Winner of a Chill with a Book Award
She’s grieving her lost love. He’s searching for his lost niece. Can attraction overcome family loyalty in this enemies to lovers romance?
Hiding away in a tiny Yorkshire village, Harriet is grieving for her lost love. His family won’t talk to her and she can’t move on from from his death. All this changes when his daughter, Niamh, turns up on her doorstep, needing a sympathetic ear.
Tim thinks Harriet broke up his sister’s marriage all those years ago. His sister’s enemies are his enemies. When his niece runs away to Harriet’s house, he knows he has to get her back before his sister finds out. But that means talking with Harriet.
As they work together to console Niamh and get her home safely, Tim and Harriet become increasingly attracted to each other.
But with attraction comes guilt.
Can they overcome their respective loyalties and give in to love?
Core Themes
- Grief and Healing: A central exploration of how different people—a partner, a child, and a sibling—navigate the aftermath of a sudden death.
- Enemies-to-Lovers / Forbidden Attraction: Features the high-tension dynamic of a man falling for the woman he blames for his sister’s heartbreak and woman who feels disloyal to her dead lover when she has feelings for someone else.
- Family Loyalty vs. Personal Happiness: Examines the “guilt of moving on” and the friction between staying loyal to family grudges and following one’s heart.
- The “Other Woman” Perspective: A nuanced look at a character often cast as a villain, humanizing her grief and showing the complexity of her past relationship. Harriet also appears in Snowed In, where we see her at her worst. You don’t have to read Snowed In, or any of the other books in the series – this story works as a standalone.
Atmosphere & Tone
- Emotional & Poignant: While part of a romance series, this book is noted for being “darker” and more “serious” than typical rom-coms, dealing heavily with family drama.
- Small-Town Sanctuary: Set in a tiny Yorkshire village, creating an intimate, secluded atmosphere where secrets are hard to keep and emotions are amplified.
- Authentic & Mature: The tone is grounded and realistic, avoiding “easy” fixes for complex emotional trauma and family fractures.
- Heartwarming Recovery: Despite the heavy start, the story transitions into a hopeful narrative about finding a place where you truly belong.
Reader Emotional Experience
- “Emotional Punch”: Reviewers frequently mention that this story “packs a wallop,” moving them to tears through its depiction of loss.
- Torn Loyalties: Readers mention that they felt deeply conflicted alongside the characters, experiencing the same “heart vs. head” struggle that the protagonists face.
- Healing & Satisfaction: Readers describe the ending as “absolute perfection” and “fitting,” providing a sense of closure and emotional maturity.
What Readers Love Most
- The Character Growth: Reviewers praise the significant development of the three main characters (Harriet, Tim, and the teenager Niamh) as they learn to forgive. Sometimes life is terrible and it’s not anyone’s fault.
- Realistic Teen Portrayal: Niamh is often highlighted as a standout character—a “wise beyond her years” yet authentic teenager who serves as the bridge between the two adults.
- Sensitivity: Readers appreciate the story handles sensitive subjects like infidelity, bereavement, and alcoholism with grace and realism.
- Character-Driven Plot: Even as a novella, readers felt the story was not rushed, focusing heavily on internal growth rather than just external tropes.
Perfect For:
- Readers looking for “emotional contemporary drama” or “second chance romance” with deep stakes.
- Fans of “enemies-to-lovers” stories where the conflict is rooted in serious family history.
- Readers searching for “books about grief and healing” or “found family” narratives.
Readers who enjoy authors like Liane Moriarty or Sophie Kinsella, but want a shorter, more emotionally concentrated “quick read” that still feels substantial.
Here are some more reviews for Belonging:
“A short story that will leave you entertained, enlightened and reaching to make that call to a friend or love one who you haven’t spoken to in a while. ” Hayley Reviews 10
“The romance was sweet and emotional… and the ending to this little gem of a story was absolute perfection!” Audio Killed the Bookmark
“… an uplifting story which shows its best to open up and share your grief and deal with in head on” That Thing She Reads
“Rhoda Baxter gives her readers a deeper insight into the grieving process in this witty, heartfelt novella!” Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews
“My heart broke for Niamh.” Dash Fan Book Reviews
“A lovely heart warming read … Would definitely recommend, but don’t forget the tissues!” Stardust Book Reviews
“This is a quick read, but really packs an emotional punch.” The Book Review
“It is an emotive, contemporary family drama and romance, with a lovely ending to leave you with a smile on your face.” “I enjoyed it so much that I went to look at other books by this author “ Splashes Into Books
“Second chances, new beginnings and a heartwarming vibe make this book extra special!” Rae Reads
“The story is not just a quick chick lit read it is quite emotional at times and has some real added depth that made it stand out for me.” Donna’s Book Blog
“A lovely and emotional story.” B for Book Review
“The characters are wonderful. The story is true to life. I recommend picking up your own copy.” A Soccermom’s Book Blog
“gave me all the feels and exceeded my expectations… hands down, a five star read.” Touch My Spine Book Reveiws
“It may only be a shortish book but it carries so much charm, emotion and understanding.” Ali the Dragon Slayer
“This book is full of drama and emotion with a little bit of romance too.” Coffee and Kindle Book Reviews
“I read this book in one sitting and didn’t even have a cuppa in between. Loved it.” Six Tinder Weeks
“A beautifully told tale about bereavement and letting go.” Against The Flow Press
Why not check out Belonging and see if you agree with the reviews?
Jeevani Charika and Rhoda Baxter 