"It's not what we are but what we do that defines us." Aylin Black has come to believe that she deserves all the misfortunes life throws at her. Yet she refuses to back down. At least not without a fight. But as her past comes knocking at her door she's forced to rethink all her beliefs. And she just might have to give up this losing fight much sooner than she expected.

* C U R R E N T L Y E D I T I N G & R E W R I T I N G * BOOK 1 - THE LOMBARDI SERIES L I L Y At the tender age of twelve, Lily has never seen the world beyond the tiny window of her bedroom. She's never known love, or comfort, or care. Growing up with abusive parents and an older brother who seemingly could care less if she lives or dies, she's only ever had herself to rely on in order to keep her from breaking. At least, that was the case. When her family decides to move from California to New York, Lily finds everything she's only ever dreamt of. Friends, happiness... family? What happens when Lily meets the Lombardi brothers and finds out her entire life has been a lie? - T R I G G E R W A R N I N G this story contains; abuse, self-harm, anxiety, drugs, mental illness, mature scenes (SA), forbidden romance and panic attacks. there will be trigger warnings at the top of each chapter. - BOOK ONE OF THE LOMBARDI SERIES. • Book 2 - IF I STAY - Leo (complete) • Book 3 - BECAUSE YOU LOVE ME - Jack (ongoing) - 1 in #Care 1 in #Help 1 in #Bambino 1 in #LongLostSiblings 1 in #BabySister 1 in #Reunited 1 in #Saving 1 in #Friends 1 in #Childhood 1 in #Anxiety 2 in #Secrets 2 in #LittleSister 2 in #Abused 3 in #OlderBrothers 3 in #Family 6 in #Brothers 6 in #Twins - S T A R T E D - 2O|12|2O21 C O M P L E T E D - 4|O4|2O22 - C O P Y R I G H T ALL RIGHTS RESERVED @shanlivx

BOOK 2 L E O Two years have passed for Leo and his siblings and yet his heart breaking secrets remain hidden, lost in the same shadows in which they continuously neglect to realise they've left him in. Will any of them notice before it's too late? (can be read as a stand-alone, though some parts may be a little confusing) - CHECK TW'S - #1 in #FindingYourself #1 in #boyxboy #1 in #bxblove #1 in #abused #1 in #gaylove #1 in #mentaldisorder #1 in #Numb #1 in #mentalillness #2 in #Depression #2 in #brothers #2 in #ProtectiveOlderBrothers #2 in #LittleBrother #2 in #twins - S T A R T E D O4|O4|2O22 C O M P L E T E D O6|O6|2O23 - C O P Y R I G H T ALL RIGHTS RESERVED @ShanLivx

When Jack and his family move back to New York after fleeing the state ten years earlier, he finds a multitude of things he'd always wished for. Friends, family, love? As the years go by and past horrors resurface, Jack has to learn to lean on the people around him rather than carry all his burdens alone. Check TW's.

Maya Rogers is used to taking care of herself. After living alone with her uncle for years, she has known who she is and what she needs to do to survive. But when she gets hurt and all hell breaks loose, she is taken to a new house with a new family and forced to confront things she never truly understood. Why has she spent her life being hurt? Why is it so hard for her to trust new people? And perhaps most importantly, will she ever truly be loved? Opening up to her new mom, meeting four new older brothers, and facing the sheriff's son who seems to think she has something to do with what happened... will she make it out alive? And if she does, who will she become? #1 in foster, #1 in brothers, holy shoot! Thank you, guys!!! Reviews from readers: "AHHH! I'm so in love!! You have done such an amazing job with this book! It's one of my all time favorites." -foreverdemi224 "This book made me cry! I loved Maya's growth and it is the first time I have read a sibling book in which all of them are so sweet. I love you all!! Your writing is very good and the book is great!" -bronumber1 "Wtf???? I finished it already?? But I barely started a few hours ago..." -Desiphine

Despite years of abuse by a close family member, Maya is starting to learn the meaning of trust and love with the help of her new family. She's made friends, loves her adopted brothers, and is even growing closer to a boy at school despite the alarms ringing in her head. But as Maya knows, just when things start to feel right is usually when they begin to go wrong. When she finds out that someone is following her and wants to see her fairytale ending go up in flames, will she rely on those around her or handle it herself as she has had to do her whole life? Maya struggles to navigate high school, older brothers, and PTSD/anxiety that tell her she doesn't deserve happiness. She knows now that she is not just a victim, but with the world and people from her past seemingly out to get her, who will she become? Reviews from readers: "This is such an amazing book I enjoyed every word. WHEN IS BOOK THREE OUT OMG?" (it's out now) "It's one of the best series of books I have ever read." "I need more!! You have done such a good job on this story. The emotions and characters are all down to point."

Just when Maya thought it was possible to outrun her past, he caught up with her once more. Maya's uncle had been on the run ever since that terrible night so many months ago. She thought she was safe with her new family and protective older brothers. She thought that maybe she would get the life that she had once dreamed of having. She thought wrong. With her uncle chasing her and nightmares and trauma not far behind, will she ever be free of the past and find out who she was meant to become? She's not a victim. She's not a survivor. She's Maya. But is that enough? Reviews from readers: "Noooo! I don't want it to be over. This was one of the best Wattpad series I've ever read and now I'm going back to reread! Thank you for writing this book and bringing such an important issue to light!" -BroadwayLover2021 "I didn't think I was going to cry but I so am. I can't even be mad that was so beautiful." -WindResistance "I finished and now I am sad cause I finished. First I was dying of excitement and now I'm crying because it's over. You really are a great writer. Thank you for this amazing book." -Miaroyjnv

"We fought an uphill battle. One we had no hope of winning." ~~~ Felicity-Flick as most call her-Carter, has learned a thing or two in her 12 years of life. How to deal with drunk parents without waking the neighbors, how to smoke a cigarette without burning your fingers, and how to be abandoned by your siblings without losing your mind. All skills acquired through heartbreak and survival. Cigarette smoke filled lungs, late night talks on rooftops, make up most of who Flick is. But when her fractured family begins to mend itself, Flick is faced with a new chapter in her life that involves the very people she never wanted to see again. Started: January 10th 2021 Finished: December 2nd 2021