreak wrapped in luxury, tension, and unresolved love.
**
After a horrific car accident, Ethan Forbes becomes paralyzed from the waist down. As he struggles to navigate his new situation, Ethan becomes bitter, cold and pushes everyone he loves away. He not only has lost the ability to walk, but feels that he is losing his identity.
As time goes by, he begins to resent the whole world around him.
Then one day, out of the blue, the one he hates and loves the most, comes back into his life, claiming that she wants to help him walk again.
Will Aurora Davis be able to help him walk again?
As Aurora helps him with rehabilitation, he’s determined to find out why she left him 6 years ago. Will he find out?
Will she explain everything? But most importantly, will Ethan & Aurora be able to face and overcome the approaching threat called 'El Diablo'?

~ So if you like emotional romance, wounded characters, tension, longing, second-chance energy, suspense and stories where love still lingers even when people try to bury it, Numb looks like the kind of book that is going to wreck you in the best way.

This one feels like aching, intimate, and full of that quiet kind of pain that stays with you.

~ You will survive, not sure your nails will.

357 pages, ebook

Expected publication May 29, 2026

About the author

Hello lovely friends,

My name is Ruby and I will be turning 46 next year.( Very soon)
I have twin boys who are teenagers and I've been married for 23 years.
I love zumba and enjoy watching a good TV series like Outlander.
I am an animal lover and have 8 wonderful dogs.
I have a full-time job from Monday - Friday, so I do my writing in my free time.
I'm planning on releasing 2 novels in 2026.

Follow me on Tiktok for info about my novels and new releases. @jjewel1439

Reviews

[Lb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aurora meets the love of her life while in college... oddly enough she was at a party at his house but she was using her time to study. Ethan is handsome, wealthy and charming he's used to having women approach him so when he meets Aurora in the restricted part of his home at a party his sister is throwing he can't wait to talk to her again... only she doesn't call him right away! What? He can't let her slip away and uses their mutual aquaintance (his sister) to take his chance which leads to so much more.

Ethan thinks that Aurora will be with him forever he knows she's it for him he got the ring now he just needs the perfect night to ask. Only instead of the life time of happiness with her he's expecting leads to depression, bitterness and feelings of betrayal she left him without even looking back moved almost 3,000 miles away from him and won't return his calls he wants answers from her but he'll probably never get them.

Six years later Aurora is a well respected Physical Therapist known for doing the impossible and when Jasper (Ethan's older brother) Contacts her for her help after Ethan got into a MVA leading to loss of mobility in lower extremities against her better judgement she gets on the next plane to Oregon... only to be met with Ethan not wanting her help... well she knew it wouldn't be easy.

Ethan and Aurora seeing each other again brings old feelings to the surface... lets be real those feelings are not old they never left. Aurora is set on keeping Ethan on a strict recovery schedule she wants to help him walk again but he needs to put in the work.

Aurora has a lot to make up for even though her reasons for leaving were valid and she may be putting herself in danger again by even being back in proximity to Ethan... will he be willing to let his guard down again to let her help him regain mobility? Will she ever be able fully tell him what happened all those years ago that led to their break up?

This story is full of twists and turns. Family secrets come out to the open, there is a lot of family drama and when everyone Aurora loves could potentially be in danger will she have the courage to step up and do what needs to be done? Aurora has been running away for years with this terrible secret, once the truth comes out will anything be the same again?

If you enjoy a combination of Thriller with sweet second chance romance that will put you on a bit of an emotional roller coaster check this one out.

Book Blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...

*2nd chance romance *ARC read 2026 *family secrets *Family drama *villains
*betrayal *Twists *Dark themes *protective MMC *Physical Therapist FMC x patient
*danger *Age Gap *Wealthy MMC *State Challenge Oregon/New York (both repeat)
*MMC with disability *Suspense *multiple POV *spice *Indie Author

[Skye Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Ruby for allowing me to ARC read Numb. I stayed up way to late reading last night but I couldn't put it down.

This story is an emotional rollercoaster that blends second-chance romance, slow-burning tension, and a gripping undercurrent of danger. At its heart, it follows Aurora and Ethan, former lovers torn apart by a mysterious past who are unexpectedly reunited when Aurora becomes Ethan’s physical therapist after a life-changing accident leaves him paralyzed.

From the very beginning, the chemistry between them is impossible to ignore. Even with years of distance and unspoken pain, every interaction is charged with emotion, restraint, and lingering love. The story does an excellent job showing how deeply they still affect each other, even while both try to maintain control over their feelings. Their moments together whether awkward, tender, or painfully intense feel authentic and deeply engaging.

Aurora stands out as a complex and compelling heroine. She is highly professional, disciplined, and almost rigid in her routines, but emotionally she is anything but controlled when it comes to Ethan. Her internal struggle between duty, fear, and unresolved love adds real depth to her character. Ethan’s journey is equally strong; his transformation from anger and resentment to quiet acceptance and vulnerability is believable and moving, especially as he begins to focus on healing rather than blame.

What elevates this story beyond a typical romance is its darker twist. The introduction of a threatening figure tied to Aurora’s past adds suspense and urgency that completely shifts the tone. The mystery surrounding “El Diablo” and the flash drive message hints at a dangerous secret Aurora has been running from for years, raising the stakes not just for her, but for everyone around her especially Ethan.

The pacing balances emotional development with suspense effectively, slowly revealing layers of both the romance and the hidden past. The writing keeps readers invested in both the healing relationship and the unfolding mystery, making it difficult to put down.

Overall, this is a compelling mix of heartbreak, longing, and suspense. It’s a story about love that never truly disappeared, secrets that refuse to stay buried, and the dangerous consequences of a past that refuses to let go. Perfect for readers who enjoy emotionally intense romance with a thriller edge.

[Symone · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the suspenseful feeling the cover gave me before even starting this book, and I thought it was really interesting how every object shown carried significance to the story. It almost felt like collecting puzzle pieces throughout the book and slowly putting everything together.

The different POVs and flashbacks were also my favorite because they made the story feel more immersive and mysterious. The yearning between the main characters was sweet, and I enjoyed the premise of an old, unfinished love finding its way back. Even after all that time, the love was still clearly there for both of them, which made their journey toward redemption and rekindling feel meaningful.

And the action in this surprised me. 😅 I could feel the tension climbing like i was slowly riding a rollercoaster and then suddenly BOOM! I was getting thrown in every direction with all the revelations unfolding one after the other.

This story carried a lot of emotional weight because of everything happening in the present and the lingering effects of the past. But, if I had to mention one thing that personally didn’t fully resonate with me, it would be that at times, the emotional responses to smaller moments felt a bit amplified to me. However, I understand other readers may connect with that emotional depth, and their preference is completely valid as well.

Overall, I’m grateful for the opportunity to read this ARC. Thanks so much!🙏🏾

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Ruby for considering me for reading this advanced arc copy. This is the second book I’ve read from this indie author and I’ve enjoyed & loved both of them, with her style of writing you are gripped from the very first page. Whilst I read this I could visualise everything the scene, the characters etc, I would to see this put into a tv series or a film.

You can feel every emotion that these characters are going through and that’s what you need from a book. I loved the main characters Ethan & Aurora, it shows if you really love someone that much you can get through anything together in the good and bad times. I felt sorry for the couple as they find each other, fall in love but only for it to fall apart when something terrible happens.

It’s horrible to imagine that your forced to leave the love of your life and have to stay away from friends and other family to protect the ones she loves and she can’t explain the reasons why she’s leaving to anyone because of some bad people has said certain words to her. Aurora had to go through that alone.

Then all of a sudden she’s back in his life after a very longtime, Ethan is angry of course as he’s been emotionally up and down but he’s still I love with her (the sparks still there).

What happens next, you will need to read the book to find out, do they get justice and get a happy ending or not?

Highly recommended

[🐷Shay loves books🐷 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book of Rubys that I’ve read and I’ve loved both of them. She knows how to write an emotional romantic suspense!

This one just grabs at your heart strings and makes you feel the heartache from several characters. It’s a story of second chances and redemption with suspense and longing.

Imagine finding the love of your life and you cannot wait to spend the rest of your life with them, but things happen and your forced to leave them to protect those close to you and you cannot give them any explanation as to why. This is what Aurora has had to endure.

Imagine being so in love with someone and you want to spend the rest of your life with them, but then suddenly they disappear without explanation and you’re devastated. Then she’s suddenly back in your life and you’re mad but you’re still in love with her. Ethan has been through so much and when Aurora finally comes back into his life so many mixed emotions are involved.

Will they be able to work their the turmoil and trouble and the people who want Aurora to keep her mouth shut or will it be another sad goodbye? You have to read to find out.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Ethan meets Aurora, he falls completely in love with her, he never expects her to just disappear without looking back. But Aurora had her reasons (Enter dark twists and depth), even if Ethan never understood them.

Six years later, fate throws them back together after a terrible accident leaves Ethan paralyzed. When his brother reaches out to Aurora for help, she comes back into Ethan’s life as his physical therapist, forcing both of them to face all the feelings and history they tried to leave behind.

This was such an emotional second-chance, slow-burn romance. The tension between Ethan and Aurora had me hooked the entire time, and you could feel the love, hurt, and unresolved emotions in every scene between them. There were so many revelations, twists, and intense moments that kept me wanting to keep reading. I also loved the darker, suspenseful elements in the story, they added extra depth and tension.

If you love angsty romances with healing, rekindled love, emotional damage, and a little bit of danger and suspense mixed in, I’d definitely recommend this one.

Thank you, Ruby, for letting me ARC read your story!

[HollyJane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Numb by Ruby Tosemito

This is a heartfelt read that really pulls you in. It follows Ethan, who’s faced with a huge life change after a car accident leaves him paralyzed from the waist down. He becomes bitter and starts pushing everyone away, including Aurora, his ex-girlfriend.

When Aurora comes back into his life, determined to help him walk again, things get super tense. Their history is complicated, filled with unresolved feelings, and you can really feel the emotional weight of their journey as they tackle rehab and the looming threat of “El Diablo.” Tosemito does an amazing job of showing Ethan’s struggles and Aurora’s determination, making their relationship both touching and intense.

The themes of second chances and finding yourself after a loss really stand out. Ethan’s battles with his identity are relatable, while Aurora’s hope and strength add a nice balance. The story is intimate and emotional, leaving you with a lot to think about regarding love and healing.

[A. Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was dark, gritty, intense, and impossible to put down. From the very first chapter, I was pulled into a world full of danger, obsession, secrets, and emotional chaos—and I loved every second of it.

The atmosphere was incredibly well done. Every scene felt heavy with tension, and the emotional intensity between the characters kept me completely hooked. The morally grey elements, possessiveness, and high-stakes drama gave this story such an addictive edge while still delivering real emotional depth underneath all the darkness.

The pacing kept me constantly wanting “just one more chapter,” and before I knew it, I was fully invested in every twist, every secret, and every emotional unraveling.

If you love dark romance with obsessive energy, dangerous vibes, emotional tension, and characters that leave a lasting impression, NUMB needs to be on your TBR immediately.

[Kassie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Numb by Ruby Tosemito is part second chance romance after tragedy and part suspense novel wrapped up into one story.

I really enjoyed the different timelines and pacing that you get throughout the story. It unfolds parallel to the present so you can really understand why our characters are the way that they are.

You really will go through all the emotions on this rollercoaster, definitely for people who crave high stakes but still want an emotional love story as well.

Thank you so much, Ruby, for allowing me to ARC read this for you!

[Leslie Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Numb by Ruby Tosemito is an emotional blend of second chance romance, tragedy, and suspense, all woven together into one compelling story.

Reading how the FMC’s endure pain, struggle through hardship, and ultimately begin to discover her own power made her incredibly compelling to follow.

The MMC was equally captivating. His internal conflict, the way he tried to distance himself from the FMC while still feeling an undeniable need to protect her, created such a strong emotional tension throughout the story.

Overall a great read.

Thank you, Ruby, for trusting me with this ARC. 🖤📚

[Hope's Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read! If you like second chance romances then I would definitely recommend!
Thank you for allowing me to ARC read.