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Indigo Franks is tired of hanging out in the friend zone…

But when she discovers a letter from her Secret Admirer, she allows herself to hope that she may finally have the sort of relationship she craves. When an unexpected illness and a dark family secret force her to enlist the help of her broody co-worker, Freddy, it isn’t long until sparks ignite, and she starts to imagine a future with him. Will Indigo see where her relationship with Freddy takes her, or will she stay true to the unnamed man she’s connected with through words on a page?

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 30, 2022

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About the author

Dulcie Dameron

18 books473 followers
Dulcie is a wife and mother who channels her free spirit into the stories she pours onto the page. Her romance writing obsession turned day job is fueled by caffeine, sarcasm, and kisses from her bearded grump. If you love stories with sizzling tension minus the spice, add her books to your never-ending TBRs.

Find her on Instagram at @dulciedameron

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5 stars
65 (53%)
4 stars
38 (31%)
3 stars
14 (11%)
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4 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Judith McNees.
Author 7 books70 followers
October 2, 2022
Sad to see it end

This was a lovely conclusion to the series, although I hope someday Danny gets his own story (wink wink).

I loved the idea of the secret admirer writing letters. Swoon.

Sweet, clean, with some Christian elements and a small town feel.
Profile Image for Jessica Scachetti.
Author 9 books160 followers
September 9, 2022
Well Done

Not Until You is a sweet love story that intricately interweaves relatable family crises into the faith-based romantic plot line and realistically conveys each character's emotions throughout the story.

I really enjoyed the family dynamic amongst the Franks.  Especially between Indigo, her mother and her sister. Despite facing illness and newly revealed family secrets, these family members manage to keep their heads above water, which has much to do with their Christian faith.

Freddy, the hero, is an Ace in the hole. Broody and stand offish upon first encounters, but secretly and safeguardely sweet and charming beneath the surface. Most importantly, he is a man after God's own heart.

The relationship that develops between Freddy and Indy is adorably cute and slow burning. The two share a faith in Christ that is awe inspiring.

An overall enjoyable read that gave me all the feels: giddiness from the swoonworthy romance, a few good laughs from the banter and heartfelt tears from the tear jerking moments. Well done Dulcie!
Profile Image for Maiya P. K..
13 reviews
September 5, 2022
I adored this book!
The story plot was not only unique, but I’m so glad that Dulcie was able to touch on subjects that most clean reads shy away from. No spoilers, but it was tastefully done and got my all up in my feels. I’m not such a proponent of an age gap, but seeing as how they are popular, this was the first one that I read that I liked.
The main characters had substances and depth to their personality, and while I was reading it, I actually felt like I was watching a movie. It was that good!

I loved Freddy and all of the additional characters but the love letters are what got me. Not only was a sweet way to connect, but they were able to genuinely fall in love with each other and I fell in love with the way Dulcie wrote about it.🧡
This was my first book from Dulcie, and I can promise you that it is not my last.
Profile Image for Heather Wood.
Author 7 books265 followers
March 16, 2023
This Christian series is comfort reads, I like the characters
Profile Image for Latisha Sexton.
Author 11 books477 followers
Read
May 22, 2025
This book was so cute with a lot of heart. I adored Freddy. He's so sweet, but so shy and afraid of being judged for his past sins.

Indigo is bubbly and sweet, the perfect match for Freddy.

I loved the secret letters and the strong faith that ran throughout the book.
Profile Image for Joanna Alonzo.
Author 38 books121 followers
Read
September 5, 2022
This book had me at Chapter One.

I volunteered to be part of this street team on the strength of Sweet Imaginings, the short story I read by Dulcie Dameron. I liked her writing style, and I wanted to find out more about River Hollow. It also helped that several authors I followed were gushing about Dulcie Dameron's work, so I was curious what the gush was all about. Also, I was already quite intrigued by the premise of this book, so this romance already had my interest piqued from the get-go.



It started out fine with the first few pages introducing Indigo's home and work life, but when she got to the parking lot after work to find a letter from her secret admirer, I was hooked. Point of no return. With you until the very end, sweet Indigo and broody Freddy.



I have to admit I do have a bit of a weakness for bad-boys-turned-good types of stories, and Freddy Velez definitely fits that bill. He is sulky, broody, and mysterious, and Indigo is rightfully wary of her library co-worker at first.



At some point, however — mostly because Indigo needs his help — Freddy and Indigo get to know each other, and I love, love, love the progression of their relationship.



While I expected Indigo to be the spiritual anchor of the story, I was surprised to find that it was Freddy who took on this role. Guilt-ridden and uncertain about how he would be accepted, he struggles to fit into a town that already has some preconceived ideas about him, so he keeps to himself and tries to cling to the Lord. He is far from a perfect protagonist with his fair share of doubts and insecurities, and that's a huge part of his appeal.



Read full review here .
Profile Image for Meagan.
236 reviews13 followers
September 1, 2022
If you like any of Dulcie Dameron’s other books, you’re going to love this one.

I love when books are set in a library. It’s my little bookish heart’s dream come true. Add a secret admirer letters, a silent broody librarian, and a bit of mystery and I’m interested. This is told in dual perspective. I find it’s always nice to know the thoughts behind the broody stares. I loved the character development, the HEA, and the close knit family.

I received an eARC from the author. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Tawni Suchy.
Author 11 books753 followers
August 29, 2022
This is a book that I don’t want to ruin with spoilers. So i won’t. I’ll just say…this is a must read for anyone who loves clean romance (specifically Christian romance) and swoons at the idea of a secret admirer writing you cute notes. As usual, the plot runs deeper than the unfolding romantic relationship between Indy and her secret pen pal admirer. A secret brings into question everything Indy believed about her family. When she ropes in her handsome, quiet, and broody co-worker, Freddy you can’t help but love him. This has a dual POV (which is my FAVORITE), faith elements, an ex-con, and strong family ties set in the quaint River Hollow. We get glimpses of past MCs through the story and it just adds to the already fantastic story! Dulcie, this is a great ending to a wonderful series!
Profile Image for D..
1,899 reviews
September 6, 2022
Indigo is waiting for romance to fall into her lap and then it does. Watching Indigo go through some personal struggles and enlist the help of Freddy was interesting to read. They are quite witty. But then there is the "secret admirer"...that an interesting twist. This was a great book.
1,658 reviews
January 7, 2023
I enjoyed reading this sweet romance! I love libraries and it was fun to read about a librarian and a researcher falling in love while working at a library. There were letters in this book, which is an element I love in stories, and the secret admirer aspect of the book added the perfect amount of romantic tension.

This series by Dulcie Dameron is one I really enjoyed reading! I love her writing style, and I am looking forward to reading more books by her in the future!

Content:
Clean romance
Parent with illness
Profile Image for Manee Contreras.
266 reviews12 followers
September 5, 2022
Romance level: kissing.

I loved this book!! I felt bad for Indigo and her family in the first few paragraphs. I've always liked the way there's mystery surrounding the characters in Dulcie's books.

I really like Freddy, he's just such a shy tattooed babe😍. I liked his gesture from the start, it was super sweet. And I loved how he developed around Indigo. That hug was precious 💞.

I loved this second chance in God💙 Dulcie's books tend to become some of my favorites. I have no doubt God talks to me through her books, especially the Bible passages shared. It just fills my spirit and I'm super grateful to experience it.

I loved how Freddy seeks God while struggling with fear and anxiety about his past. He was helpful, supportive, kind and just such a good person. Despite his rough exterior with tattoos and muscles, he's a softie. Just like s'mores 🍫.

I loved how they prayed whenever they felt fear, anxiety or didn't know what to do/say. You could see God's hand throughout the story💙.

I loved the gesture and them being together 😍 Their kisses were really sweet and 🔥. These two were amazing. As for second characters, Evelyn was so funny 😂.

I love this series! I just can't get enough of all of them.

🍁
* I was kindly gifted an ARC from the author. This doesn't influence in any form my review/opinion of the book*
Profile Image for AndreAna.
82 reviews13 followers
August 31, 2022
Secrets Admirers… we might have all wished we had one when we were younger, some of us might have actually had one! I don’t think I have ever had one, but I have always wanted to read a book with this trope and Dulcie Dameron’s new book “Not Until You,” gives us such a sweet and fun one!

I always love being back in River Hollow! This is such a special place! I really loved getting to know Indigo and her family! They definitely fit in with this small town, Christian series and it was so fun to be along for their ride! There was a lot that happen but I was really touched by this story and the forgiveness that comes throughout!

The book lover in me also really enjoyed that a lot of this book took place at their town’s library!! What a dream for a reader! You can’t help but love these people and this town! Check out this sweet, Christian Romance, releasing soon on September 4th!

*I received a free review copy of this book from the author, all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Tricia Anson.
586 reviews56 followers
August 29, 2022
Not Until You is a story of the sweet, local librarian in the small town of River Hollow getting letters from a secret admirer. Her co-worker, Freddy, is a loner and an ex-con who barely talks to anyone. When Indigo needs help digging into a bit of a family mystery, Freddy is the man for the job.

I don’t feel like I can say much more without giving some major things away, but this is a sweet story of two people peeling back layers and discovering more than meets the eye. With a never-been-kissed FMC, letter writing, some hardships and mystery, this is a sweet and swoony, realistic Contemporary Christian Romance with the sweetest HEA. ♥️

Trigger warning for a family member dealing with a brain tumor.
Profile Image for Charity.
637 reviews90 followers
August 28, 2022
What a great book!

Who hasn't dreamed of having a secret admirer? Well, Indigo has one, and boy is he something! I don't want to spoil anything, so am not writing much here. Suffice it to say that I'm still smiling over it, and you need to read it!

Secret admirer, swoony co-worker with a past, gorgeous author, plot twist, beautiful librarian, secret, long-lost relative...

Have I piqued your interest?

What a great series!

And now if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to River Hollow.

*I received a free review copy of this book from the author. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.*
Profile Image for Meagan Rogers.
Author 3 books20 followers
September 5, 2022
The final chapter of River Hollow is amazing! You're going to love this sweet Christian Romance.
Freddy is one of my favorite Characters in this series. Dorian still holds number one in my heart.

"you should never settle for being a side character in anyone's story. You are one hundred perfect a lead character."

Broody tattooed man
swoony nickname
love letters /secret admirer
sweet kisses!
1,856 reviews26 followers
September 15, 2022
secrets reveal love and family

I loved this story! I can’t wait to read the others in the series. Secrets kept can mean a lot of missed blessings. Secrets revealed, at times, can bring love and family that we never could have expected or imagined. Very well done!!!
Profile Image for Jeannette Harbottle.
787 reviews10 followers
November 18, 2023
A librarian's dream

An introvert and an extrovert ignore one another, until a family secret forces Indigo to ask for help. As they get to know each other, their insecurities threaten to derail their relationship, but with honesty and lots of prayer, there is a happily ever after, in more ways than one.
Profile Image for Jordan (maui.seaside.reading).
32 reviews2 followers
January 19, 2023
Such a creative and cute read!

“Indigo, I don’t know what those other guys’ problems were, but you should never settle for being a side character in anyone’s story. You are one hundred percent a lead character. The whole-show-stopping act, if you ask me.”

Dulcie is always able to bring in so much emotion and heartfelt moments in her books with a good balance of lighthearted fun and clean swoon worthy love too. The self discovery and spiritual transformations that her characters go through is always astounding.

“No person is good before they encounter Jesus. If we were, we wouldn’t have need of Him.”

❤️ Secret Admirer
❤️ Love Letters
❤️ Librarians
❤️ Family Mystery to Solve
❤️ Road Trip
❤️ Heartbreak
❤️ Trials of Faith

Indigo is a sweet Librarian who wants to find everlasting love. Freddy is a quiet researcher with a sketchy past who has recently turned to religion to start a new life. One family secret will start these two coworkers on a journey together they never expected.
Profile Image for Lesley Barklay.
Author 9 books18 followers
November 12, 2023
This sweet romance includes the following:
- a secret admirer
- letter writing
- main characters work in a library
- he falls first (lots of delicious yearning)
- swoony kisses
- faith in hard times, and
- a long lost brother

If any of those things sound good to you, you should totally pick up Not Until You.
461 reviews5 followers
December 22, 2025
This clean & wholesome book is part of the Secrets of River Hollow series and can be read as a standalone.
I would not have chosen this book to read if I had known it was a YA book as that genre is not one I am interested in. That being said, I'm glad I didn't know as it was an excellent book!
The author was able to convey how a person's past does not define their present or future. The storyline was grounded in reality with authentic characters and topics that aren't sugar coated or skimmed over.
I liked the dual POV's as well as that the story is faith based.
I received an ARC and this is my voluntary review.
Profile Image for Emily .
97 reviews
November 7, 2022
This was a fun read! I liked seeing Indigo and Freddy’s relationship grow. I loved returning to River Hollow, although I wish there was just a little more interaction with the characters in the first three books. If you like sweet romance with faith elements then this book is worth the read!
Profile Image for Kylie Bingham.
175 reviews7 followers
September 5, 2022
Book review: Not Until You by Dulcie Dameron
.
I received an eARC. All opinions are my own
.
Freddy may be one of my new favorite MCs! He is definitely book boyfriend worthy! I loved how well written the love story was in this book. I really loved the secret admirer and letter writing. I thought it was very creative.
There was A LOT going on on the sidelines of this book. Between the family secret and her father’s sickness there wasn’t much time going deeper into Freddy and Indy’s pasts. It was glanced over and we know what happened but I wish we could have seen more of the healing they went through together. There was also a lot in Freddy’s past that i would have liked to see him resolve. Their pasts made them who they are and that was what was so special about them. I just wish it could have had more detail.
There was also many side things going on we didn’t really get to know one of the characters who ended up being really important in this story. Everything worked together, but I wish this book would have been a little longer. I loved the Christian take and how faith got the characters through so much. It is always refreshing to read a Christian romance!
.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content: very clean
Profile Image for Konrie Angel.
273 reviews1 follower
November 14, 2023
swoon worthy book with the mysterious brooding male and bubbly girl without any bedroom scenes

I love these characters!!!! They are so fleshed out and well rounded. This is the first book i have read by Dulcie Dameron and it will not be the last. I always love when characters are readers too, it feels like cheating but i cannot resist how much i love being able to identify with that character. I loved the depth of the love interest’s emotions, worries, and problems he has to work though.🦒 I love the ADORABLE notes Indigo writes for him near the end. Those rhymes were so cute! Worth buying for my shelves
Profile Image for Vickie.
46 reviews2 followers
June 24, 2024
The fourth book in the River Hollow series leads us to some characters who really haven't been talked about yet, though Indigo was in the previous book for just a second. Freddy is adorable and awkward so he begins leaving Indigo love letters which would make ME swoon, for sure. They are sweet once they figure out they belong together, but there is a bit of a mystery they have to solve and I felt like that stole away time to get to know Indigo and Freddy better, but that's just me. Still a sweet story with a great cast of townspeople, too.
Profile Image for Readingintheweehours.
319 reviews44 followers
November 25, 2023
Dulcie has done it again!

Mercy. I'm still swooning. My little wannabe librarian heart is still in flight. Freddy is so quiet, so unknown...but he doesn't miss a thing. Indigo is outgoing, but convinced she has nothing to offer. I love the gentle pursuing matched with the supportive strength found in this story....and of course scenes that sweep readers off their feet. I love it!
Profile Image for Erika Urriola.
Author 1 book6 followers
December 3, 2023
This was my first book by the author, and I really enjoyed it. A wholesome and adorable read, even if a little predictable. I called the Happily Ever After before finishing the first chapter, but that didn't stop the author from throwing in some delightful curveballs. Squeaky clean and as sweet as they come. Well done.
Profile Image for Rhiannon Hinton.
440 reviews9 followers
September 26, 2023
I loved it!

What you'll find inside:
*Christian characters
*Broody ex-con, outgoing librarian
*Family secrets
*Secret admirer
20 reviews
December 8, 2023
3.5. The plot was a little fast-paced. No. Cussing or inappropriate scenes tho.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews