A review by happily_after_heas
In Which Winnie Halifax Is Utterly Ruined by Alexandra Vasti

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I am utterly ruined by Alexandra Vasti and all that she writes. This novella is a damn delight and everyone should pick it up. Alex may be the new queen of the novella because she knows how to give us exactly what we want within a limited amount of space. She wastes no time, no words, no scene to keep the story moving forward. 

Winnie has led a hard life and cannot trust anyone but herself. Caught in a lie, Winnie must find a way to make things right for Spencer Halifax so he is not brought down because of an innocent lie that was never intended to hurt anyone. Winnie has been on her own for many years after her mother abandoned her. She cannot depend on anyone and has issues trusting new people and relinquishing any independence. But enter Spencer Halifax and all bets are off. 

Spencer first meets Winnie covered in dirt and animal feces and has a very low opinion of her. One bath later, however, and he is perfectly smitten. He immediately sees beyond the stunning beauty that she is to the intelligent and shrewd woman she hides to make her way in the world. And that alone knocks him off his axis. They both tread carefully around the other as to not frighten the other or themselves as they traverse this new relationship that develops into a friendship of mutual respect. 

However, neither can fight the mutual attraction to the other and eventually a physical relationship develops. Each continues to proclaim that they will not remain together despite the realization that they actually like the other and are incendiary in the bedroom. However, reality intrudes in the most awkward form--family, sisters, specifically--and the two must confront their feelings and decide to make the lie the truth.