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The Stopping Place

Lily Morton and Joel Leslie
4.5 / 5.0
Published: 2026

Description

Life has a funny way of forcing us to slow down, even when we least expect it. For Arthur, his planned retreat to a quiet, forgotten corner of the world is supposed to be about solitude and putting the pieces of his life back together. He isn’t looking for a transformation, and he certainly isn’t looking for anyone else. But as the seasons shift from the lazy, golden glow of July to the biting, blustery chill of October, the landscape of his quiet world begins to change in ways he couldn't have predicted. Enter a man who disrupts Arthur’s carefully curated peace with humor, warmth, and an undeniable pull that becomes impossible to ignore. What starts as a simple proximity grows into something far more profound, turning a temporary pit stop into a journey of self-discovery and connection. This story is a beautifully paced exploration of how love can bloom in the most unassuming places. With a blend of wit and poignant emotion, the narrative perfectly captures the cozy, atmospheric transition of the passing months. It is an intimate, heartfelt romance that reminds us that sometimes, you have to stop moving to find exactly where you are meant to be.

Customer Reviews

Top 5 from Amazon
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Ana Nimity
July 18, 2020
Verified Purchase

A dreamy sweet short

I will never tire of Lily Morton's amazing characters and world-building. Snark and humor are her trademarks but this story showcases one of her lesser-touted strengths: poignant scenes and moments that make your heart ache. A lovely romance.
J
JDenise
January 8, 2022
Verified Purchase

Letting Go, Sometimes He’ll Come Back!

Auction House Owner Simeon hires free-spirited Ziggy to help out while he recuperates from a car accident and a sexy relationship develops. I liked this lighthearted, charming, and easy read short. The MCs are likable and interesting enough; there is enough drama to be intriguing, even though the storyline is filled with well-tread tropes.
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A.Jo
July 7, 2020
Verified Purchase

Lily Morton’s as good at short stories as she is at novels

I know I say this in all my short story reviews, but it’s not easy to write a story that feels complete in under 100 pages (this one is 70). Lily Morton is great at it. This story is about Simeon, a 40- something auction house owner, and Ziggy, a free spirited 25 year-old who he hires to be his assistant while he recovers from an accident. We meet them near the end of their time together, but two flashback scenes smartly show that early dynamic between them. There’s snark and heartfelt emotion. It’s a great way to pass a couple of cozy reading hours.
M
mallgirl1954
July 6, 2020
Verified Purchase

Free spirit meets his match

What a wonderful story! Ziggy is the man hired to help buttoned up Simeon when he breaks his arm in a car accident, but he gets much more than a caretaker in this free- spirited man. Suffice to say ms Morton never disappoints in her lovely characters & this is no exception! Sweet & satisfying!!
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Christina Azariadou
September 10, 2020
Verified Purchase

A lovely "July to very blustery October" story

4.5 stars rounding down because I would have loved a slow, intense scene of them coming together, apart from the one in the beginning, after Ziggy phoned Simeon. Low angst and sweet story in which, in her amazing way, Lily fit an entire romance with character and relationship development in 70 pages with HEA!!!