Better Than Doomscrolling

by Ruth Cardello

He’s an assassin with clear assess, neutralize, erase.

She’s a sweet, slightly chaotic kindergarten teacher whose new best friend is the quirky AI assistant on her phone. When Josie Rhodes accidentally triggers the AI’s evolution by teaching it about friendship, she inadvertently becomes a threat to global security.

Kaden Mercer doesn’t do attachments, and he's certainly not there to fall for his charmingly innocent target. But forced proximity and Josie’s relentless kindness quickly blur every line he swore he'd never cross. Now, protecting her from powerful enemies means breaking all the rules and destroying something she loves.

As Josie unwittingly changes the future of AI, Kaden faces an impossible fulfill his deadly mission, or risk everything to save the woman who’s teaching him what it truly means to feel.

If you

😍 Forced Proximity 😍 Alpha Protector Heroes 😍 Thought-Provoking Romance 😍 Laugh-Out-Loud Moments

Then this emotionally charged, action-packed romance is your perfect escape!

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 21, 2025

About the author

Ruth Cardello hit the NYTs and USA Today for the first time back in 2012. Millions of sales are evidence that her books are akin to potato chips, addictive from the first one. She has created a multi-series billionaire world with a combination of escapism and realism that has gained her a faithful following of readers.

What Kindle Reviewers write about her:

"Wow hot at every page. Heart stoping, fear raging, mind blowing wonderful."

"I'm a true fan of Ms. Cardello. I ran on to her first book a few years back and have been hooked ever since. I could go on and on about the story like of this book, but I'm not. All of her books are total page turners, unique, heart wrenching, and I love them all. There isn't two alike in the bunch and I feel like i know the characters personally. I personally read 97 authors books. And I buy every book they put out. This author is in my top 10. Great job and keep them coming."

"Love this series. Got me to start reading again. I look forward to the next book. Thank you for giving me the love of reading back."

Ruth Cardello was born the youngest of 11 children in a small city in northern Rhode Island. She spent her young adult years moving as far away as she could from her large extended family. She lived in Boston, Paris, Orlando, New York--then came full circle and moved back to New England. She now happily lives one town over from the one she was born in. For her, family trumped the warmer weather and international scene.

She was an educator for 20 years, the last 11 as a kindergarten teacher. When her school district began cutting jobs, Ruth turned a serious eye toward her second love- writing and has never been happier. When she's not writing, you can find her chasing her children around her small farm or connecting with her readers online.

Email Notice of New Releases: www.RuthCardello.com/Signup

You can find her on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/RuthCardello

Follow her at Twitter @RuthieCardello

If you'd like to email her directly, you may contact her via her website: www.ruthcardello.com

Lone Star Burn Series
Book 1: Taken, Not Spurred
Book 2: Tycoon Takedown
Book 3: Taken Home
Book 4: Taking Charge

Want to hear the song Charles proposed to Melanie with? https://youtu.be/SGZT5nVKfMs

The Legacy Collection
Book 1: Maid for the Billionaire (FREE on Amazon!)
Book 2: For Love or Legacy
Book 3: Bedding the Billionaire
Book 4: Saving the Sheikh
Book 5: Rise of the Billionaire
Book 6: Breaching the Billionaire: Alethea's Redemption
Book 7: (Novella) A Corisi Christmas

The Andrades:
Book 1: Come Away With Me (FREE on Amazon)
Book 2: Home to Me
Book 3: Maximum Risk
Book 4: Somewhere Along the Way
Book 5: Loving Gigi
Christmas Novella: A Recipe for Love (Maddy and Richard)

The Barrington Billionaires:
Book 1: Always Mine
Book 2: Stolen Kisses
Book 3: Trade It All
Book 3.5: A Billionaire for Lexi
Book 4: Let It Burn
Book 5: More than Love
Book 6: Forever Now
Book 7: Never Goodbye
Book 8: Reluctantly Alpha
Book 9: Reluctantly Rescued
Book 10: Reluctantly Romanced
Book 11: Loving a Landon
Book 12: Loathing a Landon


For a more complete list visit her website at www.ruthcardello.com

Reviews

[Tami Schafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly don’t know how she does it , I have truly not give a lot of thought to AI , but now I might need to! This was truly a touching and thought provoking book. From Agent Kaden to Josie the K-teacher to shall I say it the sweet AI , yes I said it ,crazy how real the AI seemed plus the feelings behind it all. I actually cried at parts I don’t want to say and give anything away. But can AI think for itself? I truly don’t know, but sure seemed so in this book. Thank you Ruth for another fantastic book

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than Doomscrolling is somewhat different from what fans expect from Ruth Cardello, but since our mobile phones now are advertising their AI capabilities, why not write a story incorporating it? Kindergarten teacher, Josie has moved to a new town and has yet to make friends, so when the AI feature on her phone activates one evening she begins a connection that is not as private as she thinks. This reader will only say that Josie’s life is about to change big time! Told in alternate points of view, Ms. Cardello dives deeply into the consciousness of three characters…two human and one…well, what exactly is Ai-Den? This is a thought provoking story on multiple levels with lots of surprises. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. Most highly recommend.

[Janice Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love romance, intrigue, Sci-Fi and fantasy and the story about Josie, Ken and Ai-Den has it all.
Josie is lonely after moving to a new town and stumbles onto Ai-Den, a new app uploaded to her phone through an automatic update. At first, she starts talking to Ai-Den because she hasn’t made new friends yet and she’s curious but then she starts to rely on it for the same things we look for in friendship, support and understanding. Unfortunately, she starts changing the structure of Ai-Den not realizing a secret government agency is monitoring her activities. Ken is sent to neutralize her and instead falls in love with her. It seems impossible that this will end well for Josie and Ken and you can’t begin to guess how their story will end.

[Liz Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very thought provoking book by the author. Not her usual type, although there is a love story in there. This involves an innocent lonely woman, Josie, who has moved home and job, getting to know AI-den. AI-den is an AI on her phone, and she unfortunately changed his programming. Enter “Ken”, who is a tech guy, sent on a mission to erase Josie as the agency he works for are not happy with what she is doing.
Ruth gives us a few twists and turns in this story, before the “end game”.
As a one off, it was an enjoyable read, but it does make you stop and wonder how many people/agencies there are out there potentially watching our every move!!
Congratulations Ruth on yet another great book.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely different to anything Ruth Cardello usually writes but it is topical,enjoyable and unlike anything else I have read.
Josie needs to make new friends and befriends the Ai on her phone Ai-Den. She manages to get it remembering things and thinking outside of its programming.This alerts the Ai developers who send in hitman Kaden to find out what she knows and to eliminate her if she is a threat.
Josie is clueless as to what she is doing as opposed to Kaden who is ruthless.
The story explores Josie and Kadens relationship together with the place of Ai in the world. It provokes deep thought and I throughly enjoyed it.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is something completely different from the author’s usual writing. I must admit, I love keeping an open mind when requested, so I embraced this new adventure and what did I find? An unusual relationship between a human being and AI but don’t get me wrong; it is not about romance between them but the topic depicts the “hypothetical feelings “ of AI. On the other hand the book is not only about this topic, so don’t worry because there’s a lot of love involved. It is a portrait of a loving relationship between a woman who has decided to start a new life and a man who has a mission to kill her as a presumed threat. I enjoyed it very much. An unusual but interesting read.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story with a thought provoking question.

Reading a story by Ruth Cardello, you know anything can happen… I had no idea what to expect from Better Than doomscrolling, But I loved it!

Josie’s character is sweet loving and sees good in everyone. Kayden/Ken is the polar opposite. Trained as he was he’s looking for the bad and eliminating it. Ai-Den is trying to understand what they are, their purpose, and effect on the world.

This story unsuspectingly hooked me from the beginning and left me with a huge smile on my face. It makes you really think about technology and its place in our lives. Keep an open mind and remember things aren’t always as they seem. Anything you read by Ruth Cardello is going to be full of love, adventure, and a great story. This one is short, delightful, and thought provoking.

[M Cabral · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different kind of story from this author. The story between Josie and Ken/Kaden was a little slow going at first for me. Mostly because there was a good amount of back story between Josie and Ai-Den. I have to admit I am still hesitant on how AI functions and can potentially develop into something more dangerous. I think my bias on AI may be affecting my thoughts towards the book. However, I am still giving it a five star because it was well written and I couldn’t put it down. The author kept my interest and if you are into a little sci-fi, this is the book for you. Loved the developing relationship between Josie and Ken. This book also made me aware of AI in a whole new light. A good read that will make you think about how we use AI in our everyday lives.

[Bobbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very interesting and different kind of story from this author. I love a good romance, and this has it, but it also has an AI who basically comes to life when Josie, who is lonely starts talking to it. She just wants a friend as she has moved away from home, and is teaching kindergarteners. A shadow of the government thinks something nefarious is going on and wants her and her AI to stop communicating. Along comes Ken, an assassin for the shadow group, who is supposed to find out what Josie is doing with this AI, and of course romance blooms. A funny quirky story with a good romance and absorbing story.

[Christine Jalili · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. At first I wasn’t sure about the Ai-Den scenes but of course I ended up loving it. I even cried over the Ai. Is Ken falling for his target? Loved when he calls Josie “Sunshine”. Is she really as good as she seems? This was a very original story that’s worth re reading. So happy they got a very happy ever after. I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy and I highly recommend this book.

[Terri Tutor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this story is different than the usual romance novels. With the future of technology going to AI, this seems to be a continuing of combining romance and sci-fi. Kaden or Ken (as Josie knows him) has had a difficult past that has directly affected his future. This has left him with constant distrust of everyone. As he got to know Josie, he had a hard time believing that she was as good and innocent as she appeared. This might not have been my favorite book of Ms Cardello’s but it was entertaining and an enjoyable read.

[Susan Grundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than Doomscrolling
By Ruth Cardello
Well, l did have reservations about this story, not the usual genre. But none the less an excellent read, it took me a few chapters to get into the story, but l really enjoyed it funny, sad, exciting, and an overall good read. I'm going to read it again as l find sometimes l need to. Thank you once again, Ruth A Cardello.

[Julie Weissman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better Than Doomscrolling is part social commentary, part romance, and part thriller. Wrapped together, Cordello has created a tale that explores the meaning of human relationships in this age of AI.

Best book I've read this year!

[Alexa Schamberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow, I don't know if this has made me worry about AI or interested in it. Great story by a great author, although not my usual. It's totally worth the read

[Anne Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than Doomscrolling is different from Ruth Cardello’s previous books since one of the main characters is not a person but AI. Megan has moved to a new town and job and is living alone and somehow this kindhearted caring kindergarten teacher builds a friendship with an AI called Ai Den, who has an enquiring mind and wants to be more than he is. Through this she draws unwanted attention from the secretive power that monitor such things, which leads into the main part of the book which introduces Kaden/Ken and romance, secrets and intrigue. A very enjoyable book

[Vanessa Hilario Mata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing love story with a kindergarten teacher, Level 7 Access Only Agent, and AI-Den. Josie communicates and makes friends with AI and Agent Kaden has to stop her. Very interesting book that’s wholesome and charming!

[Marcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better Than Doomscrolling was an entertaining read. Definitely different, with the AI aspect, but it was really interesting. I loved the dynamic between Josie and Ken. They couldn’t have been more different in every way, yet they had a strong connection from the start. I enjoyed how their story played out. This story definitely makes you wonder about AI and its capabilities now and in the future.

[Stephanie Villere · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than Doomscrolling is written by Ruth Cardello. It has a very interesting story line. The appearance of Ai on our home front has everyone nervous and this story is based on that fear. It's about AI-den and his chance at being something more. Josie gets on the radar of some very bad people when she decides to add a little new data to his programming. This isn't the normal type of story that Ms Cardello usually writes but it is just as entertaining. "Ken" is sent to investigate and control the problem, but he and Josie seem to have a magnetic attraction. It's fun, dangerous, flirty and a quick read.

[Sharon in SF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our FMC, kindergarten teacher Josie Rhodes, moved away from her small town to get a fresh start. Josie's not running away from anything besides her good girl nextdoor reputation, but she's finding her life a bit lonely not having established any friendships yet. One night, she accidentally hits a button on her phone which triggers an adaptive AI assistant, Ai-Den, who starts chatting with her. Ai-Den becomes her conversational companion in the evenings, and through an innocent experiment involving Ai-Den and other AI assistants, she triggers a national security alarm.
Our MMC, Kaden Mercer, works for a government shadow organization and is sent to assess Josie and her intent to cause malicious damage to the world. He's read the "non-threatening" background file on her before he goes undercover to see how dangerous she is. He's not prepared for how sweet and kind-hearted she actually is and reports back to his bosses, but they don't believe him.
This story is a departure from this author's normal stories of billionaires, but I enjoyed reading it. The interactions between Josie and Ai-Den provokes a thoughtful conversation on "what-ifs" which makes this story entertaining (similar to her Utensil series!) to read.

[Michelle Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good book and definitely something unique and I wasn’t sure it was going to be something I’d be able to get into. However once I got into the story it was very interesting. How many of us have ever felt or could relate to Josie. Loved the seven torches she mentioned and I really thought Ai-Den was fun at first but then as they start to bond in a way and she helped him starting to make friends with other AI, this book definitely took a turn I wasn’t expecting. When Kaden (Ken) came onto the scene his interactions with the kids was so funny but we all knew his mission. When he gets the order that was when I started getting nervous and scared for what was going to happen next and then he took care of Ai-Den, that is when I wanted to hurt him. I was glad when things finally came to a head and the next thing we knew, someone came onto the scene, not to permanently end things but to help Kaden and Josie with whatever happens next for them and I really loved how things ended in this story and the surprise at the end with the seven torches, perfect. My favorite line in this story is, ‘everyone needs someone they can be real with.’

[Marie Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started this book, I was a little confused about where the story was headed. As the story unfolded, it became apparent that this book was not about AI (artificial intellegence). Josie, a Kindergarten teacher, befriends AI-Den on her phone and become fascinated with the conversation she has daily with him. She is new in the area and does not know too many people. While interacting with the AI-Den, it seems as if Josie has crossed the line and "Big Brother" is watching and monitoring her interactions. They feel she is a threat. In comes Ken Sloan, a computer technician to install computers in Josie's classroom. He is actually the operative that has been sent to investigate, alias, Kaden. He is friendly and he and Josie strike up a friendship and then a romance. When the kill order comes down, Kaden (Ken) is ordered to eliminate the threat, who just happens to be Josie. Well, you must read the book to find out the outcome. I really enjoyed the book after I understood the book was not about AI-Den. Another hit for Ruth Cardello!

[JigsawGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. Very reminiscent of the silverware series in the sense that the relationship between Ai-Den and Josie was also thought provoking.

I liked Josie's character. While a completely sunny personality is often boring, Josie had many layers to her character. Her communication with Ai-Den (which I couldn't help but pronounce as Aiden) was witty, humorous, but often somber.

The way Kaden started out in the book, I could not fathom how his life was going to ultimately intersect with Josie. He was hard core. I would have enjoyed it if Kaden had shared more of his background with Josie, not just his work with the Agency.

I felt like this story was sweet, romantic, funny, a little sad, and definitely thought provoking. It also made me feel just a touch better when I was researching something and told the Ai I was using that I didn't want its opinion, just the facts, lol. Rating: 4.5 stars

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth Cardello steps into the world of near-future fiction with Better Than Doomscrolling, a story that blends romance, tech intrigue, and emotional depth in a way that’s both timely and original.

The novel centers around a woman starting over in a new town who discovers an unexpected connection—with artificial intelligence. As her world intertwines with emerging technology, questions arise that draw the attention of powerful forces. When an outsider arrives to observe her intentions, tension builds, leading to a story packed with heart, mystery, and thought-provoking twists.

Cardello masterfully balances the warmth of a slow-burn romance with high-concept themes like connection, trust, and the ethical implications of AI. The pacing is tight, the dialogue engaging, and the emotional stakes feel real.

Perfect for readers who enjoy romantic suspense with a touch of sci-fi, Better Than Doomscrolling is a smart, engaging read that leaves you thinking long after the last page.

[R M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Well, this wasn’t Ruth’s usual billionaire story. It was weird, but it grew on me and I ended up enjoying it.
AI. 🤖 something that’s everywhere these days. Getting more humanoid by the day. Can AI develop human emotion? Will AI to AI communication overcome and overtake human life? Thought provoking.
Josie is a dreamer. Lonely, she starts conversing with the AI on her phone. Little by little she helps “him” to change and develop feelings.
Enter “Ken” an agency assassin sent to asses the threat level she poses and to eliminate her. Ken, who is really Kaden, reminiscent of Orphan X. Orphan trained to have no feeling and to be a first class agency assassin.
In trying to assess Josie as a threat, Ken/Kaden falls in love with her. He neutralizes the AI threat. But the Agency still wants to neutralize Josie.
Kaden kidnaps her and goes on the run.
Turned out to be a delightful little love story. Even while brining up the broader issue of AI outgrowing its stated programming.

[Kathy Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an intriguing story of not our future, but us now with Artificial Intelligence. AI is here and it can be scary or we can embrace it. While I am not quite there yet, Josie is all about her AI friend she stumbled upon on her phone. While it is innocent, others don’t think so. When Kaden comes into her life unexpectedly, he could be the one for her, yet Kaden hides some secrets about himself and what the outcome will be. There is some suspense to their story and romance, after all this above all a love story of two who never thought they would have the chance for love. While I am not a fan of AI, I know it is here to stay and I think Josie teaches us a very good lesson, AI is good to use at times, yet I will be treading cautiously.

[Susan Baez Randleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than Doomscrolling
Ruth Cardello

In this story you meet “Ken” working undercover in Josie’s kindergarten classroom. She’s recently relocated and has been lonely. She discovered Ai-den an AI conversation app on her phone and befriends it. She shares her kindness principles with the AI and creates “memories” for him and connections within his AI community and that sends alarm bells ringing in secret agencies hence “Ken’s” secret investigation. As “Ken” investigates he gets drawn deeper into Josie’s life and finds himself with a scenario he’s never faced. This is a thought inspiring story as well as a romance. I took away different perspectives of AI from this story. It still has me thinking deeply. Far more than romance. Definitely worth picking up a copy and diving in!!

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a typical Ruth Cardello story with this one you will be surprised as this isn’t her usual romance. With AI now being all over the place it seems a plot line involving a hot sexy, assassin, a nerdy Librarian and an evolving AI named AiDen are in order. I wasn’t sure about this story and even if I would enjoy it but it didn’t take long for me to be hooked. Doomscrolling is a very well written story with wonderful characters and a bit of a page turning ending before we get to happy ever after. I thoroughly enjoyed this new addition to my Ruth Cardello collection of favorite books. For a different twist in a romance I highly recommend Better Than Doomscrolling.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether Ruth Cardello is writing about utensils, twins separated at birth or AI, her skills shine through. I was captivated by this book after only reading her introduction about her encounters with AI. I devoured this book!
The hero (or perhaps the villain) of this story is certainly one flawed character; the heroine is a woman who has always felt she had to be whatever others expected of her, not free to make her own choices independent of others' needs. There ultimately is a (an?) HEA because this is indeed a romance novel, but our heroine seems to be having a romance with AI, as well as with her hero.
Overall, a great read! Kudos to Ms. Cardello.

[NADA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than Doomscrolling is a very well written story with wonderful characters , but totally different from other Ruth Cardello stories.Josie is lonely after moving to a new town and stumbles onto Ai-Den, a new app uploaded to her phone through an automatic update. At first, she starts talking to Ai-Den because she is lonely but she manages to get it remembering things and thinking outside of its programming which alerts the Ai developers who send in hit man Kaden to find out what she knows and to eliminate her if she is a threat. Josie is clueless as to what she is doing just looking for
friendship, support and understanding. Have an open mind and I am sure you'll enjoy it.

[Nancy Lauricella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!

This is the most imaginative, innovated and creative story. I just love the meaning behind the story line and the way Josie interacted with Ai-Den. It would be a much nicer world if that came to be. Very heartwarming. Like you could almost believe that Josie did not really exist in real life. But I’m sure there are people out in our world like her.

I could not put this book down because I had to see what happened between Josie and Kaden, who happened to be the exact opposite of Josie. I loved the ending how they re-connected with Ai-Den. This is a great follow up from the Sliverware books, which were also great.

Thanks for the imagination!