Disabled by a dog attack in her childhood, Beatrice Lockwood knows what it is like to become friends with loneliness. After years of hard work to cement herself into the small Yorkshire community of Impling, she has managed to create a meaningful, simple life with people who actually care about her. So when James Bancroft, an outsider, makes his disdain for her clear in front of everyone in town, she knows that keeping her distance is the only option. She cannot afford to lose the crucial support she has garnered. The only problem is that the damned man can't seem to stay away from her now. James Bancroft - stoic, chaste, and looking for nothing but peace - is not trying to make friends in Impling. Still, he had not intended to make enemies, either. After badmouthing a beloved pillar of the community at a dance, he knows he must make amends, and quickly. But the more he tries to make things right with the morbid Miss Lockwood, the more she pulls away. As his passion toward her grows, he finds himself unable to cope with his newfound feelings. After all, he knows quite well what it looks like when a man does not control himself. Vibes: Foggy moors, folklore, small rural community Tropes: *Overheard *Grovel *Cynical hero Trigger Warnings: Scenes of domestic violence, scenes of dog attacks, scenes of animal slaughtering/death *Though this book is set in the same universe as the Gentleman's Proposal series, it is largely unrelated to the other books. Therefore, I have chosen to list it as a standalone.*

A marriage of convenience for them. A slip of the tongue from her. A bad reaction from him. Let the grovel begin.

AUTHOR NOTE - GOOD JOKE! HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM WATTPAD AS IT WILL BE PUBLISHED ON AMAZON SHORTLY. Molly had a great job, a serious boyfriend, and a quiet life in San Francisco. Then Bruce's stepsister thought it would be hilarious to fill out the internal transfer form on Molly's work laptop while Bruce watched. By the time Molly saw the confirmation email, the visa was already processing. The contract was signed. There was no undoing it. She was moving to London. When she demanded Bruce fix what his sister broke? He asked her to apologize. To Crystal. For being upset. So Molly left a note on his kitchen counter - Good Joke! - and got on the plane.

Olivia was everything to Xander Thorne-his reason to breathe, the center of his world. She was the bright light in his dark empire, the promise of a life he never thought he could have. Their love was all-consuming, fierce and tender, built on whispered dreams of a future they'd both believed in. But when Olivia was framed for a betrayal she never committed, everything they shared was put to the ultimate test. Instead of standing by her side, Xander let doubt and fury blind him. In a single night, he tore apart the life they had built-burning not only her art but the memories that meant everything to her. Now, standing in the wreckage of what they once shared, he sees the truth. And it's enough to break him. Because Olivia wasn't just his wife, wasn't just the woman he'd built his future around-she was the air he breathed, the blood in his veins. And without her, he's nothing. He'll do anything, risk everything to win her back. To prove that what they had wasn't just a dream lost to ash. Because she's still his world. And he won't stop fighting for her, no matter how much she hates him.

Alex had been my friend with benefits, and like a stupid cliche, I had to go and fall in love with him. I thought...I really thought...he was falling in love with me, too. Getting ready for a serious relationship. And he was. Just...not with me. He told me he wanted to find a girl just like me...

I fell in love with Magnus, and I thought he fell just as hard for me. Then my class got canceled and I went to the club house so we could spend an unexpected evening together. Unfortunately, someone else was already there keeping him company. My heart broke open and something spilled out. My powers. I was a witch and I had never known it.

Flashback to the 1950s. Veronica became pregnant by up-and-coming lawyer Paul. He did the right thing and married her. However, his plans weren't revolving around forever, and Veronica overheard him talking to his former? current? girlfriend. That's when Veronica started making her own plans.