Willow: A Short Story 1

Under Ground #1.6

by Alice Rachel

Story #0.3 - Included in SHIFTING GROUND: A SHORT STORY COLLECTION

The day Willow met Chi for the first time was the day her heart broke, the day she betrayed the one boy she had ever loved, the day she made a decision that could never be undone.

20 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

UNDER GROUND Series Recommended Reading Order:

1 - UNDER GROUND - BOOK 1
2 - LOSING GROUND: A Stephen Richards Novella
3- STANDING GROUND - BOOK 2
4 - HOLDING GROUND: A Stephen Richards Novella 2
5 - COMMON GROUND: Kayla and Taylor's Story
6 - SHIFTING GROUND: A Short Story Collection
7 - DANGEROUS GROUND: Tina and Chase's Story (Out in October 2018)
8- BREAKING GROUND - BOOK 3 (Out in 2019)

Social Media Links:
Website
Facebook Reading Group
Facebook Author Profile

Reviews

[T S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Thia more than Willow.
Just my opinion - I think Stevie deserves better than her. He deserves me. I know that very highfalutin of me and whatever, but I can't stop myself from falling in love with him.

[Sara Oxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willow: A Short Story 1 (UNDER GROUND #0.3) by Alice Rachel an amazing four star read. This tells us the story of when Willow first meets Chi Richards, and they share their history of being unwanted second children, and understand the worry behind being found out, they both share the understanding of living in fear of being found. We also see Willows heart break, she has had to walk away from her true love. You can almost feel your own heart break when you read Willows story. This series goes from strength to strength, and gets better with every instalment, each story reveals more details and another part of the journey. Alice Rachel takes you to a different world and even though the story is short, it’s a compelling read that reveals more of the story than you think possible in so few pages.

[John Winston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow’s perspective is an important one in this robust tale. I think it’s important to read the story in the recommended reading order found on the Alice Rachel’s Amazon author page. Getting inside the mind of Willow brings understanding to not only her decisions but also meaning to the character’s motivations in previous parts of the story. In this case, it paints a more vivid picture of Chi as well as gives more clarity to Stephen and the short-lived love triangle in which the characters find themselves in general. Time for the next novel.

[Kat Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone reading the Under Ground series, I would recommend these short stories which give even greater depth to the characters and more story background info. Of course I was dying to learn more about the mysterious Willow and I was not disappointed. From Willow to Thia. Read Willow's story to learn how that happens...and why.

[Phoebe Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow makes for a nice contrast with Thia, and it's good to get more background on her so that we understand the complexities of her relationship with Stephen. What a terrible world to fall in love in. The deck seems stacked against every couple!

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willow: A Short Story 1 (Under Ground #0.3) by Alice Rachel is part of her Under Ground series. I highly recommend that you read the books in this series as it will give you background information on the characters that you will find helpful. This story is in the point of view of Willow. It is great to see another installment in the point of view of another character. This is another short story by this author but it will keep you engaged until the end. Find out Willow's story and her perspective of things.

Willow is a young girl who also is an Unwanted. Like Chi she has to remain hidden because she has an older sister. Her problem becomes when she falls in love with Stephen. She knows they can never be together. What will happen when Chi shows up at her door step? Will she betray the one person that she loves the most? What happens will be surprising but it can't be undone. What will she do? She is not as strong of a character as some of the other characters in this series. She feels like she has no control over anything. She has control over one thing but will she keep that control?

You will enjoy seeing Willow's point of view. She will pull at your heart strings. She just wants to love who she wants and not be told who she can love. I completely lose myself in this series with everyone book I read. Alice Rachel writes with feeling and her characters really show it. Alice loves spending time with her husband and guinea pigs. When she is not writing, she teaches French, reading and drawing. This is a short story that you will find yourself reading in one sitting and it will keep you wanting more. You will not want to miss what happens with Willow. You will not be able to put this book down as it keeps you engaged until the end. I highly recommend this story as I know you will enjoy see Willow's side of things.

