The Distant Cousin
About the book
Daryna, the stepmother’s distant niece, ends up in the hospital right before the holidays. There’s no one else to help — except him. The plan is simple: pick her up, help her recover, and get rid of her as soon as possible. But whether it’s fate or a string of accidents, their farewell keeps getting postponed… What we have: ✓ One serious, wealthy, and constantly busy man who prefers not to get involved for more than one night. ✓ One girl focused solely on her career, avoiding men so she doesn’t accidentally end up with five kids by thirty — just like everyone else in her family. ✓ One apartment, one snowy winter, a few romantic bandage changes, a handful of nosy relatives, New Year’s Eve, and plenty of unexpected moments on the road to love.
Abstract of the book "The Distant Cousin"
Daryna, the stepmother’s distant niece, ends up in the hospital right before the holidays. There’s no one else to help — except him. The plan is simple: pick her up, help her recover, and get rid of her as soon as possible. But whether it’s fate or a string of accidents, their farewell keeps getting postponed… What we have: ✓ One serious, wealthy, and constantly busy man who prefers not to get involved for more than one night. ✓ One girl focused solely on her career, avoiding men so she doesn’t accidentally end up with five kids by thirty — just like everyone else in her family. ✓ One apartment, one snowy winter, a few romantic bandage changes, a handful of nosy relatives, New Year’s Eve, and plenty of unexpected moments on the road to love.
517 comments
valya-ishchenko02.03.2026, 22:36Ken
oksana29.01.2026, 20:02Thank you, dear Ustina, for this incredible story! When I read Your books in their completed form, everything else fades into the background. Wonderful main characters, real life situations, poignant feelings and experiences, and a happy ending. Emotions overwhelm from what I've read. I have become a fan of Your work. I wish You further success and inspiration!
ustina-cal29.01.2026, 20:57Oksana, Thank you, Oksano! It's very nice that my books give you good emotions!
lavir-asta21.09.2025, 09:52Although the book was written two years ago, I think all readers would like to read at least an epilogue, at most the next book about these characters.
ustina-cal21.09.2025, 10:12Lavir Asta, I wrote the book 4.5 years ago. There won't be an epilogue, let alone a second part, I don't like stretching love stories over several books. But sometimes the characters from my previous books appear in the following books, so who knows, maybe we'll see Darina with Matviy somewhere else too.
kris-tina24.08.2025, 15:56A wonderful book about self-perception in the realities of life. The main heroine experiences her prejudices and changes the main hero's prejudices. Both face feelings from which they had so well protected themselves.
ustina-cal24.08.2025, 16:33KRIS-TINA, Thank you for the review!
volodymyr-churevych31.05.2025, 08:37Girls don't get married, they get married. Men get married.
olga-tomchuk01.06.2025, 23:09Not true, in Ukraine, actually, both girls and boys get married, this is on the swamps - замуж.
nadiia-skripka10.05.2025, 09:19A wonderful bright story. How important it is not to subjugate a loved one, but to care about their desires as well. Matviy understood this. And Darina will restrain her character. Mutual understanding, mutual assistance, the ability to care for one another, and many other significant and not so nuances - all this in general are the components of love. The heroes will definitely be happy in family life. Especially with the upcoming addition and grandiose plans for the future. Sincerely thank you, Mrs. Ustyna, for the wonderful books. I continue to get acquainted with your work. Inspiration to you in your work and grateful readers. ❤️
ustina-cal10.05.2025, 09:25Nadiya Skrypka, Thank you for another pleasant, warm review❤️
- sasa-lialka17.02.2025, 15:19
I really liked the book, it's very well written.
ustina-cal17.02.2025, 15:26Sasha Lyalka, Thank you!
darina04.02.2025, 15:18Enchanting story. Thank you for it)) Creative inspiration))
ustina-cal04.02.2025, 15:23Darina, Thank you for the review)
marina-gedzur05.11.2024, 18:35An incredibly beautiful story..... I read and enjoyed this couple brought together by fate.... (and also their relatives) ha ha..... if not for the incident with the hospital.... who knows, who knows.... Sincerely thank you for the opportunity to read such an incredible book. Inspiration for writing other stories. Peaceful night.
ustina-cal05.11.2024, 18:38Marina Gedzur, Thank you for the review! Have a quiet evening!
- oksana-cernik01.11.2024, 17:58
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mariika-kozarik20.10.2024, 08:56I really liked the story about Matvii and Daryna, I read it with great pleasure. Thank you for the incredible book.
ustina-cal20.10.2024, 09:26Mariyka Kozaryk, Thank you for the review!
galina-kosel16.10.2024, 22:58I read this story again, the details of which I had forgotten a bit, but I want to read it again and remember it with warmth) Today I found my previous comment (I know for sure that I commented on such a story for the author, because it left a positive mark)) The characters' personalities were conveyed very well, especially Matviy's: through his phrases, thoughts, gestures, facial expressions, actions. Overall, a good guy who grew up in luxury, but purposeful and hardworking, mature and with established beliefs. Doesn't want to get married after unsuccessful relationships. Can't refuse his stepmother's (whom he sincerely loves) requests to help her numerous relatives. And then there's this Darynka (not exactly a relative), who doesn't want to impose and contradicts and refuses everything. She would rather have it hard than ask someone for help, she'll achieve everything herself with her mind and work, constantly pushes guys away and doesn't want to get married. Those are already her beliefs. But love very soon "crept through the 'I don't want to'" into their lives and changed all plans. Wonderful story! It seems short, and the events unfold over a short period of time, but so much has happened) Thank you again for giving the opportunity to savor the plot!
ustina-cal16.10.2024, 23:27Halyna Koshel, Thank you, I'm very pleased that you get such emotions from reading!))
margo-zalizo14.10.2024, 22:04interesting ledger live
inna-horodetska20.09.2024, 07:24Good day, I can't pay for the book, advise how to get out of this situation, it says: that the English version is not valid
ustina-cal20.09.2024, 09:39Inna, Wow, then you definitely need to contact tech support, I haven't encountered such a problem yet.
yulia-biloys08.01.2024, 16:08Can the book be bought in a store?
ustina-cal19.09.2024, 20:26Yulia Biloys, Good evening! Now the book is in print, if you still want to buy it, please write to me on social networks (the link is in each of my blogs).