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Southbound

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Six months ago my new life was going to start.
It was going to be amazing. Dramatic. Perfect.
A degree. A job. The perfect man.
My life was wrapped up with a little bow on top.

But sh*t happens, and to me, it happened all at once.

Now here I am, two bags, a one-way ticket and a
promise to my dead grandmother.
A promise I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep.

I don’t need anything or anyone else in my life.
I left it all behind.
It was either sold, thrown away or abandoned.

Then Gage Hawkins showed up and decided to tag along.

I didn’t need a companion.
I certainly didn’t need a tour guide or chaperone,
But he had a way of growing on me.
The way he looked at me, 
the way he wanted to take care of me,

And he seemed to have all of the answers, even before I asked the question.

But behind those stunning good looks is a secret...

Southbound is a steamy hot billionaire romance with a happy ending and absolutely no cheating.

259 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 3, 2019

90 people are currently reading
53 people want to read

About the author

Ellie Danes

120 books453 followers

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5 stars
60 (44%)
4 stars
53 (38%)
3 stars
18 (13%)
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3 (2%)
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2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
Profile Image for Nate.
24k reviews19 followers
January 20, 2019
I really enjoyed Aspen & Gage's story. It was in inspiring & intriguing book. I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review for a copy of the book.
117 reviews4 followers
March 23, 2019
I enjoyed southbound Aspen and Gage had me hooked like I was there with them. Beautiful and emotional all in one. This is my first time reading from this author and to be honest I would definitely pick up another book and read it..
Profile Image for Kim.
238 reviews3 followers
January 5, 2019
A feel-good story about how sometimes when you think your world is falling apart it might actually be falling into place. Aspen believes she's got everything in her life lined up and set in stone, but when she walks in on her boyfriend and a friend getting it on and then her grandmother abruptly passes away, her world feels like it's crumbling around her. She feels lost and set adrift, but her grandmother's wishes were that her ashes be spread in the place she met Aspen's grandfather and so Aspen decides to fulfill that wish by going on a little adventure. All she has to go on about the specific place are the descriptions in her grandmother's old journals. She sells all her grandmother's belongings except the journals and uses the money to fund her trip to Key West where she happens to meet Gage, a handsome stranger familiar with the island and willing to help her find the exact spot she's looking for. The universe keeps pushing them together until they can't deny its force anymore. But what happens when Aspen finally spreads the ashes? Will she go home even though she has no real ties there anymore? Gage has his own past he's still dealing with, so can he possibly make room in his heart for someone new? You'll absolutely love this story and enjoy following Aspen on her whacky adventure to fulfil her grandmother's request.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Terri Eaches.
571 reviews8 followers
January 4, 2019
Leaving The Past Behind

For Aspen the saying is quite true "If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all". Having caught her boyfriend bare butt cheating with her friend and co worker then to lose her grandmother in the same week, Aspen is at a loss what to do except cary out her grandmother's wishes. Selling everything, writing her job and putting her MFA on hold, she travels to Key West on a journey with her grandmother's journals to find the special place to scatter her ashes with her grandfather's. She wasn't expecting to meet Gage Hawkins, the man who will come to her rescue time and time again. Gage is a widower who lives in Key West and offers his services as her personal guide but more than that Aspen is the first woman to make him feel again since the loss off his wife. Follow Aspen and Gage on their journey of discovery not only in finding that special place for her grandmother's ashes but in discovering what matters and a second chance of happiness by letting go of the past and starting over. This is a sweet read where the attraction is there but not explosive but it doesn't take away from the stories slow burn and no rush. The characters take the time to get to know each other and fit together. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
141 reviews8 followers
January 4, 2019
(Review with spoilers)


Nice love story. I loved it.

I love Aspen because she doesn't let anything stop her. These last few months haven't been easy for her, but now she has a goal, even if it's only temporary. She says what she thinks, she is sincere.

I love Gage. How could I not love him? A person who offers to help a stranger without expecting anything in return? Not because she is attractive, he would have done the same for someone else. And he's kind. Everyone is fond of him, and they want him to be happy. They like to see them together. He too has suffered a lot. He had everything he wanted and lost it. Now he just survives.

Aspen didn't expect to meet anyone when she began her journey, not someone who came so close to her. And Gage didn't expect it either. But Aspen's grandmother brought them together. It wasn't what she would have thought when she sent Aspen to Florida, but she would have been happy, like Leah. Both of them would want them happy.

