When Zora, Naya's long-term best friend and crush, starts showing an interest in her twin brother, Avi, she's forced to face her biggest fear. She will never be enough for someone to choose her first and no matter how much she tries, her brother wil...
Hi, readers! As I've mentioned, my next book will be centered around Mai, so if you enjoyed her character, I hope you'll stick around for her story! It picks up a few years after this story finished when everyone is well into their college journey. As you can probably guess, themes of mental health will be explored, but content warnings will be listed in the author's note of the book that will be posted tomorrow (along with aesthetics and such).
As of now, I have almost 9 prewritten chapters, but I hope to prewrite a few more before the release (we'll see about that, though).
So, without further ado, here is the cover (including the title) and synopsis:
COVER & TITLE REVEAL
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SYNOPSIS
When she was younger, Mai made herself a promise to never get into a serious relationship. Ever since, she has stuck to this promise, convinced that her bipolar disorder means that she would be too much of a burden to her partner. That it was inevitable she would turn out like her dad.
It had never been an issue. Nobody had ever interested her enough to make her desire anything more than a hookup. It was easier that way. Simple. Safe.
Then she meets her neighbour Daira. Stubborn, somewhat rude, definitely doesn't like her Daira. At first, it's fine. Mai just finds her attractive. Nothing new. But then they keep bumping into each other and Daira, perpetually closed off, slowly starts breaking down her walls. In turn, so does Mai.
Hookups develop into feelings until Mai is forced to either push Daira out of her life or let go of the promise she's clung to for years.
***
RELEASE DATE: 4th of July, 2026
So, in a bit over a month, I hope you're looking forward to it! I aim to update weekly on Saturdays (just like I used to with this book) and then if I run out of prewritten chapters, this might change.
Anyway, here's a bit of a sneak peek (All in Mai's POV):
Sneak peek
The tips of my fingers were splattered with paint, a plethora of colors staining them. One last bold stroke and then it was finished. I stepped back, my eyes darting across the painting to absorb every detail of the landscape, from the lake reflecting the sunset to the various shades encompassing fall.
I'd been practicing impressionism lately to fight the curse of art block, and compared to the mess I painted weeks ago, this was a great improvement. Some parts needed a touch up, but overall, I was satisfied with it. My hand was aching and I badly needed a shower, so I called it quits for the day and cleaned up.
Before I left the studio, I took one last look at my painting and sighed in content, shaking my head. "Man, I really am an artistic genius. Monet could never." I believed in the principle of opposing humbleness.
Since my art professor had gracefully let me stay after hours to continue my painting, I made sure to lock up lest she murder me. On the way out, I fished out my phone and called my best friend, Caio.
Annoying him was my favorite pastime.
He picked up right as I'd closed the door behind me and stepped outside, wrapping my scarf tighter around my neck when the chilly fall air attacked me, making my poor face grow numb. I usually called Caio when I walked home alone when it was dark. He might be a state away, but it brought me some comfort.
***
...and then a few passages from when she meets Daira:
In the distance, a woman paced outside the entrance of my apartment building. She stopped, hands rummaging inside the tote bag slung over her shoulder before turning her jacket pockets inside out, long hair covering most of her side profile. Zahir's voice faded into the background as I got closer, my curiosity piqued. Her face was contorted in frustration, speaking rapid Spanish, or what I was almost certain was Spanish.
"Hold up, I'll call you guys back," I said before swiftly hanging up.
Letting out a groan, she searched her tote bag and checked her pockets again.
When I realized her attention wouldn't shift my way unless I did something, I cleared my throat. She flinched, and finally, her head turned, eyes darting up to meet mine.
For a second or so, I lost my train of thought, enraptured by her striking features like the gay fool I was. She was all smooth tan skin and sharp edges. The quirk of her perfect eyebrow and the annoyed expression that accompanied it snapped me out of it before I had time to process the cut of her jaw and the flawless wing of her eyeliner.
***
That's all for now! I hope you're interested enough to check out the author's note and aesthetics and such that will be published tomorrow :)
