What If: In Too Deep Interlude

by Nicole Fiorina

A nostalgic piece of New York City . Meet rap god, Ty Hendrix, and his SoHo daydream in What If––a 12 hour soul-searching adventure wrapped in a romantic and emotional short story.

"Do you really want New York City tearing apart your west coast heart?"

My name is Tyler Hendrix, and there used to be a beat inside my head. I’m confident I was born with it and the only one who heard it. The constant pulse was more than music. For years I depended on it, like a born-again addict. Until one day, a single gunshot took more than my beat away. I’ve been searching for it ever since.
“ … this short story was packed with beautiful words, heartbreak and heat. She captured NYC perfectly - both its optimism and it’s crushing realism. Kate and Ty are a dynamic duo … Do yourselves a favor and grab this short story. It will blow your mind!” — Amazon Reviewer; Nicki S. ✓ Rapper Romance ✓ Opposites Attract ✓ Emotional Scars ✓ Forced Proximity Pact ✓ Plot Twist

Genres: Romance, Novella, Contemporary Romance, Music

116 pages, Paperback

Published June 17, 2022

About the author

Nicole Fiorina is the #1 Best Selling Author in Poetry for her debut trilogy, Stay with Me, and Amazon’s #1 Best Selling Author in Gothic Romance for Hollow Heathens. She has four published titles, all translated into multiple languages.

Her writing style and stories are known to evoke imagery and emotion, varying across all sub-genres, settings, and time periods due to her ambition to live a thousand lives. She's a rule breaker who cannot be confined in a box, except when she's in the writing cave. In this case, she will lose track of time and will have to be dragged away. When she's not writing, she's busy being inspired, traveling, or planning her next book—with one hand on her laptop and the other balancing a latte.

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Reading Order

Stay with Me Series:
Stay with Me
Even When I'm Gone
Now Open Your Eyes

Tales of Weeping Hollow Collection:
Hollow Heathens: Book of Blackwell
Bone Island: Book of Danvers (coming fall of 2021)

Stand-alones:
Ethan (coming end of 2021)
Love Sick Fool (coming Spring 2022)

Reviews

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wowww. The ending?!! Definitely need way more of these two because my jaw literally DROPPED when I hit the end of this novella. Cannot wait to see where this story goes🙌🏻

[Mel (whilemelwasreading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ "She was a blend of sweet addiction."

What You'll Find:
✔️Romance Interlude
✔️Celebrity Rapper
✔️Big City Setting
✔️Twisty Ending
✔️Single POV

MINI REVIEW
Did I have any clue what the heck was going on in this story? That would be a no, no I did not. But I was invested in each word as we travel throughout the big city NY setting I love so much in a read. Everything I thought this story was shaping up to be changed in the blink of an eye with that ending. And mostly, with the author's powerful note (read it!). I am keeping this vague, but I am pretty wowed by it. So looking forward to the full length story!

[amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

read Jan 21, 2023 - Jan 21, 2023: 3 stars

[Kiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a love affair with New York and I love when books or films are set in New York. Especially when it doesn’t just give a nod to, but really taps into those nostalgic feelings for me of the City I adore so much. This novella certainly did that for me. It gave me all the feelings of the city and that was just the backdrop to a beautiful story of a soul searching 12 hours between 2 strangers. It’s finally confronting demons of his past for Ty as he rediscovers the city that broke his heart, through new eyes.

I’m so excited that we’re getting a full length book and get to see more of Ty and Kate, but even if we weren’t this novella stands on its own. It’s one of my favourite novellas I’ve ever read.

And the ending…🤯

It’s explained in the authors note at the end of this book but when I first read ‘What If’ in the ‘Beyond the love anthology’ it didn’t have the authors note so when I got to the end I was confused AF 😂 I had about 3 different scenarios running through my head (Not one of them was right-and you won’t guess)

[nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Everyone wants to be loved, but no one want to get hurt. And you will fall in love again, but only after this place breaks your heart. What’s an epic love story, if not a little suffering?” “A tragedy.”

Oof this novella played tricks on my MIND. Energizing, mesmerizing, mysterious, TENSION BUILDING… much like everything Nicole Fiorina touches, this short story gripped my heart and soul from start to finish.

Ty Hendrix is a famous musician whose trying to pick up the pieces of his life. He is going down a dark path, and finds a spot of light in Kate. A chance meeting across the streets of New York, can Kate make him fall in love with the city of dreamers? Can she make him fall back in love with himself and the music? The ending was so mind twisty - I’m still trying to interpret, but that’s kind of my favorite when that happens.

[Michele G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m going to need some time to process this one. This is my first novella and I thought I knew what I was going to get out of this one….a fast paced insta-love story without much depth…..and I couldn’t have been more wrong about that. There is so much to discuss after that completely unexpected ending.

All I have to say is bravo Nicole for completely changing my opinion of novellas. Thank God there will be a full length book to continue their story….because honestly, I’m still not entirely sure what I just read.

If you’ve read this one, go and find me on Instagram (@lattesandlotsofbooks) because I just need to talk about this.

[Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve come to expect a certain beauty with Nicole’s books. And it’s the kind of beauty that lures you in and takes you on an unforgettable journey. What If was no different! I fell in love with Ty’s broken beat, and Kate making him fall for a city that he thought he’d never like. Nicole’s managed to fit in happiness, revival and heartbreak in such a small book, that now I can’t wait to see what she does when In Too Deep really comes out! But whenever it does I’m definitely gonna be the first to read it!!

[Bozena · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Ok, if that's just a glimpses of the whole story then I don't know how I'll survive the whole book.

A very intense, gripping and unpredictable exciting story.
The characters are crazy addictive and the beginning of their story is a tornado of wild emotions.

The ending was such a surprise, I was like What?!? NO!?! Really?!? What the hell just happened 😳

So yes, this short story manages to make a mess of my emotions.
Nothing changed, Nicole's stories were always the most unique and addictive of all.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never felt so emotional reading so few words and thoroughly enjoyed this from beginning to end. Thought provoking and moving. Totally different from anything I typically read and I'm so glad I stepped out of my zone and read this.

[Krys (spicy.spine.breaker) · Rating 3 out of 5]

WOW I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING. 🤯🤯🤯

[Amber Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from the get go, the art work, the writing, the story line everything. Ty and Kate are the perfect push and pull for each other. Ty has some really sad inner struggles and Kate too, but she knows just how to make him change his perception of those. They both help each other through some difficult things. Nicole’s world building and way of writing that makes you feel like you’re roaming the streets of New York with Ty and Kate is incredible. Truly a beautiful story packed into a short novella. The ending left me speechless. So speechless that I’m left wanting more.

And guys, it’s no secret that I am in awe of Nicole Fiorina, simple as that she is an amazing writer and each time I read something she’s wrote I am left craving more. The authors note at the end of this absolutely wowed me, once you read that it really just blows your mind after you’ve read the story. So powerful, without saying what is written in that, just know Nicole puts her heart and soul in each novel she writes, but that authors note absolutely was her putting her heart and soul in this book. I commend her for being so open about it. I cannot wait to read the full length novel of this now.

[Emma Roden · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️

[dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You were once the music, weren’t you?”

5 ⭐️ NICOLE FIORINA REMINDING ME ONCE AGAIN WHY SHE IS MY FAVOURITE AUTHOR.


look i don’t know how she does it, but her MMCs are always the most attractive and irresistibles mfs ever and it’s so unfair none of these men are remotely real.

i really wanted to read this short book for A LONG TIME since it was also the last Nicole book i had to read and finally did it OH MY GOD MY BRAIN IS IN PIECES ALL OVER MY LIVING ROOM!!!!!!!!

first of all. TY HENDRIX WHAT A MAN!!! i miss Ollie Masters everyday and i felt Ty is the closest to him i felt in a long time. instead of a poet, he is a rapper (the same man, different font imho) but both fell at first sight and only Nicole can make this trope plausible. the entire story being from his pov was the perfect move in my opinion. the depth added to him in such short read with the background story was flawless. i loved him so much.

Kate was perhaps less easy to understand as a character, as she is entirely seen from the pov of a infatuated man. but not once she lacked personality or backbone. she has her own backstory that makes her a lot more likeable towards the end. in a full length book she could have her own pov or more complexity added in scenes, making this love story bigger.


i know this is an “interlude”, but im dead serious when i say i don’t wanna experience a future that doesn’t include a full length What If book. i’d do anything to haven it. Nicole, i’d give you money, my soul, my first child. ANYTHING TO HAVE MORE OF THIS STORY AND THESE CHARACTERS.

just PLEASE I AM BEGGING have some closure. the ending was beautiful, don’t get me wrong. but left me with so many questions i was shaking about to eat my kindle. personally it sounded like the perfect interlude, a prelude that screams for a sequel and a happy ending.

i adore alternative and parallel universes stories, and this book having just that at the end was the cherry on top.

i miss Nicole’s writing so much and this made me hungry for more. i can’t put into words how EXCITED i am for whatever she releases next because i know it’s gonna become my new obsession my new personality and no matter what, i know i will LOVE it!!!


P.S: that spicy scene. jesus fucking christ. made me forget about my germophobia completely like what the FUCKKKKKKKKK.

[Lια ☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What If by Nicole Fiorina - 5+ STARS!!!

Ok, but how is it possible that a short story of less than 900 locations on kindle can make me cry four freaking times??? I know I'm a cry baby when it comes to books but this was a new record lol. I have said it before and I will keep saying it, Nicole's words just hid different. I don't know how to explain but she always makes me feel everything.

With Going Going Gone and now What If Nicole was able to make me fall in love with novellas for the first time. How she can create a raw, powerful, intense and emotional story in such a short amount of pages I will never know. I seriously didn't think it was possible. Magic right here!!!

I loved this book from the very first page but that freaking ending, WHAT?!!! I'm still speechless days later and I can't stop thinking about it. What If was everything I could have asked for and at the same time so much more. I'm not saying much and I'm probably making no sense haha but trust me you need to go into this book blind, IT'S PURE PERFECTION!!! 5+ stars easy and my favorite book of the year so far, I seriously can't recommend it enough!

[Carrie West · Rating 3 out of 5]

“And I don’t want you to make love to music, Ty. This is New York. I want you to fuck it.”
-Kate

Torn on this. I guessed a big twist, but overall the story was good. The instant love is what is throwing me off. Kate seems like such a badass, but she seemed to give in to Ty so fast. Maybe that is a character flaw that we see rectified while reading In Too Deep. This doesn’t quite hit the mark for me so going on isn’t determined yet. Both Ty and Kate feel like underdeveloped characters. They are missing something that has them forming a connection within me. That said, knowing their story is making me want to find out more. Ugh. So conflicted!

[D. BookAngel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was loving it until the end...actually that's a lie. I still love it but now I'm just confused. Like wtf was that ending. It left me questioning if I should pick up the rest of the series when it comes out bc how the hell is the author going to pull it all together. Actually a better question is where the fuck is the author taking this?

Anyway, the story was short (obviously it's a novella Angel, duh) but still somehow captivating. And that sex scene, damn was that 🥵 first time in the subway for me (sorry for the spoiler!) But dang I never read a spicy scene that took place there. Well worth the hype that made me pick it up. Eventhough I had dnf one of the author's other books bc it had been too poetic for me. This was well worth the risk.

[Christina's Library · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have enjoyed some of this author's other books, but this one was an absolute flop. This book ends with lots of unanswered questions that it does not provide answers too (no sequel). Also very unrealistic ending the way she just gives in, it would not roll like that.
As I said, I have read other books by this author that I have absolutely loved. So i'm not gonna hold this novella against her.

[Ali (Valentine's Library) · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY FUCK. NICOLE. I HAVE WORDS FOR YOU. HOW!?

that ending TORE OUT MY SOUL. in the BEST AND WORST way. my jaw hit the floor. my best friend was all like, WHAT!? and now i'm forcing her to read it too!!!

please write the novel soon 🥹 this was SO good.

[ashleigh - ladyofdarkriver · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing short story! I loved What If and all of the emotions this short story was able to showcase.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent

Loved the characters and there unpredictable story. This short story had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I can’t wait for more.

[Bianca Rose (Belladonnabooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the uniqueness and backstory of this but it was a bit too weird for me.

[Melannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

The twist at the end was just unfair

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short novella that had you wishing it was a full length book.

[Meagen Sunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. I thought I had a book hangover from Nicole’s Stay with me series, but this one has left me feeling the same. Who new an interlude could pack such a 🥊 punch.
“The aren’t you create in immortal.”
This leaves me yearning for more about Ty & Kate!

[Alyssa(alyssasbookishmind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this! Ty had so many inner struggles it was heartbreaking. But Kate came into the “picture” and was someone that changed his outlook on so many things. They both were able to help eachother through some things, but especially Kate for Ty. Made my heart explode with how important there time together was for him specifically.
I also loved the details and just getting a little glimpse of how New York is seen as I’ve never been there.
But the end had me screaming what, why, no!
I need to know what’s next, what’s happening now. Please let there be love! I need it, and they deserve it!

Rate: 4.5!

[Lozz’s Random Reads McKenzie - Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful gritty novella from Nicola Fiorina ( author of Hollow Heathens, Bone Island, and the stunning, Stay With Me series )


“SHE WAS THE ENTRE CITY IN ONE GIRL “🗽


Twelve hours…..

Disillusioned Rap Artist, Tyler Hendricks, finds himself in New York City with his Insta-worthy, social media darling, model girlfriend, Gemma Perez

Ty,has to stay in New York, due to a contract to sustain his relationship with Gemma, for another three months

While out for the evening, for a date/ meal, an argument ensues.

It has been building up for a while, born out of grief, anger, and frustration with his career, or, lack there of,.

His inspiration, mojo, has disappeared due to, we find out later , a tragic event that happened in…

You guessed it.

New York.


It’s during the process of this argument that Ty first lays eyes on a beautiful blonde haired server, Kate.

He can’t seem to take his eyes of her.

This causes him to do something spontaneous…

Walk up to her, while phones are out,and paparazzi are watching, to plant an earth shattering kiss on her lips.

First the first time in… FOREVER !!! Ty begins to feel the music again.

The words begin to flow, His inspiration is back.

“She was the beat, and I wanted to stay with her a while longer “

It’s at this point he makes an offer to Kate.

“Spend twelve hours with me. I’ll pay you to show me around. To introduce me to all the things that make this city great”
- Ty

“ Do you really want New York City tearing apart your west coast heart ?”
-Kate

As Ty began to feel the music, the music, and the lyrics that had “ been my confidence to throw the first punch, convey a message, or just bleed out “ returning

He offers Kate a sweetener, no alcohol, drugs,or sex for twelves hours he will be completely at her disposal


And so it begins…

We follow these two as they get pizza, go to record stores, stop in parks, bars, and wander the city at night.

Eventually working their way through shared grief and guilt, through their stories, until their growing attraction comes to a head aboard the train bound for Soho, where they started out.

“ I wanted to stay connected to her like this for as long as possible.
To plant myself, grow roots and never leave”
- Ty

This is only a tiny, teeny,story but it packs a punch.

It’s clear that Nicole has also written a love story about her love of New York here.

And as someone who has only experienced it through my TV I LOVED reading this.

It’s also kinda cool how the first page of each chapter changes as the sun begins to set over the twelve hour period.

Day - Evening - Night - Day .

NGL, The ending confused me for one hot minute there though.

Wasn’t to sure where things were heading And whether Ty and Kates story had all happened at all, but then we got…

The KISS,,, 💋😍🙏🏼

[Lo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite never having lived in New York City, I love when authors write about it. It’s so magical. NYC is used in so many stories but it never seems to lose its magic. Nicole’s writing style and the way she puts everything into her stories fits so perfectly with New York City and its spellbinding magic. What If makes me want to move to New York City to experience all of the emotions of the city myself.

And that’s what I love about Nicole, she makes me want these places I’ve never heard of or I’ve never been to. (Okay I’ve been in NYC several times, but she makes me want to live there). There were so many scenes in this story that I could vividly see in my head, I could vividly feel myself in it. It’s so fun to be able to experience that while reading. Like this scene which is *chef’s kiss*:

“I pushed people out of the way, trying to get to the door Kate had disappeared behind. I reached for the door handle, and the world went silent once I was inside, like someone placed noise-canceling headphones over my ears and transported me somewhere else.”

.

I had the noise of the big city in my head and I closed the door with Ty, and embraced the moment of quiet before classical music started up a second later. I loved being in Ty’s broken mind, trying to heal itself in 12 hours. I know what it’s like to have a place tainted by a memory and what it’s like to work through that, to process your thoughts and emotions regarding it. I know the feeling that comes from being back in that tainted place. I don’t know if I would have been strong enough to try and recreate new memories at my place, but it was really cool to see Ty work on his with Kate.

The Ending

I don’t know how I’d feel about the ending if Nicole hadn’t said that she would be continuing Ty and Kate’s story. Because damn that ending was disappointing! It left me saying wait what- nooooooo!! Because I wanted it all to be true. To be real! And it hurts me that it wasn’t!! So I’m very curious to see where Nicole takes this after ending the story like that. I’m excited! Despite the ending being disappointing in my opinion, I understood it more after reading Nicole’s author note. Wow, that was a vulnerable and powerful note. It made me okay with the ending. It goes to show how much of herself Nicole puts in her stories, all her love and emotions.


What If and Going, Going, Gone are both cut from the same magical cloth.

5/5 stars

P.S.. I feel like sidewalks are important in their story.

We were about to meet on the sidewalk. It always began for us on the sidewalk.

Favorite Quotes
“Despite looking breakable, the world she was lost in was unshakeable.”
“Kate wasn’t just one girl in this city. She was the entire city in one girl.”
“I could create my own versions of heaven under the influence.”
“It matters. It’s a part of you, right?”
“If it were at all possible, in a whispered rush, the sad music managed to make it feel like my heart was aching.”
“Do you really want New York City tearing apart your west coast heart?”
“I like how she referred to the city and her as we.”
“This is New York. Passionate, intense, alive, fast, and manic.”

[Yolanda | yolandaannmarie.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

What If is a prequel to a full novel coming soon, titled In Too Deep.
Available on Kindle Unlimited.

What If spans 12 hours in New York, and follows Ty and Kate; a musician and waitress.
If you're familiar with NF's work, or have read Going Going Gone (another prequel), Ty is Linc's brother!

This was a really interesting read about reigniting passion, and seeing the beauty in New York. It covers themes that include drug and alcohol addiction.
The author's note really got me and I can't even begin to imagine how personal this story is.
After that twisty ending, I am SO eager to explore more of Ty & Kate. I just need to know what happens and how it plays out.
Knocked off half a star for the sex on the subway because it was kind of questionable.


QUOTES:

"I didn't know which was worse: knowing you were about to lose the only thing that mattered, or it being taken away from you without warning."

"Places are much like people, you can only see a new place objectively once. At first glance. After that, your opinion of a place will be tainted."

"There's a reason we have skulls around our brains and cages around our hearts. Everyone wants to be loved, but no one wants to get hurt. And you will fall in love again, but only after this place breaks your heart. What's an epic love story, if not a little suffering?"
"A tragedy."

"If Manhattan were the heart of New York, the subway stations were the lungs."

"The art you create is immortal."

[the_page_escape · Rating 4 out of 5]

POV: male- 1st person
Spice: 🌶️
Tropes:
-Rapper Romance
- Opposites Attract
- Emotional Scars
- Forced Proximity Pact
- Plot Twist

What happens when the universe takes the reins?
Ty hendrix.. is a rapper who lost his beat..
Kate is a struggling cafe owner in SoHo..
a chance meeting..
Is 12 hrs enough time to alter the course of your life?

I went into this blind. I only knew that I have loved Nicole’s other books. This one did not disappoint. This novelette is a mere glimpse of a much larger story to come titled, In too Deep.

To me this book was all about how big the world is but how every living thing has a role to play. Fate versus destiny and how to move forward after tragedy.

Even with it being a quick read, I enjoyed the peak at these seemingly complex characters and look forward to their story unraveling in the full length book.

The plot twist, like others through me in the best ways as I’m not often surprised.
The essential cliff hanger, not a fan but who ever likes them?
I’m ready for In Too Deep, NOW!

“ The art you create is immortal”

“Like I said, Ty, places are like people. There’s a reason we have skulls around our brains and cages around our hearts. Everyone wants to be loved, but no one wants to get hurt. And you will fall in love again, but only after this place breaks your heart. What’s an epic love story, if not a little suffering?” “A tragedy.”