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Healing Gabriel
Fifteen years ago, Gabriel Dern was involved in a car accident that left terrible scars covering half of his body. He retreats from society and rejects the idea of ever finding a woman who will accept him for who he is.
After her mother’s death, Morgan Wilson moves to the small town of Martinvale to begin her new life. While living in the carriage house on Gabriel’s property, she gradually begins to tear down the walls Gabe has built around him. As Gabe slowly warms up to her, Morgan must find a way to convince him she wants both his friendship and his love.
After her mother’s death, Morgan Wilson moves to the small town of Martinvale to begin her new life. While living in the carriage house on Gabriel’s property, she gradually begins to tear down the walls Gabe has built around him. As Gabe slowly warms up to her, Morgan must find a way to convince him she wants both his friendship and his love.
218 pages, Hardcover
First published January 7, 2014
33 people are currently reading
413 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Kelly
75 books693 followersElizabeth Kelly is a romance novelist who spends her days writing and pushing her cat Murray off the keyboard. She firmly believes that a person can survive solely on sushi and coffee, and only her husband's mad cooking skills prevents her from proving that theory.
She also writes contemporary and paranormal romance under her alter-ego "Ramona Gray".
She also writes contemporary and paranormal romance under her alter-ego "Ramona Gray".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 14, 2016
Overall rating: 3 stars!
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
Intimate pasts:
Push/pull:
OW/OM drama:
HEA:
This book was just okay. I enjoyed it enough but I kind of found the drama very juvenile. And for some reason, I just felt like Morgan was a bit juvenile. Her klutziness didn't bother me all that much, but pair that with her cigarette smoking and dirty talking in the bedroom and it just didn't mesh with the rest of her character.
I do think both characters are very sweet, but this book did not wow me in any way, shape or form.
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
Intimate pasts:
Push/pull:
OW/OM drama:
HEA:
This book was just okay. I enjoyed it enough but I kind of found the drama very juvenile. And for some reason, I just felt like Morgan was a bit juvenile. Her klutziness didn't bother me all that much, but pair that with her cigarette smoking and dirty talking in the bedroom and it just didn't mesh with the rest of her character.
I do think both characters are very sweet, but this book did not wow me in any way, shape or form.
October 18, 2019
A sweet story with two kind leads. Gabriel was a sad figure in that he’d cut himself off from the world and felt inferior. He was so unsure of himself and lacking in self-esteem. But he was a decent person and I was happy that he found Morgan. I liked her a lot; she was kind, funny, and caring. She didn’t give up on Gabriel and showed him that she truly loved and valued him. The love scenes were very hot and well-done.
maybe-need-more-info-check-safety
March 14, 2016not for me now. maybe later!
January 25, 2015
This was just alright. I find it hard to believe that someone could be that big of a klutz. The heroine was just tripping left and right, and was forever bruised. What caught my attention was that the hero is a virgin and I always love reading about them but this hero was a carbon copy of many other heros I've come across (the scarred recluse who doesn't think he is good enough). Overall, this was just a little too 'been there, done that' for me.
August 4, 2022
it's a good soup the guy is a sweetheart.
alternative title should be: healing gabriel through sex HAHAHA
alternative title should be: healing gabriel through sex HAHAHA
February 26, 2014
Sweet and short (but not too short) romance with the right amount of sexiness. I usually get frustrated with an overly klutzy heroine, but she was so strong and competent in other areas, that it didn't bother me here. She was extremely perky - and sometimes the dialogue verged on silly and immature, but honestly it felt genuine. I mean, I'm not a spring chicken, but I could see my friends and me behaving that way. The hero was sensitive, but not a wimp.
I enjoyed this book so much that I'm going to check out this author's other books.
I enjoyed this book so much that I'm going to check out this author's other books.
March 8, 2025
Being clumsy is not a personality trait
September 24, 2025
Real stinker
May 4, 2015
Oh boy, this is my first book by this author and I doubt I’ll be trying another one. The writing was incredibly childish and immature. We have the recluse Hero who was badly scared in an accident when he was 15. The heroine is a teacher who apparently is the clumsiest person on the planet.The premise of the book wasn t bad and it reminded me of Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan, which was a 5 stars read for me, but here I felt like the book was wrote by a 10 year old. The characters are so forgettable, they constantly call each other “honey” and “ sweetie”, even before they get together. That would be fine if the Hero wouldn t have been portrayed as being this clueless, weak, guy with no personality what so ever. Every time she would call him sweetie I felt like she was talking to a child. When the town slut came to babysit him (her words) bc he was ill, he had nothing to say to that, he just stood there and took the offending words. You are a damn adult, man up and tell her you can t be babysat. The constant use of monster and freak was overkill, I have trouble believing a full grown person (I think he was 29) would think of himself as a monster bc of some scars.
I like the idea of him being a virgin, it’s a rare premise in books but again, bc the guy has no personality and seems to be the village idiot when she started showing him and teaching him what she likes sexually I didn t feel the connection or the passion, it just felt awkward, like a teacher and a student.
I love vulnerable Heroes, scared ones, virgins, insecure etc but I like those characters flows in strong men. Gabriel was constantly blushing at everything Morgan did or said, it’s easy to forget the guy is a grown man. Their break up was so dumb and predictable. He thinks he isn t good enough for her bc of his scars and that she will eventually resent him bc he likes privacy and prefers to stay away from people, she is upset he d think so little of her so they break up. After some months he mans up goes after her, tells her he Loves her but she doesn t think they can be together bc she is afraid she will resent him in the future since he is not a people person and he never wants to be seen in public. Say what now? woman, weren t you offended by this reason when he used it to break up with you?? Of course they make up in the end even though their situation is the same. Basically the author had no more stupid reasons to keep them apart so they decide to forgive each other and live HEA :))) Yeah, this was definitely not the book for me.
I like the idea of him being a virgin, it’s a rare premise in books but again, bc the guy has no personality and seems to be the village idiot when she started showing him and teaching him what she likes sexually I didn t feel the connection or the passion, it just felt awkward, like a teacher and a student.
I love vulnerable Heroes, scared ones, virgins, insecure etc but I like those characters flows in strong men. Gabriel was constantly blushing at everything Morgan did or said, it’s easy to forget the guy is a grown man. Their break up was so dumb and predictable. He thinks he isn t good enough for her bc of his scars and that she will eventually resent him bc he likes privacy and prefers to stay away from people, she is upset he d think so little of her so they break up. After some months he mans up goes after her, tells her he Loves her but she doesn t think they can be together bc she is afraid she will resent him in the future since he is not a people person and he never wants to be seen in public. Say what now? woman, weren t you offended by this reason when he used it to break up with you?? Of course they make up in the end even though their situation is the same. Basically the author had no more stupid reasons to keep them apart so they decide to forgive each other and live HEA :))) Yeah, this was definitely not the book for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2016
So good I read it twice.
This story was so heartfelt and the characters easy to connect with. I couldn't help but wish I could step through the pages of my e-reader to give Gabriel a hug while at the same time wanting to slap some sense into that sexy boy!
I loved that Kelly was willing to tackle a tough issue and give readers a flawed romantic lead. Too many stories have the male and femle characters described in these unrealistic and unatainable standards. Not the case with Gabriel and even Morgan whom I loved for being quirky and fun and willing to have a sense of humor in all things.
This is book I've already read twice and will be reading again and again.
This story was so heartfelt and the characters easy to connect with. I couldn't help but wish I could step through the pages of my e-reader to give Gabriel a hug while at the same time wanting to slap some sense into that sexy boy!
I loved that Kelly was willing to tackle a tough issue and give readers a flawed romantic lead. Too many stories have the male and femle characters described in these unrealistic and unatainable standards. Not the case with Gabriel and even Morgan whom I loved for being quirky and fun and willing to have a sense of humor in all things.
This is book I've already read twice and will be reading again and again.
January 26, 2015
The writing and storytelling need improvement. I almost DNF'd . That kind of scene needs to be written out and not condensed to a couple of sentences in a recap. There were several moments like that where I wanted to see the changing friendship but instead I got told everything. There was no depth to the story. It was all surface writing and not for me.
August 31, 2016
4/5
Great book!
Scarred grumpy hero
Virgin hero
Two characters start from zero to falling in love
Kinda a beauty and beast theme
Herion did date for a few weeks after meeting hero, but it was nothing. Their relationship literally starts at zero ( witch is when she goes on like 4 dates with the guy, no sex. In fact she hasn't had sex in 3 years)
Some push and pull but over all a really great book!! Great development between characters and super sweet!!!
Easy to read and flows well
Great book!
Scarred grumpy hero
Virgin hero
Two characters start from zero to falling in love
Kinda a beauty and beast theme
Herion did date for a few weeks after meeting hero, but it was nothing. Their relationship literally starts at zero ( witch is when she goes on like 4 dates with the guy, no sex. In fact she hasn't had sex in 3 years)
Some push and pull but over all a really great book!! Great development between characters and super sweet!!!
Easy to read and flows well
October 14, 2018
Really good story about a reclusive man with scars and a sweet school teacher. Enjoyable, easy, quick read-but just too similar to the authors other book, Broken.
January 30, 2015
Healing Gabriel by Elizabeth Kelly is one of the sweetest books I've read all year. Sometimes it helps to be reminded of how ugly love can be. Gabe and Morgan are like two puzzle pieces from different puzzles that fit together but just don't make sense. I loved this story! Gabe is scared and like living in the shadows of his own life and Morgan is like this locomotive of goodness and light, but they work! This story makes you love the struggle because all the time that you're reading it, you are pulling for them to accept the love they've found. It's just perfect love story.
February 2, 2019
Full of heart
What a lovely story. Morgan and Gabe make a beautiful couple. They really compliment each other. You can feel the love and attraction coming if the pages. Will read again.
What a lovely story. Morgan and Gabe make a beautiful couple. They really compliment each other. You can feel the love and attraction coming if the pages. Will read again.
June 29, 2021
Love me a damaged, scarred, grumpy virgin hero. Gabriel is one of my faves.
Virgin rating:
Innocence of virgin hero: 4/5
Innocence in losing it: 5/5
Build up to losing it: 5/5
Hotness of losing it: 5/5
Busted touching himself: yes
Virgin rating:
Innocence of virgin hero: 4/5
Innocence in losing it: 5/5
Build up to losing it: 5/5
Hotness of losing it: 5/5
Busted touching himself: yes
July 15, 2014
I love Elizabeth Kelly books, I have read all the books I own of hers multiple times, this is definitely one of them!
June 30, 2014
Tried to read this book but the language and explicit sex turned me off. Would love to read a PG version. Loved the premise of book but couldn't look over the aforementioned issues.
April 28, 2015
Such a sweet sweet story. I read what the story was about and I HAD to read this.
September 4, 2017
3.5 stars
So much potential here! Gabe and Morgan were a great couple. I enjoyed both characters and could definitely feel the chemistry...and I'm a sucker for a scarred hero.
I had two issues with this. The first is Morgan's smoking...it just didn't fit with the character and seemed really out of place. The second issue is with how his brother-in-law's friends talked about him. Not only should his sister's house be a safe space for him, but I found it unbelievable that people in their late 20s would call a burn victim a "freak". If we are going to read about people staring, I believe it. I could even believe people making some unkind comments as well. But freak? In a small town where everyone knows how the scars happened? It was a stretch and would have been believable from a bunch of 8 year olds.
Other than those two issues, I really liked this book and would definitely recommend it.
So much potential here! Gabe and Morgan were a great couple. I enjoyed both characters and could definitely feel the chemistry...and I'm a sucker for a scarred hero.
I had two issues with this. The first is Morgan's smoking...it just didn't fit with the character and seemed really out of place. The second issue is with how his brother-in-law's friends talked about him. Not only should his sister's house be a safe space for him, but I found it unbelievable that people in their late 20s would call a burn victim a "freak". If we are going to read about people staring, I believe it. I could even believe people making some unkind comments as well. But freak? In a small town where everyone knows how the scars happened? It was a stretch and would have been believable from a bunch of 8 year olds.
Other than those two issues, I really liked this book and would definitely recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2018
Morgan Wilson left her hometown, job and old friends in a whim. After her mother's death she couldn't spent another moment in there. She needed to go away. In the end she found herself in a small town, teaching kids .
Falling in love was no in her radar but when Lacey, one of her newly found friends introduce her to her brother that seems inevitable.
Gabriel Dern is a loner. He is scarred. Horribly so. He is considered the town freak. When his sister beings Morgan to him , he is not only shocked but defensive and apprehensive.
But Morgan seems different. She doesn't care about his scars but Gabriel is very insecure.
Can Morgan heal Gabriel of his psychological scars or will Gabriel push away the best thing that ever happened to him?
...
Check out the link below for the full detailed review of this book
http://arielbookblog.blogspot.com/201...
Falling in love was no in her radar but when Lacey, one of her newly found friends introduce her to her brother that seems inevitable.
Gabriel Dern is a loner. He is scarred. Horribly so. He is considered the town freak. When his sister beings Morgan to him , he is not only shocked but defensive and apprehensive.
But Morgan seems different. She doesn't care about his scars but Gabriel is very insecure.
Can Morgan heal Gabriel of his psychological scars or will Gabriel push away the best thing that ever happened to him?
...
Check out the link below for the full detailed review of this book
http://arielbookblog.blogspot.com/201...
December 18, 2020
The mc and I are both short-sighted which may be the root of our clumsiness. I even had the nickname 'apple legs' for some time (because of the number of bruises I would have on my legs). I not only break myself but many objects as well. A friend once said if you looked my name up in a dictionary, the definition would be 'a spill, a slop'. Quite fond of white clothes so I can bleach the stains.
The book - I enjoyed the easy reading style. The story was never extreme over the top but its events still kept me interested. Found the author was descriptive and images appeared easily in my mind.
My review may have been shorter but after reading some undo negative 'harshness' in other reviews, I decided to try and break down my enjoyment of Healing Gabriel. I hope the next novel I read by this author gives me the same pleasure.
The book - I enjoyed the easy reading style. The story was never extreme over the top but its events still kept me interested. Found the author was descriptive and images appeared easily in my mind.
My review may have been shorter but after reading some undo negative 'harshness' in other reviews, I decided to try and break down my enjoyment of Healing Gabriel. I hope the next novel I read by this author gives me the same pleasure.
May 25, 2021
This book really shows that opposite does attract. The heroine is a confident girl who doesn't care what people think of her and her life meanwhile the hero is an insecure man who still haunted by the trauma. I love that both character help to lift each other up and this book clearly say that it's okay men can cry too. Men doesn't need to be strong all the time, he can lead on her woman too.
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Although I don't know either a clumsy person like the heroine really exists or not but well I can't judge it anyway. For me, this book really portray a type of love that can each other to be better. Plus, the hero is a virgin and for me, it's cute when the hero always blushes around the heroine. the kind of love that make you become better :)
.
Although I don't know either a clumsy person like the heroine really exists or not but well I can't judge it anyway. For me, this book really portray a type of love that can each other to be better. Plus, the hero is a virgin and for me, it's cute when the hero always blushes around the heroine. the kind of love that make you become better :)
February 14, 2022
The pairing of a worldly woman with a virgin guy was intriguing. The plot was interesting as well. A good romance, overall. And some THOT drama to spice things up! BUT the punctuation (lack thereof!) drove me up a wall. (Vocative commas are a thing, yo!)
4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2019
Linda historia, lo malo es que no tiene epílogo.
Want to read
September 17, 202009/16/20 - Not available on KU $3.99.
January 6, 2021
4.5 stars
Quick read that was cute. Only thing I wish is it had an epilogue so we could look into if Gabriel every decided to leave the farmhouse.
Quick read that was cute. Only thing I wish is it had an epilogue so we could look into if Gabriel every decided to leave the farmhouse.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2022
Cute.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews