Grounded

Forbidden Fruit Shorts #6

by Amanda Faye

Shelby

When shit hits the fan, it splatters everywhere.

As a single woman who works from home, the world shutting down around you isn't impactful. Seriously, what changes? You're already locked away, isolated in your own little bubble.

But then a pandemic strikes, restrictions are put in place, and along comes Derrick.

My childhood crush and my brother's best friend. Oh, did I mention he's a hot as sin Airline Pilot? With a quarantine in full effect, he's grounded two-thousand miles from home and—you've guessed it, begging for my couch and a fridge to eat out of until, well, to be determined.

Locked at home is one thing. Locked inside with Derrick is a whole other beast. I'm officially screwed.

Genres: Romance

93 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 2020

About the author

Amanda Faye currently resides in Atlanta with her high school sweetheart and husband of 15 years and their 4 amazing children.

She's had a passion for reading and writing since she was a child. She stole her first romance novel from her mother at age 12 and hasn't looked back since.

You could say being a Reeder is in her blood. (Family joke)

Reviews

[Carmen Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've developed a bit of a taste for these forbidden fruits so when I got a BookBub notification about this one releasing I went on over to KU and grabbed it. I didn't bother reading the blurb I just jumped right in and it all because obvious pretty quickly.

This was a Covid inspired brothers’ best friend and I was there for it. I liked Shelby from the beginning. Partially because I can relate to the lack of impact Covid quarantine has had on my day to day life. But mainly because she was just your average, down to earth, slightly chubby single chick. She wasn't obsessed with how she looked or what anyone thought, and I liked that.

Derrick not so much. I don't have an issue with the whole man whore thing and I wasn't worried it was mentioned a time or two. I just didn't like him. He felt really one dimensional. And the book felt like it ended pretty abruptly without an actual conclusion. I have gotten used to epilogues and happily ever afters and this felt like someone snatched the book from me and told me to guess. Oh well, hopefully the next one is as good as the previous ones.

[Mandy Reads Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shelby lets her brother’s childhood friend, Derrick, move in for the unforeseeable future while he is grounded in Atlanta from flying. In return he helps her out around the house with her long honey do list. But let me tell you, it wasn’t all work, if you get what I am saying (wink, wink).

Absolutely love that the first book I am reading about the quarantine is by Faye. She is such a fun, fresh and frisky author. She put a fantastic spin on what it is like for two people who wind up quarantining together with a whole lot of time on their hands. And they spend it wisely. So very wisely.

Now while their ending wasn’t one I saw coming, it still left me with a smile on my face. And it absolutely works for Shelby and Derrick in a way that wouldn’t work for other characters. I am actually hoping Faye has more planned for these two. 5 Stars!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Grounded by Amanda Faye. It was not your typical brother's best friend romance. Derrick hasn't seen his best friend's sister Shelby in years but when a pandemic strikes, he finds himself grounded from his job as a pilot. Shelby is not thrilled when her brother Jack calls asking her to let Derrick stay with her. This is the same guy Shelby has a crush on as a teenager. Derrick and Shelby had amazing chemistry despite their differences. As they spend their days and nights together, it gets harder for Derek to imagine leaving. But will he walk away when he gets the call to return to the skies?

[Mandy Reads Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shelby lets her brother’s childhood friend, Derrick move in for the unforeseeable future while he is grounded in Atlanta from flying. In return he helps her out around the house with her long honey do list. But let me tell you, it wasn’t all work, if you get what I am saying (wink, wink).

Absolutely love that the first book I am reading about the quarantine is by Faye. She is such a fun, fresh and frisky author. She put a fantastic spin on what it is like for two people who wind up quarantining together with a whole lot of time on their hands. And they spend it wisely. So very wisely.

Now while their ending wasn’t one I saw coming, it still left me with a smile on my face. And it absolutely works for Shelby and Derrick in a way that wouldn’t work for other characters. I am actually hoping Faye has more planned for these two. 5 Stars!

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grounded in Atlanta brings him knocking on her door

Grounded is the fifth book in the Forbidden Fruit series of short stories and is another entertaining and sexy romp. This book is about Derrick and Shelby and true to life in 2020 there is a quarantine which brings them together. Shelby lives in Atlanta and the city has declared a lock-down. This does not really affect Shelby as she already works from home. Derrick is caught in Atlanta as he is a pilot and all the flights were been grounded when the city went into lock-down. He does not have a place to stay but there is one option and a quick call soon finds him at Shelby's door. At the same time Shelby receives a call from her older brother asking if Derrick, his best friend since they were younger, can stay with her during the lock-down. Shelby is not so sure about this as she has had a crush on Derrick since she was younger. But two consenting adults can get up to all sorts of naughtiness during a quarantine and these two definitely do that. The only question is what will happen when quarantine is lifted? Will Derrick go back to the "happy skies" or will he want to be grounded with Shelby?

I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Consenting adults
This story is about Shelby and Derrick. She’s the brother of his childhood friend, so it’s a forbidden romance story – kinda like a bro-code thing. He’s a commercial pilot that has been grounded in Atlanta, and she kindly lets him stay with her. To pat back the favour, he offers to help her around the house. Surely something good has to come out of this quarantine business? Will she act upon anything of her old crush? And of course she doesn’t realise that he’s just as infatuated with her! They have amazing chemistry which is hard to deny or ignore.
It’s short and sweet, and steamy AND funny, making it an entertaining read. And what Jane Austen fan wouldn’t like her most infamous book turned into a drinking game? Right… rhetorical question… count me in!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the pandemic strikes and the planes are grounded, Shelby’s childhood crush, her brother’s best friend Derrick, is stranded and Shelby lets him stay with her. In return for a place to sleep, he offers to fix things around her place. But there is still lots of time on their hands.

They have a good relationship because they know each other from the past, so their bantering is fun for the reader to share. You can feel how comfortable they are together. And as their feelings get stronger, their passions ignite. When he is cleared to go back to his job, where will they leave things? Was it all just a good time, a distraction from the pandemic? Have they left an opening for something more in the future?

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this quick story about Derrick and Shelby. She lives in the Atlanta area and works from home on IT. So when the pandemic hits and everyone is forced to stay at home, it really doesn't bother her. Until she finds Derrick in her porch and her brother calls. Derrick is his best friend and calls to ask if during this time, could Derrick stay with her. She's flustered since she's had a crush on Derrick for a while, but he's a player. Derrick volunteers to help with tasks around the house whole he's there. But things get physical, and are only to last as long as quarantine. Will knows what will happen in his next layover.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book five in Amanda Faye's forbidden Fruit Shorts and it was a great read that I loved. I loved Shelby and Derrick together they had an amazing chemistry. When the pandemic strikes and the planes are grounded, Shelby’s childhood crush, who happens to be her brother’s best friend Derrick, is stranded being a pilot and Shelby lets him stay with her. In return for a place to sleep, he offers to fix things around her place. But there is still lots of time on their hands. They grow closer emotionally and physically until he gets the clearance to return to flying. The chemistry, romance, turns and twists in plot kept things interesting. Add in drama and passion and you have a good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer Olivas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short and sweet, steamy little story with Shelby and her brothers best friend Derrick. Taking place during the quarantine, Shelby finds herself providing shelter for Derrick, who is a pilot, after all of the flights are grounded. Two consenting adults thrown together for who knows how long, might as well act on the attraction they have for each other. I loved their chemistry together and their friendship. The ending was not a typical HEA but I think it was the right way to go for them, even though I would love to have more of Cobra (Shelby) and Derrick.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pandemic time in Atlanta, with her brother's pilot friend marooned in town. She is a home body who works IT from home and loves privacy. He just crashed landed at her house until flying is possible again. Loved the two characters and bantering through the story. You can tell they have know each other a long time. As they are deal with their closeness, their feelings get stronger and much more heated. They grow closer emotionally and physically until he gets the clearance to return to flying. I can see a second book added to this one, I hope. Off to read more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Read.Review.Repeat Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast quirky quarantine story. Derrick is a pilot who is grounded at the start of the shelter in place. Shelby is his best friend's hot little sister whom he shelters with until he can fly again. The attraction has always been hot but "what happens in quarantine, stays in quarantine" Two seemingly strangers "Holed up" for a month, what ever can they do for entertainment? This story was cute, quirky and fun. ~Cindy



Why couldn't I get quarantined with a hottie of a pilot? Man Shelby was one lucky girl to have Derrick quarantine with her. And Derrick was lucky Shelby gave up her solidarity for him. ~Jen

[Jessica Roelkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short and sweet story, brothers best friend ends up at little sisters house due to the pandemic, of course she lets him stay there and not knowing for how long. They are complete opposites (opposites attract though, right) he helps her fix up the house in return for a place to stay until he can get back to his job.

I really wish this was longer and didn’t end like it did. I think it could’ve been something amazing.

I received this book via booksprout in exchange for an honest review.

[Cathylynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quarantine books are popular now and this one was very entertaining. The characters were funny and believable. The things that happen to them well that played along as well. Derrick seemed intense in a good way, and Shelby was just plain fun. The book was a quick read but I thought was well worth the time. It did have a happy ending of sorts. This is part of a series but of the books I have read they are different and great reads.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quarantine books are popular now and this one was very entertaining. The characters were funny and believable. The things that happen to them well that played along as well. Derrick seemed intense in a good way, and Shelby was just plain fun. They have amazing chemistry which is hard to deny or ignore. The book was a quick read but I thought was well worth the time. It did have a happy ending of sorts. This is part of a series but of the books I have read that they are different and great reads.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shelby lives alone and works from home. When the quarantine hits, her brother sends his best friend over to stay with her. Derrick gets stranded in Atlanta near Shelby and has no where else to go. Their relationship develops quickly and it is fun and flirty. I like the pace of the story and the changes they effect in each other. I am not crazy about the ending and would like more. Overall an enjoyable 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

When airline pilot Derrick needs a place to stay his childhood BFF John volunteers a solution. John just neglected to mention his offer to his sister Shelby. Sparks fly right off and Shelby trades accommodations and cooking for house renovations. She’s a feisty woman who loves her books and her homebody lifestyle. Derrick is a womanizer who goes for one and done or does he. It’s cute how he breaks down her barriers and she gives him a new appreciation for curves. I read this using my KU subscription.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book focuses on Shelby, an IT specialist who works at home, and Derrick, a player and airline pilot who finds himself stranded after being grounded. Needing a place to stay, he asks Shelby, his best friend's sister, to allow him to stay at her home until he can go back to his job. The story occurs during the pandemic and is a great read. I loved these amazing characters and their story. The plot has several twists, some emotion, and steamy romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has given us a glimpse of what happens when people are stranded during a quarantine. Shelby takes in the friend of her brother, Derrick, even though she has had a crush on him for years. Once Derrick sees her after years, he wants only one thing, her. Will they be able to have an affair that only lasts as long as the quarantine?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cindy Fong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast quirky quarantine story. Derrick is a pilot who is grounded at the start of the shelter in place. Shelby is his best friend's hot little sister whom he shelters with until he can fly again. The attraction has always been hot but "what happens in quarantine, stays in quarantine" Two seemingly strangers "Holed up" for a month, what ever can they do for entertainment? This story was cute, quirky and fun.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but sweet.

Liking the quarantine background with all the craziness that’s going on. And the jokes made about there needing to be zombies for this apocalypse. Lol. I love how easy their relationship is based off of knowing each other for years and him being her older brothers best friend. I wished it ended slightly different mostly becauSe I like HEA. But I guess it is a HEA. Just not as expected.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful read that is quick witted and straight to the point. When Derrick is grounded due to the pandemic at this best friends little sister place, both he he and Shelby are able to act on their attraction with no strings attached. Best laid plans always have a way of changing once one of them wants more. Enjoy their time together and read who wins.

I am voluntarily leaving a review for this book that I received free.

[Sarah Milnthorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I just love Amanda Faye books they have it all, they are real page turners. This is a very on topic with the currant climate of lockdowns and quarantines. Derrick and Shelby have amazing chemistry and the story just flows beautifully. Was sad when it had to end but all good things. Looking forward to Amanda’s next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first read from this author. This was a good short story. I liked the characters and the fact that the story was told in the first person point of view. I willl read more from this author in the future. 5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BusyM3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and sweet read. Shelby is a single mom that works from home. Derrick is a pilot and her brother's best friend. When the quarantine hits he ends up at her place. She has had a crush on his forever. Their chemistry is steamy. The story was fun to read. Looking forward to read more from this series.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in a pandemic time Derick and Shelby spend a month together when he's forced to stay in Atlanta as flights are canceled.
I get it he's a playboy but it felt too on the faced and he was a jerk to me. Shelby was a homebody IT tech and his best friend little sister.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vievie2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a pandemic, it's lockdown. Derrick has no where to go. Thank goodness for his best friend's little sister Shelby. Sparks fly. Shelby takes a chance on what she wants. Maybe if you can survive lockdown together, there is a chance of happy ever after in the future. Fabulous book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ariadna Basulto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Faye continues to impress me with her perfect mix of insta-lust, undeniable chemistry, and well written stories. I loved Derrick and Shelby’s romance and devoured it in one go. Once I started there was not putting this story down. Quick, steamy, fun, and wholly captivating this was another win for Amanda Faye! 5 stars.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characters that will keep your interest extremely well.
I'm not going to go into detail, no spoilers, just read the book if you are even mildly intrigued by the blurb. You'll thank me later!

The chemistry, sweetness, and twists in plot kept things interesting. Add in drama and passion and you have a good read.

This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read

Loved it, just loved it! Derrick and Shelby are such a riot together, the way they’re awkward around each other at the start, and how they quip with each other throughout. The ending is so unexpected, it made me laugh out loud. I’m loving everything by Amanda Faye, and will be one-clicked everything by her in the future!