Nicholas Lao Batista, editorial assistant at Will & Williamson Publishing, was not a naturally quiet person. Very few knew this, and he was not one of them. What he failed to say out loud, he wrote instead. It was something a starving artist would say, the kind he would talk shit on if he were loud and a hypocrite. Unfortunately for him, Nicholas was the starving artist, and his art was all he had: his only chance to be at the center of something. He never expected he would one day wind up literally at the center of it, plunging through the pages of an ancient journal into the story he wrote. Except nothing was as intended, and with every passing day, it became harder and harder to tell bad from good. What Nicholas needed was a way home, but he found himself wanting something more - something to do with unwavering eyes and surprisingly gentle hands.

2023 WATTY'S SHORTLIST When Finley Bowers decided to study abroad in England, he wasn't expecting to fall in love. But when Harlyn Evans shows up in his life, he brings a whole lot of goodness - and chaos - with him. *** Finley Bowers has always done what everyone expects of him. But the last few years have been rough, and he's decided to make his own decisions instead of what everyone else wants him to do. The first step is to get out of his tiny town and study in England for the semester with his best friend, Max. Little did he know three short months would change his whole life. Harlyn Evans is really good at taking care of everyone else. He's not as good at taking care of himself. And after a long semester of too many work hours, piles of schoolwork, and his family's host student freezing him out, he's wary when the new host student, Max, moves in for the term. But Max and his best friend draw him in in ways he never expected. As Finley and Harlyn get closer and try to figure out their feelings for each other, the end of the semester and Finley's return to the states looms in the distance. What will their future hold? COMPLETED: June 14, 2023 SMALL EDITS MADE: July 6, 2023

[BXB] Nate Pembroke makes an offer that Denver Hughes can't refuse. ✩✩✩ Ever since tragedy struck Denver Hughes' family two years ago, nothing has been the same. As a result, already apathetic Denver decided his best move was to push his feelings aside and avoid them completely- until he decides to seek them out again. Nate Pembroke acts without thinking and has the bruises to show for it. He's impulsive; a hurricane; a whirlwind and he's Denver's golden opportunity. When he offers to help Denver embrace all of his messy and complicated feelings, Denver knows it's an offer he can't refuse. But as their friendship begins to blossom into something more, Denver is forced to face his feelings- and his grief- in a way that he never expected. [ November. 2021. - February. 2022. ]

Sometimes it's better to spread a couple white lies than to own up to one's truth

Junak Baruah wants to win the prestigious short film competition in his university. But with hundreds of participants and a stellar jury on board, winning means making a film that's never been made before. And that means breaking the rules and taking the biggest risk of his of life. Project Heart(h) takes him to his grandparent's village, a small place tucked between rivers and hills. What seems like a quaint village soon brings with it an annoying stranger from Junak's forgotten past. Sparks are not supposed to fly for multiple reasons but mostly because their families are tied to an age-old rivalry twisted in secrets and betrayals. But the heart wants what it wants and Junak's is set on a certain man with mischief in his eyes. Set near bonfires and rivers, sprawled under starlit skies and surrounded by fireflies, it is a story about stepping off the highway, trekking through an unknown terrain and still finding one's way back home... ~~ ✨ shortlisted in the Contemporary Romance Awards 2022 🏆 featured by Free The LGBT 🏆 featured by New Adult Reads 🏆 featured by Stories Undiscovered

On the surface, Lucas Evans is the perfect son of a pastor, navigating life in a small, deeply religious town. But beneath the expectations and routines, he's suffocating under the weight of secrets he can't share. When Lucas crosses paths with Adrian, a free-spirited artist with a rebellious streak, their connection sparks a quiet rebellion in Lucas's heart. Through stolen moments by the lake and whispered conversations, Lucas begins to question everything he's been taught. Can Lucas find the courage to embrace his hidden truths, even if it means risking everything he holds dear? "Hidden Love" is a heartfelt journey of self-discovery, forbidden romance, and the search for authenticity in a world of expectations.

It's Tyler's first year of college and he's determined to get his first girlfriend. However, with how terrible his closeted gay roommate's dating advice is, they might just end up falling for each other instead.

formerly known as One Of The Boys. Samantha Evans. A 17-year old girl in her Senior Year of High School. And the starting quarterback for the Westview Wolves. As Sam heads into her Senior Year, a tragedy strikes within her family. Her priorities shift as the season starts, her focus no longer on the season ahead, but instead on the events past. As the season continues, problems arise and the pressure builds. And Sam has to learn how to balance her priorities. -Cover created by: ariari _mln on Fiverr -Illustrator: mayharte on Instagram

Sophie Allen is a Pre-Med student, a hard worker, and head over heels in love with her long-time boyfriend, Bryce Harrison. Bryce Harrison is a baseball jock, a lover of the movie Hairspray, and head over heels in love with his long-tie girlfriend, Sophie Allen. That is, until Bryce's world is turned upside down with the big-C. A cancer diagnosis. What does it mean to love someone unconditionally? And just how far would you go for the person that you love? Sophie is about to find out.