Following the uproar, the author defended her work on social media, labeling the controversy as a “big misunderstanding.” She stressed that the novel does not promote or encourage child abuse or pedophilia, calling the accusations "grossly disturbing." The author acknowledged that some aspects of the book had been “frowned upon,” but maintained that it was not her intention to harm anyone.

Additionally, the author clarified that those involved in the production of the book, including the cover designer and editor, were unaware of its troubling content and had been wrongly targeted in the public outcry.

In response to the criticism, Lauren Tesolin Mastrosa deleted her social media accounts, and the book was subsequently removed from Amazon and Goodreads.

Georgia Stove, the book's cover designer, publicly distanced herself from the controversial author, explaining that she had received death threats. “I have cut ties with Tori Woods, effective immediately,” Stove stated. "All I had known about the book was the blurb, which read 'barely legal,' and in my mind, I truly thought that was okay. Please stop with the threats over something I had no say in.”

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