Sometimes all you really need is a place to call home. *** Claire is lost and scared and utterly alone. Her family is in shambles after the death of her older sister Ina, and she's left to pick up the broken pieces of herself as her life heads into a downwards spiral of loneliness. Her heart leads her to 5:48, a little cafe by 33rd street, where she finds her new home. With a broken heart and a speech disability, Jasper has his heart and mouth sewn shut by the winding threads of hurt and fear. Painting and serving coffee in cafe 5:48 are one of his last few saving graces, but the smile he's been painting on himself will soon fade away as everything he's ever held dear slips away from his grasp. Ezra is out-of-sync and oddly cold by the way life has treated his young self. Abandoned by his single mother at an early age, he has grown up thinking that he is a mistake. His constant shaking hands are a reflection of what he often thinks of himself, but the delightful pastries he bakes for 5:48's customers are a reflection of what others see of him. Drew is a quirky rarity. He is a dash of loud, a pinch of exuberant, and a cup of eccentric - just like the meals he serves in the cafe as the only chef there. Behind his playful grins and outlandish clothes, however, are his jutting ribs, hollowed cheeks, and too-thin arms. Sometimes he cannot stomach being in his own skin as much as he cannot stomach food. This family has gone a long way from finding each other, and they'll be going a long way together too as reality comes catching up to them, threatening the newfound happiness they've found with each other. Secrets are revealed, pasts become presents, and lives are changed. Slowly but surely, they find their way back home. *** NOTE AS OF 08/2026: This is the old version of the story from 2012, posted in FULL. Another story that will be considered a reprise of this old version is in the works, and will be posted under the name "Hiraya House."

Meet Elle Evans. Pretty, popular - and never been kissed. Meet Noah Flynn. Badass, volatile - and a total player. And also Elle's best friend's older brother... When Elle decides to run a kissing booth for the school's Spring Carnival, she locks lips with Noah and her life is turned upside down. Her head says to keep away, but her heart wants her to draw closer - this romance seems far from fairy tale and headed for heartbreak. But will Elle get her happily ever after? [This book has been published by (Penguin) Random House and is now available as a paperback in the UK, USA, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and more, AND in several languages, including Spanish and Greek. The ebook is also available online. Check out your local Amazon to see if you can grab a copy! THIS IS A SAMPLE ONLY.] This book has also been adapted as a Netflix Original Movie, available worldwide from 11th May 2018.

Tegan Jane Miller is beautiful, intelligent, understanding. She's the kind of girl guys could easily fall in love with, the only problem is she doesn't talk. Not since the "accident". Its made her guarded, scared. Don't get me wrong, Tegan can talk. She chooses not to, she locks away her secrets so no one can hurt her again. She swore to never ever let anyone in. Until Jason that is. Jason makes her feel again. Makes her want to scream to the world all the feeling's and thoughts running through her head. Will Tegan give her heart out and learn the meaning of trust? Or will she learn that never speaking was the best decision she ever made?

Who's to say I wasn't perfect? Oh yeah, me. To the world, I was a shy, intelligent, modest 13 year old that kept to herself. To my friends, I was a spazzy, loving, caring, outgoing brainiac that cherished what she had, and never let jealousy grab her by the heart. To my teachers, I was their dream student. Straight A's, no late papers, perfect attendance, never late, never misbehaved. To myself, I was a clumsy, stupid, girl with an uncontrollable mouth that tended to speak the opinion in my brain, with no filter in between. To most of the above's delight, boys rarely ever crossed my mind, and on the occaision they did, they were thought of as the best friends that never decided to start drama, or out-dress you, or constantly talk your ears off. -Until the summer before eighth grade. Then it all changed. As for his point of view on me... I didn't even know him, let along what he thought of me.

"I-I think I'm in love with you." My eyes widened and my breath caught as those words left his lips. It was my worst and most beautiful nightmare coming alive. But I couldn't, I just couldn't. "I-I can't, I'm sorry." I started running away, wiping the stray tears that betrayed me and leaked, with the palm of my hand. I sniffed, feeling a growing pain in my heart. I clutched my chest, barely able to handle it. I kept running, but when I knew I was far enough, I fell to my knees, still holding my chest. That's when I heard it. The sound that shouldn't even be audible was so loud in the still silence that it swayed the trees. But maybe that was just an illusion. Maybe only I could hear it. The sound of my heart breaking. ______________________________________ Two people. Entirely opposite in only one manner. Noah's on his 'quest for love,' and Jade cowers from any such feelings. Hiding from love, she bumps into the playboy, himself, who's far from just mildly determined to make her cave into him. Will she be able to escape love...and its heartbreaking ways? Especially when it's Noah she's trying to hide from? ~*~*~* (trailer inside)