Saving Jessie's Girl: A Dark Romance Novel

by Lauren Biel

She may be my brother’s girl... but she’s mine

Benji

My voice was stolen from me years ago. Silence is all I’ve known ever since.

Until her.

She understands sign language, and for the first time, someone actually hears me.

There’s just one problem.

She’s my brother’s girlfriend.

No matter how badly he hurts her, she won’t leave him. Even when she’s falling apart in my arms, we break together.

We both know this has to end.

But I’m not ready to walk away.

Which means there’s only one thing left to do... I have to save Jessie’s girl.



Saving Jessie’s Girl is a dark romance loosely inspired by a hit song. It’s part of the Dark Hits series—an ongoing collection of standalone stories.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 2026

About the author

Lauren’s stories are often emotionally raw, with lots of twists and turns. She describes her writing as “where light meets dark”, which represents how her witty humor compliments the darkness in every story. Instead of trying to mold her writing to fit in a box, she chooses to be unapologetically herself. While her focus is on Romance with dark elements, subgenre is no constraint for her. The common theme in every book is finding love when you least expect it. She enjoys putting her characters through tribulations, allowing their triumphs to be that much more poignant. Make sure you have your seatbelts secured. It’s always a bumpy ride.

When she’s not working, she’s writing. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with her husband, her friends, or her pets. You might also find her on a horseback trail ride or sitting beside a waterfall in Upstate New York. She has a pretty normal life, yet her stories are anything but.

Reviews

[CriSsStina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ✨

I was lucky and caught the ARC on booksirens. Yay me.

I couldn't put it down, I was so rooting for these two 😭.

Read the triggers, since the story is full of trauma. ( besides the heavier TW, there's cheating as well; I don't usually read cheating, but in this case I was all aboard; you have to read the book to understand the situation )

I would have liked a second extended epilogue, with them down the road of life, but this is just me getting greedy.

what to expect
- complete standalone
- not sure what their ages are, but I think they are close in age
- trauma, trauma, trauma, in both their lives
- no trigger related to food, so thank you Lauren for that 😂
- HEA

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh 😭🥰 Lauren does it again

[Stephanie Compton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had really high hopes for this one, but for me it fell flat. Maybe it was the violence, which has not bothered me before but maybe I wasn’t in the frame of mind for it. I did enjoy that one of the MC’s had a disability and it didn’t hinder him in any way.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I manged to grab this from an Arc post.

And oh my god this book emotional destroyed me, for reading somone who is mute.. Broke me.

i dont know how lauren does this but this book will be on my roman empire list, I can't wait for more books like this🥺♠️

[Mya Mousseau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a surprise arc of this book, and having read a few of her books before I was excited to see what this one was about.

Nothing I love more than a bad boy down bad, and an epic revenge arc. It was a good, smutty read and heart pounding in a “can’t put this down and read in one sitting”

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m sure you could finish this in one sitting if work and life didn’t interrupt 🤣

Jesse’s life seems to just be a run of bad luck with a nice dolloping of more bad luck on top. She thinks she’s met the one, for him to turn out not to be but his brother is another story…

"𝙸𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚐?" 𝙸 𝚊𝚜𝚔. "𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎."

I really wouldn’t have stopped reading this in one go but life 🤷🏻‍♀️The story pulls you in from the start and I had no idea where it was going to take me. Sitting biting the skin around my nails (as you do), to growling, to ahhhing, and that’s just some of the emotions this book prompted from me. Lauren’s writing dark romance with a sprinkling of angst, feeling like you're in their right alongside the characters just made this book flyby. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next 🫶🏻

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

The queen of dark traumances strikes again with Saving Jessie’s Girl (yes, like the song). WOW this book hit hard. It wasn’t a read, it was an emotional crime scene.

Benji, the most beautiful, broken soul. His story, his trauma and his dependence on his brother broke my heart multiple times. I loved him!
Emmy, the FMC is absolutely beautiful and such a fighter. I would’ve loved to hear more of her backstory though, more about her brother and their relationship. I felt so invested in her and her journey to find peace and happiness and really wanted to know more about her.

Friendly warning: maybe don’t raw dog this one like I did. Read the trigger warnings. It didn’t affect my rating because I know Lauren’s books. But, we don’t want anyone to be surprised!!

[Nikola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing, emotional book
❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[Crystal Overend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check your triggers!! I’m telling you now. Don’t go blind into this book if you have any abuse triggers. I ate this book up. Short and fast read but still hit hard.

[Kaitlyn Bradford · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very compelling short novel. Sucked in from the beginning. I admittedly got bored part way though, but I am so glad I pushed through to the end.

[Sara Cayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a lot but really good. I would recommend to please check your triggers.
5⭐️

[Chane Le Roux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book. The emotions run high, and I truly felt what the characters were going through. It’s very well written, I loved Benji the most, and I’d happily read it again

[Janelle Kozera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, I don’t know how Lauren can give us the range of books like the Slaycation series to Captured, but this woman is amazing and knows how to hit all the feels. She’s done it again with her newest edition.

Saving Jessie’s Girl is a dark romance so read the TWs and prepare yourself. It’s worth the love between Benji and Emmy though. They are each going through something, Benji a little more traumatic when they meet, but when Emmy starts dating Benji’s twin Jessie and things take a turn for the worse, and Emmy’s new found trauma becomes Benji’s reason to live.

This is not a major spoiler but it will ease your heart if you read this. The angst about if Jessie was going to hurt Lily (Emmy’s kitten) sat with me the entire book. I kept thinking, Lauren wouldn’t do that. There is a scene where he grabs the kitten but he doesn’t kill it. The scene (imo) isn’t that hard to read. If you can read the abuse scenes with Emmy, even being an avid animal lover, you can get through this scene. Lily is okay 💜

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dark, emotional romance that absolutely requires checking the trigger warnings first. Lauren Biel delivers a heavy but powerful story filled with trauma, domestic abuse, addiction, mental health struggles, healing, and love. From the start, it’s easy to become completely invested in Emmy and Benji. Benji was impossible not to love. He may seem like the intimidating twin at first, but he’s actually protective, caring, and exactly what Emmy needs as her relationship with Jessie turns devastating. Their connection brings hope to such a painful story. The book handles difficult topics with raw realism, especially the feelings of fear, isolation, and helplessness that come with abuse. Many readers will find parts of this story deeply personal and even triggering, but the emotional payoff and HEA make it worth it. This story is heartbreaking, intense, and beautifully written. Lauren Biel knows how to make readers feel every emotion, and Saving Jessie’s Girl is one that stays with you long after finishing it.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I love this story? Absolutely! Do I love Benji and Emmy? Absolutely! However, I felt like it was to fast paced and they lost the chemistry building between them in the beginning. It felt a bit rushed but overall I adore Benji and everything he’s endured not just for Emmy but himself too! He’s one that will hold a special place in my heart!! Benji has learned to live in silence until one day, he finds a reason to try to find his voice! Jessie, his twin brother, gets everything and anyone he wants. The charming, out going kind one…. Right?! Everything is not as it seems! As truths unfold, Emmy finds herself drawn to Jessie but it’s too late before she realizes maybe she chose the wrong twin. Benji sees the crash coming and does what he can to protect her and in turn, learns that he too may need to protect himself. Their story is beautiful and tragic!

Tropes/TW:
Domestic Violence
Animal cruelty
Brothers girl
Mute MMC
Traumatic past
Sexual Assault
Self harm
Cheating…. Not between MMC and FMC

[Mamawattto4 Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave Saving Jessie’s Girl by Lauren Biel 4 stars.

This book is very heavy and incredibly dark, so definitely check content warnings before diving in. That said, there’s also something unexpectedly beautiful woven through the story. It balances the harshness with emotional depth in a way that really stuck with me.

I’ve read quite a few books by Lauren Biel, and they don’t usually end up being favorites for me but this one was different. Something about the characters and the raw, intense journey pulled me in more than I expected. It was gripping, emotional, and honestly hard to put down despite how heavy it gets.

If you’re okay with darker themes but still want a story with heart and meaning, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Marquett Clemmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


When one of my favorite authors writes a book influenced by one of my favorite songs, I had to read it immediately.

Lauren did not disappoint!! Saving Jessie’s Girl is an emotional roller coaster through childhood trauma, domestic violence, mental health struggles, revenge, redemption and love. Lauren hooks you from the very beginning and you quickly become invested in Emmy & Benji. Although the story is very heavy and you worry how it may end, it is a HEA.

I highly recommend this book!! But, your mental health is important; please read the trigger warnings as this book delves in to some dark subjects.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ashley M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book hit hard for me personally. I have been Emmy before (Jessie's Girl) and that feeling like you can't get out, like you can't leave is the most helpless feeling.

I fell in love with Benji instantly, he need to step in and help. That he looks like the "scary" brother but is in fact the one with a heart of gold captured me.

Everything that Emmy has to go through is horrible and will be TRIGGERING for some people who have been in her position before but I have to say again for me personally to see her get the HEA has me in love with this book. We don't all get a HEA after going through something like that and reading this book heals something for me

[irisreads_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an arc.

There aren’t enough words to describe the feelings that were felt within Saving Jessie’s Girl. It was one of the only books I had to go back and read the triggers because I normally skip them. Lauren doesn’t miss. Ever. SJG is very plot heavy focusing on domestic abuse, sexual abuse, abuse of power and caretaker abuse with narcissistic personality disorder, drug and alcohol addictions and coercion. We also see the side of what that abuse does to loved ones, what happens during the process and when they try to leave. Lauren was amazing at invoking the feelings as if I were going through this trauma myself.

Please, check your triggers. This one is so very heavy.

[Ibo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dale and Jessie can rot in hell :)





3.5 stars ✨

Reminded me a lot of Shallow River by HD Carlton.

Wasn’t perfect for me because it felt a little rushed or short w this much depth and heavy themes, but I guess that’s the drawback of novellas. I’m a BIG Lauren Biel fan, but this was dark and I wanted more time for both Benji and Emmy to get to know each other, comfort, etc. Also I know this was a dark romance but like she was already so tramatized and in absolute hell with Jessie, the whole Dale abuse just broke me for her.

Thank you Lauren for writing these delicious broken men. Luv you Benji.

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ 3🌶️

I’ve been a Lauren Biel fan for a while but this book was amazing and even a little taboo with the twin brothers. This story tore at my heart strings, I definitely felt all the feels. Be sure to read your trigger warnings, although the triggers in this book healed apart of me. The scenes are graphic but real. They accurately describe the internal struggles of self harm and DV. Mental health is so important but more than anything this book is about finding a safe space, a place to call home.

“Because I may have saved Jessie’s girl, but she saved me too.”

[Shyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully told story about finding yourself and love through so much trauma. Lauren’s ability to pack a punch in less than two hundred pages is unmatched, so much unfolds in such a short time. I laughed, I cried, I felt their pain and at the end I smiled, because they had each other. Despite everything they went through they healed together.

A story that needed to be told, that speaks for so many.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with everything with Lauren Biel !!!!

⚠️READ THOSE TRIGGER WARNINGS ⚠️

I personally deeply enjoyed this book. It is a very emotionally heavy book. She really shows the mental turmoil DV survivors/victims go through as well as her uncanny ability to write unhinged heros!

This book had darkness along with sweetness and an adorable kitten aswell.

I did receive this as an ARC from Lauren Biel herself and this is probably the most meaningful 5 🌟 I've read this year.

[Mags · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one and I loved the fact that it was inspired by the song Jessie’s girl. I maybe should have listened to it to find out if there was any similarities. I don’t know if I don’t know the song because I’m British or because I was only 3 when it charted over here.

It’s safe today that I feel in love with Benji as soon as we met him. How could he be so sweet and nice when his brother Jessie was such a d**k.

Check your trigger especially if you aren’t a fan of cheating or abuse.

[Colleen Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant

This was such a great read. It is a bit emotional but I truly think it’s what completes the book. A great choice book where the FMC has her options, I’d read lightly if DV is a hard trigger for you, there is a touch of this in here but Lauren really steered carefully with this. 10/10 recommend, then again I’d recommend any one of her books

[Brandi Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heavy with emotional healing and a hea with heavy trauma. High spice & claiming/ owning kinks. Lauren Biel has a way to make you have strong emotions for both the MC’s and also the villain too, there’s usually a reason to why they are how they are. Thank you for bringing light to DV situations and how trapped one can feel.

[Shayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart broke with this book

First off Lauren Biel did it again! This book shows how people get swept up in domestic violence until it feels like there’s no way out. I think this book depicts this so well, my heart broke numerous times while reading this. So to all of the “Jessie’s Girls” out there, this book is for us.

[Torey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a well written, heart wrenching book. The DV and abuse is so much more common in our daily lives than one would expect and it was captured so vividly here. Jessie definitely deserved a "goodbye Earl" ending and you'll just have to see if he gets that or something else. This was so hard to put down and I kind of want to start it again right now.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished this in one sitting.

I was rooting for Benji and Emmy from the start. So much trauma between the two of them.

Some unexpected twists and a well earned HEA.


I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. This book was heavy and yet beautiful. There were a few times where I had to take a pause as Jessie reminded me so much of my ex (check those TW folks), however I thought the way this was written was sensitive to the trauma that Emmy & Benji went through.