Devastate Me

by Emma Castle

A hot next door neighbor romance…

The last thing Ophelia Westcott expects when she moves into her new home is to see a drop-dead gorgeous bearded hulk of a man mowing his lawn. She doesn’t have the heart for love or even lust, not after her last boyfriend dumped her. No, she’s here to focus on living a quiet life, working as an online clothing stylist and avoiding men like the hottie next door. It doesn’t matter that her new neighbor is a former Navy SEAL, or that he grows the most beautiful azaleas and looks like he might just be capable of killing a woman with pleasure in bed. Yeah, she’s hands off on this one—no matter how much he tempts her.

Colt Henshaw has a thing about women. He loves them, but he can’t trust them with his heart. Not after his ex-fiancée slept with his best friend while he was serving his country. After moving to a small town, fending off the housewives and divorcées on his quiet little street is the only thing he wants to worry about. But one look at the woman who moves in next door has him rethinking his vow of solitude. He can’t help but imagine all the things he would do to her if she belonged to him. Better for him to stick to his fantasies, because the last thing he should do is steal a kiss. Uh-oh . . . it might be too late for that.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Novella, Military Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Erotica

100 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 3, 2020

About the author

Emma Castle has always loved reading but didn’t know she loved romance until she was enduring the trials of law school. She discovered the dark and sexy world of romance novels and since then has never looked back! She loves writing about sexy, alpha male heroes who know just how to seduce women even if they are a bit naughty about it. When Emma’s not writing, she may be obsessing over her favorite show Supernatural where she’s a total Team Dean Winchester kind of girl!
To find out when her latest books release sign up at www.emmacastlebooks.com for her newsletter!

Reviews

[Steph's Romance Book Talk · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars / 3 Steam Fans

Video review available in Week 32: Aug 2 – Aug 8 weekly book reviews.

For other video book reviews, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet but way two short. I enjoyed this more realistic romantic novella from Emma Castle. I've read a few things from her and currently reading another. One of the few romantic authors that grabs my full attention and make me feel all the feels. This was very sweet and enjoyable but I got a little sad when it was even shorter then I first had thought as the ebook had a test sample for another book. But it was good

[whatcaroread · Rating 4 out of 5]

- alpha hero
- age gap
- neighbours

This novella follows Colt, a grumpy ex Navy seal and the younger Ophelia who moves in next door.

Both have been hurt by their previous relationships and aren't looking for something new but soon sparks fly!

I enjoyed the romance between these two alot and there was even some suspense thrown in at the end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

[Averie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 stars

This is a short romance between neighbors. Ophelia moved next door to Colt and they could not keep their eyes off each other. The rest is history :)

I adore Emma Castle's writing! But I just wanted more from this. I just didn't feel the love between these two besides the physical. Like why was this girl it for the hero? I didn't get it.

[Ryn Meagher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is 75 pages of pure serotonin injected straight into my bloodstream.

Emma Castle, how dare you make me fall for a Navy SEAL with abs and a gardening hobby on PAGE TWO?! Colt is mowing the lawn shirtless, and I was drooling harder than the entire Homeowners Association spying from their windows with binoculars and questionable morals. This man is damaged, closed off, built like a Greek god, and loves gardening?? I volunteer as tribute.

Enter Ophelia—ray of sunshine, walking heart-healer, and on the run from a bad breakup. Their meet-cute includes the funniest mistaken identity moment involving Colt’s dog Noah, and I cackled. Like, real tea-snort levels of laughter. And let’s be real, Noah deserves his own novella. Goodest boy confirmed.

The friendship? Adorable. The chemistry? Sizzling like a steak on a summer grill. The emotional damage? Delivered with a kiss on the forehead and a gentle “you okay, babe?” energy.

This was the perfect bite-sized book snack between my usual emotionally traumatic reads. Wholesome, hot, and heartwarming—like a warm cookie delivered by a shirtless Navy SEAL with a tragic past and a flower garden.

I recommend for anyone needing a quick palate cleanser, a little hope, and a lot of hot lawn-mowing action.

[Carissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one.

I listened to the professionally narrated audiobook on the Read Me Romance Podcast for FREE!

Read Me Romance FREE Audiobooks ➝ https://bit.ly/2PzD65g

Listen for FREE here:
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[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect quick listen! I'm glad I picked up this sweet and sexy story. Great build up, some excitement and lots of sizzle!
Stella Hunter and JF Harding were so dang good bringing Emma's book to life!

[Wendy ⏃: ✦The Life of A Book Nerd✦ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to audiobook on Read Me Romance podcast 🎧

[Adélie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this is probably my least favourite of Emma Castle’s books. I really liked it. I thought it was a really sweet story. I loved the main characters’ backstories. They both really felt relatable. But Colt was a little bit of a cliché at times and there were parts that made me roll my eyes like the Shakespeare part for example. It was a bit over the top. And some moments were a bit cringy lol. But it was sweet.
I don’t know maybe it’s the fact that it’s a novella and therefore shorter but I felt nothing really happened.
It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t the most amazing story either.
But still really sweet. 3/5 for me :)

[Moonie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another listen from the Read Me Romance podcast. It was enjoyable enough for a novella. The chemistry and romance between Ophelia and Colt was good enough to get more than 1 star but not that great to get 3, so pretty much it was just meh. After reading this book, I can say with much confidence that I like the dog more than the actual characters. They didn't annoy me or do anything "bad" per se but they were kind of bland. On another note, Noah, you're an adorable dog. If you had died in this book I would've been very tempted to give this one star.

[Christi Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Devastate Me
Author: Emma Castle
Format: Audio
Narrator: PJ Morgan
Genre: Romance, military, neighbors, small-town, friends to lovers, service dogs
Standalone:
Part of a Series: No
POV: Ophelia, Colt
Steam Level: Slow burnt to toasty
5/5

I listened to this on the Read Me Romance podcast. This is the first book I've read by Emma Castle. I really liked it. Ophelia just moved and Colt is her sexy next door neighbor. I enjoyed the reluctant chemistry between them and their comfortable friendship.

[Christie Binks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broody Navy Seal Falls For Girl Nextdoor

This is such a cute hot little read !

Colt our ex navy seal who after a heartbreak is a broody moody hunk who the housewives all love to ogle.
After her own heartbreak Ophelia moves next door and Colt learns to love again !

This is such a lovely read. Some topics of injured veterans and a home invasion but it has been wrote beautifully.

I wouldn’t mind a hunky navy seal moving next door to me !

[Ｋａｔｅ · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎧 Read Me Romance 🎧

This book was good, but if I’m honest, I found it confusing AF.
The first few chapters gave me strong “rom-com with feels” vibes, but then, wham! Serious shizzle goes down and suddenly it’s a whole other ballgame. Straight up. it’s absolutely possible that listening while driving, I didn’t get the right tone from the start - so that’s on me.

[Debbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

Sadly, I read the first couple of chapters and found the characters to be immature. The story did not flow smoothly, it was boring and I felt nothing towards either of the main characters. Not even Noah the dog.

I've read some of this author's other stories which I liked. This one, not so much.

[Winter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It seemed to be kind of all over the place. Rom Com then Bam! You are hit with a devastating dramatic sequence. Dont get me wrong, the way the narrator described that scene was brilliant. I felt personally invested in the outcome. It just didn't fit the vibe of the first half of the book. Loved the dog!

[Stacy J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard this book on the read me romance podcast and loved it.

I like the story of the moody male next door with the more happy go lucky female. I also loved that Colt's dog took an instant liking to her.

I loved hearing about the time when Colt and his dog would go to the VFW to help the veterans.

[v'sreadingjourney · Rating 4 out of 5]

​​

Method: audiobook
Rating: 4/5 stars
H rating: 4/5 - Colt
h rating: 4/5 - Ophelia
Drama: 3/5
Thoughts: Loved this! Will be listening to more RMR podcast stories!

[Emzy Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The characters are heartbreaking and real. The plot was intense. I loved their backstory and how it gives the characters such depth. I love the way that the author presented the twists and solutions. I listened to the audiobook and it was such an amazing book to listen to. I highly recommend this book.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listening to the narrator of this book really made the story so interesting. RMR does an amazing job week after week with their podcast. Emma Castle needs to continue Colt & Ophelia’s story I wanted to listen to more.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. One of the best I've heard from the Read Me Romance podcast. Proof that you can do a short story well. This was my first time with this author. My only complaint was the amount of damage that the was inflicted in such a short time frame during that scene.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I has everything I love in a romance. Hot, alpha male. Sweet, not-model-thin girl. A little suspense. Wonderful, sweet romance. Sexy times with a storyline. Definitely add this to your TBR list.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened on RMR podcast

Ophelia moves next door to Colt. All the women in the neighborhood have tried to get his attention. Ophelia forms a friendship with him and he tries to fight his feelings for her.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet! This was a great little escape between other heavy books. I thought the author was able to include a lot of tenderness and story in a very short amount of time. Audiobook was really nicely done!

[Cassie O · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ophelia is Colt’s new next-door neighbor, the two have instant chemistry and an easy rapport. A short and sweet novella, open-door spice, touch her and 💀vibes, ex-military mmc. This was a fun little audiobook, short, easy to listen to, and relatable.

[Nerdy Book Babe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reason I only rated 3 stars is because it was too fast paced, way too short and I wanted more!! Ophelia and Colt were too cute together. I felt their story could have expanded way more. It jumped way too fast throughout it all.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't even realize this was a novella when I started it yet it still felt like a slog to get through. I lost count the amount of times I put it down to read something else. I finally got through it and it was fine lol

[Dar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really enjoying how the story was progressing and then, just a random act, which did nothing to add or affect the story. Everything else was good, just the *why* moment threw things off

[Katie Pedersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one of the better RMR podcasts! Not very cheesy, definitely insta love but so enjoyable.

[Autumn Breier · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 out of 5 Stars

Read Me Romance Podcast #89!

[Aldii - perfectioninbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Audiolibro Read Me Romance*