What do you think?
Rate this book
Safe and Sound
As the lead singer of popular pop-rock band, Gen Y, Ruby Bright has always hidden her struggles with fame and oppressive management behind flashy outfits and feigned confidence for the sake of the fans, but when her tour bus crashes and her best friend, bandmate, and, according to the public, boyfriend, is killed, she loses her only pillar of support and everything is turned upside down. It’s only made worse when her security team believe that a crazed stalker who has been sending cryptic letters for over a year is at the root of it all. The elevated threat to a grief-stricken and recovering Ruby leaves them no choice but to send her to a secluded safe house in Cumbria, where she can be protected twenty-four hours a day until her best friend’s killer is brought to justice.
When entitled celebrity, Ruby Bright, walks through retired witness protection officer Shea O’Connor’s doors, though, Shea is less than impressed with the new guest seeking refuge in the farmhouse she now offers out to people in need of security – especially when cabin-fevered and traumatised Ruby proves a challenge in every aspect. As Ruby navigates her grief through reckless behaviour though, Shea begins to realise that she may have more in common with the pop star than she once thought. Nobody is more surprised than her, then, when an unexpected connection begins to develop between them.
All sense of security is broken when Ruby receives a new threat from her stalker. When Ruby is taken from the house by her security team, a chilling discovery is made. With Shea the only person Ruby can truly trust, the two embark on a thrilling game of cat and mouse with the people trying to take Ruby down — but can Shea fix past mistakes and protect Ruby, or are the people behind all of Ruby’s recent misfortunes too powerful to stop?
When entitled celebrity, Ruby Bright, walks through retired witness protection officer Shea O’Connor’s doors, though, Shea is less than impressed with the new guest seeking refuge in the farmhouse she now offers out to people in need of security – especially when cabin-fevered and traumatised Ruby proves a challenge in every aspect. As Ruby navigates her grief through reckless behaviour though, Shea begins to realise that she may have more in common with the pop star than she once thought. Nobody is more surprised than her, then, when an unexpected connection begins to develop between them.
All sense of security is broken when Ruby receives a new threat from her stalker. When Ruby is taken from the house by her security team, a chilling discovery is made. With Shea the only person Ruby can truly trust, the two embark on a thrilling game of cat and mouse with the people trying to take Ruby down — but can Shea fix past mistakes and protect Ruby, or are the people behind all of Ruby’s recent misfortunes too powerful to stop?
154 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2022
About the author
Rachel Bowdler
20 books161 followersRachel Bowdler grew up and still lives just outside of Manchester, on the edge of West Yorkshire. Her books feature queer and plus-size characters finding their happily ever afters. You can usually find her hosting the Swords & Sapphics Podcast, writing under the pen names Bonnie Woods and Bryony Rosehurst, and working as a freelance editor.
Her festive debut novel, Honeymoon for One, was brought to readers in 2022 and became a bestseller in lesbian romance.
Her festive debut novel, Honeymoon for One, was brought to readers in 2022 and became a bestseller in lesbian romance.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Read
April 12, 2023
She was beginning to suspect that Shea was just the sort of woman you had to keep trying with if you wanted to really know her. A matryoshka doll with infinite figures hiding within, all different sizes and faces.
Safe & Sound is a suspenseful romance novella that follows Ruby Bright, a singer-songwriter for Gen Y, a popular singing duo who are struck by profound tragedy. When her singing partner and best friend Ezra is killed in an explosion on their tour bus, she finds herself being targeted by an unknown suspect and forced to disappear for a while until they find out who’s after her. Ruby is sent to a farm for her own protection and it’s there she meets Shea, a brooding, grumpy, acerbic former officer healing from her own trauma.
Where Ruby is nervous and broken by everything that’s happened to her, Shea’s gone the other way and become downright caustic and biting. She’s anything but kind to Ruby at the start, projecting her own stereotypes of privilege onto Ruby that, while understandable in light of Ruby’s successes, are anything but true. Ruby’s life and history are dark and full of turmoil and she honestly doesn’t remotely fit a stereotype. (I felt very protective of Ruby at the start, poor thing!!) For her part, Ruby tries to get along with everyone as she struggles to deal with her grief and the awful treatment of her band’s management group.
I really liked the farm setting and the novella’s themes and focus on healing and growth. Ruby and Shea are both jagged edges who slowly soften each other up as time passes on the farm and they work together gardening and looking after the animals. I do wish Shea had been a bit kinder to Ruby at the onset, but she grew on me once she started to let go of her preconceptions and realised that she was projecting a lot of unfair untruths onto Ruby. Bless Ruby, my heart just went out to her throughout the whole book and I’m really glad she finally had someone on her side in Shea once they passed those initial hurdles! And they made a very dynamic, capable, wholesome couple by the end! (Fans of bodyguard romances will surely enjoy the climax of the novella!)
Overall this is an emotionally grounded and fast-paced romantic suspense novella that romance readers should definitely check out!
My review of Honeymoon for One is here.
My review of A Haunting at Hartwell Hall is here.
My review of Along for the Ride is here.
My review of Partners in Crime is here.
My review of No Love Lost is here.
My review of Paint Me Yours is here.
☆ My Book Reviews | Indie Book Twitter | Indie Book Instagram ☆
Safe & Sound is a suspenseful romance novella that follows Ruby Bright, a singer-songwriter for Gen Y, a popular singing duo who are struck by profound tragedy. When her singing partner and best friend Ezra is killed in an explosion on their tour bus, she finds herself being targeted by an unknown suspect and forced to disappear for a while until they find out who’s after her. Ruby is sent to a farm for her own protection and it’s there she meets Shea, a brooding, grumpy, acerbic former officer healing from her own trauma.
Where Ruby is nervous and broken by everything that’s happened to her, Shea’s gone the other way and become downright caustic and biting. She’s anything but kind to Ruby at the start, projecting her own stereotypes of privilege onto Ruby that, while understandable in light of Ruby’s successes, are anything but true. Ruby’s life and history are dark and full of turmoil and she honestly doesn’t remotely fit a stereotype. (I felt very protective of Ruby at the start, poor thing!!) For her part, Ruby tries to get along with everyone as she struggles to deal with her grief and the awful treatment of her band’s management group.
I really liked the farm setting and the novella’s themes and focus on healing and growth. Ruby and Shea are both jagged edges who slowly soften each other up as time passes on the farm and they work together gardening and looking after the animals. I do wish Shea had been a bit kinder to Ruby at the onset, but she grew on me once she started to let go of her preconceptions and realised that she was projecting a lot of unfair untruths onto Ruby. Bless Ruby, my heart just went out to her throughout the whole book and I’m really glad she finally had someone on her side in Shea once they passed those initial hurdles! And they made a very dynamic, capable, wholesome couple by the end! (Fans of bodyguard romances will surely enjoy the climax of the novella!)
Overall this is an emotionally grounded and fast-paced romantic suspense novella that romance readers should definitely check out!
My review of Honeymoon for One is here.
My review of A Haunting at Hartwell Hall is here.
My review of Along for the Ride is here.
My review of Partners in Crime is here.
My review of No Love Lost is here.
My review of Paint Me Yours is here.
☆ My Book Reviews | Indie Book Twitter | Indie Book Instagram ☆
January 9, 2022
4 Stars for Safe and Sound (audiobook) by Rachel Bowdler read by Courtney Bailey produced by Bryant Street Shorts.
This was a fun bodyguard trope story. The characters were interesting and likable. I like to read these short stories between bigger and more serious books.
This was a fun bodyguard trope story. The characters were interesting and likable. I like to read these short stories between bigger and more serious books.
October 31, 2021
This has a little bit of everything and is absolute perfection. A really touching moment between Ruby and her best friend/band mate and then everything spirals. I really despised Shea to start with and was Team Ruby all the way. Then the book shifts, back stories get more revealed, and the two characters develop a mutual understanding. Packed with action, drama, intensity, and a bit of romance on the side, I absolutely loved this. Highly highly recommend.
September 15, 2025
Another gorgeous novella from Rachel Bowdler. This isn’t just a love story, but a study of grief, and it came at a time where I needed it the most. It validated so much of how I’m feeling and it soothed the edges of the pain. There’s always something more to Rachel’s stories - above the beauty of romance there’s always something further that feels so personal, so real and so human. I also loved the mystery in this story and the commentary on celebrity culture. Rachel will always be one of my favorite romance authors!
Read
February 18, 2026A thrilling romance novel, fast-paced and gripping. I adored the characters, particularly Ruby. Her predicament and her grief are so beautifully wound through the way she is portrayed.
A very enjoyable novella. I couldn’t put it down!
A very enjoyable novella. I couldn’t put it down!
May 30, 2026
Engaging and enjoyable, with plenty of tender moments, twists, and all round a well told story.
January 5, 2024
What a lovely book. Rachel Bowdler has a great writing style I really enjoy and which is very satisfying to read, and it worked well in this book. The main romance has a classic "enemies to lovers" feel to it, and I enjoyed seeing Ruby and Shea realise their feelings for each other and how they developed.
The suspense plotline was very intriguing, and I was surprised by the events which kicked off the story! It supplemented the romance nicely, and was paced well throughout. None of it felt obvious or contrived, and there were lots of little twists to make it interesting. My only criticism would be that the final showdown felt a little easy and less satisfying than I would have hoped. I would have loved an added twist or element of danger to take the stakes that little bit higher and make the climax more exciting.
