reading list #4 (2026)
12 stories
Darkest Hours by junemitchellauthor
junemitchellauthor
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What do you do when you've hit your breaking point? When you can't breathe a single breath without falling apart? For Lake Monroe, the answer is to start fresh. To leave everyone and everything behind, including her best friend - the man she's been in love with for years. But how will she handle it when he comes back into her life two years later? Will she keep running? Or will she finally face her darkest hours? 𝟏𝟖+ 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞
Forever Mine (ROYAL RIDERS SERIES BOOK #2) by NightTime_Storiexs
NightTime_Storiexs
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Never in a million years did I think I would cross paths with him again. Michael Woods. The boy who broke my heart. The boy who picked hockey over me. The boy who left me behind. After giving three years of my life to him, it was all over after his college graduation. He went his way and I went mine. But I never imagined landing a job at his agency when I moved to Boston four years later, let alone as his assistant. A job that's meant for me to service him, do as he asks, and give him all smiles. So, I play the part. I play the nice, kind, sweet assistant in public and ignore him like my life depends on it in private. The thought of getting close to him again terrifies me because I know. I know that once I let him again, I'll never be able to let him out. And if I do, it'll be at the cost of my heart, and this time he'll leave it broken beyond repair. I used to think he was forever mine. But hockey changed everything. What would he do now if he had to make that choice? Me? Or hockey? Or both? . . . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED TRIGGER WARNING: Mention of death by accident and depression
Until Forever (ROYAL RIDERS SERIES BOOK #1) by NightTime_Storiexs
NightTime_Storiexs
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Vince Hunter. The rich, famous, and world-known hockey player and my asshole of a boss. People see his charming smiles and game moves on the ice. I see his tantrums and irresponsibility. What I never imagined happening between us was a drunken one-night stand. And even worse? Getting fired because of it. But now, six miserable months later, he's back to ruin my life and he's at it again except this time he needs me to play the picture-perfect girlfriend. As it turns out, our scandal left his reputation more damaged than mine and if he can't redeem it, he can kiss his spot on the team goodbye. The worst part of it all? I'm stuck with him, bound by contract, until... forever? . . . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions of parental abuse
Property Of Vittore Martinelli ✓ by NVMelissa13
NVMelissa13
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When she was 14, Dalia was sold to Matteo Martinelli, the former leader of the largest Italian mafia. Flash forward with his son, Vittore Martinelli as the new leader, Dalia is given to him as a birthday present after years in spent in the "safe house". Dalia struggles to fulfill a promise she made and get her old self back as Vittore tries not to fall for the black beauty. Will they go through all the lies, jealousy, betrayal, envy, lust and murder together all in the name of love? Because at the end of it all, she is still Property Of Vittore Martinelli. * * * "Lift your hand," I said looking at how he held onto his bicep with a tight grip. "Let me take a look at the bullet wound." "No tesoro. I can do this myself," Vittore grumbled and I gave him incredulous look. "Don't start that bullshit with me Vittore. Remove your arm and let me help you or..." I trailed off, not able to say more. I was still in shock but I could do this. "Just... just let me help." "No." I glared at Vittore. "Why are you being so damn egotistic?! Let me help you! Do you know what it was like to find you like... and to..." I couldn't even get all the words out. "Let me help you. Please." Begging wasn't something I'd ever do but I just needed him to let me help him. "No-" "Why?!" I suddenly exploded. "Why won't you just let me help you?!" "Because I don't know how to handle it ok?!" Vittore suddenly exploded, his dark eyes glaring at me. "I don't know how to handle these... feelings. Fuck tesoro you drive me crazy! Don't you see that? You make me question everything I've ever known and... I can't..." I watched Vittore as his expression turned determined. "Fuck it." He leaned forward and pressed his lips on mine. * * * WARNING! Mentions of death, torture, gore, abuse and other things related to the mafia.
Rowan by gabriellelark
gabriellelark
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A shy art student finds herself drawn to an older guy she encounters in a cafe. Something sparks between them, but everything is not black and white, and the baggage they carry might just be too much. ***** Rowan Easton has finally found the courage to leave an abusive relationship, and as it turns out, her ex has no problems moving on to the next conquest. Deciding that she too needs to leave the past behind her, she throws herself into getting her degree and has no intentions of getting involved with anyone else in the near future. James Wilson returns from serving overseas only to find that his wife has been cheating on him. Heartbroken, he divorces the fair-haired Ada and moves away in the hopes of coping with the aftereffects of war and a broken marriage. The two meet under these unfortunate circumstances when James moves to the college town of Bozeman, Montana. Despite the recent events in his life, James finds himself fascinated by the girl who sits slumped in the cafe with coffee and a sketchbook. Will they ever overcome the walls placed by their past relationships? ••••• Warning: This story is complete and is registered in its entirety with the U.S. Copyright Office. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. This is the only place this story is posted.
Beyond The Scars  by plutosxclusive
plutosxclusive
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What happens when 19 y/o Naomi's past catches up to her present? Will it make or break her? Inpressive Rankings #1 realisticfiction #1 hoodlove #1 yaromance #1 Naomi #1youngadult #2 badboygoodgirl #3 drugs #4 urbanfiction #5 trauma #5 Toxic #7 love #8 friendstolovers #81 lovestory
SAINT'S OBSESSION:  | HOOD ROMANCE 18+ ✔️  by EjImagination
EjImagination
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Janeisha "Neisha" Bambi has always survived by keeping a low profile. She don't get caught up in the kind of business that comes with bodies, secrets, and street names that echo. But all it takes is one night-one favor for her best friend-to slide her straight into the orbit of Seven "Saint" Carter. Saint is discipline wrapped in menace. A man the streets don't just respect,they fear. The type Neisha promised herself she'd never look at twice. He doesn't chase, beg, or explain. Yet somehow, he does all of this for her. And when that calm, unreadable gaze settles on Neisha, her careful world starts to crack. Now Saint's patience is running out, Neisha's defenses are falling apart and the pull between them is starting to feel less like a choice and more like fate. He's trying to shield her from the life he lives. She's trying to decide if loving him is salvation or self-destruction.
FOCUS [BXB] by augustsuns14
augustsuns14
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Like a bolt of lightning, this stupid boy appeared in my life. First day of summer break between first and second grade, he just appeared- standing on my porch like he was born there. Straight brown hair, wide dark eyes and a fresh sunburn across his cheeks. He was already talking before I even opened the door. I don't know how it happened but it's been ten years. And he's still here. Talking, whether or not I'm listening. Laughing, even if no one else is. He's still too quick- racing around the world like he's scared he's going to miss it. He's gotten taller...much taller. His hair is a little longer, a little wavier, but under the light it still looks the same golden brown it did when we were nine. And now, finally, he was a high school graduate. We both were. Like a bolt of lightning he appeared and like the sun he refused to disappear. _____________________________________________ I fell asleep with my chin pointed at him, the outline of his face being the last thing I saw. How was I supposed to do this? It had always been difficult, hiding this secret, keeping him close. But now, my focus was starting to slip. I couldn't see anything but his lips, his hands, his smile. I couldn't hear anything but my name in his mouth, his jagged breaths and that loud laugh. How am I supposed to be okay with this? How am I supposed to focus on anything other than him? #1- slowburn- 11.10.25🥇 #1- friends to lovers- 11.01.25🥇 #1- fluffandsmut- 11.02.25🥇 #1- college- 11.06.25🥇 #1- best friends- 11.12.25🥇 #1- teammates- 12.04.25 🥇 #1- college roommates- 12.30.25🥇 #1- mental health- 01.02.2026 🥇 #1- gay love- 01.02.2026 🥇 #2- roommates- 12.18.25🥈 #3- bxblove- 11.30.25🥉 #4- boyxboy- 11.01.25 #4- lgbt- 11.15.25 #14- boyxboyromance- 12.15.25 #22- basketball- 12.15.25
Ice King (A Hockey Romance) COMPLETED ✔️ by lillykitt44
lillykitt44
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He's the NHL star with a cold reputation--she's the spark that could melt it all. All Lilah wants to do is keep her head down, finish her online college course, chase her dreams of becoming a baker, and survive. But when a photo caught at the wrong time with the NHL's newest star, Cole Becker, goes viral, she's suddenly thrust into the limelight--exactly where she doesn't want to be. And when the person she tried so hard to escape from resurfaces because of her new popularity, Lilah has no choice to run to the safety of fame and Cole Becker as his fake-girlfriend. Because no one can lay a finger on the newest sweetheart of hockey, can they? But Cole makes her feel things she's never felt before and she wants nothing but to be loved by the boy that makes her feel beautiful and safe. Cole Becker needs an out, and fast. A stupid rumor built on absolutely nothing is threatening to destroy the reputation he's barely built. He's only a few games into his rookie NHL season and already he's been nicknamed the NHL's "Ice King;" scary, domineering, and arrogant. So when Lilah crashes her way into his world, he has no choice but to fake-date her, to both help his reputation, and to help the girl who's already got him wrapped around her finger. He wants to show her she's worthy of love. She wants to be loved by him. And when the lines between real and fake start to blur, Lilah has to let go of the secrets in her past holding her down and let herself love the goalie. But someone is lurking in the shadows, ready to steal Lilah away from the life she's tried so hard to build. Past Rankings: #1: cinderellastory #1: hockeyromance #4: loveatfirstsight #2: minnesota #2: waitress #1: slowburn #1: shygirl
𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐞𝐬 by rosecinc
rosecinc
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"𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐲." ~ Marriage was never for love-it was for legacy. A strategy. A performance. And for the Lombardis and the Morettis, it was the most calculated, showstopping alliance of the century. Roman Moretti, Don of the La Cosa Nostra, and Angeline Lombardi, only daughter of the French-Italian Mafia Capo, had been betrothed since her birth --matched to unite two empires under one crown. Hidden from the world, Angeline was raised to be the perfect wife. Groomed. Silenced. Controlled. She learned early that one misstep would strip her of everything-including her name. Everyone's first mistake? They underestimated her. Though no one had ever seen her, the world assumed the Lombardi Princess was a polished doll. Quiet. Disposable. Roman saw the marriage as a formality-another calculated step toward total dominance. He had no plans to love her. No plans to live with her. Just a wife on paper, tucked away from him elsewhere, summoned when needed for appearances. But everything changed the moment he saw her walking down the aisle. She was perfection. Untouchable. She would be his ruin, his weakness, his obsession, his motivation. His everything. But what if that had been her plan all along? Not everything buried stays dead. Not every identity is what it seems. In a world where saints become monsters and monsters are worshipped like gods, Angeline must decide what's worth saving: her bloodline, her love, or herself. ~ -HEA -18+ -Romance/mystery/thriller -No Cheating/OWD -DARK ROMANCE "OMYGOSH. This book was immaculate. I could NOT put it down at all. Every chapter was AMAZING, the writing is shakespears work and each chapter made me laugh, smile, cry so much and this whole thing was a rollercoaster of emotions." -@Sunfloweraate8