I love their romance. They feel comfortable from the first moment with each other, they become friends. They feel attracted, they want to see where it leads them. They don't want to lose a moment.

I also really love the romance of Aspen's grandparents

I like Roscoe.

I recommend it.


I received an ARC from the author, and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Space Cowgirl.
4,133 reviews144 followers
January 3, 2019
Finding Love💘 In Margaritville 🍸

It's Deja-Vu all over Again.....
Taking her late grandmother's ashes to Key West🌴, Aspen💃💋 meets real estate developer, Gage🐺🍆⛲, on the plane. After a series of problems with her rental car and hotel room, Gage🐺🍆⛲ invites her stay at his lavish old southern home.

Gage🐺🍆⛲ is interested in Aspen💃💋, but keeps trying to keep her a arm's length. He was married once, but his wife died a few years ago and he hasn't found a woman he was interested in until Aspen💃💋.

When Aspen's grandmother died, she left college, sold her grandmother's house and went to Key West🌴 to basically find herself. She's at loose ends when she and Gage🐺🍆⛲ start touring around Key West🌴, looking for places her grandmother and grandfather went to many years ago when they first met.

ARC Received from Booksprout🌱.
I also got the book with KU.

The book could have gone into more detail about the places in Key West🌴 that Aspen and Gage visit. That disappointed me a lot. The characters moved through the book in a mostly emotionless manner. There doesn't seem to be any happiness in either character or much real attraction . Gage🐺🍆⛲ is just too much of a gentleman, and Aspen💃💋 doesn't have a clue! Meh!
779 reviews2 followers
January 4, 2019
Aspen needs a fresh start after the death of her beloved grandmother and uses her last request to get started on it. Key West is her destination to deposit her grandmother's ashes alongside her grandfather's, but she has no idea where on the island that is exactly. On the plane ride down, she meets a local who is more than happy to help her in her search as well as solve several of her other problems. She wasn't looking for love in they Keys, but has it found her?
Gage is a widower who has been living alone in his home on Key West for years and isn't in the market for a relationship. While traveling for business, he meets Aspen and offers his help after hearing her story. She initially turns him down, but comes around when he comes to her rescue when a local tries to cheat her out of her deposit on a sub-par room. Will he pass up the opportunity for their relationship to develop to honor his wife's memory?
Great story with great characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for M Hurford .
1,244 reviews9 followers
January 3, 2019
One of the Best Reads This Year!
I so enjoyed Ellie Danes' Southbound. Her protagonists, Gage and and Aspen have become one of my favorite romantic couples from 2018. They are endearing and so real. They have the best chemistry with each other and that goes beyond the physical...it shows itself first on an emotional level as both of them experienced losses.
Two other factors are key for this story working so well. First is the location of Key West, FL. Such a grand place with so much color and history. Second is Roscoe, Gage's dog who has such a lovable personality.
Finally there is the antagonist, Aspen's ex-boyfriend and cheater, Brad who created just enough chaos to keep everyone on their toes.
So, definitely recommending this book for your reading pleasure and enjoyment. It's a must that you add this title to your TBR List. I am volunteering to leave a review of this advanced review book.
221 reviews
January 6, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this warm story. It was sweet and had a great plot I got really wrapped up in, reading it in just a few hours. Imagining the warm sightseeing and flavors of the Keys was a welcome getaway in my mind.

I found that this story wasn't just a love story, but a story about connecting to people and finding meaning. There was an attraction, yes, but no, let's jump in bed. It was slow and sweet. They built a true connection. And I felt the connection between Aspen and her grandma was beautiful. I really related to that, having a similar relationship, and felt it was an important and lovely part of the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
6,527 reviews27 followers
January 8, 2019
Aspen has no luck unless its bad luck not only did she find her boyfriend cheating with her friend but in the same week her beloved grandmother died. She decides the only thing she can do is take her grandmothers ashes to where she met her grandmother years before. When on the plane to Key West she meets Gage a widower who will continually come to her aid in her emotional quest to find where her grandparents met all those years ago. Gage is attracted to Aspen in fact she is the first woman he has felt anything about since his wife died go on an emotional adventure as these two not only find the place for Aspen grandmothers ashes but also a place for one another in each others hearts This is an emotional story that draws you in and doesn't let go until that very last page is turned
Profile Image for Andrea Thompson.
748 reviews11 followers
January 3, 2019
I loved the premise of this one - a girl (Aspen) trying to follow her grandparents' footsteps in Key West, a pilgrimage led only by Grandma's journals and stories. Her whole life on hold and in upheaval, her luck quite terrible starting with discovering her boyfriend in bed with someone else. I love that she is independent and the notion that at a certain point, coincidence turns to fate for this couple. Gage is a sweet guy, struggling with his own romantic issues, and I like that there's no strain between them - and he's a genuine nice guy. A sweet, fast reading romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kelly  DeMarco.
1,921 reviews4 followers
January 3, 2019
A slow build of this destined chance meeting

Southbound by Ellie Danes is a wonderfully romantic story. This well written book is interesting and engaging on many levels. My favorite elements are the setting, plot and characters Asoen and Gage. These two are emotionally vulnerable and the story, Aspen’s journey, is a slow build. The author takes the reader on a slow ride as these two get to know one another and then sudden, instantaneous heat.
Overall a very well written book that keeps the reader engaged with these wonderful characters and of course an amazing HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for R.K. Tejaswi.
Author 2 books7 followers
January 12, 2019
Southbound, the new release of Ellie Danes is one of her master works, she has taken the story smoothly and neatly making the readers fall in love with book. This book is a journey of Aspen who travels to Key West on a adventure in finding the place to dissolve her grandmother's ashes as she promised to her. Aspen is a strong headed independent woman, who finds her boyfriend cheating on her with her friend on the day of their second anniversary but tries to moves forward according to her grandmother's advice before her death. On her Journey she meets Gage, a billionaire real estate mogul and a widower, who lost his wife few years back. Fate makes them meet again and again for them to find their destiny. I loved and enjoyed this book, this was an amazing piece of work, kudos to the author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Holly.
2,880 reviews
January 3, 2019
Very enjoyable book.
The best part,following Grandma steps in Key West,sentimental and touching.
Every girl needs Grandma like this,loving and supporting.
When Aspen caught her boyfriend sleeping with her friend and Grandma passed the same week she decided to follow Gran advice.
Traveling to Key West bring changes she didn’t expect. She meets the man who make her feel save.
Both of them deserved second chance.
Gage is widower.
It’s happy ,sentimental story

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,090 reviews31 followers
January 3, 2019
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book. What an amazing sweet and loving read for 2019! Gage and Aspen weren’t looking for love but when fare steps in and works it’s magic who are you to argue? Aspen has had her share of ups and downs, catching her cheating boyfriend and losing someone close to her has her leaving and starting over. Never did she think her ex would follow and stir up trouble. Gage is amazing, sweet, patient and there for Aspen. Loved this story and I recommend this book to everyone. No spoilers from me.
405 reviews3 followers
January 4, 2019
Great read!

Aspen and Gage meet in most unlikely situation. She is on a plane to Key West to spread her grandmother's ashes where she met her husband so many years ago. Gage is on the same plane heading home to Key West where he resides.I

So much happens during her stay in Key West! She is searching for the mysterious place that her grandmother met the love of her life.
Gage helps her search. I felt like I was right there with them!

I really loved this book. It made me want to visit Key West! Get this book, you will not regret it!
Profile Image for A.
349 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2019
I am in love with Gage and Aspen!!! I loved the storyline. I love how Aspen just picked up and went to Key West when her grandma passed away. Says something about t he type of character ED made her about keeping promises to family. Gage is your every day hunk who wouldn’t want him?!?!? I chuckled through this book when i saw all the bad luck aspen was having but made for a good read. I loved how it turned out and was not disappointed!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,054 reviews10 followers
October 13, 2025
I thought it was an okay read, all sweet, but not too high on the believable factor. Aspen follows her grandmother's wish for her to explore and scatter her ashes where she first met her grandfather. Along the way, she met Gage, a local, who decides to help her. I just felt that their relationship seems a bit forced. They had this really easy going vibe that I liked, but suddenly they discover they are attracted to each other and he someone does something huge for her after a few days? I'm just not too convinced. Maybe with a better timeline, I would have enjoyed it more.
Profile Image for Debra Richardson.
996 reviews2 followers
January 4, 2019
A well written, emotionally deep, heartwarming and endearing romance. The storyline is flawless and very interesting. The story flows smoothly and moves along at a brisk pace with some drama and a mix of emotions on every page. Loveable character, they are both dealing with the loss of a loved one; and are perfect for each other. Definitely recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
490 reviews1 follower
January 5, 2019
Aspen is enthralled with her grandmother's journals about how she met her grandfather and found love in the Florida Keys. After a breakup with her boyfriend and the death of her grandmother she sets out to the Keys to scatter her ashes. She meets Gag on the plane and he offers to help her in anyway she needs. In the process she finds her forever love in Gage.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,758 reviews12 followers
January 6, 2019
I concur with some previous reviewers that character development perhaps needed a bit more attention but I totally disagree with the one reviewer that it was just "meh"! I really enjoyed this novel & whilst not hot & steamy it was certainly a low simmer which is often more realistic & true to life. Sure we can all fantasize about off the charts sexual chemistry but this was a credible & well written romantic story. I received an ARC & this is my honest & voluntary review.
Profile Image for Doris  Runyon.
63 reviews
January 18, 2019
Past and present love

Aspen had just lost her boyfriend because he was unfaithful and then lost her grandmother unexpectedly. She promised her grandma that she would travel before she decided to settle down. She decides to spread her grandma's ashes in the same place her grandparents met and fell in love. Aspen meets Gage on her flight. He ends up helping her while she's reliving the past. Fate has other plans that brings them together. A good read with a happy ending!
Profile Image for Birgit.
245 reviews2 followers
January 19, 2019
This is my first read from the author but definitely not my last.
The characters are well-developed, and the entertaining story is in the right pace.

The book contains a sweet heroine (Aspen) and a sexy knight in shining armor (Gage),
deep emotions, troubled characters, doubts and an great chemistry, which makes it a
beautiful second-chance love story.

So go ahead, grab this book and let the story give You a relaxed reading time.

I read it with my KU
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
20.1k reviews257 followers
January 30, 2019
Aspen is at her wits end when she catches her cheating boyfriend, and losing her grandmother all in the same week. In order to fulfil a promise she had made to her grandma, Aspen takes off travelling where she meets the sexy Gage on the plane. No spoilers; this is a must read, you will not be disappointed. This is a well written story which is heartbreaking and a sweet read. I look forward to reading more from this talented author, whose work I recommend for all.
1,180 reviews3 followers
February 5, 2019
May not be the most boring book ever...

....it may just be bad writing. It seems like I have been reading this thing for three days. Yet, I’m only to the 23% point.
A narration, with minimal conversation, is just so boring to read.
Throw in the fact that it seems to be going nowhere, and the boredom factor rises exponentially.
For me, this is not an enjoyable read, and one I’m not likely to recommend.
Profile Image for Quincey Conway.
177 reviews8 followers
February 17, 2019
When you think you have it all figured out and then everything starts to fall apart, what do you do? you take an adventure to fulfill you grandmothers last wish and return to the spot her grandparents meet. not knowing were exactly to is going, Aspen uses her grandmothers journal. AS she continues she meets Gage, who offers to help. Each have their own history they are dealing with but can fate win? Can they both have the happiness they both so deserve?
244 reviews1 follower
March 27, 2019
This is such a sweet heartwarming story. It had a very sentimental and almost wholesome premise and was a very refreshing read.

I enjoyed the fact that the relationship had a nice slow build up compared to a lot of books I’ve read recently. Aspen and Gage had such a great chemistry and connection.

Aspen was very independent and headstrong while still being such a lovely girl. The perfect match for sweet Gage.
16.6k reviews154 followers
February 6, 2019
Her life was going to be prefect and then she found he was cheating with her best friend. Now she will not trust her heart to anyone. She will be in for a shock when he appears and seems to be chipping away at all her walls. What will happen between them? See how they will get on

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Deb.
7,537 reviews36 followers
September 5, 2019
4 1/2 stars
A beautiful and emotional story that takes on a life of its own. I was engaged from the beginning as I felt a connection to her character. He was an added bonus that gave the story an additional vibe that provided humorous interactions to the story. Very well written and very entertaining.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Gladys.
13.9k reviews163 followers
January 4, 2019
This was an entertaining and enjoyable read. With a storyline that is a charming blend of cute, sweet and emotional, Aspen and Gage's book is an enjoyable read that offers nice touches of humor along with a lot of heart. This is my frank, freely posted review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews

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