Anchored In You

by T. Atkins

Sometimes the safest harbor is the one you never saw coming.

Malia’s life is bound to the island. Her late mother’s tiki bar, her aging Nana, and the steady routine she’s never dared to break.

But one unexpected visitor may change everything.

Eli’s sailboat wasn’t supposed to stop here, but when his motor fails, he’s left stranded, caught between grief for his dying brother’s last request and the horizon he’s desperate to pursue.

They’re both haunted by loss. Both afraid to open their hearts. Yet when Malia offers Eli a room under her roof, attraction brews into something neither of them expected. To keep things simple, Malia proposes a pact: comfort without complications, just until his boat’s repaired.

But when a storm traps them together, Eli confesses that he’s falling for her and asks Malia to leave everything behind and sail away with him.

Leave? Malia could never imagine abandoning the only life she’s ever known, or the bar that keeps her anchored to it.

But in the end, just as storms don't ask permission,,,.
Neither does the heart.

118 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2025

About the author

T. Atkins' born in Charlotte, NC, began writing in the 3rd grade. Through her love of poetry and of all genres, ranging from horror, to drama, to romance, her passion for storytelling has led her to create her own stories. T. Atkins returned to school in October of 2016 and received a BA in Creative Writing and English in March of 2020. She has several works in progress, including poems, short stories, a memoir, and, of course, her duology Discontented Housewives series. T. Atkins still resides in her hometown of Charlotte, NC, with her boyfriend, two sons, and her 3-month-old Cavapoo, France. She now spends her time doing what she loves, giving voice to the characters of her supernatural and realistic fiction novels.

Reviews

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anchored In You by T Atkins


Malia a small island bar owner meets Eli when his boat roughly comes ashore near her bar.
Eli is sailing around the islands in memory of his brother.

Both are drawn to each other predominately due to their shared grief over the loss of someone close to them.

Novella, quick read, island vibes, situationship, all knowing Nana, grief, healing.

Eli lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding


Thanks to Netgalley

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an emotional quick read! Sometimes I think that our mood and phases of our lives can affect how we react to books. This is me for sure. That being said, the author being able to provoke emotions and memories is absolute talent. This was an incredible love story with grief, healing and learning to forgive yourself. I was absolutely wanting more. More backstory of Nana. More situations of electricity between Malia and Eli. Way more of Kai, because, what a wonderful support character. But I don’t see wanting more as a negative since this was a wonderful short story.

Thank you Netgalley for the read. Wonderful book!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚Anchored in You
✍🏻T.Atkins
Blurb:
Sometimes the safest harbor is the one you never saw coming.

Malia’s life is bound to the island. Her late mother’s tiki bar, her aging Nana, and the steady routine she’s never dared to break.

But one unexpected visitor may change everything.

Eli’s sailboat wasn’t supposed to stop here, but when his motor fails, he’s left stranded, caught between grief for his dying brother’s last request and the horizon he’s desperate to pursue.

They’re both haunted by loss. Both afraid to open their hearts. Yet when Malia offers Eli a room under her roof, attraction brews into something neither of them expected. To keep things simple, Malia proposes a pact: comfort without complications, just until his boat’s repaired.

But when a storm traps them together, Eli confesses that he’s falling for her and asks Malia to leave everything behind and sail away with him.

Leave? Malia could never imagine abandoning the only life she’s ever known, or the bar that keeps her anchored to it.

But in the end, just as storms don't ask permission,,,.
Neither does the heart.
My Thoughts:
Malia and Eli...and I absolutely adored the supporting characters of Kai and the Nana (both were hilarious and so wonderfully created). What Ms. Atkins does so well is create characters we can connect with and stories Anchored In You deals with loss and grief, but is also light because of the fun characters. This was a short read. Wish it would have been longer.
Thanks NetGalley, DesKor Inc and Author T. Adkins for the advanced copy of "Anchored In You" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#DesKorInc.
#T.Adkins
#AnchoredInYou
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[T. Atkins]

Sometimes people are surprised when authors talk about their characters as if they were real. As if they were someone sitting across the kitchen table sharing their secrets. But for many of us, especially pantsers like me, they are.

When I write, I don’t start with an outline. Sometimes it’s a feeling, the idea of a person, a situation, or sometimes just a single sentence. And from there, the characters take over. They reveal themselves to me line by line. And half the time, I have no idea what they’ll do next.

So, when someone asks, “What’s happening next?” it can stop EVERYTHING. The character goes quiet, and the story goes into limbo. It’s like asking a painter mid-brushstroke which way the wind will blow.

And just as a painter brings imagination alive on canvas, the same is true for an author when it comes to the page. To me, my characters are real. When they laugh, I hear it. When they cry, I ache. And readers who fall in love with them sense it too.

So, if a writer ever says they need time to “reconnect” with a character, they’re not being dramatic. They’re simply waiting for their character to whisper, “I’m ready now. Go ahead, tell my story.”

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Malia is bound to her late mother’s bar, working every day when Eli, a tourist on a boat trip to honour his late brother, crashes into the shore. Bonded by a sense of grief and longing, Malia invites Eli stay with her and her Nana, while Malia’s friend Kai repairs Eli’s boat. Stuck in her own grief, Malia grows frustrated with those around her for moving forward while she is trying to keep her mom’s bar running to keep her memory arrive. Slowly, she grapples with her grief and finding the next steps to move forward.

This story was sweet and heartwarming, but I wish we got to see Malia making the decision to move forward instead of doing so because she was worried Eli was leaving. I wish the epilogue of them individually healing and rebuilding their lives was longer and more developed.

I would have also loved more description of the island to get a better sense of space and place. We visit the market and hear about the mainland but the story mostly occurs at the bar and Malia’s home.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kimberley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This one is such a hard one to review because it is so short. I enjoyed the writing style and generally how the story was plotted however, because it was only 118 pages, everything felt quite rushed. We don’t get to see the characters have many interactions so it makes it tricky to understand their attraction to one another which then makes it difficult for me as a reader to feel connected to the romance. And in this story especially, where both characters are experiencing so much grief, it would have been amazing to have expanded on that.

But again, as I said, I enjoyed the writing style and would recommend this book to someone if they wanted a quick read but I would have just preferred this to be maybe another 200 pages longer so we could have seen the characters yearning for one another and have that build up before finally giving in to their attraction to each other. If this author releases a full length novel, I’d definitely pick it up.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this author a few months ago and now I look forward to anything she writes! She packs so much into these novellas and "Anchored In You" is no exception. I was immediately drawn into the main characters, Malia and Eli...and I absolutely adored the supporting characters of Kai and the Nana (both were hilarious and so wonderfully created). What Ms. Atkins does so well is create characters we can connect with and stories that are relatable in a succinct manner. "Anchored In You" deals with loss and grief, but is also light because of the fun characters. Looking forward to the next novella by this author. *I received a complimentary e-ARC from the author/publishing company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

[CaseyLeigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read this book thanks to Netgalley!
It was definitely a whirlwind that I got lost in straight away. definitely recommend if you're looking for a quick but emotional read.
I enjoyed the writing style and the dual perspectives, but I was left wanting more! as its a novella it seemed to wrap up quite quickly, I think the story and characters would have made a great novel and would love to read more about them!

[Sarai Mulvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a fun, quick read. I really enjoyed these characters and I think the author managed to build the story and and allow you to connect with the characters in a quick 1 hour read. I would love to see this become a series!

Thank you to NetGalley,  Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and T Atkins for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Audra PC · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick novella to read!

With it being in shorter form I think hurt the story in some ways. Theres so much grief and healing that happens, the readers would generally benefit from going MORE in depth and along the quite emotional journey.

[Lou Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this cute short romance! It felt like a wave of summer which is exactly the kind of warmth I need. If you're looking for a pallet cleanser or just a whirlwind romance, this is for you!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Katlin Stokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story was jam packed full of grief and healing. I wish I had more of malia and Eli's story but I still absolutely loved it.