[Tracy Antonelli Manderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow: A Short Story 1 (Under Ground #1.6) by Alice Rachel
5 out of 5 stars

So it’s a Sunday night and I have read three of Ms. Rachel’s short stories in the Under Ground Series and hopefully I will be reading a few more of her books tonight. I simply love her work. She has this unique way of telling her story that has you stepping into her world and the characters are well developed. Usually she surprise’s you at every turn and she did it again with Willow’s story.
What happens when the authorities have laws and one of them is the middle class can only have one child and you end up pregnant a second time?
The day Willow met Chi for the first time was the day her heart broke, the day she betrayed the one boy she had ever loved, the day she made a decision that could never be undone.
I really think Stevie deserves better than the lot that he got. But it was also good to read about Stephen and Willow’s secret relationship. Another forbidden love. I just don’t know what I would have done if I were in Willow’s shoe’s I cried as she walked away from her true love.
I highly recommend this story/series and you need to read them in-order to get the full effect of the series… I just simply love these characters and story line. I can’t get enough of this series….
By
Tracy Manderson

[Anita Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willow: A Short Story 1 (Under Ground #0.3) by Alice Rachel is part of her Under Ground series. You will need to read Books 1 and 2 first.
This short story starts when Willow meets Chi. They are more or less forced together. Heart-breaking for Willow as she really loves Stephen (Chi’s twin brother). She has to say good bye to Stephen, both of them take it hard. This story also details how loving and understanding her sister Lila is of Willow’s situation. It also reinforces the hard blow dealt to Stephen by his mother as she is the one to tear his and Willow’s relationship apart. The truth behind Willow’s fate is also told. Another tragic story for Willow that gives more insight into why and how Stephen becomes more resentful and separated from his family. A must read.
I love Alice Rachel’s work. She has developed her characters so that they are multi-dimensional and these short stories detailing the points of view of her characters give them greater depth and perspective. To know your characters so well to be able to do this shows an amazingly creative mind as well as skill. Willow’s story is a great addition to the Underground Series.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Willow: A Short Story Book 1
Author: Alice Rachel
FOUR STARS
Willow's Short Story book 1 starts when she meets Chi for the first time. It is a companion book to the Underground Series of books by author Alice Rachel. This is a very short 15 minute read that gives you some of the detail about how Willow met Chi.
Willow and Chi are to be together. Both being born as Unwanted children. In this civilization, families are only allowed one boy and one girl. If they have any more than that the "unwanteds" are to be killed at birth. However Chi is an idential twin, the second born and undocumented making him illegal. If the authorities find out Chi will be killed and his family imprisioned or also killed for hiding him. Willow is the second daughter in her family. Her older sister Lily is a documented child and therefore legal.
Chi and Willow have been forced together. They eventually end up caring for one another but they aren't in love.
Alice Rachel has a vivid way of describing this new world that she writes about.
Kelli Harper

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willow: A Short Story is a quick view into the character from the Under Ground Series by Alice Rachel. It is super quick and starts when she and Chi meet for the first time. Willow is in love with Stephen, Chi's twin brother, but their mother doesn't want them to date because she is an Unwanted. She tries to convince herself she has to let Stephen go, but can feel her heart breaking each day, and sees Stephen's happiness fade each day he goes without her. The story ends when Willow and Stephen see each other one last time, and make plans to run away together.
I did not like this short story as much as the others, because it was so short and not a lot happened. However, I still recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the Under Ground series, because it gives a good insight into Willows feelings and perspective of the situation. 4 star book for me.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

Willow (#1) is A Short Story in the Underground series by Alice Rachel.
We begin Willows story when she meets Chi for the first time. She is an unwanted child, like Chi. She is in love with one brother, while promised to the other.
The story gives us a deeper look into her character and backstory. We explore her complicated ‘secret’, forbidden relationship with Stephen.
I thought Willow was quite confused and undecided most of the time, full of self-doubt and therefore easily manipulated.
This story is very short and left me wanting more. It was beautifully written and quite heartbreaking at points.
Another thought-provoking read!

Thank you Ms. Rachel!

[Misty Ziegler · Rating 4 out of 5]

****4 Stars****
Willow: A short story 1 by Alice Rachel

Willow, a short story 1, by Alice Rachel is a 4 star quick read that starts with Willow meeting Chi for the first time. Willow is in love with Stephen, but unable to be with him due to her being an Unwanted, like Chi. Their mothers work together to get both Chi and Willow together for the safety of their other children. This story tells more about Willow and how she tries to let go of her feelings for Stephen and come to terms with the idea of never seeing him again while seeing his heart breaking. I'm not a huge fan of Willow’s character, but the added insight into her feelings and point of view makes this worth reading.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow: A Short Story 1 by Alice Rachel tells the story of Willow, an unwanted who is in love with a boy she can’t have. Stephen was the first-born child so he has to marry someone else. If he marries Willow, he risks her life, as well as her entire family. For this reason, she is promised to his twin, Chi, another unwanted.

Willow: A Short Story 1 gives readers a glimpse into the beginning of Willow’s courtship with Chi, even though she loves his brother. I love how all of Rachel’s books give readers an insight into the characters. This really helps readers to understand better why they act the way that they do!

[Kandis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow: A Short Story 1
By Alice Rachel
**5 Stars**

Willow’s short story begins when she meets Chi for the first time. I love that Alice Rachel wrote these quick and informative short stories to give us the much need background for the Underground series! Willow is a beautiful soul! She feels so conflicted between choosing for herself or others, it seems she always put others wants and needs before her own.

I love these short stories for the Underground series and can't wait to read Willow’s 2nd story! Make sure you give Alice Rachel a follow!

[Kristan Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow a short story 1 is third in Alice Rachel's Under Ground short stories (0.3) that takes place during her Under Ground series. These are embellishment stories that give you more insight on the characters in the series. Willow meets Chi for the first time and believes it to be his twin brother Stephen, with whom she is infatuated with. She tries not to fall for Chi but with the amount of time spent together it was inevitable. She will always feel as though she is betraying Stephen.

[Nikki LeClair · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a fan of this series by Alice Rachel! These in between shorts give you a glimpse of Willow’s relationship with Chi, a man she is betrothed to while she is in love with his twin brother. I found this story very intense actually, when it came to Willow deciding whether she should run off with the man she loves or just accept her fate. Intriguing.

[Jazmine Cabrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow: A Short Story 1, is the beginning of Chi and Willow’s “relationship”. The day she meets him is the day her heart breaks, she longs for Stephen but can’t have him like she wants. She is not selfish and must let him go.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow 1 is another short story by Alice Rachel that should be read after her first book in the Under Ground series. I love Willow! I know that the other diehard Under Ground fans will scream sacrilege when I say that I like Willow more than Thia … Thia has never experienced the life that Willow lived as an Unwanted. I loved her spirit, her love for life and Stephen … Thia did not have to have her heart broken, it broke my heart reading Willow’s reasoning – “I don’t want Stephen to die because of me. Because I’m an illegal and I’m not supposed to exist. Stephen deserves better than someone like me dragging him down… “
Alice Rachel, you are amazing! With each word, with each book and short story, you get us addicted to this journey you have taken us on! I hope you know where you are taking us!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We only get one life…”
Willows first short story that is from the Underground series by Alice Rachel, begins when Willow meets Chi for the first time. It follows the struggle she has with her feelings for Chi’s brother Stephen, and her difficulty with accepting that she is only good enough for Chi because she is an Unwanted like him. “That’s why I’ve agreed to be with Chi. I don’t want Stephen to die because of me. Because I’m an illegal and I’m not supposed to exist. Stephen deserves better than someone like me dragging him down… He’s just beautiful, but I can never have him. He can never be mine again, though I will always be his.” I did like what Willow’s sister says to her about living her life. “We only get one life, little sis. Make sure to live yours to the fullest. Always remember, surviving isn’t living.” She says this even though she is set to be with Stephen. Another impressive amount of storytelling packed in a short and sweet novella.

[Kirstym · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow: A Short story 1 by Alice Rachel is another five star read by this author. In this story we get the back story of Willow and, Chi and Stephen. The is a lot of emotion in this short story and in reading it your heart will break along with Willow’s. This story reinforces why Stephen resents his family and how the family became so broken. This is a must read in this series but I would recommend that they are read in order- you will get so much more from them and the story moves so much with each book. These short stories can change your perspective on the story so much it really is worth reading them in the right order so you get the full impact.
The depth of every character in these stories is amazing, they are so well developed even in short stories. I really love this authors style of writing, t
She really makes you invest completely in the storyline and you feel every emotion along with the characters.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willow is another “unwanted”. She is in love with Stephen who is Chi’s twin brother. Since “unwanteds” are not supposed to be alive, many parents try to get their unwanteds together in marriage. Willow and Chi’s mothers try to get them together but Willow’s heart belongs to Stephen. Knowing that she can’t truly have Stephen, Willow accepts Chi.
This short story gives us Willow’s view about being with Chi instead of Stephen. It is a story filled with heart break. The society has rules where certain social levels can only have a certain number of children. Social levels don’t mix unless it’s will be good for the society as a whole.
This society is causing me heart ache and I don’t even live there. Alice Rachel writes about a time where power proves to be crazy. Young adults must fight against their parents, the society and beliefs that are clearly wrong.
I am looking forward to reading the next part of this series.

[Sunday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willow: A Short Story 1 by Alice Rachel
Four Stars

Willow: A Short Story 1 is part of the Under Ground Series #0.3 by Alice Rachel. This set of short stories are small snapshots, most less than 50 pages, and written in different points of view. Therefore, they should be read in order to get the whole picture of this story.

This story is written in Willow’s point of view. She is an unwanted like Chi because she is a second child. Her sister is able to go to school and have friends, but Willow must remain hidden. She meets Stephen when they are small children. Even though it is forbidden they spend time with each other and fall in love. What happens when their parents intervene and set a match between Willow and Chi, Stephen’s twin brother?

That is the thing about this series each little chunk is a block of time that you get with from each character's point of the same period. They make for very interesting chunks of the big picture.

[Rosemarie ♦ wandersbetweenpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

12/06/2016 • I certainly love it but Willow is a bit annoying and a very confused, undecided kind of a character.

12/20/2016 | This one hell of a novella. It helped me see things in Willow's point of view but it really annoyed the hell out of me. But don't get me wrong, I love the author's works. It just the fact that Willow is really annoying. She so easy to manipulate. It seems that she can't do things on her own. And when she decides to do things on her own, it would be too late for her or for anyone. She can't seem to make up her mind. She keeps doubting herself, making her seem weak--to be honest, she is.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willow: A short story 1 by Alice Rachel
4 stars
I really enjoyed this story! I’ve read about Chi so it was nice to read about some of the characters that popped up in those short stories. Poor Willow! I really felt for her and what an awful world to have to grow up in – being told you can’t love and be with somebody because you were unfortunate to be born second and they were born first! My heart really broke for her! This was quite an emotional read! The more I read about these characters the more I want to go and read the full length novels about them! I’m really enjoying these short snippets into their lives!

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willow: A Short Story 1 By Alice Rachel – 4 Stars
If you are reading this series in order, this will be the 5th book read. It should be read after Underground and BEFORE Losing Ground. This is part 1 of Willow’s story.
Willow is a 2nd born and is considered an Unwanted yet is very much wanted by her family. They love her and are trying to protect her. My favorite line: “They may look identical, but they are too different for me to fool myself”. Poor Willow.

[Rhonda Pulk · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This short story gives us the story of Willow and her struggle of living one not but being promised to another just so she isn't alone.  The twist is that Stephen was legal,  Willow is not.  She was forbidden to love him. Would she Marty Chi as planned or would she run off with Stephen?  The emotions in this short piece are intense.

[J. Kahele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short

But I really enjoyed the informative look into Willows story. A girl who lives one brother but is promised to another. I won't give much away but this was definitely interesting take into the next chapter of this series

[Elizabetta Holcomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh! No words to express how sick my heart is. I don't get Willow at all! How could she?!!!!

[Daisy Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willows sweet and all but I don't know, what she did at the end kinda bothers me. I understand but I still feel bad for Stevie. :(