💖2022 WATTYS WINNER IN NEW ADULT CATEGORY!💖 "You know what this reminds me of?" he asked. I shook my head, feeling the rush of our jump stir in my belly. "Being on stage?" "Roses," he said. "When we ended up at the bar where your parents met, and you got me roses, I thought it was fitting. We never would've gone in there if I didn't run out of gas. You know the saying, stop and smell the roses? I thought I would help you slow down and appreciate life. And here you are doing it for me. I guess whenever we're together, we'll always be smelling roses." 🌻🌻🌻 Nora's determined to be more independent, but if she were honest, she's terrified of the idea. For the last four years, she's ran her family's restaurant and raised her younger siblings well. But with high school over, she fears she may do it for the rest of her life. Then she meets local rockstar, Wren. He's the town's resident heartthrob, and after a year of touring, he's desperate for a break. But when he sets out to make the album of his career, he can't seem to find inspiration. Wren's dreams have given him the independence Nora craves, but she believes dreams are a luxury she can't afford. He wants to prove her wrong. When Nora agrees to be his muse for the summer, he promises to make her dreams come true. No matter how big, small, or completely ridiculous, he will fulfill them all. But as Nora gets further away from her comfort zone, she yearns for her old life back. While her family offers her security, Wren offers her freedom. When her checklist is complete, she'll have to decide which one she can live without. 🔥HIGHEST RANKINGS🔥 🏖 #1 for #Summerfling ✊🏿 #2 for #BIPOC 🪂 #5 for #Bucketlist

When the most popular Kpop idol on the planet falls to her death, an aspiring singer is thrown into the spotlight, attracting the attention of an obsessive fan who claims to know the truth. *** Kpop girl group Sweet Poison is undeniably the biggest girl group in the world, and lead singer Dalia the most popular idol on the planet. But at the peak of her career, no one expects the idol to throw herself off a thirty story building on what will become a historic day in entertainment history. Ruled as a suicide, her death shocks the industry and millions mourn the unexpected demise of their favourite celebrity. Just as suddenly, trainee Kang Jina is thrown into the spotlight when her childhood association with Dalia is leaked to the media. Stifled by the newfound attention and stress of her debut, Jina feels as though she'll drown under all the pressure. That is until she receives a most shocking letter from Dalia's sassaeng (obsessive fan) claiming that she was murdered instead.

In the tranquil waters of Hawai'i, Hokulani and Nikau wonder if it's possible for a song to go on forever. ***** For as long as Hokulani can remember, she's always felt like she's treading water. Everything she loves becomes a means to escape from what's happening around her or, worse, the unsteadiness of her mind. She even finds her passion for music slipping through her grasp, though she tries her best not to completely let that go. And even though the arrival of an up-and-coming musician from Aotearoa causes waves, she's unable to fully enjoy her life. Unable to release that breath she feels like she's been holding onto ever since her father passed away. When her family is hit with complicated news, the Kahananui woman must make difficult decisions for themselves, including one Hokulani isn't sure she fully understands. But even when their choices are made, they bring up memories they've all been trying their best to forget, forcing them to face the reality deep inside the family's hearts. Hokulani takes refuge in the comfort her shared feelings with Nikau bring, but just because she wants something, doesn't mean it's enough. She knows she has a lot to work through on her own, and with the understanding that his year on the island will eventually come to an end, the two of them spend endless nights wondering if they can somehow make a song go on forever. ***** 2025 AMBYS GRAND FAVORITE | contemporary 2025 ASTANIA AWARDS FIRST PLACE WINNER | wild card » featured on @wattpad @romance @ContemporaryLit @SocialThemes and @Ambassadors « All rights reserved © Stephanie Midorii, smidorii