All in all, Safe and Sound is a great book that I definitely enjoyed, with a lovely romance and a feel-good ending everyone can enjoy.
The suspense plotline was very intriguing, and I was surprised by the events which kicked off the story! It supplemented the romance nicely, and was paced well throughout. None of it felt obvious or contrived, and there were lots of little twists to make it interesting. My only criticism would be that the final showdown felt a little easy and less satisfying than I would have hoped. I would have loved an added twist or element of danger to take the stakes that little bit higher and make the climax more exciting.
All in all, Safe and Sound is a great book that I definitely enjoyed, with a lovely romance and a feel-good ending everyone can enjoy.
December 14, 2023
Such a well-written and easy to fall in love with story! I haven't read much suspense or romance, but this one was such a pleasant surprise. The reader is immediately thrown into the storm as the story opens with a bang, and then all the characters you meet along the way have such redeeming qualities (except for the antagonist of course). It was wonderful to see how people from such different backgrounds all came together to help each other through a difficult and dangerous situation. Each one had to overcome their own battles and honestly it was just really beautiful to read.
June 24, 2025
3.5
This was a fun read. I didn't love the main couple as much as I have in some other books by this author and everything was a bit far-fetched but that's ok! It was a nice read with a little action and adventure and some interesting characters.
This was a fun read. I didn't love the main couple as much as I have in some other books by this author and everything was a bit far-fetched but that's ok! It was a nice read with a little action and adventure and some interesting characters.
August 4, 2023
An interesting story that kept me listening- I enjoyed the audiobook
June 4, 2024
“Safe & Sound” by Rachel Bowdler
This was a very good read. I enjoyed the characters and I am a sucker for a bodyguard/protective services story!
This was a very good read. I enjoyed the characters and I am a sucker for a bodyguard/protective services story!
February 1, 2024
Looking for a suspenseful romantic novella then you have found one, I picked it up yesterday and finished it in one sitting.
Ruby Bright is a singer song writer for Gen Y a popular group who are doing well. But when their coach crashes killing one of the main singers in the band as well as another member of the group. Ruby is left to pick up the pieces, but how can she do that when she has lost Ezra her singing partner and her best friend.
Things get harder when it looks like the accident was deliberate, and whoever did this is still out there on the loose, so Ruby has to be taken to a safe house. when Ruby arrives at the safe house she is not impressed it is a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, not a place she wants to be. To top it off she meets Shea, a grumpy, brooding ex officer who had to give up her job after an accident, Shea doesn’t seem to think highly of Ruby. Will these two get on at all?
Ruby is struggling to cope with her loss, she is broken, but Shea is not interested in any of that she is tough and expects Ruby to pull her weight on the farm. But can these two drop their guards and actually get to know each other?
You really feel for Ruby, she is not what Shea believes her to be. It’s only when one of the other bodyguard tells Shea to be a little less harsh on Ruby that things begin to change. Is there a little spark of attraction between the two?
This is a well written suspense romance, as Ruby works more on the farm, Shea begins to realise she may have judged her wrongly. When lives are again put in danger.
I liked both of the main characters in this book, the way they almost hated each other at the beginning, wondering if any of them will stop being so stubborn. This is a perfect evening read curled up in a chair with a hot chocolate and log fire.
Ruby Bright is a singer song writer for Gen Y a popular group who are doing well. But when their coach crashes killing one of the main singers in the band as well as another member of the group. Ruby is left to pick up the pieces, but how can she do that when she has lost Ezra her singing partner and her best friend.
Things get harder when it looks like the accident was deliberate, and whoever did this is still out there on the loose, so Ruby has to be taken to a safe house. when Ruby arrives at the safe house she is not impressed it is a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, not a place she wants to be. To top it off she meets Shea, a grumpy, brooding ex officer who had to give up her job after an accident, Shea doesn’t seem to think highly of Ruby. Will these two get on at all?
Ruby is struggling to cope with her loss, she is broken, but Shea is not interested in any of that she is tough and expects Ruby to pull her weight on the farm. But can these two drop their guards and actually get to know each other?
You really feel for Ruby, she is not what Shea believes her to be. It’s only when one of the other bodyguard tells Shea to be a little less harsh on Ruby that things begin to change. Is there a little spark of attraction between the two?
This is a well written suspense romance, as Ruby works more on the farm, Shea begins to realise she may have judged her wrongly. When lives are again put in danger.
I liked both of the main characters in this book, the way they almost hated each other at the beginning, wondering if any of them will stop being so stubborn. This is a perfect evening read curled up in a chair with a hot chocolate and log fire.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews