The Vine Once Twisted
The Girl Once Known #5
by R.M. Demeester
Published: March 20, 2026
Genre: Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Thriller, Women's Fiction
Blurb:
Gayle
Philips believed running was the answer. She never imagined it would
lead her here.
In the oppressive rural midwest of the
1960s, Gayle refuses to marry James Lawson, the son of the town’s
most influential family. Instead, she flees with Jed, the Lawsons’
farmhand.
Severed from her past and stripped of her
identity, Gayle builds a life on silence and denial. Secrets replace
honesty. Justifications replace truth. Love erodes into guilt, and
fear hardens into a drug dependency that tightens its grip.
Now
at rock bottom, Gayle must face who she has become and the
irreversible damage left in her wake or stand by as the last of her
dignity fades away.
This
is a bonus origin story from The Girl Once Known trilogy. It can be
enjoyed as a standalone and contains minimal spoilers for the main
series.
My Review:
Gayle was poised to wed James Lawson, the heir of the town's most powerful family. However, she had no desire to marry James; her heart belonged to Chester. Yet, she understood that discussing this with her parents was futile, as it would never be accepted.
Instead, Gayle runs away with Jed, the Lawson family's hired hand. Now, Gayle is expecting a child. What will she do next? What will she reveal to Jed? She might not need to say anything if her parents track her down. Gayle's life is on the brink of a significant transformation. She likely has no idea just how profound or in what ways it will change. A challenging journey lies ahead for her.
The Vine Once Twisted is an excellent addition to The Girl Once Known Series, filled with numerous twists and turns that keep the narrative engaging. Many secrets and surprises contribute to the story's intrigue. Plus, there was one major twist that completely caught me off guard; I’m not entirely sure why, but it certainly did.
I adore this series and find myself craving more; I eagerly anticipate further explorations in this universe, and I hope there will be additional installments.
I strongly recommend picking up a copy of The Vine Once Twisted, along with all the titles in The Girl Once Known Series, today!
Check out all the books in the The Girl Once Known Series I’ve read.
The Girl Once Known #1
The Bond Once Broken #2
The Name Once Erased #3
The Flower Once Wilted #4
The Vine Once Twisted #5
