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Gwendolyn's Trilogy #1
Not Aware
To save my sanity I turned off my soul …
A person can only handle so much torment and pain. I reached my limit well before I trusted the wrong boy in college. Now all I want is a safe predictable life. So what if the only emotions I have are pretend. The single bright spot in my life comes from my best friend Liz and the zany adventures she drags me along on.
Until Cal walks into my restaurant.
His eyes look like my soul feels.
Thanks to some “help” from my best friend, Cal now works for me, lives near me, and works out with me every morning. A curvy girl jogging with a Navy SEAL that isn’t a recipe for trouble. He’s sneaking his way into my life right in plain sight. It’s hard keeping him at arm’s length when he’s always there … Strong steady and oh so unsettling.
Gwendolyn's Trilogy is a sweet clean slow burn romance. She will get her happily ever after ... eventually.
A person can only handle so much torment and pain. I reached my limit well before I trusted the wrong boy in college. Now all I want is a safe predictable life. So what if the only emotions I have are pretend. The single bright spot in my life comes from my best friend Liz and the zany adventures she drags me along on.
Until Cal walks into my restaurant.
His eyes look like my soul feels.
Thanks to some “help” from my best friend, Cal now works for me, lives near me, and works out with me every morning. A curvy girl jogging with a Navy SEAL that isn’t a recipe for trouble. He’s sneaking his way into my life right in plain sight. It’s hard keeping him at arm’s length when he’s always there … Strong steady and oh so unsettling.
Gwendolyn's Trilogy is a sweet clean slow burn romance. She will get her happily ever after ... eventually.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2021
89 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Aurora Darklight
34 books60 followersI’m Dark. She’s Light. We both write books about strong women that deal with all the problems the world throws at them.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 28, 2025
Gigi's Turn
Gigi hires Cal as a line cook. It turns out that he is a former SEAL. If you have read books 1-3, Liz and Kent's story, you will know (and why) that Gigi avoids men getting too close to her. Cal sees it early on.
Again, I found it took a few chapters for me to get involved in the story, but once I was, it was totally immersive. Gigi is brave and daring, but she is too caring and considerate. Cal tries to encourage her to do things she wants to do,and she struggles.
He is amazing. Full stop.
Going to get the next one! I'm in!
Gigi hires Cal as a line cook. It turns out that he is a former SEAL. If you have read books 1-3, Liz and Kent's story, you will know (and why) that Gigi avoids men getting too close to her. Cal sees it early on.
Again, I found it took a few chapters for me to get involved in the story, but once I was, it was totally immersive. Gigi is brave and daring, but she is too caring and considerate. Cal tries to encourage her to do things she wants to do,and she struggles.
He is amazing. Full stop.
Going to get the next one! I'm in!
July 31, 2024
Love this book!
Cal and Gigi are just the best!
I love their banter and relationship.
I love that Cal is protective and supportive. And would do anything for Gigi. I love that he doesn’t pressure her into telling her secrets, but you know he will be there when she is ready to share.
Definitely can’t wait to continue their story in book 2!
Zero Swearing
Physical Intimacy Level 1
Single POV (Gigi’s)
Cal and Gigi are just the best!
I love their banter and relationship.
I love that Cal is protective and supportive. And would do anything for Gigi. I love that he doesn’t pressure her into telling her secrets, but you know he will be there when she is ready to share.
Definitely can’t wait to continue their story in book 2!
Zero Swearing
Physical Intimacy Level 1
Single POV (Gigi’s)
February 18, 2021
I enjoyed reading about the exploits of Liz Kentworth and Gwendolyn Garner in , “Not Aware”. The saga is a continuing story about two women who find love, adventure and sometimes sorrow while trying to keep a successful restaurant chain going. This trilogy focuses on Gwendolyn’s (also known as Gigi) search for her happily ever after while trying to outrun a trama she experienced in college during a frat party.
In “Not Aware” she meets a retired Navy seal, Cal Corlan who she and Liz hire to work part-time in their restaurant. Cal becomes the new best friend that Gigi needs now that Liz is married. The storyline moves along swiftly detailing Gigi’s discovery that living her life vicariously through Liz’s wants and needs might not truly be the life that she wants. The characters make for entertaining reading despite the abrupt cliffhanger ending. I will definitely read the next book, “Not Alone”. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.
In “Not Aware” she meets a retired Navy seal, Cal Corlan who she and Liz hire to work part-time in their restaurant. Cal becomes the new best friend that Gigi needs now that Liz is married. The storyline moves along swiftly detailing Gigi’s discovery that living her life vicariously through Liz’s wants and needs might not truly be the life that she wants. The characters make for entertaining reading despite the abrupt cliffhanger ending. I will definitely read the next book, “Not Alone”. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.
February 18, 2021
*I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy*
I really enjoyed this book, finishing it within 2 days of receiving it (would've been quicker had it not been for the tiny humans demanding attention).
I related to the protagonist, Gigi, and whilst I initially thought I knew the ending when she meets Cal I was wrong. Whilst I suspect that's the ultimate end I'm looking forward to seeing their journey unfold in the future.
I also love that although it's clear what has made her the way she is it's not been revealed there's been hints of it but nothing in depth, I fully appreciated this as it shows compassion and understanding.
It's a nice light read and I'm impatiently waiting for the 2nd of the trilogy.
I really enjoyed this book, finishing it within 2 days of receiving it (would've been quicker had it not been for the tiny humans demanding attention).
I related to the protagonist, Gigi, and whilst I initially thought I knew the ending when she meets Cal I was wrong. Whilst I suspect that's the ultimate end I'm looking forward to seeing their journey unfold in the future.
I also love that although it's clear what has made her the way she is it's not been revealed there's been hints of it but nothing in depth, I fully appreciated this as it shows compassion and understanding.
It's a nice light read and I'm impatiently waiting for the 2nd of the trilogy.
April 2, 2022
Immature behaviour
I enjoyed this story but was put off by the very immature behaviour of the leading lady. Pouting, pulling tongues,sulking and other similar
antics is not appropriate for a businesswoman running two restaurants, with two degrees.
I found it very surprising and doubtful that a military man as highly trained as Con could find that appealling. Perhaps he was so attracted to her red hair that he could overlook it? Her friend, Liz was married to a billionaire. The two friends opened two restaurants and were so successful within 6 months that her poverty was a thing of the past. Real life is seldom like that though. Stories like this give girls unrealistic expectations. For pure escapism I loved this story.
I enjoyed this story but was put off by the very immature behaviour of the leading lady. Pouting, pulling tongues,sulking and other similar
antics is not appropriate for a businesswoman running two restaurants, with two degrees.
I found it very surprising and doubtful that a military man as highly trained as Con could find that appealling. Perhaps he was so attracted to her red hair that he could overlook it? Her friend, Liz was married to a billionaire. The two friends opened two restaurants and were so successful within 6 months that her poverty was a thing of the past. Real life is seldom like that though. Stories like this give girls unrealistic expectations. For pure escapism I loved this story.
July 7, 2025
Read the whole series in a weekend! Easy read, but sometimes the story could jump around without the audience knowing how much time would pass.
Book 1 - very little plot but liked the fun the characters were having. Liked the surface level adventures Gigi, Liz, and Cal went on.
Book 2 - was so in depth, I could not put it down! Loved the inside look of Gigi and Cal’s response to her traumas. So much character growth and good example of boundaries.
Book 3 - less fun than the 1st book because there was no chase and less Liz and Gigi adventures. Appreciated the family they built in the end, everything came full circle nicely.
Book 1 - very little plot but liked the fun the characters were having. Liked the surface level adventures Gigi, Liz, and Cal went on.
Book 2 - was so in depth, I could not put it down! Loved the inside look of Gigi and Cal’s response to her traumas. So much character growth and good example of boundaries.
Book 3 - less fun than the 1st book because there was no chase and less Liz and Gigi adventures. Appreciated the family they built in the end, everything came full circle nicely.
July 20, 2022
The plot is different and interesting, but I was put off by the huge number of typos and grammatical mistakes. Substituting your for you’re is hard to overlook. And I’m ok without the ending being wrapped up in a neat bow, but not one thing is resolved by the end of the first book. I won’t be reading the next two books in the trilogy.
July 2, 2023
Best Friends -doing life- changing the world
Dusclosure: I started at book 4. Love the story of Gigi...need to read next in series / prior books as I love the characters ...great standalone book. Loved it approaches deep subject of past abuse but wanted more disclosure in this teaser. Plan to start back at book 1.
Dusclosure: I started at book 4. Love the story of Gigi...need to read next in series / prior books as I love the characters ...great standalone book. Loved it approaches deep subject of past abuse but wanted more disclosure in this teaser. Plan to start back at book 1.
July 3, 2023
Adventure Unknown
This is a trilogy not a complete story for.those of.you.who did not catch that. I like these characters, the story has kept my attention so far and I am looking forward to the next book.
This is a trilogy not a complete story for.those of.you.who did not catch that. I like these characters, the story has kept my attention so far and I am looking forward to the next book.
January 6, 2024
I got this book as part of a stuff your kindle day, not knowing it was a trilogy. Having read the other 2 books in Gigis series, I can safely say it didn't need 3 books. I understand why the author did it but it was no needed
April 16, 2022
wonderful friendship
A deep friendship. A sweet romance that Gigi has not acknowledged yet, all mixed in with the life styles of the rich and famous. I love all the adventures.
A deep friendship. A sweet romance that Gigi has not acknowledged yet, all mixed in with the life styles of the rich and famous. I love all the adventures.
April 27, 2022
Great clean story
I enjoyed the story development as Giggi recovers from an unknown trama with Cal's steady comforting presence. I recommend this story for the young adult reader.
I enjoyed the story development as Giggi recovers from an unknown trama with Cal's steady comforting presence. I recommend this story for the young adult reader.
May 6, 2024
Wonderful book
Gigi meets a new customer, Cal, who becomes one of her best friends, and he teaches her how to start having fun in her life.
I love this series!
Gigi meets a new customer, Cal, who becomes one of her best friends, and he teaches her how to start having fun in her life.
I love this series!
May 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews