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Destiny Falls #1
Burned
This story starts with a funeral.
Sutton Tate’s whole life just got turned upside down. Her mom is dead, leaving behind nothing but an apartment full of memories and a letter with a bucket list of things she hopes Sutton will do in the next year. The first thing on the list? Spend the summer with a great-uncle that she’s never even heard about in the tiny town of Destiny Falls, Michigan.
She’s reluctant but it’s just going to be a few months. She’ll work at the Mystery Cabin, the tourist trap that her uncle owns, make a little bit of money and try to connect with the last bit of family that she has left on this earth.
Then she gets to Destiny Falls and it’s nothing like she expected.
Her uncle is keeping her on her toes, there is always something to do around the shop, and the Mystery Cabin’s handyman, Teller, just might be the man of her dreams. Throw in the sleazy mayor’s son and some new girlfriends, and Sutton just might have a summer that she’ll never forget.
When the summer is over, will Sutton give up her dream of a fancy job in a big city and her five year plan? Or will she have finally found the one thing that she can’t walk away from?
***This is a 50,000 word romance novel that ends in a happily ever after***
Sutton Tate’s whole life just got turned upside down. Her mom is dead, leaving behind nothing but an apartment full of memories and a letter with a bucket list of things she hopes Sutton will do in the next year. The first thing on the list? Spend the summer with a great-uncle that she’s never even heard about in the tiny town of Destiny Falls, Michigan.
She’s reluctant but it’s just going to be a few months. She’ll work at the Mystery Cabin, the tourist trap that her uncle owns, make a little bit of money and try to connect with the last bit of family that she has left on this earth.
Then she gets to Destiny Falls and it’s nothing like she expected.
Her uncle is keeping her on her toes, there is always something to do around the shop, and the Mystery Cabin’s handyman, Teller, just might be the man of her dreams. Throw in the sleazy mayor’s son and some new girlfriends, and Sutton just might have a summer that she’ll never forget.
When the summer is over, will Sutton give up her dream of a fancy job in a big city and her five year plan? Or will she have finally found the one thing that she can’t walk away from?
***This is a 50,000 word romance novel that ends in a happily ever after***
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 9, 2021
176 people are currently reading
413 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Wilder
15 books192 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Rebecca Wilder writes contemporary and new adult romance. She loves writing about opposites attracting and finding their happily ever afters.
When she’s not spending time with her family or friends, she’s reading romance books, watching stand up comedies or crime TV shows. She’s also a total Pinterest addict, dog lover, tea snob, and a wannabe yogi.
You can keep up with her new releases here: https://bit.ly/3HzPZ6i
When she’s not spending time with her family or friends, she’s reading romance books, watching stand up comedies or crime TV shows. She’s also a total Pinterest addict, dog lover, tea snob, and a wannabe yogi.
You can keep up with her new releases here: https://bit.ly/3HzPZ6i
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
April 16, 2025
I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of this small town romance in exchange for an honest review.
What a fun quick small town summer time romance. I loved the family connection and bucket list theme. A nice story about self discovery. I read it in a few hours. Highly recommend to pick it up in April!!
What a fun quick small town summer time romance. I loved the family connection and bucket list theme. A nice story about self discovery. I read it in a few hours. Highly recommend to pick it up in April!!
March 19, 2021
It starts with a funeral but ends with a HEA. Loved this super sweet love story about facing your fears and finding where you truly belong.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 10, 2021
Loved! Very slow burn & emotional
Burned is a slow burn co-workers to friends to lovers romance. Reeling from her mother’s death Sutton embarks on a journey at her mother’s request..a kind of bucket list quest. Arriving at her estranged great uncles place in Michigan, she doesn’t get the warm welcome she anticipated but she stays to fulfill her moms request. In between working at the Mystery Cabin she deals with her grief and starts ticking things off her moms list..go on dates, skinny dip, get a pet, dye her hair....and she has a new friend tagging along to help, her gorgeous co-worker Teller. Will she be able to check off the last thing on her moms list which is to fall in love?
Burned was part really sweet romance and part the story of a woman dealing with intense grief and trying to heal. There were moments of intense sadness but also moments of absolute hilarity (the mouse in the shower) and joy. The best type of girl friendships were made and Sutton finally found where she truly belonged and that sometimes life plans are meant to be changed.
It’s also passionate and steamy...Teller is literally the perfect guy. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I would recommend if you are looking for a romance that has a lot of emotions and an incredible journey to read about.
Burned is a slow burn co-workers to friends to lovers romance. Reeling from her mother’s death Sutton embarks on a journey at her mother’s request..a kind of bucket list quest. Arriving at her estranged great uncles place in Michigan, she doesn’t get the warm welcome she anticipated but she stays to fulfill her moms request. In between working at the Mystery Cabin she deals with her grief and starts ticking things off her moms list..go on dates, skinny dip, get a pet, dye her hair....and she has a new friend tagging along to help, her gorgeous co-worker Teller. Will she be able to check off the last thing on her moms list which is to fall in love?
Burned was part really sweet romance and part the story of a woman dealing with intense grief and trying to heal. There were moments of intense sadness but also moments of absolute hilarity (the mouse in the shower) and joy. The best type of girl friendships were made and Sutton finally found where she truly belonged and that sometimes life plans are meant to be changed.
It’s also passionate and steamy...Teller is literally the perfect guy. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I would recommend if you are looking for a romance that has a lot of emotions and an incredible journey to read about.
April 9, 2021
4.5 Stars
I thought that this was an awesome book. My heart broke for Sutton in the beginning but yet was amazing to "watch" her grow and not hurt so much as well as grow close to people instead of keeping everyone at arms length. I thought that this was a great self-discovery book. I really liked how the roles were reversed towards the end and Sutton had to truly work for what she wanted. I enjoyed this whole book and I can't wait to see what happens next in this series. I would recommend this book and Ms. Rebecca as an excellent author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I thought that this was an awesome book. My heart broke for Sutton in the beginning but yet was amazing to "watch" her grow and not hurt so much as well as grow close to people instead of keeping everyone at arms length. I thought that this was a great self-discovery book. I really liked how the roles were reversed towards the end and Sutton had to truly work for what she wanted. I enjoyed this whole book and I can't wait to see what happens next in this series. I would recommend this book and Ms. Rebecca as an excellent author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 27, 2021
Oh my I absolutely loved this book and I cant wait to get my hands on the other books in this series. This book had all the emotions and feelings... loss, pain, love, fear, acceptance... this was really an amazing book and I love all these characters..
Sutton is dealing with the pain and loss of her mother just passing away, she was her only family she really knew and her best friend. She follows the request of her mother to visit a uncle she has never met before and stay with him for the summer. Her mother started a "bucket list" for Sutton in hopes she finishes it and learns to enjoy life a little and maybe fall in love.
Sutton is dealing with the pain and loss of her mother just passing away, she was her only family she really knew and her best friend. She follows the request of her mother to visit a uncle she has never met before and stay with him for the summer. Her mother started a "bucket list" for Sutton in hopes she finishes it and learns to enjoy life a little and maybe fall in love.
August 1, 2021
An enjoyable book one in the Destiny Falls series! It is a slow burn romance that is emotionally deep, engaging, relatable, funny, steamy, and well written with drama, ups and down, grief, adventure, good friends, likeable characters, and undeniable chemistry. Definitely recommended!
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 11, 2022
How is no one talking about that she ripped off the Disney show Gravity Falls?? The mystery cabin,great uncle Stan,Destiny Falls!! Yeah I love the show but this is a complete rip off. Shame on you.
April 15, 2021
The sweet balances out the bitter here
I enjoyed this story. It’s not too long, it’s not drawn out for dramatic nonsense, and it shows just what family is and should be. Sutton, Stan, and Teller all sucked me in and made me adore them, so now I can’t wait to revisit them or this town when the next book is released!
I enjoyed this story. It’s not too long, it’s not drawn out for dramatic nonsense, and it shows just what family is and should be. Sutton, Stan, and Teller all sucked me in and made me adore them, so now I can’t wait to revisit them or this town when the next book is released!
April 9, 2021
Not my favorite book ever from Rebecca Wilder but overall I ended up enjoying it in the end. Teller was so swoon worthy and your heart broke for Sutton and all she had went through in her life. I understand a big plot point of the book was Sutton losing her mom and it’s horribly sad but it almost became too depressing for me at times. I understand that’s a very real and valid emotion but I’m just used to “lighter” books from Rebecca Wilder. However, despite that the book was really well written. I would’ve loved an epilogue a few years between the ending and the current one as it seems no sooner did they make up that it skips ahead about 5+ years but the epilogue was still cute. Not as fluffy and light as I’m used to from this author but I did love the take on the more complicated emotions.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 9, 2021
Burned was an enjoyable book and the first in the Destiny Falls series. This is a sweet small town romance with a swoon worthy handyman and a woman ready to face her fears.
After the death of her mother, Sutton finds out she left her a bucket list. First on the list is to go to Destiny Falls and stay with her great uncle for the summer. With trepidation, Sutton goes and finds so much more than she bargained for.
Teller was such a sweetheart and I loved how he helped Sutton with her bucket list. I wish this book had multiple POVs so I could’ve delved into Teller’s mind (but that’s just me). I loved the girlfriends Sutton makes and I cannot wait for their stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
After the death of her mother, Sutton finds out she left her a bucket list. First on the list is to go to Destiny Falls and stay with her great uncle for the summer. With trepidation, Sutton goes and finds so much more than she bargained for.
Teller was such a sweetheart and I loved how he helped Sutton with her bucket list. I wish this book had multiple POVs so I could’ve delved into Teller’s mind (but that’s just me). I loved the girlfriends Sutton makes and I cannot wait for their stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 11, 2021
I received an ARC from the author thru Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. Sutton has lost her mother and finds a list to complete. This brings her to a small town, a distant relation, and a summer she might not be able to walk away from. Teller is a sweet and sexy man who becomes a source of support and love for Sutton. This was a sweet romance
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 14, 2021
This is the 1st book I read by Rebecca Wilder. I loved ❤ this book's storyline. This book's was sad 😞. I loved ❤ Sutton's character. I loved ❤ Teller's character. I loved ❤ Uncle Stan. I loved ❤ the ending. I can't wait to read RUINED. Awesome job Ms. Wilder.
October 30, 2021
I really loved this slow burn story. Sutton lives her great uncle after her mother's death. There she meets the handyman Teller and they both fall sweetly in love. A sweet, romantic, slow burn and safe story with a sweet HEA and beautiful characters😍😍😍😍
August 28, 2022
Great story of self discovery in the face of adversity. Love the start of a new series based in a town with so many wonderful side characters that we will get to visit with.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 4, 2021
~2.5 stars~
This book was just okay. I liked that Sutton really wanted to honor her mother’s memory, and the idea of the bucket list was really cool. I’m not a big fan of small town romances, but it was still nice to see Sutton unite with her uncle and get to know him. The family-oriented nature of the story was my favorite part for sure.
Everything else kind of fell flat for me. The pace was very slow, and I found myself skimming multiple times. Nothing much happened, and I felt there were certain plot points that could’ve been interesting but were never fully expanded. And there just wasn’t enough interaction between the main characters. It took them a really long time to get together, and there was none of the instant love and attraction that I’ve come to expect with this type of story.
Overall, I love Wilder’s books and will continue to read her stories, but I can’t recommend this particular one.
*I received an ARC of this book. This is my complete and honest review.*
This book was just okay. I liked that Sutton really wanted to honor her mother’s memory, and the idea of the bucket list was really cool. I’m not a big fan of small town romances, but it was still nice to see Sutton unite with her uncle and get to know him. The family-oriented nature of the story was my favorite part for sure.
Everything else kind of fell flat for me. The pace was very slow, and I found myself skimming multiple times. Nothing much happened, and I felt there were certain plot points that could’ve been interesting but were never fully expanded. And there just wasn’t enough interaction between the main characters. It took them a really long time to get together, and there was none of the instant love and attraction that I’ve come to expect with this type of story.
Overall, I love Wilder’s books and will continue to read her stories, but I can’t recommend this particular one.
*I received an ARC of this book. This is my complete and honest review.*
September 3, 2022
This is book number 1 of the Destiny Falls series and focuses on Teller and Sutton. Sutton had just had her whole world crumble unexpectedly. She went from having huge plans living out in Boston and working for a great company to burying her mom, who was her only known family member. She is struggling to process her new life when she gets a letter from her mom. She informed her that she had a great uncle, who her mom had just reconnected with, in Destiny Falls. She also told her that she wanted Sutton to spend the summer in Destiny Falls getting to know him before going off to Boston to live her life. Little does Sutton know that when she gets there, her whole life is about to change all over again. I loved seeing Sutton find herself again after losing her mom. She slowly started to heal from her past pain as well as from losing her mom. This was a great story and a great introduction to the series.
July 9, 2021
Was a mix for me
Burned is the first book in the Destiny Falls series and is a very slow burn romance between Sutton and Teller. This book was a mix for me as there were some elements of the story and characters that I quite liked and others that just did not work for me. I have read one short story/novella by the author which I thought was good before getting this much longer book. I guess for me this story dragged in places and could have been much tighter.
I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own and I know that some readers will love this story. So take my opinion for what it is....just my opinion.
Burned is the first book in the Destiny Falls series and is a very slow burn romance between Sutton and Teller. This book was a mix for me as there were some elements of the story and characters that I quite liked and others that just did not work for me. I have read one short story/novella by the author which I thought was good before getting this much longer book. I guess for me this story dragged in places and could have been much tighter.
I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own and I know that some readers will love this story. So take my opinion for what it is....just my opinion.
Read
April 2, 2022Burned?
I really do not understand the name.
It was an ok book.
Not much happened after she got settled in to the new town.
The bucket list concepts was nice but not very exciting. Ok, zip lining could be but it didn't sound very adventurous in this instance.
It was just a mediocre read for me.
I really do not understand the name.
It was an ok book.
Not much happened after she got settled in to the new town.
The bucket list concepts was nice but not very exciting. Ok, zip lining could be but it didn't sound very adventurous in this instance.
It was just a mediocre read for me.
April 18, 2022
Definitely Cozy
A Story about a young girl that finds herself and the true meaning of her life in a small business in the midwest. It has young love, a growing together of family and a heartfelt romance with just a wee bit of sex. Anyone looking for a calm enjoyable read should try this book out.
A Story about a young girl that finds herself and the true meaning of her life in a small business in the midwest. It has young love, a growing together of family and a heartfelt romance with just a wee bit of sex. Anyone looking for a calm enjoyable read should try this book out.
August 30, 2022
Sutton's story starts off sad with her losing er mother. When she finds a letter that leads her to an uncle, things begin to look up for her along with a happily ever after. I loved the writing of this story it is descriptive with characters that makes this story come alive and had me connecting with them cheering them on to finding happiness!
November 3, 2022
Sutton is totally lost after her mother passed away. Going over her mum’s belongings, she finds a letter with a bucket list and there she read about her great-uncle for the first time.
Teller is a handyman at the Mystery Cabin, a tourist trap owned by her uncle.
A nice, slow-paced story where Sutton learns about her family and enjoys her new life.
Teller is a handyman at the Mystery Cabin, a tourist trap owned by her uncle.
A nice, slow-paced story where Sutton learns about her family and enjoys her new life.
April 12, 2021
Sweet story
My heart broke for Sutton at the beginning. As time went on the writing made me feel part of the gang going on girls night and watching Sutton grow into the girl she was meant to be.
All in all a really nice sweet lovely story.
My heart broke for Sutton at the beginning. As time went on the writing made me feel part of the gang going on girls night and watching Sutton grow into the girl she was meant to be.
All in all a really nice sweet lovely story.
July 30, 2021
This was a small town romance, which was okay, but for me it was a little too slow. If you like stories of self discovery this is your cup of tea.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 8, 2022
cute story
Cute story of a girl whose mom dies and whose plans get derailed in a tiny tourist town. It’s a short book and some of the characters seem flat, but it put a smile on my face and I enjoyed Sutton’s journey.
Cute story of a girl whose mom dies and whose plans get derailed in a tiny tourist town. It’s a short book and some of the characters seem flat, but it put a smile on my face and I enjoyed Sutton’s journey.
July 6, 2022
Burned
It is a sweet story of Sutton’s struggle of being alone after her mom’s passing, following a ‘bucket list’ of wishes left for her, and moving to a small town where she meets her future family.
It is a sweet story of Sutton’s struggle of being alone after her mom’s passing, following a ‘bucket list’ of wishes left for her, and moving to a small town where she meets her future family.
October 30, 2025
Great story
I love Sutton and Teller. Their the perfect couple. They were meant to be together. The other characters are amazing as well. The happy ever after the find is so sweet to read about you'll want to read it more than once.
I love Sutton and Teller. Their the perfect couple. They were meant to be together. The other characters are amazing as well. The happy ever after the find is so sweet to read about you'll want to read it more than once.
April 13, 2021
It wasnt all bad but the story was slow then a bit rushed.....I enjoyed it all the same
April 26, 2021
I loved Teller & Sutton's book. It was an emotional slow burn. I received an arc of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
September 12, 2021
If you like hallmark TV movies you’ll like this. Little bit of forced drama but otherwise just ok.
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February 20, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (2/20/2022)! 🎁
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews