Unlike many romance authors who sanitize the "taboo," Miller insists on a reckoning. The third act of her taboo summer stories is rarely a simple reunion at the airport. Instead, it is a hurricane of exposure.
As Angie Miller ages into her early twenties, the taboo shifts to the "older man." She takes a summer internship or a remote island job. Her boss, a mysterious older figure (perhaps a writer, a professor, or a sailing captain), awakens something in her. Angie Miller - Taboo Summer - Sex with her cousin
Why it’s taboo: The age gap (15+ years) creates a power dynamic that is both thrilling and dangerous. Angie’s storyline here explores grooming vs. genuine connection. These narratives are the most melancholic, as Angie realizes she is a "summer project" for a man who has done this before. Unlike many romance authors who sanitize the "taboo,"
The first taboo relationship happened on location in Greece. Miller was filming a low-budget musical drama, and the director was 22 years her senior, married, and known for his volatile sets. "Everyone told me to run. My agent literally flew out to 'rescue' me," she says. Instead, Miller stayed. For eight weeks, they shared a villa away from the crew. The first taboo relationship happened on location in Greece
"The guilt was suffocating," she admits. "But so was the freedom. No one was watching. No social media. No handlers. He saw me as an artist, not a product." The song Salt Water Kiss—with its haunting bridge "His ring left a tan line / I left my conscience behind"—is explicitly about that summer.
When the affair ended (she broke it off after learning his wife was pregnant), Miller expected shame. Instead, she felt rage. "Why was I protecting a man who had everything, while I had to pretend I felt nothing?"