CHOKEHOLD: A HIGH SHOALS NOVEL

by E.M. Phillips

470 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 28, 2026

About the author

E. M. Phillips writes dark, Southern Gothic romantic suspense. She grew up in the heart of Florida immersed in all the heavily cultural and historically nuanced reasons that make her home unique. She still resides in North Florida with her family and draws inspiration from dark forests, old cemeteries, and just about every creature she meets, especially the slithery ones. If it weren’t for her intense love of the deep south, she might just stop saying ‘Y’all’ - but that'd be as crazy as pettin’ a swamp puppy with a plump hen.

Reviews

[InkedSirenXO]

Review of Advanced Copy received from Author

This book completely surprised me in the best way. This is so much more than a romance. It’s an emotional, character-driven story about love, healing, family, and the choices that shape who we become.

The dual timeline was beautifully executed. Watching Blythe and Nathan’s relationship unfold through both their past and present added so much depth to every interaction. Their chemistry is undeniable, but it’s the emotional tension, longing, and growth that truly stole the show. Every chapter peeled back another layer, making it impossible not to become invested in their journey.

The side characters are just as memorable. Some you’ll fiercely love, others you’ll absolutely want to throw into traffic. Even the characters who seem impossible at first are written with enough complexity that your opinions constantly evolve as the story unfolds.

The spice is definitely there, but it never overshadows the story. Instead, it enhances the emotional connection between the characters, making every intimate moment feel earned.

E.M. Phillips has a way of making you feel every emotion right alongside the characters. One moment your heart is full, the next it’s breaking, and by the ending you’ll be left staring at the page wondering how you’re supposed to move on after that.

If you love:
🖤 Small-town romance
🖤 Slow burn with incredible payoff
🖤 Dual timelines
🖤 Deep emotional storytelling
🖤 Complex family dynamics
🖤 Spice with substance

…then Chokehold deserves a spot on your TBR. I cannot wait to see where the High Shoals series goes next.

[Matt Shavers]

I had the opportunity to read this ARC for @e.m.phillipswriting and had high hopes for a southern gothic forbidden romance with spicy power play dynamics.

That being said this isn’t my usual cup of tea. If the wildest things you have read about are the sins in the bible then yes you will be clutching your pearls and it could blow your wig back. For us sinners that read the dark and depraved, it will definitely leave you lacking.

Was well written and enjoyed the characters and the development and the literary quotes were a nice touch.

If you’re into YA reads with some spice then this is for you.

[Nicky]

*ARC TEAM READER REVIEW*


Firstly I want to thank E.M Phillips for inviting me to the ARC team and giving me the chance to read this book. I stumbled across the post on Instagram and wasn't sure what to expect…


I read a lot of dark romance and it's testament to the author's excellent storytelling that CHOKEHOLD was emotive, page turning and I genuinely struggled to put it down.


I wasn’t too familiar with the setting location in the South but the writing was descriptive enough to immerse me.  Blythe and Nathan start out being thrown together by situation; her mum works for his dad, so they see each other often and grow to be close friends with a deep connection. 


Their naivety makes it hard for them to grasp how they feel themselves, and even harder to tell each other. It felt very realistic and reminded me of being a teenager in some ways.  There's also an element of forbidden romance - their families seem to be trying to keep them apart. This means their journey isn't plain sailing and it's also marred by deep grief and loss. The way this is handled makes it such a moving and emotional story. 


It's been a long time since a book has moved me as much as this one. I'm used to dark romance being less plot driven and more heavy on the petting! But this was so different. I really believed the characters, their actions and motivations were realistic and the slow burn and longing was definitely there. My favourite element was the duel POV so we can really feel what each character is going through and try and understand their thoughts. 


Some of the topics were heavy but it was so beautifully written and captured the feelings of grief, loss, heartbreak and healing perfectly. 


Thanks so much again to E.M Phillips for the opportunity. I'll be telling everyone to read it too! 

[Kayleigh]

Advanced Reader Copy review

Small town book with big time emotions!
I enjoyed the past and present timeline and how you navigate through the years from teenagers to adults. The complexity in the relationship between Nathan and Blythe and also Blythe's mother and Nathan's father was amazingly written. Blythe and her mum have an amazing relationship even if Delia was cryptic as hell 😂 I can tell why now after finishing and it is justified. Nathan's dad started off sounding like a complete douche but as the story progresses, you see him in a new light.
Nathan and Blythe's relationship is complicated thanks to their youth and the societies in which they have both been brought up in but given time, space and a couple hand necklaces 🤭 they start to blossom and I've thoroughly enjoyed reading their love story. E.M. Phillips has portrayed their emotions and their story from start to finish beautifully 💕 The spice was also spicing ❤️‍🔥
Now I just need to finish by saying..... WHAT DO YOU MEAN DR HALE!!??

[readsbetweenthepages]

“In the way hurricanes become trapped in the gulf, forcing their will towards disaster, Nathan had me in a chokehold, and I didn’t care if I ever breathed again”

Sometimes people are not who you think they are. Sometimes people can confuse you, surprise you and blindside you. Huge respect to @e.m.phillipswriting for navigating teen to adult relationships, as well as the complexity of relationships we hold with our parents. Subtly exploring how our perspectives change from who we think people are to who we learn they actually are.

A beautifully nuanced book with two heartfelt main characters, Nathan and Blythe, EM Phillips explores their relationship interweaving the past and present. She writes beautifully about teenage angst and insecurities and how these colour the choices that Nathan and Blythe make. The past and present perspective enables us to see these choices through different eyes as the characters mature and develop. I was so caught up in their world I struggled to put this book down.

[b00kishbritt]

Shoals. A deep south small Florida town harboring secrets, buried in lies & hush money.
Nathan & Blythe were 2 teens in love, but there was always something in the way. The shocking death of her mother drove them apart for 8 years. Now, Nathan Hale is back in town dealing with his own loss, and everything is resurfacing.
Phillips wrote this so immersively, it felt like you were THERE. In Florida. Feeling all the feelings.
The duel timeline weaves between the past & present, old feelings, buried secrets, & everything left unsaid beginning to unravel as quick as the hurricane is rolling in.
I loved how the tension of the plot built as the storm did. Very ominous .
There was chemistry, longing, grief, healing, angst, and a whole lot of miscommunication (I haven't been that frustrated since reading Love Letter to Whiskey, iykyk lol) and of coarse, some delicious spice. Watching Nathan learn he liked control?😏 I heard book 2 is steamy & I am so here for it.

I'll be patiently waiting until it's released!
Loving the High Shoals series 🖤 Not only am I invested in the characters but also the lore of the town.

Check trigger warnings ⚠️

•Dual Timeline/POV
•Southern Gothic Romance
•KU
•Biblical Spice Quotes🤌🏼

[Kati]

The way this book is written, it feels like every word has been chosen so deliberately. It makes me feel as if i am in the book, with the characters. The dual timeline has been done perfectly. It's easy to follow and paints a great picture of the characters and their intertwined past. The yearning and intimacy makes this a very easy page turner. This was a hard book to put down, E.M Phillips writing style is wonderful, and I can't wait to read her next books!

[The Archivist]

Sweet tea, old money, and secrets buried six feet deep beneath the Florida soil. Chokehold had me in its grip from the first page and didn't let go, and honestly? I didn't want it to.

🖤Read if you Love🖤
- Second chance romance with serious emotional weight
- Small town southern gothic vibes
- Dual timelines and slow-burn secrets
- Morally complex family drama
- Atmospheric, weather-drenched settings

**Please review trigger warnings before reading this book!

🤔My Thoughts🤔
Y'all, this book GETS small town life. I live in the UK now but I grew up in a small town in Texas. I felt every page of Shoals in my bones - the way sin hides behind Sunday smiles and old money keeps mouths shut. Phillips has an incredible eye for the facade people wear in public to mask what they're hiding in private.

The dual timeline structure is handled really well, and that slow unraveling of what happened that night had me completely hooked. The "two truths and a lie" device the characters use to navigate the hard conversations? Absolute genius. And the miscommunication trope - I know it's divisive, but Phillips writes it the way it actually happens. Watching Blythe and Nathan fumble through the same situation with wildly different perspectives felt so painfully real it sent me straight back to my own high school days.

Blythe herself is a standout - she has a full life built entirely on her own terms, and I love that for her. The funeral home's morbid edge, the hurricane closing in, the coiled tension of eight years of unresolved history, Phillips layers it all beautifully.

I can’t wait for the next book!

Spice Rating
🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5 — Slow burn tension with heat that earns every moment

Synopsis:
In the deceptively quiet evangelical town of Shoals, Florida, secrets don't stay buried forever — especially with a hurricane on the horizon. Eight years after a devastating graduation night tore them apart, Blythe and Nathan are forced back together just as a catastrophic hurricane bears down on Gulf County. Old wounds, dark family secrets, and the undeniable pull they've always had on each other crash together in a story about what we owe the past, and whether some sins are ever really forgiven.

[Rachelle Rodriguez]

Where do I even begin?

First, a heartfelt thank you to this incredible author for taking a chance and reaching out to me asking if I would like to be an ARC reader. I was genuinely so honored—I’m not exaggerating when I say I was kicking my feet and grinning like a kid.
This book didn’t just entertain me—it affected me. It pulled me in so deeply that I wasn’t just reading about the characters, I was feeling everything alongside them. The author’s writing has this rare ability to make you see, experience, and carry the emotions as if they were your own.
Reading it felt like an emotional roller coaster. One moment I was swept up in the sweetness of young love, feeling like a teenager again, and the next I was frustrated, wishing the characters would just say what they feel. That tension—the miscommunication, the restraint—felt so real, because it is real.

What made this story even more powerful for me was how it brought up memories I had long buried. It made me reflect on my own past, on moments of confusion, hurt, and growth. I connected deeply with the FMC—her struggles, her silence, the overwhelming weight of feelings she couldn’t quite express. That kind of emotional honesty isn’t easy to write, but it was done beautifully here.
The way the past and present are woven together keeps you completely invested. You want more. You need to know how it all comes together, how the pieces finally make sense.
And at its core, this book is a reminder of something so important: past trauma and old wounds may shape us, but they can’t extinguish true love. If anything, the journey through the pain, the healing, and the growth makes that love even more meaningful—more earned, more real, and ultimately, more powerful.

And yes… the spice was definitely spicing in the best way—I was blushing more than once.
This is a slow burn, but not in the typical sense. It’s layered, emotional, and deeply immersive. Once you start, you won’t want to put it down—and even after you finish, it stays with you.

[Alexandra Bollella]

Ominous, intricate, mind-bending
"Just like the words of Clifton Hale, dark truths eventually find light and gulf storms reach shore. While some prove uneventful. Others carry abroad them lethal dose of chaos for years to come."

Shoals is a small town in the crevice of Florida, where the storms come and go, some kick you to the punch and others stay ashore not leaving disrurction any behind. Though for Blythe, those secrets might be washed away, long forgotten but they have ways of  floating right back in front of you, which can be deceiving. But for Blythe and Nathan, being away from one another for eight years brings a greater picture of coming to terms with how things ended. Will they be able to clear the Murky waters of their past? Or be caught in the eye of the storm being pushed out to sea?
They're tangled into a web, the spider is still weeving it's been ready to catch their prey but the web is so immaculatly woven. You're only seeing what the spider sees the spider and the web but there are so many singular webs that are carrying so many hidden clues to a greater story than what the eye can see.

This book blew me out of the water! The depth of all the foreshadowing, psychological elements, layers of twists and turns, the character depth intertwined into a dual timeline was top tier! The layers unraveling between Blythe and Nathan literally had me in a Chokehold and so did the spice! Just when I thought I had room to breathe, I was left windless and blown away! The deep connections of their past was haunting and riveting, they bring you on a frenzied roller coaster that didn't stop at high speed. I love the connection Blythe has with music and the close relationship she had with her mom, very wholesome. I read this book so fast, It put me into a place with great history and a bigger dimension of Shoals and all those small town secrets. Though can all your sins be repented?

I'm beyond excited for book two!!


"It's like poison and antivenom all in one, Blythe. You go your whole life avoiding snakes, knowing one bite will kill you..."

[Juana Trujillo]

‘CHOKEHOLD’ by E. M. Phillips ARC review

“Show me what it means to be worshiped.” — Blythe

As someone who’s pretty analytical, I’m not easily impressed or moved by stories. It takes a very special type of storytelling to keep me engaged, and that is what E.M. Phillips did with Blythe and Nathan’s story.

I felt the pain, longing, joy, and grief alongside the characters. Some moments made me cry (I was in the library, so people were probably staring at me like I was crazy), AND I don’t cry easily.

There is spice in this book, but it isn’t the main focus of the story, which I appreciated as someone who doesn’t usually gravitate toward spicy romances. It felt like it supported the relationships rather than overshadowing them. BUT don’t worry if you do enjoy spice, it is definitely spicing.

Alongside Blythe and Nathan, there are characters that you will learn to love or to completely dislike. You will know who they are once you get to know them. (I’m looking at you Mason! 😤)

A quick note: come prepared to jump between the past and the present. If you are not used to reading that style of story, it can catch you off guard. Since this was my first time reading in this style, it took the first couple of chapters to settle into the timeline, but once I did, I appreciated how they intertwined and supported Blythe and Nathan’s POVs in the present.

The way the timelines jumped reminded me of one of my favorite TV shows, “Better Call Saul,” which has outstanding storytelling.

Also, can we talk about the carefully curated playlist, with a chosen song for each chapter? As a musician, music helps me connect with emotions in a way that words alone can’t. The music fully immersed me in the story. And, if you like “Sleep Token,” you will enjoy the subtle references.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story and recommend it to readers that enjoy slow burns. I can’t wait to read the second book and see what other stories Shoals brings us.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: 5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️: 4/5 spice

Synopsis:

Chokehold follows the story of Nathan Hale and Blythe Pierce, who have been friends since childhood. Little did they know that their friendship would change in eighth grade. After a series of heartbreaking and unfortunate events pulls them apart, they’re forced to carry years of guilt, grief, and unanswered questions before life brings them back together eight years later.

Will they be able to get past their hurt towards each other and give love a chance? You will have to read to find out.

[Alt Reads]

Trying to gather my whirring thoughts, because WOW what a book! Took me through so many emotions and self reflection.

Some of the southern phrases were a little lost on me as I am not particularly familiar with the deep south. However it didn't deter me even slightly and I was immersed in the town of Shoals quickly, fantastic explanation of its dark past and ignorant under current and cheery, perfect home town vibes.

This book seamlessly takes you from past to present day, without it being a chore, expertly guiding the past through the experiences of the present, the tense miscommunication that had you screaming at both Blythe and Nathan.

Such a beautiful and tragic story of human existence in a small town with complex relationships, dark secrets and hotheaded, stubborn characters.

The tension built up and when it finally snapped and they collided man it was 🌶🌶🌶. The yearning, desperate need for each other 🥵. Fantastically written scenes they were just enough to get you hot under the collar but not dragging on that it ruined the story. Also the dual POV, how can you not love a well timed flip to the MMC's POV, will have you melting.

Then you get the side characters who are just as complex, you build opinions that then get shattered as all is not as it seems. You get so lost in the emotions of Blythe and Nathan that you have visceral hatred and love for certain other characters. Just enough characters to add intrigue and complexity but not so many your confused.

The ending has me wanting more, I need answers! I need more of Shoals.

In short it was beautifully written, atmospheric, dark and steamy with a few moments that make you laugh so suddenly you snort.

Can not wait for book 2!

[Kiki]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

Chokehold was my introduction to gothic Southern suspense romance, so I went into this not really knowing what to expect. Overall, I think this was a great introductory book for me in this genre, although I’m still not entirely sure if it’s my genre. I didn’t hate it, but I also wasn’t completely obsessed with it.

The storyline itself was amazing. There’s so much suspense and mystery surrounding Nathan and Blythe and what happened between them in the past. The story frequently jumps between the past and present, which could get a little confusing at times, but I actually thought it was such a cool choice by the author. Slowly getting pieces of their history throughout the book really helped build the suspense and kept me wondering what exactly happened between them.

My biggest struggle was probably the pacing. It was a little too slow for my personal taste, especially when it came to the romance. But if you LOVE a yearning, aching, “we could have been something” type of romance, I think you’ll eat this up.

There are also a lot of missed opportunities and misunderstandings between Nathan and Blythe, which definitely had me frustrated at times. However, because so much of it happened when they were younger, their choices and lack of communication felt much more relatable and understandable.

Overall, I really enjoyed the mystery and suspense of Chokehold, even if the slower pacing and style of romance weren’t completely for me. It was definitely something different from what I normally read, and I’m glad I gave it a chance!

Thank you to E.M. Phillips for sending me a physical copy of Chokehold! All thoughts and opinions are my own. 🤎

[Desi✨]

Review of advance copy received from the author.


I enjoyed this book so much! Even though at first took me a bit to warmed up with the characters.

From the very first chapters, it kept me going as I tried to uncover all the secrets hidden within this small village. Every new revelation made me want to keep knowing.

Blythe is exactly the kind of female main character I love. She’s strong, funny, sarcastic, sexy and confident, with just the right amount of vulnerability. I loved her from the very beginning.

What I enjoyed most was how this story took me back to my teenage years. It reminded me of a time when miscommunication seemed to be at the center of every relationship because we simply didn’t know how to express such overwhelming emotions. Reading about Blythe brought back memories of high school, my first boyfriend, those exciting butterflies, the confusion, and the intensity of first love.

The story is emotional, nostalgic, and full of mystery, making it difficult to put down.

If you enjoy small-town secrets, memorable characters, and a romance that captures all the excitement and uncertainty of first love, I definitely recommend giving this book a try.

Fav quote: "you don't know how to be worshipped yet"

Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️

[Melissa Toye]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Chokehold by E.M. Phillips completely pulled me in.

I absolutely loved the way the story moved between the past and present, giving us glimpses into Blythe Pierce and Nathan Hale’s history while slowly revealing how they became the people they are now. It made every emotional moment hit that little bit harder.

The tension between Blythe and Nathan was incredible. Their chemistry was undeniable from the start, and watching their friendship naturally evolve into something more felt authentic and so rewarding. Every interaction had me wanting just one more chapter.

One of my favourite things about this book was how my opinions of certain characters kept changing as more of the story unfolded. Just when I thought I’d figured everyone out, another layer was revealed, making the characters feel complex and realistic.

The spice was perfectly woven into the story too. It never felt like it was there just for the sake of it—it suited their relationship and added to the emotional connection, making everything between them feel genuine.

If you love emotional romance, slow-building tension, friends-to-lovers, and characters that keep surprising you, Chokehold is definitely one to pick up. I can’t wait to read more from E.M. Phillips.

[Sean Waters]

I genuinely couldn't find the words to describe how much I loved
"Chokehold."
The dialogue, especially the characters' inner thoughts, was written so well. I got so invested in these characters and their messy, complicated relationship that I found myself yelling at the book begging them to make better decisions. (IYKYK)
The way E.M. Phillips weaves together the past
and present POVs was incredible. It never felt confusing or repetitive, it did however add so much depth to the story. I honestly haven't read another book that's handled this kind of storytelling quite like this, and it made the entire reading experience 10x better.
Now, Nathan, our main male character, I can't help but love him right away with how much he cares for Blythe.
The deep passion, the longing he has for her. Was described beautifully. He loves Blythe with his whole heart and he'll do anything to prove that and I love that type of love. Blythe was such a fun character. The amount of unsure she was about Nathan made getting to the end of the book a race to find out just how well their chemistry ended up being. Both Nathan and Blythe have their issues, but they always seem to work it out in the end.
Speaking of End. WAIT TILL YOU READ THE LAST DAMN CHAPTER OF THIS NOVEL!!!

[Deborah Bainbridge]

Friends-Enemies-Lovers story
Small town vibes with big time emotions.
This is dual point of view from our main characters and changing from past to present and doing so seamlessly. It is great watching our main characters grow and mature through their teenage years into adulthood and seeing their emotions and how they interpret each others, usually getting their wires crossed completely. Through actions and mistakes of others as well their own, it feels like there is too much pain and water under the bridge.  The slow burn of their romance is almost painfully slow, but the spice is worth it when they get there (dare I mention hand necklace?!) It is delicious and everything you hope for. As this is the 1st in the series, you are left with unanswered questions and wanting for more when it finishes. The author captures the small town feel to perfection, how everyone knows everyone else's business and have their own, usually narrow minded opinions.
This book literally held me in a chokehold as to how our main characters can possibly get through all the obstacles that are thrown in their way, to find their ways into each others arms.

[Claire Alder]

Wow, wow, wow. First off, a huge thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book was one of the most frustrating reads I’ve ever experienced… but in the absolute best way.

I was completely consumed by these characters and their lives. Watching Blythe and Nathan struggle with their inability to communicate as teenagers was equal parts heartbreaking and believable. The misunderstandings, the things they couldn’t say, and the moments where you just wanted to shake them made their story feel so real.

I loved the way the book switched between Blythe and Nathan’s perspectives because it showed how two people can live through the same moments but experience them so differently. Then seeing them as adults brought a whole new layer of emotion — so much longing, so many things left unsaid, and those unfinished sentences that somehow said everything.

Nathan is exactly the kind of fictional man you can’t help but love — handsome, confident, commanding, and protective in all the right ways. And Blythe… her vulnerability hidden behind sarcasm, attitude, and her “brattiness” made her the perfect match for him.

The slow burn created the perfect tension and the spice was spicing! I completely ate up this story. It frustrated me, made me feel everything, and now I’m left desperately wanting more

[Valerie]

🖤 Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC copy

I really enjoyed this book and their story. I loved slowly learning more about their pasts and watching them navigate their personal struggles while growing closer together. Their emotional journey was one of my favorite parts of the book, and it was an emotionally beautiful story that really stayed with me.

The only thing that didn't fully work for me was the timing of some of the spicy scenes. Many of them happened during moments when one of the characters was vulnerable, like after an emotional conversation or while processing something painful. Personally, I would have preferred those moments to focus a little longer on the emotional connection before transitioning into physical intimacy. I do enjoy spicy scenes, but in this case, they didn't always feel like the right fit for the moment.

Overall, it was a beautiful, emotional, and engaging story, and I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

*Please check the trigger warnings before reading.*

[Teressa Oliverio]

I absolutely loved the atmosphere of this book. The coming storm added SO much to the tension between Nathan and Blythe, especially after being separated for eight years. You could feel everything building the closer the storm got and the more they were forced to face each other and everything that happened between them.

I really loved the dual POV and the way the story moved between the past and present. Getting pieces of their history while also watching them navigate seeing each other again made me completely invested in figuring out what happened between them and why they stayed apart for so long.

Nathan and Blythe have so much unresolved tension, secrets, hurt and chemistry between them, and I was here for ALL of it. There was this constant feeling that something was about to come crashing down, and the hurricane felt like the perfect backdrop for everything they had buried finally resurfacing.

Dark, emotional, atmospheric and full of secrets, this one definitely pulled me into its world. I am absolutely intrigued to see where this story goes next.

[Abbies_bookclub]

This was my first read by this author and it definitely won't be my last!
The writing flowed so effortlessly that I absolutely flew through it. Sometimes books with dual POVs (my favourite!) and timelines that jump between the past and present can get a little confusing, but this was handled perfectly. Every transition felt natural.
I cared for Blythe and Nathan so much. Following their journey throughout different stages of their lives, while watching them battle their own personal struggles, made me so emotionally invested. I was rooting for them every step of the way and desperately wanted them to get the HEA they both deserved.
Also... was anyone else convinced Blythe's dad was dead for most of the book, or was that just me?!
If you're looking for a romance that's beautifully written, easy to get lost in and has just the right amount of spice, then I'd absolutely recommend picking this one up!

[Courtney Walker]

Chokehold By E.M Phillips Arc review .
Total transparent and honest review . Also a NON spoiler review .


While reading this book , you go between the past and the present of Nathan Hale and Blythe Pierce and how their friendship/ romantic connection develops over time . I found myself yelling at them in the past to just get together . But they do eventually get there second chance… maybe .

I did have a hard time staying engaged with the story a little with the back and forth between present and past it was hard to follow and keep up with everything that was happening . It is a slow burn so prepare yourself for that .

This book unfortunately wasn’t for me , and that’s okay . We all have different opinions and tastes. That is the beauty of being a reader. I’ll never yuck someone else’s yum .

3⭐️
2🌶️

[Amber Lang]

Chokehold cured my reading dry spell in more ways than one. 😉

From the beginning, the story kept me wanting to read just one more chapter. There was a comforting nostalgia woven throughout the book, with its small-town atmosphere and the developing love story between the main characters. The setting felt familiar and immersive, making it easy to get invested in their journey.

My favorite part of the book was the final few chapters. Everything began to come together, the tension built beautifully, and I found myself completely invested in how the story would end.

Overall, Chokehold was an engaging and enjoyable read that pulled me out of a reading slump. If you enjoy small-town romance, a touch of mystery, and characters that keep you emotionally invested, this book is worth picking up. Ready to read book 2!!!

[Kasie]

I typically stray away from small time romances but when I saw this was a southern spin to the trope I had to give it a try as I’m from Alabama. This author executed it perfectly as it really helped set up not only that the characters were forbidden lovers but that there was a structure of how their life’s were in the small town within their worlds societies . You were able to see both sides with it being dual timeline of the chemistry they had for each other but also how they grew into their characters of the present. Spice was definitely spicing with my only complaint of it taking a bit longer for my liking but it again doesn’t overpower the story she’s trying to tell. If you’re wanting to dip your toes into a slightly darker small town romance then definitely give this a read!!

[Jessica Strickland]

The way this author fully immerses you in Shoals blew my mind! Her descriptions are beyond what I was expecting. The characters emotions feel so raw and real, like I was seeing everything first person. Nathan is the perfect MC and I felt every bit of yearning he has for Blythe.
The way the events of the book unfold in parallel timelines of past and present is woven seamlessly and each flashback feels like it explains more of the present as the story goes along.
I have not been so moved by a dark romance to the point of tears in a long time. I cried, a lot, but I couldn't stop reading!
The anticipation for Book 2 is killing me!!

[Kayleigh Bevins]

Chokehold surprised me in the best way. It’s more than just a romance, with themes of love, family, healing, and second chances.

I really enjoyed Blythe and Nathan’s story, especially how the past and present timelines showed their relationship developing. Their chemistry was amazing, but I also loved seeing their emotional growth.

The side characters added plenty to the story too. Some were easy to love, while others definitely annoyed me! The spicy scenes fit naturally into the story and added to the connection between the characters.

Overall, Chokehold was emotional, romantic, and hard to put down. Definitely one I’d recommend!

[Gem McGuire]

This book is really well written. It reminded me of Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, not the content of the book, but the feel of how it was written. The imagery was beautifully done, with a dark undercurrent throughout. I really enjoyed the dual timeline, as it really filled in the history of the characters and gave you a much better understanding of them.

I loved the imagery that this author created, and it really did set the scene. This book is more romance than smut, so if you are looking for smut, this is not what you want. If you are looking for a well written Romance then this is well worth the read.

[Patricia Meyers]

rather dark novel here. At least it seems that way to me! Told with a dual point of view, "CHOKEHOLD" follows Blythe and Nathan through their teenage years to adulthood. This book will definitely make you feel something. However, I would read the trigger warnings beforehand.


That being said, this book is well written and worthwhile reading. I am not an emotional person when it comes to my reaction to this story but I will admit to shedding a few tears here and there!

[Ashley Glovas]

I enjoyed this book, The tension between Blythe and Nathan was great, and the air of mystery of why they stopped talking and couldn’t be together was structured in a way that left you wanting more. There was angst, longing, mystery, sadness, and all the other emotions to go along with that. Great build up and storytelling. Highly recommend!!

[Elaine Ayres-Murphy]

I fell in love with the setting & the characters from the onset. The more I read, the more I wanted.

Chokehold is a beautiful tale of suffering & love that is not only intense, but emotionally raw & thought provoking.

Full of vehemence from start to finish.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book & cannot wait to read the next one.. 🖤