[Book 1 in the Of Course series] The only reason Hannah made it to this wedding, was because her friends asked for her daughter to be the flower girl. After the death of her wife, Hannah resigned herself to a life devoid of love and she's determined to avoid any romantic entanglements. But fate has other plans when she crosses paths with a mysterious stranger at the wedding she didn't want to go to in the first place - a chance encounter that ignites unexpected emotions. Meanwhile, Carmen arrives in Nashville with dreams of proving herself beyond the shadow of her father's record label. Unforeseen circumstances lead her to attend a small barn wedding, one where she hopes to be someone outside of her family legacy. Little does she know that a chance meeting with a captivating blonde will turn her world upside down. As they part ways, both women believe it to be a fleeting moment. However, fate has other plans, intertwining their lives once more and challenging Carmen's carefully crafted plans for her career and personal life. In this captivating tale of coincidence and second chances, Hannah and Carmen navigate the complexities of love and self-discovery against the vibrant backdrop of Nashville. Join them on a journey of unexpected encounters, heartfelt emotions, and the enduring power of fate.

"I know," Talia said, voice low. "But I don't want our first time to be a blur. I want it to ruin you." Mira blinked, stunned. "I want you clear-headed. Sober. I want you to remember how I touch you. How I taste you. I want you trembling under me, not swaying because of wine." ✧⁠*✧⁠*✧⁠*✧⁠* Talia Laurent is a 29-year-old gallery owner and elusive artist, wrapped in mystery and manicured precision. She commands every room with quiet authority, her intensity strong but always controlled. She rarely smiles, but when she does, it ruins people. She's built walls no one has dared to scale-until Mira. Mira Evans is 21, an art student who doesn't paint, but lives and breathes in creative spaces. She's free-spirited, emotionally brave, and effortlessly magnetic-a contrast to Talia's polished restraint. Mira loves fiercely, questions everything, and never plays safe. She's intrigued by the cold, unreachable woman behind the gallery walls-and unaware that her presence is awakening something possessive and raw in Talia. Where Mira brings color and chaos, she also exposes what's been buried beneath Talia's years of detachment. ! Mature content included !

One girl, haunted by demons she never asked for. One girl, holding onto a dream with bleeding hands. One girl, clinging to a life she never was supposed to survive. One girl-and one infuriating woman she was never meant to meet. Aurora Winters, 18, soft-spoken and sweet like spring rain, begins her second last first day of senior year. The wreckage of a car crash last Christmas stole what little safety she had left-leaving her in the bitter care of an aunt who never wanted her and a man who only knows cruelty. Bruised, quiet, alone and unraveling, Aurora is trying to survive the storm. But survival becomes complicated when a certain woman enters the picture. Valentina M. Harlow, 37, new to this part of town, new to the school, old to the weight of the world. Once a sweet girl who ached to be seen, now a woman shaped by silence and cold resolve. Sharp-tongued, guarded, emotionally untouchable, manipulative and entirely disinterested in attachments. She is the oldest daughter who walked away-from blood and businesses, from love, from everything that broke her. It's been seven years since she last let herself feel. And she likes it that way. Until Aurora. What begins as uneasy glances and sharp conversations becomes something far harder to ignore. Valentina sees the pain in the girl's eyes. The bruises beneath the surface. And suddenly, the woman who feels nothing is faced with a choice: walk away as she always has, or reach out-risking everything. This is a tale of longing and danger, where hearts shatter, wounds heal, and reopen. Again and again. A story of two women who were never meant to orbit, yet crash into each other anyway. A story of it all. Of longing that feels like ruin. Of aching that feels like home. Of broken things that refuse to stay broken. A slow unraveling, a dangerous pull. A love that could save-or destroy-them both. Maybe they'll piece themselves back together. And set the world on fire, together.

Malia Thornbury, heir and next hope for the Thornbury family, is destined to be married. Her father sent her to various houses, looking for a perfect wife, of her choosing, for an arranged marriage so she can take over her family's business and underground life. After many annoying blondes and brunettes, she goes to a home that belongs to the Clemons. Only for a man to talk to her about marrying her. The parents misunderstood. She wouldn't marry a man. Let alone a man who wanted her bent over, yelling his name and worshiping him. She wanted a pretty girl. His younger sister is who she wanted, not him. So she takes her, but will Ms. Clemons work with Ms. Thornbury?

Naomi Beaumont was never the picture-perfect daughter-and she's not about to start now. Growing up in a family obsessed with status, tradition, and strategic marriages, Naomi's spent her whole life dodging expectations she never asked for. So when her dad starts throwing suitors at her like it's the 1800s, she strikes a deal: she'll play nice if he calls off the matchmaking. The catch? She has to keep tabs on Evelyn-her uncle's way-too-composed fiancée... who also happens to be Naomi's new professor. Simple, right? Except Evelyn's not what Naomi expected. She's smart, calm under pressure, and somehow always one step ahead. The more time Naomi spends around her, the harder it is to tell who's actually playing who-and why Naomi can't stop thinking about her. Now stuck between loyalty, a lifetime of rebellion, and a connection she definitely wasn't ready for, Naomi's starting to realize some secrets don't stay hidden for long. And falling for the wrong person? That was never part of the plan.

These women thought their paths would never align. Romy Vanelle never dreamed of working in a run-down pizza shop. The prestigious cooking academy La Cherief is supposed to be her escape. Little does she know that the gorgeous disaster who once ordered a pineapple pizza with garlic buns will soon become the person she fears most: Arabella Renette, world-famous chef-and Romy's strict, perfection-obsessed instructor, who mysteriously stopped cooking years ago. Keeping the elite scholarship that keeps her afloat won't be her only challenge. She'll also have to survive the dangerously attractive chef who watches her every move. Romy likes to taste the danger. And she soon realizes she'll have to take everything with... A Grain of Salt.

Amara Alonso is 22 years old and is in her final year studying English literature at NYU. She's smart, kind and gentle, she always has been. But she carries a quiet sadness that most don't see. After losing her mother and sister in a tragic car accident 8 months ago, she was left with an alcoholic father who she blames for their death. She promises herself to push through her last year of college but soon falls into a cycle- skipping classes, tear-stained eyes, and an empty stomach. Emilia Zayed is a 29 year old creative writing professor. Emilia is poised, intelligent and emotionally guarded. She keeps everyone at arm's length- students, colleges, friends, and especially family. She doesn't trust people and shows no intention to. She shows no interest in anybody around her, until a soft brown eyed girl enters her lecture with a look of hurt deep in her eyes that she can't seem to stop thinking about. Emilia notices Amara's writing first. There's something about her work-so raw, so aching, so lonely. It touches something in Emilia she thought she'd buried. Never has a student's piece of writing made her feel this way. They shouldn't get close. They can't get close. But they do. And it's slow, quiet, and deeply emotional. It's Amara showing up during Emilia's office hours not just to talk about writing but about life. It's Emilia realising Amara needs more than feedback-she needs someone who sees her. And it's Amara finally finding someone who doesn't leave. The two form an unspoken bond they can't explain. It's forbidden in the eyes of everybody else. But they can't help but feel softer around each other. Will they ever act on it? Will Amara's hurt or Emilia's closed offness prevent them from ever truly opening up and giving in?

"I need you right now" Alex whispered in my ear as her hand traveled down to the hem of my jeans. "please" I whined as she kissed my neck. "you're very needy today" she smirked before pulling off my jeans. her fingers travelled down to my opening. Alex de Luca is a 25 year old billionaire who inherited her family's businesses. she's a cold woman who runs her business and mafia with an iron fist. she's a play girl who doesn't believe in love. Olivia is a 20 year old fashion designer who is in a well off family. she's a sweetheart and loves everything around her. she's been through a lot but it only made her stronger- she has faith in everything. Olivia has known from a young age she'd be in an arranged marriage. she came out as a lesbian to her parents'distaste. Luckily for her she was pushed into a marriage of convenience with a woman. they do not get along one bit, some might say they hate each other.

Kol always had a crush on her neighbor since she was a teenager her eyes were always dazed as she gawked at the woman across the street. Unfortunately Kol and her family had to move out because of her dad's promotion. A few years later, Kol now is a grown woman she goes back to her home town and accidentally meets that special neighbor again. What will she do when her feelings resurface again? What's gonna happen when she finds out the truth about her neighbor?

Sarah Fields, an 18 year old girl, who has gone through some of the worst possible traumas anyone could imagine, is going into her senior year of high school. She is a private person, and she doesn't let anyone other than her closest friends in. Sarah is also capable of having horrible attitude if pissed off. Scarlett switched to the high school to teach Crime and Justice and English. She has a law degree, but she uses that for different things. She's cold, bitchy, and she can intimidate anyone with a look on her face. What happens, when the student with an attitude and the cold, and bitchy teacher meet?