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Thick Curves
He’s so much younger than me. He’s my employee. But why does something so wrong feel so right?
Ellie
Jeb looked lost and adrift when I found him. He was a battle-worn soldier, his eyes filled with secrets and pain.
I gave him a job and a place to call home. He doesn’t know I also gave him my heart. He can never know that because he’s so much younger than me.
We’re just friends that flirt…until he kisses me. Now I have to convince his heart and mine that this is a terrible idea.
Jeb
I had no place to go when Ellie took me in. She gave me a place to call home. I gave her my heart and soul. She just doesn’t know that.
For years, I’ve stood in the shadows and watched her. She’s breath-taking. She’s my guardian angel, a fierce fighter who champions those around her. But who’s taking care of her?
I definitely want the job. I plan to show her every day for the rest of our lives just how special and amazing she is.
But will her fears over our age gap stop her from loving me back?
Welcome to Lake Bliss, the perfect place to get lost in a tender, steamy love story. There’s NO cheating and NO cliffhangers. This short read features a guaranteed HEA so you can get your swoon on.
Ellie
Jeb looked lost and adrift when I found him. He was a battle-worn soldier, his eyes filled with secrets and pain.
I gave him a job and a place to call home. He doesn’t know I also gave him my heart. He can never know that because he’s so much younger than me.
We’re just friends that flirt…until he kisses me. Now I have to convince his heart and mine that this is a terrible idea.
Jeb
I had no place to go when Ellie took me in. She gave me a place to call home. I gave her my heart and soul. She just doesn’t know that.
For years, I’ve stood in the shadows and watched her. She’s breath-taking. She’s my guardian angel, a fierce fighter who champions those around her. But who’s taking care of her?
I definitely want the job. I plan to show her every day for the rest of our lives just how special and amazing she is.
But will her fears over our age gap stop her from loving me back?
Welcome to Lake Bliss, the perfect place to get lost in a tender, steamy love story. There’s NO cheating and NO cliffhangers. This short read features a guaranteed HEA so you can get your swoon on.
91 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2021
About the author
Mia Brody
70 books422 followersMia Brody is a romance author who loves big, bearded guys that are gruff on the outside and oh-so gooey on the inside. She writes swoon-worthy small town romances set in the fictional town of Courage County.
She often writes characters that are disabled, chronically ill, or neurodivergent. Her own struggles with muscular dystrophy and anxiety inspire many of her stories. She's passionate about showing readers that happily ever after is possible for everyone.
Get exclusive bonus scenes, early access to her latest books, and more when you sign up: https://miabrody.com/news/
She often writes characters that are disabled, chronically ill, or neurodivergent. Her own struggles with muscular dystrophy and anxiety inspire many of her stories. She's passionate about showing readers that happily ever after is possible for everyone.
Get exclusive bonus scenes, early access to her latest books, and more when you sign up: https://miabrody.com/news/
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 21, 2021
Very sweet and touching
This was very sweet and hit close to home. My sister last year had to have a double mastectomy. She did have the reconstructive surgery. She is cancer free thank God. Now back to the story. At first I was mad this wasn’t in KU. But I decided to purchase it anyway. It was good. The age gap was big but Jeb seemed pretty mature for his age. His background and her background reared it’s ugly head but they were able to get each other thru. It’s sad because of his childhood he didn’t want kids of his own but at least Ellie understood why. Hey everyone is not meant to have kids. Ellie raised her brother and didn’t want that responsibility again plus she couldn’t have kids. At least they had an understanding. Good read.
This was very sweet and hit close to home. My sister last year had to have a double mastectomy. She did have the reconstructive surgery. She is cancer free thank God. Now back to the story. At first I was mad this wasn’t in KU. But I decided to purchase it anyway. It was good. The age gap was big but Jeb seemed pretty mature for his age. His background and her background reared it’s ugly head but they were able to get each other thru. It’s sad because of his childhood he didn’t want kids of his own but at least Ellie understood why. Hey everyone is not meant to have kids. Ellie raised her brother and didn’t want that responsibility again plus she couldn’t have kids. At least they had an understanding. Good read.
May 19, 2022
Beautiful story
Jeb and Ellie are a perfect example of a happy ever after love story. They both have their own insecurities and demons that they deal with daily but with courage and bravery and the help of family and good friends they find their happy life together.
Jeb and Ellie are a perfect example of a happy ever after love story. They both have their own insecurities and demons that they deal with daily but with courage and bravery and the help of family and good friends they find their happy life together.
November 17, 2021
Absolutely fantastic read just like all her other books! I Couldn’t put it down and cant wait for the rest of the series! Highly recommend this author and this book!
January 21, 2023
I appreciated the "realness" of the story.
Flaws, insecurities.
I also loved that the ending defied the normal trope.
Flaws, insecurities.
I also loved that the ending defied the normal trope.
September 10, 2025
Great Example of a Romance Novella
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Tropes: Age-gap, Friends to Lovers, Small Town, Spicy Novella, Plus Size Heroine
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Triggers: PTSD, breast cancer survivor, double mastectomy, body dysmorphia, childless by choice, adult language and graphic sex scenes
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Quote: “Jeb brings light into the dark places of my life.”
********************
Synopsis/Blurb: The story follows Ellie, who takes in a younger, battle-worn soldier named Jeb, and their relationship develops despite the age gap and their personal insecurities.
********************
Review: Short, sweet, and spicy. Surprisingly complex. Lovely HEA. Everything one wants in a romance, condensed for an immediate hit of romance adrenaline.
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Ratings: Movie Rating R, overall 4/5, romance 4/5, violence 3/5, spice 4/5, cover image 4/5
********************
Tropes: Age-gap, Friends to Lovers, Small Town, Spicy Novella, Plus Size Heroine
********************
Triggers: PTSD, breast cancer survivor, double mastectomy, body dysmorphia, childless by choice, adult language and graphic sex scenes
********************
Quote: “Jeb brings light into the dark places of my life.”
********************
Synopsis/Blurb: The story follows Ellie, who takes in a younger, battle-worn soldier named Jeb, and their relationship develops despite the age gap and their personal insecurities.
********************
Review: Short, sweet, and spicy. Surprisingly complex. Lovely HEA. Everything one wants in a romance, condensed for an immediate hit of romance adrenaline.
********************
Ratings: Movie Rating R, overall 4/5, romance 4/5, violence 3/5, spice 4/5, cover image 4/5
May 14, 2023
I loved both of the main characters, but Jeb was especially close to my heart. His feelings for Ellie not only felt genuine, but they were based on more than the insta-lust of many such stories. I felt a real connection between these two, which Ellie kept trying to avoid for many reasons, not just their difference in age. It always amazes me that there is still so much stigma attached to the reverse age gap trope. Why is it okay for a man to love a woman years or even decades younger than him, when the same is not true for a woman? In any case, this story packed a whole lot of emotion in a relatively short book and simply resonated with me for some reason. Kudos!
January 30, 2023
Oh So Sweet!
Oh my goodness! This was such an awesome read! This boom will make you laughter and cry! Beautifully written with a great story line. I could not put it down.Both characters have a demon to deal with, one is physical scars the other PTSD. BUT somehow they fine comfort in each others arms that that soothe the wounds. Loved it.
Oh my goodness! This was such an awesome read! This boom will make you laughter and cry! Beautifully written with a great story line. I could not put it down.Both characters have a demon to deal with, one is physical scars the other PTSD. BUT somehow they fine comfort in each others arms that that soothe the wounds. Loved it.
March 30, 2022
Such a brave author, so romantic!!!
Non hesitant Hero, He is completely in love!
Breast cancer survivor heroine
Romantic,
Non hesitant Hero, He is completely in love!
Breast cancer survivor heroine
Romantic,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
added-it
January 17, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/17/2023)! 🎁
October 5, 2023
3.5 stars
March 27, 2026
3.5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
A sweet and wholesome book that also touches upon very real and uncertain life experiences. Our heroine Ellie is a breast cancer survivor, and seeing her thoughts and struggles were deep and I feel other survivors will definitely connect with that. Our hero Jeb was salt of the earth and couldn’t do enough for Ellie. He simply wanted to worship and treasure her and it was lovely.
I feel like this could’ve been a full feature rather then a novella and that’s why I deducted some points but overall I liked it for what it was 👌🏻
what to expect/tropes
- older woman, younger man
- 15 years between them
- friends to lovers
- cancer survivor
- ex solider
- orphan hero
- broken heroine
- curvy heroine
- body positivity (scars)
A sweet and wholesome book that also touches upon very real and uncertain life experiences. Our heroine Ellie is a breast cancer survivor, and seeing her thoughts and struggles were deep and I feel other survivors will definitely connect with that. Our hero Jeb was salt of the earth and couldn’t do enough for Ellie. He simply wanted to worship and treasure her and it was lovely.
I feel like this could’ve been a full feature rather then a novella and that’s why I deducted some points but overall I liked it for what it was 👌🏻
what to expect/tropes
- older woman, younger man
- 15 years between them
- friends to lovers
- cancer survivor
- ex solider
- orphan hero
- broken heroine
- curvy heroine
- body positivity (scars)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews