Raw & Vulnerable

Vulnerable #1

by Asha Everly

Minnie is forever changed after a traumatic event that happened thirteen years ago. She’s reserved, intellectual, and certainly not about to do anything out of her usual comfort zone. In fact, she’s a librarian, a nice, normal librarian.

Her sister calls her ‘terribly boring’. Minnie calls herself ‘safe’.

That is, until a rough and tough character walks into her library, catching her eye. He’s not the sort of man she’d ever associate with. He’s certainly not the sort of man who would even look twice at her, a shy, thoughtful bookworm with deep emotional scars.

He’s not a good guy. His prison tattoos say that much.

Minnie isn’t going to fantasize about him. She’s certainly not going to get to know him. She’s not going to think about his crooked smirk and the grinning skull tattoo on his neck. She’s not going to get involved with a guy from the wrong side of town.

Absolutely not.

***Standalone story, with a slightly dark, 'Happy for Now' ending. If you are looking for HEA and fluffy, this short story may not be what you are looking for.
This is an erotic novella about a steamy affair between a goody two-shoes from the nice side of town and a former felon from the worst. They have nothing in common. It might not matter. Fate is bittersweet and has a dark twist. If you like opposites attracting, bad guys, and can handle some bitter, this is for you!

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Erotica

149 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2020

About the author

Muse driven writer, passionate reader, and a lover of all things fantastical and mysterious. Loves her romance dark, full of teeth, and crimson passion.

She loves a villain more than she loves a hero and often times her stories will reflect that devious quirk (defect?) in her brain.

When she's not writing, she's reading, being with her family, walking her werewolf. Sometimes, the only place you can find her is leaping over fences on horseback, the wind in her face.

Everyone has a dark side. What's yours?

Reviews

[Clarice · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars (I just wish this was longer 😅)

Honestly, I have nothing negative to say about this other than I can’t wait for the potential sequel! I saw that Everly mentioned in her author’s note at the end of the book that she wanted to release a follow up to this in 2025. I haven’t seen anything yet, but hopefully one day we get the rest of Minnie and Gage’s story 🥰

I loved the whole ex-con and prim and proper librarian trope! It was very different, but very well written. I liked that they were so different from each other, but still over came their differences via their mutual attraction. I also loved the epilogue it gives more depth to their relationship after having read that.

I love this author and I can’t wait for more stories to be released by her.

I just read the author’s blog post from March and it looks like she is working on a final girl dark romance! Ahhh it sounds so good. Hopefully we get to read it someday 🖤

[daemyra, the realm's delight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asha Everly is one of my fav romance authors that I have read this year!! Absolutely loved everything about this librarian and ex-convict. It is a novella, so it is shorter, but the story still feels complete with a good pace to their building attraction and where we leave with their connection just right. The twist can be guessed. Everly says she plans to write another follow-up to their story and I am down!!!

[Em (semi-hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I’d read this when it was first released, that ending would’ve absolutely pissed me off. I’m not a fan of abrupt endings that leave more questions than answers, but reading it now, knowing there’s a follow-up, has me relieved. The story itself is gripping, the heroine is fascinating and layered, and the writing feels fresh and engaging. I enjoyed it.

[shadiedaze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minerva aka Minnie is a librarian who is living a quiet and unassuming life. Gage has recently been released from prison after 10 years. He wants to get a better job, so he decides to teach himself engineering. He decides to head to the library so that he can reach his career goals. What happens in the stacks, stays in the stacks, right?

When I received the blurb for this novel, I was intrigued and wanted to read it immediately. I expected this to be a full novel, but it is a novella. The story was gripping from the jump for me. Minnie describes herself as a mouse and she lives her life hidden away or scurrying out the outside of life. Due to a trauma she experienced when she was a teen, she continues to experience emotional distress from that situation and lives her life in a bubble because she is overly cautious. The moment she sees Gage in the library, she starts thinking about how life would be if she was not so cautious. Gage, with all his rough edges, knows instantly that he wants Minnie any way he can get her. He is direct and to the point with her about what he wants from her. Their chemistry together, with and without clothes, is steamy and alluring.

My main complaint with this story is the ending. I do not know if it is a cliffhanger or a happy for now (HFN) ending. It is not a HEA in my opinion. Without giving away spoilers, I do not know the purpose of the last chapter without additional information. I also felt the story between Gage and Minnie was incomplete as well. I hope there is a second part to this story that will tie up some loose ends for me. Overall, the story was engaging, entertaining, a true page-turner. I finished the novella in one sitting.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelly Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great start and end but I would like more.
It would be great if this novella was a prequel and another book is waiting in the wings as I have questions I want answering.
What was Gages inner dialogue and thoughts when Minnie revealed what happened to her.
Do they continue their relationship, will Minnie find out who I think Gage is and how will she react to that, it’s gotta break her heart .

[Anne in VA · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, but finished very unsatisfied with the ending. It's probably a me problem. I don't know why I keep trying novellas when I know they never work for me :/

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think most of us are blissfully unaware of just how deeply a childhood trauma can ripple through an entire lifetime and honestly, thank goodness for that. For Minnie (Minerva), though, those ripples have shaped everything since that day thirteen years ago. Despite not being named after the Disney icon (unlike her sister, Ariel), Minnie lives very much like a mouse: quiet, cautious, and tucked safely behind double-checked locked doors. Her world is small, orderly, and comfortingly predictable…until Gage strolls into her library. Minnie never imagined someone like him would cross her path. She’ll be the first to admit she can be a little judgy, but that’s how she was raised and Gage, with his tattoo-covered body and rough-around-the-edges presence, is nothing like the men in her carefully curated life. He doesn’t belong in her neat, controlled world. And yet…there it is. A spark she can’t quite ignore. Thanks to her traumatic past, Minnie has been living in a self-made bubble, but Gage makes her feel alive - something she hasn’t felt in years. He nudges her, gently but persistently, beyond her comfort zone and shows her that there’s a whole, messy, thrilling world waiting on the other side. Beneath his intimidating exterior, Gage instinctively understands that Minnie needs patience and care. I loved that he doesn’t magically turn into a marshmallow though; instead, he simply softens where it counts, sanding down a few rough edges without losing who he is. Unlike some other reviewers, I knew going in that this story had a second part, so the HFN ending didn’t bother me too much…though I can’t shake the feeling that dark clouds are gathering on the horizon. And honestly? I’m more than ready to see what comes next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tile: Still Vulnerable(Book 2)
Author: Asha Everly
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This story centers on Minnie, a quiet librarian, who is haunted by her scars and memories she never healed from, and lives a life of fear and isolation. She finds safety in solitude and comfort in books, until she crosses paths with Gage. An ex-convict, burdened by his own past and determined to start a new life, becomes unexpectedly intrigued by Minnie, and she stirs a longing in him he never thought he'd feel again. A connection is formed but their relationship becomes a test of trust, forgiveness and emotional courage as the shadows of their past creep back to the surface. Can love survive when the truth finally comes out or will the past destroy what they've barely begun to build?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed this book because it was easy to read and understand and I loved how strong the author portrayed the characters. I really loved the chances of new beginnings as one of the themes in this book and I appreciated how the author was able to express Minnie's love for Gage without judging him for being an ex-convict.
I would have enjoyed this book more if the author wrote more on Gage's journey and growth as an ex-convict.
This story is perfect for anyone who loves a slow-burning, emotionally rich romance built on healing, vulnerability, and second chances.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new author for me, as I picked this book up from an ARC. I found the book enjoyable and the story engaging. You feel for the MFC, she has had to deal with a traumatic incident in her past, and it still affects her today. She has the rituals that she does with her OCD, which helps calm her. Along comes the MMC, an ex-con, someone she wouldn't usually associate with, but over time, she finds that the attraction is mutual. This is so far out of Minnie's comfort zone, but when it comes to Gage, she can't seem to help herself. She doesn't want to know about his past; all she wants to know is the man he is now, and this is someone she wants to be with.

As the attraction and feelings deepen, should Gage tell Minnie about his past? Should he be up front about why he went to prison? But the path of true love doesn't run smoothly, and when Minnie is given more information about her abduction, this devastates her.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Aleksandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raw & Vulnerable by Asha Everly is a gritty and emotional novella that pairs a reserved librarian with a hardened ex-con — and the contrast makes for an addictive story. Minnie’s tentative, trauma-scarred soul meets Gage’s rough exterior and persistent intensity, and their chemistry sizzles from the stacks of the library straight to the pages.
The author handles their emotional baggage with care, showing growth, trust, and a realistic path from safety-seeking to vulnerability. While the romance was engaging and the steam level high, the ending felt more like a “happy-for-now” than a full resolution — leaving some loose threads and a longing for more.
If you’re into slow-burns between opposites with a little darkness and a lot of heat, this novella is worth a read — and I hope the promised sequel brings the closure it deserves.

[Sheila Schoenauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars*

I enjoyed this short read, however I had a hard time with it. The story was good it just didn't keep me wanting more (however I will admit that I wouldn't mind reading more on these two). Minnie and Gage were very intriguing but I didn't feel the chemistry between them. I kept wanting something more and was discovered when I didn't get it. The premise of the story was good. I just felt like it was missing something.

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.*

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella. The story is a blend of intensity, emotion and steam that I found compelling. I thought the characters were intriguing and I found the stark differences between them appealing. The chemistry and attraction was sizzling and powerful. This was my first book that I have ever read from this author and it left me looking forward to reading more. This is my independent, impartial review.

[Carissa Janes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but developed

I really liked this story! It's an author that's new to me, and I liked the contrast of goodie two shoes and a reformed bad guy. I loved the backstory and the implications it left, and the way the ending left us wondering, just a bit. Hot and dirty, and I loved being inside Minnie's head. One of the lines I could totally relate to and made me laugh: "Worse, he’s always on her mind, like a terrible little pop song with an utterly catchy tune."

[Lynn Stifle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A steamy and enjoyable read. Minnie is a librarian and after a traumatic experience she’s is fearful, reserved, and overly cautious. She meets Cage, recently out of prison, he wants to learn engineering, and what a better place to start than the library. Cage knows from the minute that they meet that he wants Minnie. The chemistry between the two of them is palpable. I’m really hoping there’s a second part to this story. Overall, a good read and one I enjoyed.

[tama · Rating 4 out of 5]

“What’s next on your stupid list of why you can’t?”

this was really good! prior to reading i had seen some reviews about how this didn't leave them wanting more, and i'm shocked at that - the whole time i wanted more from both of these characters.

the couple typos were really unfortunate - i hate how distracting they are to me, but no one is perfect

i can't wait for the author to have more out for me to read!

[Pamela Lunder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author was new to me. I was asked to read this as an ARC! It was a decent book. Minnie has fears that have caused a little OCD. All from a traumatic event that happened to her when she was 15. She meets Gage and never expects herself to want him. This book has kind of a weird twist to it. I liked it.

[Jackie Ziegler · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read by this author and not disappointed. Minnie deals with OCD and PTSD from trauma when she was 15. When she sees Gage in the library shes intrigued but scared. He is nothing like her. He is a bad boy and she's all in. Bad boy meets good girl. With a twist maybe.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️ || Med 🔥 || No 💀



Minnie is a refreshing character!

Though, is Gage who I think he is 🤔?




*warning/tags: excon H; librarian H; shy h; h has PTSD; construction worker H; H with piercings 😳; poor H; sheltered h; tattooed H; novella

[Melissa]

DNF @ 25% Too many internal and external ramblings with very little character dialogue. Even for a short book, no thanks.

[Mitha · Rating 3 out of 5]

WTF???

I wanna know what happened next!

[deebo · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was alright but I was expecting a lot more based off how good contention was. This is an earlier work and novella but it just wasn’t my thing tbh

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author. This was my first time reading her work and I was blown away by this novella! I’m leaving a review and am going to be very cagey to make sure I don’t spoil anything. This book is so good - super intense and super sexy.

Don’t hesitate to dive into this sexy novella about a goody two shoes and a very bad boy. I look forward to reading more from this new to me author!