I have to say, this was a stinkin’ sweet novella. The main characters, Eli and Malia, were each holding onto so much grief, but being flung together, they were able to start healing.

The island setting was perfect. I appreciated the descriptions of the people and setting. Palm trees, beach bar, quirky locals. And let me not forget Kai the goofy friend and Nana the super sassy grandma. So fun.

I’d happily read more by this author.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This review was also posted on Goodreads.

“Anchored in You” by T. Atkins is a short story about two grieving souls brought together by fate.

Malia is strong, but her grief consumes her in ways that feel more like surviving than living. She shows up every day—for the bar, for her Nana—but mostly to avoid facing the pain she isn’t ready to confront. Then Eli crashes into her life, carrying his own grief and quiet vulnerability.

Their bond forms through shared loss—both feeling broken and distant from anything that resembles love. I loved how Malia makes space for Eli even when she feels like she has none left and how Eli, in turn, makes her feel seen and pushes her to face her emotions.

The small-town island setting adds warmth, and the side characters bring lightness to the story.

The only thing that didn’t fully work for me was the short length—I wanted more depth in their journey, and the emotional progression at times felt a bit rushed.

Overall, it’s a good pick for readers looking for a quick, emotional small-town romance shaped by grief and fate.