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Rising Stakes: A short standalone in-elevator romance
One stalled elevator, two secret crushes, and a chance to change everything.
Ava Whitaker had only planned to hire an escort for one night—to prove to her ex-husband that she’d moved on. That was three events ago. Now, Wes Elliot has become a bright spot in her otherwise mundane circle of so-called friends. His charm, easy smile, and unflappable positive nature have captivated her, despite being seven years her junior. His youth and occupation make him everything she shouldn’t want.
But she can’t stop thinking about him.
Wes knew Ava was different the moment he laid eyes on her profile. She has entranced him more every moment they’ve spent together with her put-together air, her elegance, plus the gentle smiles and kind nature hidden behind protective walls. The traits combine to form an intoxicating woman he craves to know better. He just can’t seem to find the right time to tell her that he wants more…
He wants this to be real.
When their elevator jerks to a stop, they have no one to turn to but each other. Ava and Wes face the Rising Stakes of crossing the line from wishing for a happy-ever-after to seizing the chance to make their own. They just have to decide if it’s worth the risk.
The Shafted Series is a collection of short, standalone, in-elevator romances that can be read in any order.
Ava Whitaker had only planned to hire an escort for one night—to prove to her ex-husband that she’d moved on. That was three events ago. Now, Wes Elliot has become a bright spot in her otherwise mundane circle of so-called friends. His charm, easy smile, and unflappable positive nature have captivated her, despite being seven years her junior. His youth and occupation make him everything she shouldn’t want.
But she can’t stop thinking about him.
Wes knew Ava was different the moment he laid eyes on her profile. She has entranced him more every moment they’ve spent together with her put-together air, her elegance, plus the gentle smiles and kind nature hidden behind protective walls. The traits combine to form an intoxicating woman he craves to know better. He just can’t seem to find the right time to tell her that he wants more…
He wants this to be real.
When their elevator jerks to a stop, they have no one to turn to but each other. Ava and Wes face the Rising Stakes of crossing the line from wishing for a happy-ever-after to seizing the chance to make their own. They just have to decide if it’s worth the risk.
The Shafted Series is a collection of short, standalone, in-elevator romances that can be read in any order.
75 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 30, 2026
1 person is currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Maren Jenner
10 books65 followers*For trigger warnings in Maren's books, please visit her website at marenjennerbooks.com
Maren Jenner lives in Michigan with her supportive husband and spunky daughter. She loves writing, and, when she’s not working on her next book, she’s got her nose in a different one. Her summers are spent on any lake she can visit, but the beaches of Lake Michigan are her favorite.
The Cupcake Standard was her debut novel, though she’s been writing for as long as she can remember. It’s always been a dream to become a full time author. Her dreams wouldn’t be possible without the love and support of her family and friends. And, of course, her invaluable readers!
Sign up for her newsletter to receive exclusive content, author updates, and promo information using the link below!
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Maren Jenner lives in Michigan with her supportive husband and spunky daughter. She loves writing, and, when she’s not working on her next book, she’s got her nose in a different one. Her summers are spent on any lake she can visit, but the beaches of Lake Michigan are her favorite.
The Cupcake Standard was her debut novel, though she’s been writing for as long as she can remember. It’s always been a dream to become a full time author. Her dreams wouldn’t be possible without the love and support of her family and friends. And, of course, her invaluable readers!
Sign up for her newsletter to receive exclusive content, author updates, and promo information using the link below!
https://forms.gle/HudvGGpXvUTT9L2X7
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 1, 2026
What an absolutely lovely and steamy short romance! I love how Wes admired and appreciated Ava. I was so glad when he decided he wanted to sever their professional relationship and date her. Wes and Ava’s time in the elevator exposed their true feelings and attraction towards each other and it was so fun, tender and spicy. I now need to make time to read the rest of this series. Thank you to Maren Jenner for the opportunity to read this early. It truly was my pleasure.
January 31, 2026
A romance novella that packs so many emotions into the pages. wed is an escort and Ava is one of his clients, a client he is developing feelings for. When they get stuck in an elevator together, the feelings they have boil over and things heat up!
Loved this quick read! Had so much in the short pages.
Loved this quick read! Had so much in the short pages.
January 31, 2026
4⭐3🌶️ ARC Dual POV Third Person
Ava and Wes
This series is always a sweet and spicy time 💕 a beautiful palate cleanser when you just need a quick happy read.
Ava and Wes
This series is always a sweet and spicy time 💕 a beautiful palate cleanser when you just need a quick happy read.
January 27, 2026
This intermixed stand alone Novella series is great for a quickie spicy romance read! 2 people coming together in a time of panic/being stuck together only to find extra chemistry to pass the time.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rising Stakes by Maren Jenner completely swept me off my feet. It was tender, emotional, and quietly powerful in a way that lingers long after the final page even though it's a short novella.
Ava and Wes’s story starts with a trope that could have stayed light and fluffy, escort-for-a-night, age gap, stalled elevator, but Maren elevates it into something far more meaningful. This book is about worth. About what happens when someone sees you clearly after you’ve spent years being told you’re not enough.
I felt for Ava on a deeply personal level. Her emotional scars from a husband who chipped away at her confidence were heartbreakingly real. That kind of damage doesn’t just disappear when a relationship ends. It seeps into how you see yourself, how you love, and what you think you deserve. Ava’s hesitation, her self-doubt, and her fear of wanting more felt painfully authentic. If you’ve ever had a partner who loved to tear you down, her journey will hit close to home.
Wes, on the other hand, is a breath of fresh air. His positivity isn’t shallow because it’s intentional. He sees Ava as she is, not as something to fix or diminish, and his quiet patience is everything. The age gap is handled with so much care, never feeling gimmicky or uncomfortable, but instead highlighting how emotional maturity doesn’t follow a calendar.
The stalled elevator scene is perfection. It is intimate without being overdone, emotionally charged, and symbolic of the moment where both characters are forced to stop running from what they want. From there, the stakes truly rise, and watching Ava reclaim her confidence and choose herself (and love) is incredibly satisfying.
This book is soft yet strong, romantic yet grounded, and deeply affirming for anyone who has had to rebuild after emotional harm. Rising Stakes isn’t just about falling in love, it’s about learning that you were always worthy of it.
Ava and Wes’s story starts with a trope that could have stayed light and fluffy, escort-for-a-night, age gap, stalled elevator, but Maren elevates it into something far more meaningful. This book is about worth. About what happens when someone sees you clearly after you’ve spent years being told you’re not enough.
I felt for Ava on a deeply personal level. Her emotional scars from a husband who chipped away at her confidence were heartbreakingly real. That kind of damage doesn’t just disappear when a relationship ends. It seeps into how you see yourself, how you love, and what you think you deserve. Ava’s hesitation, her self-doubt, and her fear of wanting more felt painfully authentic. If you’ve ever had a partner who loved to tear you down, her journey will hit close to home.
Wes, on the other hand, is a breath of fresh air. His positivity isn’t shallow because it’s intentional. He sees Ava as she is, not as something to fix or diminish, and his quiet patience is everything. The age gap is handled with so much care, never feeling gimmicky or uncomfortable, but instead highlighting how emotional maturity doesn’t follow a calendar.
The stalled elevator scene is perfection. It is intimate without being overdone, emotionally charged, and symbolic of the moment where both characters are forced to stop running from what they want. From there, the stakes truly rise, and watching Ava reclaim her confidence and choose herself (and love) is incredibly satisfying.
This book is soft yet strong, romantic yet grounded, and deeply affirming for anyone who has had to rebuild after emotional harm. Rising Stakes isn’t just about falling in love, it’s about learning that you were always worthy of it.
January 30, 2026
Wes and Ava’s story is unlike any other books I’ve read. It involves an office party and an elevator. Their lives are different. For starters, he’s a bit on the young side. His occupation is a bit different than most, especially from her ex. She has money to spare. She’s sophisticated, gorgeous, and a bit guarded. She hires him to be her date to a few events. He has one rule: never get romantically involved with his clients. He’s attractive, attentive and makes her feel comfortable. They have a mutual admiration for one another. At the hotel she’s staying at, the elevator breaks down. They’re in confined quarters with nothing but time on their hands, and the basket of goodies that she won at the company party auction. Will he be able to get her to break down those barriers? A picnic in the elevator just might help. Will he confess that he feels more for her than friendship? Will she reciprocate? If you’re intrigued, this novella was just released. Happy reading!
January 30, 2026
This is a standalone romance novella. This book is about Ava and Wes. Ava is a divorcee and Wes is the male escort that she has hired to attend social events. However, Wes has realized he no longer wants Ava to be his client because he has feelings for her. She of course has reservations about it at first, but he shows her just how much he likes her. This is a short spicy read. They are stuck in a stalled elevator and things heat up. I loved their dynamic and chemistry. This is a reverse age gap. (she's older, he's younger.)
My favorite moment would have to be when he talked her through getting out of the elevator where she is afraid of heights.
If you are looking for a quick spicy read, then go grab this one!
My favorite moment would have to be when he talked her through getting out of the elevator where she is afraid of heights.
If you are looking for a quick spicy read, then go grab this one!
January 22, 2026
Rising Stakes is a standalone romance novella about a business associates to lovers romance with forced proximity and spice. I love Maren’s books and was very exited to dive into this quick and easy read. I also love how she is a master at complex characters that are easy to feel emotionally invested in. The pacing of the story felt natural for such a short span of pages. Wes is so sweet, absolutely smitten for Ava and is a total consent king! This story has a lot of heart, emotion and is equally as sweet as it was spicy. Thank you Maren Jenner for a copy of this ARC! I really enjoyed this one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5⭐️ 2.75🌶
Boy, was this little novella packed to the brim with goodness! The way it’s written gives the reader a genuine, deeply relatable emotional experience. Even though it didn't bring me to tears, the emotional connection was definitely present as we navigated the situation with both characters. The way Wes sees Ava is absolute perfection—he handles her with the utmost care and respect. Ava has truly been put through the ringer and struggles with her self-worth, and I couldn’t have asked for anything better from this story. What you witness in such a short amount of time is something truly touching and beautiful.
Boy, was this little novella packed to the brim with goodness! The way it’s written gives the reader a genuine, deeply relatable emotional experience. Even though it didn't bring me to tears, the emotional connection was definitely present as we navigated the situation with both characters. The way Wes sees Ava is absolute perfection—he handles her with the utmost care and respect. Ava has truly been put through the ringer and struggles with her self-worth, and I couldn’t have asked for anything better from this story. What you witness in such a short amount of time is something truly touching and beautiful.
January 31, 2026
Need a spicy romance to get you through Valentine’s Day coming up? Or just a short, steamy love blooming? As always, Maren Jenner has you sorted.
Had the pleasure to have this book as an ARC, and like every other Jenner book, these books fulfil every need you have, yes even one with a page count under 100.
In such little pages you feel connected to these characters, with background information that feels natural, and spice that doesn’t feel cliche.
This is only one of many of Maren Jenners steamy elevator romance stories, and I suggest you read every one !!
Always a pleasure to be part of the ARC team of these stories <3
Had the pleasure to have this book as an ARC, and like every other Jenner book, these books fulfil every need you have, yes even one with a page count under 100.
In such little pages you feel connected to these characters, with background information that feels natural, and spice that doesn’t feel cliche.
This is only one of many of Maren Jenners steamy elevator romance stories, and I suggest you read every one !!
Always a pleasure to be part of the ARC team of these stories <3
February 4, 2026
Fantastic Series
I have loved these short novella’s by Maren Jenner. Every one has been just as good, if not better than the last.
Rising Stakes is about Wes and Ava. The way Wes thinks about Ava throughout this book is lovely. The tenderness between them was great.
Although this is a short novella there was a good storyline. Great characters and a good amount of spice.
If you haven't given this series a go then I highly recommend that you do. You do not even need to read them in order.
I have loved these short novella’s by Maren Jenner. Every one has been just as good, if not better than the last.
Rising Stakes is about Wes and Ava. The way Wes thinks about Ava throughout this book is lovely. The tenderness between them was great.
Although this is a short novella there was a good storyline. Great characters and a good amount of spice.
If you haven't given this series a go then I highly recommend that you do. You do not even need to read them in order.
January 27, 2026
Rising Stakes is the 4th in the Shafted Series by Maren Jenner. I was fortunate to get an ARC copy before it releases this Friday January 30th. A malfunctioning elevator. A heartbeat too close, one night that blurs the line between chance and fate. Are Wes and Ava ready to throw caution to the wind and risk it all as the stakes begin to rise???♥️ You can preorder NOWW!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Like the rest in this series, Maren packs so much heart, anticipation, and yearning. In less than 100 pages!!
The spice packs a punch, and in this book I loved the angle that Maren took in this story.
I will keep reading those as long as she puts them out.
overall: recommend
spice: open door
The spice packs a punch, and in this book I loved the angle that Maren took in this story.
I will keep reading those as long as she puts them out.
overall: recommend
spice: open door
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC reader. Another short story that Maren has nailed. This may have been a slower to spice then expected (especially given Wes' occupation), but was sweet! My only complaint- we dont know what the other women said you upset Ava!
January 17, 2026
This series just keeps getting better and better. The slow burn in this one was so good! Such a fun, quick read
Review of advance copy
this book was sooo good I love how wes got to know Ava 🥹 he really loved her as the beautiful woman she is he didn't rush things with her this story was beautiful and sweet 😍
January 19, 2026
This was so sweet. This little novella left nothing out. They got spicy real quick and I was here for it.
February 3, 2026
I loved the betting theme that was woven throughout the story. It really connected the characters and helped show their personalities. Wes and Ava are so cute even if they come from different backgrounds. Such a short, satisfying read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 / 5 stars (rounded up)
Thank you, Maren, for allowing me to be a beta reader... It was an honor! This was the first book in the series that I read, even though it is installment #4. I will have to go back and read the others! This was an engaging novella featuring a FMC and MMC with undeniable chemistry. A fun, quick read that will undoubtedly raise the temperature a few degrees! 🥵 (It's a good thing that elevator didn't have a surveillance camera!)
Thank you, Maren, for allowing me to be a beta reader... It was an honor! This was the first book in the series that I read, even though it is installment #4. I will have to go back and read the others! This was an engaging novella featuring a FMC and MMC with undeniable chemistry. A fun, quick read that will undoubtedly raise the temperature a few degrees! 🥵 (It's a good thing that elevator didn't have a surveillance camera!)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Spice rating: 2 1/2 (1/2 because spicy fun in an elevator)
I was able to read this book ahead of its release date thanks to the author.
Recommend to someone looking for a quick reverse age gap romance.
This is part of a series but can 100% be read as a standalone. The only thing that connects the stories is an unreliable elevator.
With many novellas they fall into the insta-love category. This one does a good job of providing some background and establishing that they are familiar with each other. Even if not in the romantic sense. They still don’t know a lot about each other but enough to have an idea of each other’s personality in social settings.
I loved that the MMC had a clear line he refused to cross as an escort. Having him being younger and the one to initiate the crossover from client to something more after he is clear about being off the clock removes the negative power dynamic.
The FMC is super insecure to start but with the MMCs help she slowly starts to come into her own and gain that confidence she lost due to her divorce. He doesn’t change her but rather remind her of who she was.
The MMC is patient and lets her decide every step of the way if things go further or not. Their strip poker game was a clever way to to get this going.
While the novella ends, it’s clear that their story is only starting which I liked because it doesn’t make this an insta-love. Maybe insta-smitten ? The FMC isnt falling head over heels for the first guy that pays attention to her after divorce.
Looking forward for more books in this series
I was able to read this book ahead of its release date thanks to the author.
Recommend to someone looking for a quick reverse age gap romance.
This is part of a series but can 100% be read as a standalone. The only thing that connects the stories is an unreliable elevator.
With many novellas they fall into the insta-love category. This one does a good job of providing some background and establishing that they are familiar with each other. Even if not in the romantic sense. They still don’t know a lot about each other but enough to have an idea of each other’s personality in social settings.
I loved that the MMC had a clear line he refused to cross as an escort. Having him being younger and the one to initiate the crossover from client to something more after he is clear about being off the clock removes the negative power dynamic.
The FMC is super insecure to start but with the MMCs help she slowly starts to come into her own and gain that confidence she lost due to her divorce. He doesn’t change her but rather remind her of who she was.
The MMC is patient and lets her decide every step of the way if things go further or not. Their strip poker game was a clever way to to get this going.
While the novella ends, it’s clear that their story is only starting which I liked because it doesn’t make this an insta-love. Maybe insta-smitten ? The FMC isnt falling head over heels for the first guy that pays attention to her after divorce.
Looking forward for more books in this series
Review of advance copy received from Author
Being stuck in an elevator turns out to be life changing for Ava, a divorced socialite, and Wes her hired escort. Wes has decided to break his rule of not getting romantically involved with a client. He and Ava have made a real connection during their three “dates” and he hopes she is open to taking things in a more personal direction. When the hotel’s temperamental elevator shudders to a stop, he seizes the opportunity to tell her he wants to keep going out with her, but not in a professional capacity as her paid escort.
Ava can’t believe the very handsome and charming Wes would want anything to do with her. She is feeling like a failure after her divorce, and all of the nasty gossip only reinforces that. Wes makes it known that he sees her quite differently. To him, she is beautiful inside and out, poised, kind and always thinking of others. Her grace in the face of the nasty gossip astounds him. Ava is wary of love and relationships after her cheating ex, but she desperately wants to believe that Wes is sincere and trustworthy. Being trapped in the elevator gives them time to lower their guards, discuss their feelings and indulge in some very steamy one on one time.
This spicy novella is a very enjoyable read and has my recommendation.
Ava can’t believe the very handsome and charming Wes would want anything to do with her. She is feeling like a failure after her divorce, and all of the nasty gossip only reinforces that. Wes makes it known that he sees her quite differently. To him, she is beautiful inside and out, poised, kind and always thinking of others. Her grace in the face of the nasty gossip astounds him. Ava is wary of love and relationships after her cheating ex, but she desperately wants to believe that Wes is sincere and trustworthy. Being trapped in the elevator gives them time to lower their guards, discuss their feelings and indulge in some very steamy one on one time.
This spicy novella is a very enjoyable read and has my recommendation.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"This was Wes, the man who made her comfortable at every turn." - Ava
"She was gorgeous, no question. But above that, he admired her quiet strength, her unflappable poise that never wavered no matter what anyone said to her." - Wes
Ava is recently divorced and has to go to events where her ex-husband is as well, so she hires an escort named Wes. Wes is very sweet, and they make bets together to keep it fun. They also went into an elevator after the event and got stuck together, and that's where the spice and feelings happened. They are both very sweet characters. Wes wants to help her see that she's a great person; he's very happy to be around her and loves to show that, and Ava can't believe that she is forming a connection with someone that understands her so well. This is a very sweet novella with a bit of an age gap (she's older) and spice.
"Ava and Wes came from two different worlds, mixing like oil and water."
I received an ARC copy of this book.
"She was gorgeous, no question. But above that, he admired her quiet strength, her unflappable poise that never wavered no matter what anyone said to her." - Wes
Ava is recently divorced and has to go to events where her ex-husband is as well, so she hires an escort named Wes. Wes is very sweet, and they make bets together to keep it fun. They also went into an elevator after the event and got stuck together, and that's where the spice and feelings happened. They are both very sweet characters. Wes wants to help her see that she's a great person; he's very happy to be around her and loves to show that, and Ava can't believe that she is forming a connection with someone that understands her so well. This is a very sweet novella with a bit of an age gap (she's older) and spice.
"Ava and Wes came from two different worlds, mixing like oil and water."
I received an ARC copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this reverse age gap romance. Ava gets her groove on with Wes. She learns just how beautiful she really is through Wes's eyes. I liked the cheeky banter that these two shared. I could taste the "dry chicken" that Wes had to eat after losing the bet and I felt for him.
I have to say that the idea of having a basket picnic meal in an elevator does actually sound appealing. Yet it did not take too long for these two to turn that innocent meal into a spicy one. I liked Wes and Ava together. They made a cute couple. Wes is a golden retriever.
If you like insta lust romances and getting stuck in elevators and drinking pina codas; then, you are going to want to read this novella. I do need to come clean. There are no pina codas in this novella. I could not help myself as the lyrics "If you like pina colada's, and getting caught in the rain" popped into my head.
I have to say that the idea of having a basket picnic meal in an elevator does actually sound appealing. Yet it did not take too long for these two to turn that innocent meal into a spicy one. I liked Wes and Ava together. They made a cute couple. Wes is a golden retriever.
If you like insta lust romances and getting stuck in elevators and drinking pina codas; then, you are going to want to read this novella. I do need to come clean. There are no pina codas in this novella. I could not help myself as the lyrics "If you like pina colada's, and getting caught in the rain" popped into my head.
Review of advance copy received from Author
**Extra Hot!**
"Rising Stakes" is the fourth book in The Shafted series. Ava and Wes's story may be a quick and spicy read, but it has so much heart and emotion behind the characters that you'll be hooked from start to finish. Ava and Wes are definitely opposites attract, with a reverse age gap, divorcee, and an escort. Initially, they believe that neither would be interested in the other outside of their business arrangement. However, everything changes when they find themselves stuck in an elevator together. In that moment, they finally give in to the connection and chemistry they’ve both felt but haven’t acknowledged. Taking a chance on each other, they discover their happily-ever-after together.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
"Rising Stakes" is the fourth book in The Shafted series. Ava and Wes's story may be a quick and spicy read, but it has so much heart and emotion behind the characters that you'll be hooked from start to finish. Ava and Wes are definitely opposites attract, with a reverse age gap, divorcee, and an escort. Initially, they believe that neither would be interested in the other outside of their business arrangement. However, everything changes when they find themselves stuck in an elevator together. In that moment, they finally give in to the connection and chemistry they’ve both felt but haven’t acknowledged. Taking a chance on each other, they discover their happily-ever-after together.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
This was a cute novella. Tropes include reverse age-gap and escort/client. Ava and Wes are so sweet. I loved how patient he was with her and how he was just a generally good guy. His emergency supplies in his pocket cracked me up!
Ava hired Wes to be her date to a few events that her ex-husband would be at with his latest arm candy.
Ava hired Wes to be her date to a few events that her ex-husband would be at with his latest arm candy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ava and Wes play a little game while stuck in the elevator.
Wes is fucking adorable! A consent king and we love it !!
Love a good quick and spicy novella!
They were super cute and loved their games !
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to arc read this novella!!
Wes is fucking adorable! A consent king and we love it !!
Love a good quick and spicy novella!
They were super cute and loved their games !
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to arc read this novella!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fun quick novella. And yes, they are stuck in an elevator. 😉🤭
Review of advance copy received from Author
This short spicy novella was the perfect pallet cleanser! It was an engaging fun read that I could devour in one go. I was smiling through the whole thing!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved reading this spicy fast paced novella. Wes and Ava had great chemistry! Loved how it started out as a business transaction but grew to be more. Those scenes had me fanning my face!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This quick read is super 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. Reverse age gap and so much more. Not giving anything away except you have to read Wes and Ava’s story, you won’t be disappointed. Enjoy
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews