The Restoration Program: A Twisted Romantic Suspense Novel

by Mary Dublin, Anne Kendsley

"Thought-provoking, sexy, and brilliantly f*cked up!" -Grace O'Hare, author of The Moth and the Bear

"I was hooked." -Skylar, Goodreads Reviewer

“Everything from the writing, to the world-building to the character development was fantastic... Absolutely mind-blowing.” -Calliope, Goodreads Reviewer

Nicole’s tragic death was only the beginning. Against all odds, Nicole Zhou wakes up from a fatal car accident to find that she is a beneficiary of a cutting-edge the Restoration Program. By transferring her consciousness into a new body, her life has been saved. The only problem? Her new body is merely ten inches tall. As she tries to continue building a life with her boyfriend, Ryan Northe, she struggles to grapple with the strange world developing around her. With each passing day, she questions whether the procedure really saved her life or plunged her into a fate worse than death. Regardless of her fears, both the Restoration Program and Ryan what was lost has been restored. The first in a thrilling New Adult trilogy filled with suspense, romance, and the dawning of a new, strange world, The Restoration Program is perfect for fans of Black Mirror, Westworld, and romance books with an existential twist. It should appeal widely to fans who enjoy a love story turned darkly on its head.

Genres: Science Fiction

390 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2023

About the author

Mary Dublin was born and raised in the heart of Florida and has had a passion for storytelling since childhood. Her love for words began at a young age, where she found solace in books that transported her to fantastical worlds and inspired her to begin dreaming of her own stories.

After completing her Bachelor's degree in Character Animation/Emerging Media, Mary went on to pursue a career in communications and take on her dream of becoming a writer. With her unique style of writing, Mary's books are a blend of aching romance, heart-pounding drama, and suspense. Her characters are flawed, complex, and leave a lasting impression on her readers.

Apart from writing, Mary is a passionate traveler, and her experiences in different parts of the world inspire elements in her novels. When she's not writing, she can be found practicing yoga, trying new hiking trails, or curled up with a good book on a rainy day.

Reviews

[Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever asked your SO if they'd still love you if you were turned into a worm 🪱? (My husband said he'd put dirt in his shirt pocket for me and carry me around, and I assured him I'd do the same.)

This book really puts that to the test (sans the worm part, thankfully).

(FMC) Nicole is in a tragic accident, and instead of passing away, she's given a new opportunity at life through ✨️The Restoration Program✨️.

Since her SO, Ryan, was her emergency contact after her accident, he got to make the call whether she passed away or was restored to a new body. The twist? The new body is only about 1 foot tall.

Nicole is adjusting to life in a brand new body (that she didn't have any say in being put in) as well as adjusting to her new size and the many difficulties that presents. (MMC) Ryan is just thrilled to have her back and spends a large portion of the book being the ever supportive SO and trying to help Nicole adjust in any way he can.

Society, however, treats 'The Restored' like outcasts, making it even more difficult for Nicole to adjust. The Restoration Program seems a bit too good to be true and is shrouded in mystery. Follow Nicole and Ryan as they try and keep their relationship and their lives from unraveling.

Without spoiling anything, it is a really creative combo of 'Downsizing' (that Matt Damon movie) and TV show Altered Carbon (the idea of moving your consciousness to another vessel). It has its own creative spin on the topics.

This is one of the more imaginative books I've read this year, and I really enjoyed it. It makes you consider how we as a society treat people who are different from us, and makes you ponder what it really means to be human.

Tysm for letting me be an ARC reader. I look forward to book 2.

[Kyrie]

WOW. This book is DEFINITELY unlike anything I have ever read before. I have noticed that a lot of the romance novels that I have been reading lately have been similar in nature, between themes, stories, and tropes. Although all of these other books have some unique plots to separate themselves from the crowd of romance novels, but this book was ENTIRELY different from all the others in every. single. way.

Nicole, our main character, is a young adult who gets her entire world flipped upside down when she is a victim of a tragic accident. What would have been the untimely end to her life, turns into a new beginning thanks to The Restoration Program. The catch? Her consciousness has been transferred into a new body - but this new body is only ten inches tall...

This book promised a thrilling and suspenseful romance novel, and it delivered just that. I was fascinated by how these authors considered all aspects of Nicole's life and shined the reality upon how it would truly be to be so small in this world - from daily living, to relationships, they captured it all!

I will admit, this book has a lot of trigger warnings that I should have looked into more before reading - and for those scenes, this book made it hard for me to get through. I would definitely proceed with caution if you are triggered by scenes depicting kidnapping, emotional abuse, or assault. I am glad that I pushed through the book though regardless, because let me tell you... my mouth was open in shock at this ending!!

[Bookish_Aly_Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh man, this was a wild read! I wasn’t sure what I was getting into once I started reading this one. It started off like any other romantic thriller and then it took a rather unexpected turn.

The book takes you through the process of what Nicole went through while adjusting to life after having a procedure through The Restoration Program. Even though Nicole’s life has been restored, she is now only 10 inches tall.

The authors did a great job at describing things in a way that made everything feel fully believable and even relatable at times. This says a lot as many parts of this book felt a little out there. The concept of a romantic relationship between a 6 foot tall Ryan and 10 inch tall Nicole was hard to wrap my head around at times, especially for the spicier scenes.

There were quite a few surprising twists thrown in that keep things interesting and balanced out the more serious parts of the story. The ending was definitely a shocker! I really didn’t see it coming!

Consider the trigger warnings for this one: Emotional abuse and assault

[Sienasummerrreads]

DNF at 20% it didn’t grip me and was getting a little confused

[Deathlysmut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to these wonderful authors for providing me with an ARC copy of their upcoming book!

Where do I even begin?! I read this book in a span of 6 hours, I found I couldn’t stop.
This book is a bit of a trick!
Tragic accident? Check
Loving and doting spouse? Check
True love never dies right?! So many twists and turns and in the early stages I was rooting for Ryan, he was doing so well. My god you have a way to make it so you can like them but by the end I wanted to turn him into a NüPrint and throw him about. The ending SHOCKED me. I was NOT expecting that. Congratulations ladies and well done on this fabulous book. Thank you for letting me be apart of this journey and I can’t wait to see what you guys have in store for the future

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right off the bat, this was a very different kind of read for me. I know it’s described as romantic suspense or a romantic thriller, but there is a futuristic/sci-fi feel to it. This was a very interesting read as it was a plot that I had never read before – I’ve never read about someone being restored in a 10-inch body! The characters were well written, to the point where I really hated Ryan. At first, I really liked him and then I really hated him. I haven’t read a book that brought out such strong feelings towards a character in a while. There were times that the book was slow and very repetitive. But the ending made up for that! Wow, the ending left me speechless. It was a perfect ending. I should put it out there that there are fetish sexual situations. Overall, a good read!

[Christine Folan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrifying and heart-wrenching speculation

What did I just read?!
I picked this book up thinking it was going to be a somewhat spicy, sci-fi romance. What I got was a terrifying take on the ease that we as humans have for justifying our violent behaviour. Touching on themes of domestic violence, social ethics, moral responsibility and our freedoms as unique individuals, The Restoration Program will make you question what you would be willing to do when faced with your own mortality with the turn of every page.

[Grace O'Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought-provoking, sexy, and brilliantly f****d up!

Have you ever wondered to yourself what price you’d pay to cheat death? All the money in the world? Would you trade your belongings? What about your autonomy, your body, your personhood? This story asks that question, but not of its main character. No, it’s Nicole’s doting boyfriend Ryan that makes the decision for her, a decision that sets the two of them on a dark path. Nicole is merely along for the ride, and what a ride she’s in for.

When Nicole awakens from what should have been a gruesome death, it’s to find herself in a brand new, state-of-the-art artificial organic body made from her own DNA. This new body looks like her, sounds like her, thinks like her. All her memories are intact. The catch is that this perfect body is a mere 10 inches tall.

Ryan fails to see any problems with this new arrangement. He’s just thankful to have his girlfriend back from the brink of death. And who can blame him? Being alive and tiny is better than being dead, right?

Right?

As Nicole and Ryan attempt to return to normalcy, things are immediately difficult. Conflicts both within and without threaten the “happy” couple. There are glimmers of hope, shining in moments of cute banter, genuine love, and steamy intimacy that does its best to blossom, but just when the two of them start to get a foothold, the cracks begin to show. Is love enough, when it seems to be all that’s left?

I can’t help but root for Ryan and Nicole. The both of them are tenacious and witty, with soft sides that I found endearing even as their relationship goes wildly off the rails. It’s an emotional roller coaster of a story that kept me gripped like watching a house on fire. If you’re a fan of Dublin & Kendsley’s other works, you can expect the same level of charm and attention to detail here. Additionally, if you’re familiar with their Print/Trinket universe in which this story takes place, you'll also know to expect a healthy dose of existential horror and disturbingly realistic drama. The story makes good on all counts.

It’s an absolutely gripping and thought-provoking read that may well leave you like it left me: staring at a wall, wondering to yourself what you would do if you found yourself in the characters’ shoes.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

Note: please pay close attention to the TW listed in this book as it depicts emotional abuse and assault. Please proceed with caution.

———

HOLY. FORKING. SHIRT 🫨🤯

My brain has officially combusted. First, I would like to say that I was not entirely sure about this book. As I was reading, I found it hard to stomach the relationship between Nicole, a 10 inch NuPrint and Ryan, a 6 foot monster in sheep’s clothing. Some of the scenes in this book churned my stomach. The yarn scenes in specific made me want to claw my own eyes out. Dramatic? Perhaps. However, I felt like Anne and Mary perfectly depicted the discomfort and trauma Nicole was feeling during that time. They wrote the scenes so vividly, you could feel the raw emotion.

The ending of this book…holy smokes. I audibly gasped, rubbed my eyes and reread the last 3 page over and over because I simply could not believe what I was seeing. Anne and Mary left me completely speechless as I scraped my jaw up off the floor.

Wow. An ending hasn’t gotten me that good in a while.

[Calliope's Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Mary Dublin for providing me with an ARC copy of this book.

HOLY SHIT what did I just read!!! This was the absolute worst ending I have ever read but in the absolute best way. It left me completely speechless and with my mouth hanging wide open. I kept trying to turn the page because I couldn't believe this was the end!!

I was really intrigued by the blurb but also kind of wary because paranormal books are a total hit or miss for me but my goodness was this one a big hit! Everything from the writing, to the world building to the character development were fantastic.

Even though the beginning is only just Nicole trying to adjust to her new life, I thought it was so necessary to the story, every single detail was so interesting and raised so many questions. I loved seeing her reactions and how she navigated her new relationship with her boyfriend.

As much as I enjoyed the whole book, the ending is what really got me to give this 5 stars, it was absolutely mind blowing.

I cannot wait to read more from Mary Dublin and Anne Kendsley.

[skylar · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was asked to read this book for an arc read and let me say i was very pleasantly surprised by how much i enjoyed it!

since the book is labeled as a romantic thriller, i didn’t really know what to expect going in to it. now i won’t lie, after skimming over the summary, my interest was peaked but in more of a “what? did i read that right?” rather than “this sounds really good.”

the story starts with our two main characters ryan and nicole who are adorably cute and in love. tragedy strikes and nicole is on the brink of death but when she awakes she’s perfectly fine, besides the fact she’s the size of a barbie doll.

a new procedure: the restoration program “restores what has been lost” AKA saving people on the brink of death by transferring their consciousness into a fully functioning mini body of themselves. now my initial thoughts were this is kind of silly, because full disclosure, it kind of is!

the beginning of the story moved a little slowly for me. nicole’s trying to process everything that’s been done to her and her new reality of being 10 inches tall. ryan and her are navigating their relationship with this new mini factor, and i won’t lie, some of the parts had me giggling thinking about how on earth that would actually look in real life.

but as the story develops there begins to be an underlying tone of something being off. it felt like a dark mystery waiting to be uncovered as more and more sly hints began to be revealed throughout different sections. and by that point, oh i was hooked.

the entire time the story was going on, i had no clue where it was going to end. which in my opinion, is an indicator of a good plot. some areas were a bit repetitive, but by the time i got to the end i almost appreciated it because of the amazing build up we had. the story ended in such a way that left me with my mouth hanging open and thinking “there’s literally no way that’s the ending i need more right now.” the plot twist took me by surprise and i was so happy the story took the turn it did because that’s what made the book in my opinion.

overall, the first good half of the book is pretty slow and can get a bit repetitive in some parts as you’re waiting to see where in the world this story going, but by the end i was fully enthralled with the plot and spent a lot of time trying to even guess what was going to end up happening. i honestly really enjoyed this for being a book i usually wouldn’t go out of my way to read, but i’m really glad i got the chance to and i hope others enjoy it too!

[bookishandpuzzled · Rating 4 out of 5]

I CAN'T BELIEVE THE ENDING! I just had to sit here and let it sink in for a few minutes. It's described as a romantic thriller so I didn't know what to expect. I think this is the first one that I've read but I would describe it as a sci-fi/futuristic romantic thriller, with a unorthodox romantic relationship. I did find that it took some time for the story to ramp up but when it did I was hooked and couldn't put it down. I cried, I was in shock, I just didn't know what to feel really! What a twist!

[stephanie ✿ · Rating 5 out of 5]

HAPPY PUB DAY to this gem!

*Make sure to review the content warnings!* Abuse and manipulation are involved.

————————————

Thank you again, Mary Dublin and Anne Kendsley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book was pitched as a combination of Black Mirror and Westward, and wowza, does it deliver!

The beginning of the book starts off in an intense hospital scene with Nicole somewhere being treated and Ryan running around, hoping to get some answers. He’s approached by a mysterious man, and he takes him up on an offer to give Nicole a second life.

What does this decision cost Nicole?

——— the plot ———

Incredibly unique story, and I love the twists, especially the one at the very end! Legit one of the best twists and setup for a trilogy that I’ve read!

One thing that I didn’t know about (but it was kind of explained later) was if the NüPrints (those who undergo the Restoration program) were commonly seen or if this was totally new. It turns out there’s a model who became a NüPrint. I wasn’t sure if Nicole and Ryan saw any NüPrints before Nicole’s restoration or how common they were to be spotted in public.

How different would your life be if you were only 10 inches tall, and is it worth it? To Nicole, honestly, she’s trying to figure it out, and having to redefine what it means to be “human” since most people disregarded those that went through the Restoration program as human.

——— the pace ———

This first book is Nicole adjusting to her new life. The story may have been slightly repetitive at times, but I didn’t mind it because it helped flesh out the story and allow me to get more attached to Nicole and some of the other characters.

I like that we’re getting the mundane, everyday things because those moments are disrupted now that she’s 10 inches tall. This means she’s trying to figure out how much of her old life she can slip back into and which aspects she’ll need to adjust. She has to get used to being picked up, relying on someone to get somewhere, losing her career she’s worked hard for, and how to maintain her relationships.

As Nicole adjusts, she’s feeling scared and helpless because she could get kidnapped, but also frustration and aggravation from being treated like a kid who has to make it known whenever she enters a room.

The authors depicted these emotions as well, and I was even anxious for Nicole during some scenes.

——— the characters ———

Nicole: She was such a force to be reckoned with! I loved her wittiness and confidence, both before and after booming a NüPrint. I think her actions were relatable, and I would probably do the same as her, though I’m not as confident as her.

Ryan: Wow, his character development was unexpected, but I enjoy that it deviated from the typical romance trope. He’s not what you expect, but he’s definitely a Sour Patch kid.

Darlene: Loved, loved her and Nicole’s friendship! She had some sass to her as well, and she was the best friend that a girl could have.

Carlos: He was the realist and didn’t put on a front that other NüPrints seemed to put on about their new life. He was also charismatic and charming.

——— the steam ———

This book has a few sex scenes. They were pretty tame overall, just some intimate language sprinkled in, but nothing too crass! I was definitely curious about how Ryan and Nicole’s intimacy would progress and change. It was a little strange to think of this 6-foot-something guy and a 10-inch woman, but once I got past that, there were some steamy scenes the authors were more than generous to deliver!

However, what was new, challenging, and exciting progressed into something dark and alarming. Being Nicole during yarn scenes was especially not a good time, but it really shifted and added layers to the story.

——— overall ———

Mild language and some steamy scenes, but nothing off putting. I like that there wasn't a scientific explanation about the restoration process and how NüPrints were created, because that sometimes muddles things.

This is the first book of the trilogy, and I’m feeling incredibly impatient for the next two books! Seriously, I need to know what happens! I typically don’t start a series until it’s finished, but I couldn’t resist, and I’m so happy and sad that I have to wait for the rest of the story!

[E.B. Slayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this novel.

What are you willing to do to hold on to a loved one?

When we first meet Ryan he’s staring at Nicole’s mangled body and drifting through the surreal disbelief of losing the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. The opening is a gut-wrenching page turner because I was rooting for Nicole to survive.

Spoiler alert! She’s not going to survive unless Ryan signs up for the Restoration Program.

What was lost has been restored. In a 10 inch body. The majority of the story is experiencing life from the perspective of a human doll really was a rollercoaster. The fragility of Nicole’s existence was splattered across every page with unbridled suspense and fear.

This definitely gave West World vibes with some interesting sex scenes. I thought the character building was decent because I myself felt fear and second-hand discomfort just reading some of the interactions.

I know the authors compare this to Black Mirror, but I’m old and definitely thought of the Twilight Zone. The way the story ended was definitely a psychological horror that had me pondering the last how-in-the-fuck chapter hours later.

I absolutely loved the twists and turns toward the end.

I highly recommend this novel if you’re searching for a different read. I look forward to reading more from these two bestie authors.

Tropes:
Diverse romance
Kinky sex
Height difference romance

TW: physical abuse, domestic violence, kidnapping, bondage, car accident, tragic deaths

[Brooke Woods (MoodReaders) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Restoration Program is a remarkable introduction to a thrilling trilogy. It's a must-read for those seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally charged story that challenges the very essence of what it means to be alive. How will her and her boyfriend Ryan navigate this new normal?? Were his intentions genuine or something more…

Easily one of my favorites of the year! Everything from the memorable side characters from Nicole's support group, Partner With Prints, to meeting her bestie were all a bonus and incredibly written.

As Nicole lives life in this tiny new body - the world is also adjusting to these new "NuPrints". We get a glimpse of how society is treating "The Restored" and not everyone is open to the idea. We see the phases The Restoration Program through the eyes of Nicole and how everything begins to crumble.

Also, the fact that this is written by two authors is insane!! It's seamless and I still can't tell which part of the book is written by who. The great detail in keeping us at eye level with Nicole was: *chefs kiss*. I can't wait to revisit this world after finishing the series. 

By the end, I was left in utter shock because what in the actual fuck just happened!!

[TheReadingVault · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of "Black Mirror" this story is for you.

This is a book we can't say too much about without giving away the plot. The premise is very interesting and unique: people who get a second chance at life by being put in doll-like fake bodies. We really didn't know what to expect and were pleasantly surprised.

(SPOILER)
We were expecting a love story that navigated the problems posed by their new situation, him of normal height and her in a new doll-sized body. But boy...were we wrong! We got weird vibes from Ryan from the beginning and as it turned out he was a monster. We couldn't have imagined how it was going to end, it was jaw dropping to say the least and now we're really curious to see what happens next!

TW: domestic abuse, emotional abuse, assault
Rating: 3.5/5
And thank you so much to the authors for sending us an ARC copy!

[Haya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely pay attention at the trigger warnings at the start of the book!

I went in this story after reading some of the comments (and avoiding spoilers) and oh boy. The suspence. It all starts good enough and then as things keep going you get that sinking feeling in your chest that makes you wince and think "Oh no, oh no" but you're already in this so you just keep on reading and dreading what's going to happen. I had to stop more than once to gather myself.

So yeah a good story, it’s also written pretty well and it tackles a lot of interesting ideas related to the peculiar situation Nicole and Ryan find themselves into. I really loved how these concepts (agency and personhood in particular) were not left in the background. Maybe some topics were not explored as well as the others, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the book.

Also, this must be said: that ending will haunt me for years.

[Razzle Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚ARC REVIEW📚

The Restoration Program by Mary Dublin & Anne Kendsley

Thank you to the authors for a copy of this to read and review!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice level: 🌶️/3
Genres: Sci-Fi, romantic thriller
Tropes: suspense, existential crisis, present day

Nicole Zhou wakes up from a fatal car accident to find that her boyfriend (Ryan) agreed for her to undergo dramatic “surgery” to save her life. This “surgery” transfers her consciousness into a new body; however, the new body is essentially doll sized (10 inches tall).

This poses a lot of challenges, considering the world is not built for people of that size. Nicole tries to continue building a life, but it’s hard because of the public perception of her. Although she’s not the only one who has had this surgery, it is still fairly new in the public eye, and not everyone feels the same way about it.

Throughout the story, Nicole navigates her relationship with Ryan and the difficulties their size difference brings, as well as her loss of independence. She struggles to cope with the “loss of her life” (literal and metaphorical) and the negativity surrounding her existence from the public.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is really difficult to say much without revealing too many details, but WOW. The ending especially was so insane. The authors, throughout the entire book, did a good job of making the reader really feel like they were in Nicole’s shoes. I could feel my heart rate actually speed up during certain parts. The feelings of helplessness and hopelessness that she experiences were written in such a way that although her specific experience wasn’t completely relatable, I still felt like I could relate what she was feeling. This definitely made the ending hit a lot harder.

The concept was super unique. I definitely felt like it was Black Mirror-esque as well as a little Don’t Worry Darling. The perfect mix, in my opinion. It brought up a lot of interesting philosophical questions such as “what it means to be human” and “what defines living”. It was set in the near future, which definitely added to the eeriness of the events.

By almost all accounts, this was a great book. I ALMOST rated it 5⭐️s , but I didn’t. And here’s why. This was definitely advertised as a genre-bending book, and I agree. However, I think the focus on “romance” took away from the main plot. This book hit on some very specific fetishes, which I do understand were important to the plot, but the amount of detail in the intimate scenes was, I think, unnecessary. The focus that was put on romance added a decent amount to the length of the book; without some of it, I think the book could have been closer to medium length as opposed to long. Regardless of the length, the romance aspect made the beginning feel a bit dragged out and slow.

With books that I feel had very different beginnings and endings, I try to average my rating from both and just give a disclaimer in the review. The beginning for me was a 3.75; I think advertising this as a romance book (or at least with a romance subgenre) may be a bit misleading. The ending for me was a 5. It was incredible, I still can’t stop thinking about it. Overall, an average of 4⭐️.

In summary, I did really enjoy this book. I think the authors have a very unique style (both writing and concepts), and this was a very strong debut novel. I think that they would hit harder in the market if they didn’t focus on the romance side, but I am excited to see what they come out with next. If you like sci-fi thrillers, especially ones with a Black Mirror vibe, I highly recommend this book.

[raesreadingrealm · Rating 1 out of 5]

Many thanks to authors Mary Dublin and Anne Kendsley for providing me with an ARC.

The focal point of this book surrounds the aspect of second chances at life but at a condition - 10 inches.
Our main character, Nicole has a fatal accident in which leads to the decision of her boyfriend Ryan to make a choice - leave her to die or put her in the hands of the Restoration Programme.
The programme "restores" your body but with a sickening catch that you now have to live your life with the body a size of a doll.
There was a sense of foreboding throughout the book in which through angst and uncomfortable encounters leads us to find out some harsh truths about the programme as well as Ryan - Nicole's boyfriend.

I loved the fact that the authors made me feel exactly how Nicole felt; hopelessness and despair, anger at the world and at the fact that her choice was ript away from her. Her reactions and arguing was realistic and if I was in her shoes I would've done almost EVERYTHING she did.
Unfortunately I did not connect with the storyline and hated Ryan from the start and in the end I was glad that I didn't fall for his boyish charm.
There were sexual scenes that made me highly uncomfortable and other encounters between the MMC and FMC that made me highly frustrated. The "passion" of reading this book was lost.
I was just waiting to be done with it. I'll be honest and say that this book was not for me. But in saying that, just because I didn't enjoy something doesn't mean you will as well.
I would recommend this book to anyone that loves sci-fi, angst and futuristic novels with a sickening ending that you will leave you with furrowed brows and anger at certain characters.

In saying this please note of the following TW's (they contain spoilers)

• emotional abuse
• SA
• physical abuse
• cheating

[Melissa Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a fatal car accident robs Nicole of her life, her boyfriend Ryan would give anything in the world to save her. Met in the hospital by a mysterious businessman, Ryan is introduced to The Restoration Program, a program which assures him that Nicole can be returned to him –the only catch being that Nicole will only be ten inches tall. With her life saved the couple struggles to deal with their new normal, and as time goes on questions arise about if this new life she finds herself in is really better than the fate of the car accident…


When this novel is compared to an episode of Black Mirror, it is really not kidding. For those who don’t know, Black Mirror is a science fiction television show with standalone episodes that offer a dark view of human nature’s relationship with technology –often for the worse, and not better. This novel is VERY much like this. We have a wonderful sentiment, like having a loved one spared from death, but the novel begs you to ask “At what cost?”. This novel tackles a lot of issues, including personal relationships, ableism, prejudice, the definition of love, and even what constitutes being a person? There are existential elements to this novel that raised questions I hadn’t even thought to ask.

My only issue with this novel was that I started to lose interest a bit about halfway through. Things started to feel like they moved a little slower, I felt like I was watching the couple have the same fights about the same topics. I thought to myself “I know he’s big and scary, and she is small and scared…I get it.” But despite that the ending more than made up for it. I felt like I had been sucker punched by the ending and was left speechless. (You know its a wild ending when I had to take a break and call someone to cope with how it was going.) I could see the direction it was going through the novel, but I did not anticipate how far it would go.

If you like the dark commentary of Black Mirror you will like this novel, there are romance aspects, thriller aspects, and even horror aspects in my opinion. I enjoyed the read and it’s definitely something I have not being able to stop thinking about since I finished it.

[Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow….It TRULY is like reading an episode of Black Mirror!!!

I was immediately drawn in to this story by the relationship between Nicole and Ryan, and how natural it felt to read about. (You know when you read a book that has a romantic couple whose thoughts and interactions just don’t feel natural at all? Well, this is the exact opposite, right from the start!) I genuinely believed them, cared about them, and rooted for them instantly.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that I was feeling a sense of unease while reading this novel, and it only kept growing. The experience keenly reminded me of reading a Gillian Flynn novel: there was an underlying sense of dread and unease that kept growing in me as the story went on, and it felt like I was hurdling towards something catastrophic, but I had no guesses as to what or when….
AND THEN.
BAM.

The climax. The ending. I did not see any of it coming, even though, as I mentioned, I could feel SOMETHING BIG looming. Wow. Holy freaking cow.

I’m honestly still reeling from this novel — it’s haunting me, in the best way possible.

I absolutely cannot WAIT for the next book in this series!!! I’m going to be talking about this for a loooong time, folks!!!

[Rachel]

I really really really wanted to fall in love with this book! It started off super interesting. I needed to know what was going to happen. But then I kept going and nothing... thrilling... was happening. At 30% in, I still didn't know why this was being billed as a romantic thriller. I also found it to keep going in circles with Nicole's feelings towards being "restored." It got too repetitive for my taste. I also found this book to be extremely wordy, which isn't a bad thing, but some parts seemed to be fluff to me. I can see why people are loving it, but it just wasn't the book for me. Overall, the writing was fantastic and sophisticated. The dialogue was great. The story itself just ended up not being by cup of tea, and that's ok.

Thank you to the authors for sending me the ARC of this book!

[Lizzy Steinhauer-Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a thrilling page-turner. Although this isn’t my usual genre, I was hooked from the very beginning and loved every moment! The characters are amazing and well-fleshed out and there were plenty of twists and turns thrown at the readers! The ending was shocking and my jaw dropped! I’m super excited for the next book!

Thanks so much to the authors for offering an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Abs · Rating 5 out of 5]

it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole second half

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been anticipating this book for months and when I finally got to read it, I could hardly put it down. I was hooked from the very beginning. I finished it a lot faster than I expected considering it's a fairly long book compared to the books I typically read. It's a hell of a rollercoaster with lots of ups and downs. BUT THE ENDING? OH MY GOD. THE ENDING. I'm not gonna be forgetting THAT anytime soon. It left me SHOCKED. I was stunned. I was blown away.

I also am EXTREMELY eager for the next book whenever it comes out. The preview was so good. I am so intrigued with this story. I need more. The writing is stellar, very few grammatical errors, and it's so easy to get swept away. The characters are amazing. I was absolutely not expecting my feelings for Ryan Northe to take such a turn though oh my god. Anyway I cannot recommend this book enough.

(same review as the one i submitted on Amazon)

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Triggers: Assault, emotional abuse. – if you’re okay with that, continue on.

If your significant other drastically changed in a way you weren’t expecting, would you still love them?

Nicole is in a tragic accident, and she’s given a new chance in life instead of dying. She is given an opportunity at life through “the Restoration Program”. The kicker here – Nicole’s partner Ryan was the one to make the call if she would pass or go into a new body. Of course, he’d pick a new body, right? And he did, but the outcome – she’s about 1 foot tall.

While she adjusts to her new life, Ryan is supporting her 100%.

This Restoration program that she’s now bound to kind of reminds me of a cult. The rest of the world treats these restored people differently. This is a book that keeps you guessing, and so many twists and turns, and it’s interesting to see how their relationship unfolds with the change.

After you read the book, you wonder if you would really cheat death or not.

It was a different type of read for me, but I’m glad I had the chance to try it out.

[Madison Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received the arc for this book and wow I have never read anything like this . The concept of someone shrinking down to 10 inches was so cool. I was so invested in the story and felt so many emotions while reading this. As with every book look up the trigger warnings but this book was so different and fun to read. It definitely reminded me a lot of black mirror which I really enjoyed. The story took a bit to draw me in but once it picked up it was really good.

[Stacy Van Buskirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Whole New World To Enjoy!

First off...wow. This book was a roller-coaster of emotion from the first page. I loved the characters, especially Nicole, who was well crafted and dynamic.

The Print Universe is not new to me as a fan of these authors and their work. However, it was so nice to get some back-story on this whole world! The world-building in this book was phenomenal!

I'm still just emotionally shocked by this book, and that's a good thing! 👍 Great job, ladies!

[Allison E]

I was provided an ARC of The Restoration Program in exchange for a review!

This book asks the question: What would you do if one day you woke up and discovered that your conscious had been transferred into a body the size of a Barbie doll? An intriguing premise and with the action starting strong from page one I thought I was in for a ride.

That being said, I quickly realized this wasn’t for me. The romance in this story I found disturbing. There are intimacy scenes described between a 10 inch FMC and a 6 FOOT MMC that I had to physically skip through. But really my biggest qualm was that I found the dialogue stiff and unnatural… to the point where it kept taking me out of the story. Even though sci fi by its definition includes impossible aspects, I still want believability in what I’m reading and I could honestly not imagine a real life human acting the way some of the characters do in this story. That could however, be slightly the point?

While not my personal cup of tea, if you want a fast paced thriller sci fi with some bizarre romance and a sense that something is seriously off looming over the entire story though… this might be for you.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this whole thing in one enthralled day. I’ve been thinking about the themes of autonomy and bodily limitation that this covers, and The Restoration Program did an excellent job working w these tricky topics. The fights between the characters sometimes aggravated me because they sometimes felt very similar to each other, but reading about the ramped up levels of abuse as the story progressed made me realize that the fights were also all building up. Overall, sexy, creepy, delightful, and set in a world that makes an uncomfortable amount of sense. Also, the twist 😭😭😭 someone needs to come console me