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A Ruby in the Rough: An Appalachian Romance
"If there was one thing Spencer Williams hadn’t needed it was a glow up. Being pretty gave him too much power."
When big city ballerina Leah suffers a knee injury, she faces not only a new life without dance, but a new life changing diagnosis. Off balance and unsure how to move on, Leah returns home to the mountains of North Carolina, seeking the solace she remembers from her childhood. Unfortunately for Leah, her childhood nemesis, Spencer, is waiting to help her move in when she arrives.
She came looking for peace, but now Spencer is giving her a whole new kind of headache. Can Leah and Spencer move past their bad blood and find some kind of truce, or will Leah miss out on the hidden gem right under her nose?
Originally written for the Loving Carolina Hurricane Helene disaster relief charity anthology, A Ruby in the Rough is inspired by the life of its author, River Seabrook, through her love for her hometown of Franklin North Carolina, and her experience with chronic illness-- specially featuring the condition Chiari Malformation. Perfect for fans of quick witted humor, sassy dialogue, poetic imagery, and clean Austen-esque enemies to lovers romance.
“A classic story of romance that mirrors Jane Austen’s work.” - Reverie Moon, Author of The Escort
When big city ballerina Leah suffers a knee injury, she faces not only a new life without dance, but a new life changing diagnosis. Off balance and unsure how to move on, Leah returns home to the mountains of North Carolina, seeking the solace she remembers from her childhood. Unfortunately for Leah, her childhood nemesis, Spencer, is waiting to help her move in when she arrives.
She came looking for peace, but now Spencer is giving her a whole new kind of headache. Can Leah and Spencer move past their bad blood and find some kind of truce, or will Leah miss out on the hidden gem right under her nose?
Originally written for the Loving Carolina Hurricane Helene disaster relief charity anthology, A Ruby in the Rough is inspired by the life of its author, River Seabrook, through her love for her hometown of Franklin North Carolina, and her experience with chronic illness-- specially featuring the condition Chiari Malformation. Perfect for fans of quick witted humor, sassy dialogue, poetic imagery, and clean Austen-esque enemies to lovers romance.
“A classic story of romance that mirrors Jane Austen’s work.” - Reverie Moon, Author of The Escort
53 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 13, 2025
A wonderful little short story that makes me nostalgic for a town that I’ve never been to. The flow was great for a short story and I found myself unable to put it down at the end. I loved Leah and Spencer’s story and River made me fall in love with two characters from a short story more than I do for some feature length novels!
If you’re looking for a palette cleanser or a nice way to get out of reader’s block, this tale written from the heart and topped with a shining ruby is something you should check out!
If you’re looking for a palette cleanser or a nice way to get out of reader’s block, this tale written from the heart and topped with a shining ruby is something you should check out!
November 13, 2025
cute love story novella
August 28, 2025
Ok I really liked this. I read a lot of indie books. Much like our FMC, Leah, I enjoy looking for those hidden gems, and I think I've found something good in this short story. It's witty, engaging, endearing and I, for one, want to read the rest of their story. A Ruby in the Rough made me nostalgic for a place I've never been.
August 23, 2025
I’m horrible at reviews! However, this book is cute.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews