The Stand-In

by Kit Hawthorne

He reinvented himself. Now the truth could cost him everything.

For years, Halverson Ramsay Ford cultivated a reputation for brilliance and reckless arrogance. But after a devastating accident leaves him with a permanent limp, the notorious biotech genius disappears from public view…and emerges as a very different man.

Intelligent, sensitive, and scarred by a past betrayal, librarian Tamryn Page has no interest in falling for a charming billionaire—especially one with Hal’s history. Yet the man she comes to know is thoughtful, vulnerable, and kind, with a love of history and literature to match her own.

But the relationship is built on a lie. And when the truth comes to light, it threatens to destroy not only the future of Hal’s company, but the trust of the only woman who has ever truly seen him.

Now Hal must choose whether to step out from behind the identity he created—or lose the woman he loves forever.

Genres: Romance

324 pages, Paperback

Published October 13, 2026

About the author

Kit Hawthorne makes her home in south central Texas on her husband’s ancestral farm, where seven generations of his family have lived, worked, and loved. When not writing, she can be found reading, drawing, sewing, quilting, reupholstering furniture, playing Irish pennywhistle, refinishing old wood, cooking huge amounts of food for the pressure canner, or wrangling various dogs, cats, goats, and people.

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Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halverson Ramsay Ford is the kind of protagonist who hooks you immediately—not because he’s likable, but because he’s complicated. Tamryn Page is his perfect counterbalance. Intelligent, principled, and shaped by her own painful history, she’s not dazzled by wealth or reputation. Her connection with Hal is perfect because she didn’t like the person he was before his accident.
Hal and Tamryn both feel seen by each other. The strength of the story is how fully the author commits to developing both characters—not just who they are now, but who they used to be, and how those past selves still echo through every choice they make.
The way Kit Hawthorne blends past and present is one of the novel’s biggest emotional payoffs. Hal’s former arrogance, his accident, and the quiet reinvention that follows all feel layered rather than abrupt. Tamryn’s history—her sensitivity, her caution, her scars—grounds the romance in something real. You can feel how their pasts shape their present interactions, and how each revelation deepens the stakes.
That weaving of timelines makes their connection feel earned. You’re not just watching two people fall in love—you’re watching two lives slowly align, despite everything that once pushed them in opposite directions.

[Leona Ennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! I had taken a step back from reading in the romance genre lately, but this one was different. While there was romance between two likable characters, the book had a lot more substance to it. There was even an unlikable individual who had some redeeming features. The story kept my interest throughout with a budding medical scientific business that needed funding to continue its research, a man suffering the consequences of a horrendous automobile accident, someone with a big secret that could ruin a lot and more. The story flowed well. Considering it all, I highly recommend this book which is expected to be out on October 13, 2027.
I read an ARC of this book, but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Patty Duplechin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hal Ford had a reputation for being brilliant and arrogant. He’s biotech genius. After a devastating accident, he ends up with a terrible limp, so he goes into hiding. He reinvents himself differently. He’s a difficult man. Librarian Tamryn Page is a quiet, sensitive person who was betrayed in the past.. Since then, she lives as a hermit with her parents. When her mother decides to throws a reunion party, Tamryn ends up running into Hal, a classmate.but she’s not dazzled by his wealth. Hal is trying to secure some funding for his organization from her father. Hal and Tamryn start to hang out together, since he’s a lot nicer than he was in high school. She’s slowly coming out of her shell. Will they stay friends? She’s not looking for anything more than friendship. Never again. What happens when she finds out his secret? Everything is based on a lie. Will he get his funding from her father? Will she forgive him? The characters are great. I didn’t want to put it down. It’s a well-written story. It’s goes between the past and present. Kit Hawthorne shows you how both of the characters grew to become who they are now. She makes you feel like you’re right there with the characters. It’s worth the read. I received this book for my honest review. I give it voluntarily.

[Michelle Dodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clean suspense romance.

Tamryn had a bad experience and has been a hermit in her parent’s home. Her mother, Akiko, decides to have a reunion party with her schoolmates. Tamryn attends and runs into her nemesis, HRF (Hal). He is trying to secure funding for his organization from her father. He’s acting a lot nicer than he did in school. They start getting along and she is coming out of her shell. However, he has a secret. Will that destroy what they have?

This was a really good story. It started off a little slow but once it got into it, it was great. The book had be guessing and trying to figure out things. (I won’t say what as I don’t want any spoilers.) But the book was well-written and kept me engaged through the end. Were there some late nights because I didn’t want to stop reading? Yes. This is one of those books you should absolutely read.

I received an ARC from the author and am leaving an honest review.

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. I enjoyed the characters and the suspense. It was a quick read for me because it was so well written. This is my first book by this author and I will be reading more of her stories. This story was a nice clean read.