Dana Carpenter is a woman on the run. After secreting away money for the past year, since her last attempt, she leaves her abusive ten-year marriage. Having found a job in a town nearly an hour away, she hopes it will be far enough that her husband won’t come searching for her.
Dylan Turner has a bit of a reputation. Ever since his wife divorced him years ago, he’s been content to bed women but not let anyone get too close. But all that turns upside down from the moment he sees the new girl step out of the office at work.
Tasked with training Dana, Dylan’s flirty and forward. And she’s not going stand for that. Unbeknownst to her, that’s exactly Dylan’s type. As their friendship grows and she keeps denying his advances, despite her mutual attraction, things become apparent to them both–they aren’t at all like the other believes.
Dylan’s tragic past and Dana’s harrowing present collide as a misstep brings Dana’s husband to Willowbrook. Dylan is determined not to let history repeat itself and swears to protect her.
As emotions run high, the two of them finally give in to the feelings they’ve been fighting. But when the dust settles, will their agreement to keep their emotions separate from the physical still hold true? Will Dylan return to his old ways? Will Dana be able to bear it if he does?
Tropes: hellcat on the run x promiscuous, cocky cowboy, grumpy/sunshine, he thinks he can’t love again, sexy banter, great side characters, small town romance, instalust for both of them, so much tension, pancakes in bed
Available: Kindle – Kindle Unlimited – Paperback
Content Warnings
Domestic Violence- This story heavily references domestic violence histories of both of the main characters. The MMC grew up in a violent household, where both he and his mother were abused, and his father murdered his mother. The MMC has been previously married, and while no physical violence happened, they were prone to screaming at each other. The FMC is just leaving an abusive marriage. Most of it is historical and off-page. However, the abusive husband finds her and attempts to abduct her. The ex-husband stalks her and breaks into the apartment she is renting, destroying her things—she is not present when this happens. Both of the main characters have triggered responses to the things that are happening—including compulsive/reflexive actions and panic attacks.
Weapons- The FMC’s ex attempts to abduct her at knifepoint. The MMC stops the abduction with a handgun.
Sexual Coercion- The FMC’s abusive husband hurts her to force her to kiss him back.
Parental/Spousal Death– Historical. Several characters have parents or a spouse who have died. None of the deaths occur on page. Most are referenced in passing. In this story, the MMC’s mother was murdered by his abusive father. The act of finding his mother’s body is discussed.
Strained Relationship with Parents– The MMC’s father murdered his mother. He dreads the day he might be released from prison.
Divorce– Discussion and references to MMC’s marriage ending, friends’ marriages that ended in divorce, the possibility of separation and divorce of a friend couple
Anxious Character- The FMC is constantly anxious about the possibility of her ex-husband finding her. The MMC is constantly anxious about his ability to protect the FMC
Barely Scraping By- The FMC leaves her husband with very little and spends most of the money she was about to hide on rent and the necessities. She can barely afford food and so she ends up losing weight for a few weeks. Coworkers help her with lunches.
Heavy Sexual Banter- The MMC is extremely forward with the FMC. It’s not unwelcome, though she often questions his appropriateness in the beginning. It comes to be a facet of their growing relationship.
Explicit Sex
Shonna Preston 