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Homeless Heart
When Phin ran away at eighteen, he never expected to spend years living on the streets. The world was more brutal than he expected but still better than spending every day fearing his father's wrath. A little over a year remains until his twenty-first birthday when he can come out of hiding.
Then, the unexpected happens, he meets a woman who turns everything he'd planned on its head.
Elizabeth has given up on love at thirty-one and is contemplating getting a few cats. She'd forsaken her personal life to help the homeless for so long that she wouldn't know romance if it hit her in the face. But when she crashes into a handsome stranger, she instantly recognizes a damaged young man driven by a painful past.
Elizabeth offers Phin friendship and helps him learn to trust again, bringing him out of the shadows he's been hiding in. When Phin's past resurfaces, Lizzie realizes his secrets are more tragic than she could have imagined. Only then does Phin realize that if he's to have any future, he must deal with his past and stop living in it. But will Elizabeth love the man buried beneath the pain and abuse?
There's only one way to find out.
** Some brief violent content occurs - may be triggering to some individuals
**Content has been edited since the publishing date.
Then, the unexpected happens, he meets a woman who turns everything he'd planned on its head.
Elizabeth has given up on love at thirty-one and is contemplating getting a few cats. She'd forsaken her personal life to help the homeless for so long that she wouldn't know romance if it hit her in the face. But when she crashes into a handsome stranger, she instantly recognizes a damaged young man driven by a painful past.
Elizabeth offers Phin friendship and helps him learn to trust again, bringing him out of the shadows he's been hiding in. When Phin's past resurfaces, Lizzie realizes his secrets are more tragic than she could have imagined. Only then does Phin realize that if he's to have any future, he must deal with his past and stop living in it. But will Elizabeth love the man buried beneath the pain and abuse?
There's only one way to find out.
** Some brief violent content occurs - may be triggering to some individuals
**Content has been edited since the publishing date.
- GenresRomanceContemporary
385 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2022
About the author
S.L. Marshall
1 book67 followersSL's passion for reading started as child with the Little House on the Praire books and her issue of Dynamite magazine.
Growing up on a farm and a lot of time on her hands she cultivated a love for love stories through reading and watching television. Many of her earliest memories involve watching the Brady Bunch on a Friday night, getting to stay up late to watch the Thorn Birds and enjoying Mash on a Monday night.
Currently her favorite shows include Hell on Wheels, the Newsroom, Parenthood, Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, Sherlock, Doctor Who, EastEnders, Coronation Street and loads more. She’s been known to watch a reality show or two including Project Runway, the Voice and anything on HGTV.
Her bucket list includes going to Australia, South Africa, being an extra on EastEnders and to finish my screenplay.
Her TV and movie husbands: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Johnny Depp, Keith Richards, Jake Gyllenhayl, Ewan McGregor, Gerard Butler, Javier Samuel, Alan Carr, David Tennant, Adam Levine, David Gandy, Anson Mount and Jay Ryan,
List of her book boyfriends: Gideon Cross, Kellen Kallen, Travis Maddox, Dante Hart, all the boys in the Petal books. Adding new boyfriends daily.
She always wanted to live in Stars Hallow and hang out at Luke’s diner.
Growing up on a farm and a lot of time on her hands she cultivated a love for love stories through reading and watching television. Many of her earliest memories involve watching the Brady Bunch on a Friday night, getting to stay up late to watch the Thorn Birds and enjoying Mash on a Monday night.
Currently her favorite shows include Hell on Wheels, the Newsroom, Parenthood, Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, Sherlock, Doctor Who, EastEnders, Coronation Street and loads more. She’s been known to watch a reality show or two including Project Runway, the Voice and anything on HGTV.
Her bucket list includes going to Australia, South Africa, being an extra on EastEnders and to finish my screenplay.
Her TV and movie husbands: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Johnny Depp, Keith Richards, Jake Gyllenhayl, Ewan McGregor, Gerard Butler, Javier Samuel, Alan Carr, David Tennant, Adam Levine, David Gandy, Anson Mount and Jay Ryan,
List of her book boyfriends: Gideon Cross, Kellen Kallen, Travis Maddox, Dante Hart, all the boys in the Petal books. Adding new boyfriends daily.
She always wanted to live in Stars Hallow and hang out at Luke’s diner.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 19, 2022
It started out very interesting with a story about a 17 yr old Hero who left home because he came from an abusive home (his Father constantly beating him & a drunk uncaring mother). He ran to L.A. so that he wouldn't be found to await 3 years so that he could get his inheritance and leave that life.
While in L.A., he became homeless and it's his story of survival of how he lives day to day to find a place to sleep & work so he can stay alive. Along the way, he meets & befriends a few good folks who help him and some who don't.
I won't lie and say I know what life is like as a homeless person because I have no idea, but from the little I read, it opened my heart & mind because it seems to portray homelessness in a realistic way and that is the only thing I liked about this story because it was emotional & thought-provoking.
Now what I hated and the reason I DNF'd is because of 2 major plots that I can't stand and that is when one turns a character into a Manho which was so unnecessary in this instance because the Hero was a naïve kid who had a lot going just to survive. He didn't sleep around in exchange for money for sex or because he needed a place to stay as some plots I read in the past. No, he slept around just to get off and that was a turn off for me.
Then heroine comes into the picture at around the 15% or so and she is 31 years old and he is just 19. 🤮 I'm sorry but how can it be a romance for a grown ass woman in her 30's to be with a teenager? That's just gross IMO! Lol.
While in L.A., he became homeless and it's his story of survival of how he lives day to day to find a place to sleep & work so he can stay alive. Along the way, he meets & befriends a few good folks who help him and some who don't.
I won't lie and say I know what life is like as a homeless person because I have no idea, but from the little I read, it opened my heart & mind because it seems to portray homelessness in a realistic way and that is the only thing I liked about this story because it was emotional & thought-provoking.
Now what I hated and the reason I DNF'd is because of 2 major plots that I can't stand and that is when one turns a character into a Manho which was so unnecessary in this instance because the Hero was a naïve kid who had a lot going just to survive. He didn't sleep around in exchange for money for sex or because he needed a place to stay as some plots I read in the past. No, he slept around just to get off and that was a turn off for me.
Then heroine comes into the picture at around the 15% or so and she is 31 years old and he is just 19. 🤮 I'm sorry but how can it be a romance for a grown ass woman in her 30's to be with a teenager? That's just gross IMO! Lol.
Want to read
March 28, 2022
Foreword PR is elated to be working with SL Marshall for her release of Homeless Heart! Homeless Heart is a steamy, emotionally-charged, age-gap contemporary romance standalone. Visit here to find out how you can read early: Homeless Heart
May 24, 2022
Warning: My review isn’t pretty and may seem harsh, but it is what it is – and I truly feel my remarks are justified.
This romantic, age-gap novel (female 11 years older than male) takes its protagonists from the lowest to the highest levels of emotions, and the reader survives the heartbreak right along beside them. It’s a sad tale of childhood abuse and a runaway teen being homeless at times.
Not my bag – I’m not a fan of adults hooking up with teens – and I couldn’t see these two being long-term. He was mature for his age because of his situation – she just seemed to be an icky and needy person. The biggest turn-off was their sexual relationship that was downright nauseating and way too over-cooked (you’ll get my drift if you read the book).
Grammatical errors and typos ran rampant throughout this book and loudly screamed for a good edit. And there wasn’t a single contraction in sight! The writing felt cold, calculated and unnatural in its delivery.
There was a lot of blathering and rambling on and on with nothing to say that moved the story forward -- meaningless matters mostly in the bedroom, kitchen, living room, bathroom – anywhere and everywhere. And the poor guy was a cleaning freak -- and readers are beaten over the head with that clip of info so many times that I lost count.
The sad and heartbreaking storyline had potential and a wonderful message but was lost in too many sexually explicit descriptions and other trivialities. The ending was a bit rushed, but the author did proclaim a bright and happy future for Mr. and Mrs. Phineas Dunbar.
This romantic, age-gap novel (female 11 years older than male) takes its protagonists from the lowest to the highest levels of emotions, and the reader survives the heartbreak right along beside them. It’s a sad tale of childhood abuse and a runaway teen being homeless at times.
Not my bag – I’m not a fan of adults hooking up with teens – and I couldn’t see these two being long-term. He was mature for his age because of his situation – she just seemed to be an icky and needy person. The biggest turn-off was their sexual relationship that was downright nauseating and way too over-cooked (you’ll get my drift if you read the book).
Grammatical errors and typos ran rampant throughout this book and loudly screamed for a good edit. And there wasn’t a single contraction in sight! The writing felt cold, calculated and unnatural in its delivery.
There was a lot of blathering and rambling on and on with nothing to say that moved the story forward -- meaningless matters mostly in the bedroom, kitchen, living room, bathroom – anywhere and everywhere. And the poor guy was a cleaning freak -- and readers are beaten over the head with that clip of info so many times that I lost count.
The sad and heartbreaking storyline had potential and a wonderful message but was lost in too many sexually explicit descriptions and other trivialities. The ending was a bit rushed, but the author did proclaim a bright and happy future for Mr. and Mrs. Phineas Dunbar.
May 19, 2022
Stunning and emotional
I received this book from a #goodreads giveaway.
Phineas and Elizabeth what a love story.
I was hooked. Forced myself to sleep because I wanted to just keep reading.
This story touched my heart. It was written with clarity and truth about the invisible people in our world. This story opens eyes on generational abuse, homelessness, runaways and the ability to still love.
My heart broke for Phin in the beginning, and while this is a story with a HEA, it also doesn't hide from the fact that not everyone gets one.
Great story telling. No Spoilers sorry
I received this book from a #goodreads giveaway.
Phineas and Elizabeth what a love story.
I was hooked. Forced myself to sleep because I wanted to just keep reading.
This story touched my heart. It was written with clarity and truth about the invisible people in our world. This story opens eyes on generational abuse, homelessness, runaways and the ability to still love.
My heart broke for Phin in the beginning, and while this is a story with a HEA, it also doesn't hide from the fact that not everyone gets one.
Great story telling. No Spoilers sorry
May 31, 2022
This one definitely had a lot of "heart" to it. Phin's life was anything but easy, especially after he decided to leave home. I loved that no matter his situation in life he found those that were able to help and lift him up. Starting with the Mayor who gave Phin valuable lessons of survival, to Elizabeth who gave him love, a way of easing his anxiety, and a way to help himself and others like him. Even though many situations like this don't end happy, I'm glad that Phin got his.
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November 11, 2022My heart felt so much for Phineas and the reasons he had to runaway from his house. Not all the shines is beautiful, because while phineas was raised in family of influence he didn’t have the love and protection from his parents. Elizabeth has a heart of gold and their lives intersect and they start to fell for each other but still fear has phineas hesitate about letting Elizabeth fully in.
July 1, 2022
Thank you SL Marshall and Goodreads for the gifted E-book.
Phin left home shortly before graduating high school and has been living on the streets ever since. Though he comes from a home filled with money, his life was anything but perfect.
Lizzie works for a nonprofit organization that helps provide homeless families and individuals with essentials that they need. She was inspired to pursue this line of work because her best friend in high school ran away and was never found.
Lizzie and Phin meet and soon become friends. Eventually their friendship evolves into something more. Yet Phin realizes that he needs to tell Lizzie the truth about his past or risk losing everything with her.
This is a heartbreaking novel that shows us how love can find us at the right times. Homeless Heart is a story of love, a story of forgiveness, a story of hope, and a story of second chances. It has great characters and a great plot, however I found the writing somewhat frustrating to read. There were numerous grammatical and spelling errors. There were times in which the book switched from first to third person when the book is written in first person. Character dialogue felt robotic and juvenile at times. There were multiple plot inconsistencies. This book has such an amazing story that with a better edit it would have been an incredible read.
Phin left home shortly before graduating high school and has been living on the streets ever since. Though he comes from a home filled with money, his life was anything but perfect.
Lizzie works for a nonprofit organization that helps provide homeless families and individuals with essentials that they need. She was inspired to pursue this line of work because her best friend in high school ran away and was never found.
Lizzie and Phin meet and soon become friends. Eventually their friendship evolves into something more. Yet Phin realizes that he needs to tell Lizzie the truth about his past or risk losing everything with her.
This is a heartbreaking novel that shows us how love can find us at the right times. Homeless Heart is a story of love, a story of forgiveness, a story of hope, and a story of second chances. It has great characters and a great plot, however I found the writing somewhat frustrating to read. There were numerous grammatical and spelling errors. There were times in which the book switched from first to third person when the book is written in first person. Character dialogue felt robotic and juvenile at times. There were multiple plot inconsistencies. This book has such an amazing story that with a better edit it would have been an incredible read.
Currently reading
November 8, 2022SALE-99 cents or Read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited
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5 STAR REVIEWS
"An age-gap novel that will warm your heart,” Best Selling Amazon Author Jane Harvey-Berrick
“I was hooked. Forced myself to sleep because I wanted to keep reading.”
-Reader Review
Get Homeless Heart by SL Marshall
ONE CLICK: https://geni.us/C5FUp
5 STAR REVIEWS
"An age-gap novel that will warm your heart,” Best Selling Amazon Author Jane Harvey-Berrick
“I was hooked. Forced myself to sleep because I wanted to keep reading.”
-Reader Review
May 21, 2022
Goodreads giveaway! A great story with a happy ending. At times the characters seemed petty, but who wouldn't be in their shoes. Tons of grammatical errors, but I'm not holding that against the book itself.
May 27, 2022
Phin and Lizzie
This was a decent story. I liked a lot of the details the author was trying to give us, but there was a lot of excess that I found unnecessary. A good polish and content edit could make this a great book.
This was a decent story. I liked a lot of the details the author was trying to give us, but there was a lot of excess that I found unnecessary. A good polish and content edit could make this a great book.
June 12, 2022
I enjoyed Phin & Elizabeth’s book. It was an intriguing read. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
August 2, 2022
This was a DNF for me. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t get engaged with this book.
I do appreciate the free Kindle copy of the book and thank the author, publisher, and Goodreads.
I do appreciate the free Kindle copy of the book and thank the author, publisher, and Goodreads.
January 25, 2023
God book
I enjoyed the book. It has a great storyline and good characters. It's written well and kept me engaged in the storyline.
I enjoyed the book. It has a great storyline and good characters. It's written well and kept me engaged in the storyline.
February 26, 2023
Phin
Such a great read & I am so happy that he found his home. I also like that he was able to reconnect with his parents in spite of the abuse he suffered.
Such a great read & I am so happy that he found his home. I also like that he was able to reconnect with his parents in spite of the abuse he suffered.
February 22, 2024
Wow. R. A
This was amazing following his life we followed of being homeless love at first sight and forgiveness. Its a must read.
This was amazing following his life we followed of being homeless love at first sight and forgiveness. Its a must read.
June 11, 2022
Homeless Heart by SL Marshall is the heart breaking story of Phineas ‘Phin’ Dunbar. An emotional and poignant story that will captivate you so much that you won’t want to put it down. This is
an age-gap romance between Phin and Elizabeth, which also covers some difficult issues. An engrossing, thought provoking tale of understanding and forgiveness.
What do you do when life at home becomes unbearable and you don’t think you can survive anymore...you run away!! Then being homeless, you have a different life to try and survive.
Phin becomes invisible in more ways than one and you will feel like you are trying to survive alongside him. You will be there along with Phin on the streets, in the car park stairwells, in the shop doorways and in the pouring rain. Hoping like him that he’ll find somewhere dry and safe to sleep for the night.
When he gets an offer of help can he risk it and give someone his trust. Then when he thinks he is settled everything doesn’t go as he hoped. Then Elizabeth enters his life just when he needs it but can he let her in and what will happen when she finds out his secrets. Elizabeth works for a charity and is very sympathetic to other people’s needs. She becomes one of the few people who care about Phin and is concerned for his well being. When his past comes back and haunts him, can she stop him reverting to his survival mode. Will his heart find a home with Elizabeth.
The secondary characters enhance the story and Phin’s experiences. I liked how all the fathers in the story had different relationships with their children. The author explains all the problems the invisibles encounter and how they cope. This is a sad story but it’s full of hope and kindness. His childhood was horrendous but he showed such fortitude when faced with the loneliness and anger at his situation. Phin will not only pull at your heartstrings but will tear them apart before he repairs them.
Merged review:
Homeless Heart by SL Marshall is the heart breaking story of Phineas ‘Phin’ Dunbar. An emotional and poignant story that will captivate you so much that you won’t want to put it down. This is
an age-gap romance between Phin and Elizabeth, which also covers some difficult issues. An engrossing, thought provoking tale of understanding and forgiveness.
What do you do when life at home becomes unbearable and you don’t think you can survive anymore...you run away!! Then being homeless, you have a different life to try and survive.
Phin becomes invisible in more ways than one and you will feel like you are trying to survive alongside him. You will be there along with Phin on the streets, in the car park stairwells, in the shop doorways and in the pouring rain. Hoping like him that he’ll find somewhere dry and safe to sleep for the night.
When he gets an offer of help can he risk it and give someone his trust. Then when he thinks he is settled everything doesn’t go as he hoped. Then Elizabeth enters his life just when he needs it but can he let her in and what will happen when she finds out his secrets. Elizabeth works for a charity and is very sympathetic to other people’s needs. She becomes one of the few people who care about Phin and is concerned for his well being. When his past comes back and haunts him, can she stop him reverting to his survival mode. Will his heart find a home with Elizabeth.
The secondary characters enhance the story and Phin’s experiences. I liked how all the fathers in the story had different relationships with their children. The author explains all the problems the invisibles encounter and how they cope. This is a sad story but it’s full of hope and kindness. His childhood was horrendous but he showed such fortitude when faced with the loneliness and anger at his situation. Phin will not only pull at your heartstrings but will tear them apart before he repairs them.
an age-gap romance between Phin and Elizabeth, which also covers some difficult issues. An engrossing, thought provoking tale of understanding and forgiveness.
What do you do when life at home becomes unbearable and you don’t think you can survive anymore...you run away!! Then being homeless, you have a different life to try and survive.
Phin becomes invisible in more ways than one and you will feel like you are trying to survive alongside him. You will be there along with Phin on the streets, in the car park stairwells, in the shop doorways and in the pouring rain. Hoping like him that he’ll find somewhere dry and safe to sleep for the night.
When he gets an offer of help can he risk it and give someone his trust. Then when he thinks he is settled everything doesn’t go as he hoped. Then Elizabeth enters his life just when he needs it but can he let her in and what will happen when she finds out his secrets. Elizabeth works for a charity and is very sympathetic to other people’s needs. She becomes one of the few people who care about Phin and is concerned for his well being. When his past comes back and haunts him, can she stop him reverting to his survival mode. Will his heart find a home with Elizabeth.
The secondary characters enhance the story and Phin’s experiences. I liked how all the fathers in the story had different relationships with their children. The author explains all the problems the invisibles encounter and how they cope. This is a sad story but it’s full of hope and kindness. His childhood was horrendous but he showed such fortitude when faced with the loneliness and anger at his situation. Phin will not only pull at your heartstrings but will tear them apart before he repairs them.
Merged review:
Homeless Heart by SL Marshall is the heart breaking story of Phineas ‘Phin’ Dunbar. An emotional and poignant story that will captivate you so much that you won’t want to put it down. This is
an age-gap romance between Phin and Elizabeth, which also covers some difficult issues. An engrossing, thought provoking tale of understanding and forgiveness.
What do you do when life at home becomes unbearable and you don’t think you can survive anymore...you run away!! Then being homeless, you have a different life to try and survive.
Phin becomes invisible in more ways than one and you will feel like you are trying to survive alongside him. You will be there along with Phin on the streets, in the car park stairwells, in the shop doorways and in the pouring rain. Hoping like him that he’ll find somewhere dry and safe to sleep for the night.
When he gets an offer of help can he risk it and give someone his trust. Then when he thinks he is settled everything doesn’t go as he hoped. Then Elizabeth enters his life just when he needs it but can he let her in and what will happen when she finds out his secrets. Elizabeth works for a charity and is very sympathetic to other people’s needs. She becomes one of the few people who care about Phin and is concerned for his well being. When his past comes back and haunts him, can she stop him reverting to his survival mode. Will his heart find a home with Elizabeth.
The secondary characters enhance the story and Phin’s experiences. I liked how all the fathers in the story had different relationships with their children. The author explains all the problems the invisibles encounter and how they cope. This is a sad story but it’s full of hope and kindness. His childhood was horrendous but he showed such fortitude when faced with the loneliness and anger at his situation. Phin will not only pull at your heartstrings but will tear them apart before he repairs them.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews