"We met earlier, kind of," he smiled at her. "I'm Jake." "H-hi!" How had she missed him before? He was delightful. Dark blond hair, slate grey eyes . . . and oh my goodness, that smile!!! To be fair, back in the bar, all of their faces had been merging together, but now she was a bit more with it, she could see this guy was pretty much perfection. What a shame she was getting married . . . No, wait, she wasn't. But he thought she was. And yet here he was, apparently interested. Time to see how this one played out . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Charlotte Tyler has a theory - when it comes to girls, all guys want what they can't have. The fact her colleague Aaron flirted with her constantly while she was in a relationship and lost interest the second she was single has in no way disproved this theory. And so her best friend Thea comes up with a way to test this further - if Charlie stages her own hen night, will she manage to hook an unsuspecting guy? Despite being technically off-the-market? It seems like a crazy idea. But the plan, surprisingly, is a resounding success, and Charlie actually meets and starts to fall for someone as a result. But with an imaginary fiance and an upcoming fictional wedding to juggle, her lies are starting to spin out of control. Is this what she really wants?

~~~~~ One thing that most definitely hasn't changed is the power of those bright hazel eyes to reduce me to a puddle of mush. And I can't help but think of the last time I was looking into them, right after he kissed me and walked away 15 years ago. Suddenly, all I can think about is how much I want him to kiss me again, and this makes me absolutely furious with myself. ~~~~~~ Em spent her last two years of high school fantasising about Chris. He seemed to hate her, though... except for that one time he kissed her out of nowhere and then disappeared out of her life. 15 years later, Chris is back. And it turns out that, even now they're both in their thirties, she still hasn't quite recovered from her teenage crush. Thrown together unexpectedly, she's either going to have to get over him... or *under* him. But does he feel the same???

Half of me was fantasising about the idea of Joe just throwing me, caveman style, on that pool table and having his wicked way with me, while the other half was already realising how hard it could be to get over him if that did happen. Maybe the moments of anticipation are better than the follow-through. Maybe I need to protect myself and see this as just a flirtation and nothing more. And, yes, maybe I need to stop overthinking every bloody thing . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When Sienna Norton decides to surprise her boyfriend, she's the one who ends up surprised - and heartbroken - when she discovers him with another woman. Her best friend Kate convinces her they should go on holiday abroad to help her move on . . . But once they reach the beautiful Greek island of Kefalonia, Sienna somehow ends up abandoned once again. Things start to look up, though, when she meets Joe, and they make an agreement to spend the rest of their holiday together. Joe is gorgeous, smart, and funny, and there's absolutely no denying there's chemistry between them - but Sienna hasn't expected to feel . . . *things* so soon, and Joe . . . well, there's definitely something he just isn't telling her. Will there be a chance for them to be *more* than just holiday buddies?

And there she was, in the flesh. Her hair still dyed blonde, but curly again like when I saw her for the first time. She looked tired, cynical. Bored. And a little sad. I recognised these emotions instantly as it was the same way I'd been feeling for too long now. However, she was also still utterly beautiful and completely perfect, and the love I'd always harboured for her rushed back like a burst dam. Let's face it, it had never really went away. The dam may as well have even held back by some dubious duct tape. It had been leaking for years. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ He pretty much fell in love at first sight when he was 14 years old. 20 years later he's having to face the girl he fell for again . . . And he's not really coping well with it. You hopefully already know how it ends . . . But here's the chance to see Ryan's version of events. ❤️ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ***This novella is Ryan's side of the main relationship in "No Reservations". It therefore serves as a companion to the main book and would be best enjoyed as dessert after you've binged on the main. 😉***

AMBY AWARDS TOP PICK 2023 ❤️ "You think I can't act like I'm into you?" He asks in a whisper. He reaches out, and strokes a finger down my cheek, and I feel myself shiver at the touch. "You think I can't convince everyone that I have feelings for you?" His eyes are darker than ever, and any sign of a smile has now vanished. The only word I can think right now to describe him is "smouldering". I have searched many great romance novels (and even more sub-standard ones), and I am yet to find a better synonym for that particular word. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Abigail Watson has always played by the rules. She also constantly strives to be the best at everything she does. So when her boyfriend Declan decides to turn their temporary break into a permanent break-up, she starts to seriously doubt her girlfriend skills. Her new flatmate Ric tells Abby she's not the problem, but how can she believe *him* when he's one of the most annoying guys she's ever encountered? However, when she needs a fake boyfriend to save face in front of Declan, Ric might just be the only man she can turn to . . . Practice Makes Perfect offers you some forced proximity, enemies to lovers, a dash of fake dating, pub quizzes, flatmate frustrations . . . And - of course - an annoying ex, because doesn't everyone have at least one of those??? ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cover by @LNRoberts1 ❤️

"Here's the thing though . . ." He trails off thoughtfully and then he looks straight at me. His eyes are steely and that makes me realise the fundamental difference between the young Ryan and this Ryan. He's hardened now. The sweet boy I once knew is probably still in there somewhere but life eventually got to him and he had to toughen up. "I need someone I can rely on. I don't want to take a person on who just decides it's too much hassle a few days or weeks in and just . . . Ghosts me." He finishes. There's a definite challenge there. He's not just talking about the job. He's getting a dig in there about the way I disappeared out of his life. As well as implying I'm generally unreliable . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Iona Stewart is pretty sure she's having a premature midlife crisis. Recently made redundant, permanently unlucky in love, and back living with her parents, she's desperate for a change of scenery. So when an opportunity comes up to work in a hotel in the Highlands, it seems like fate has stepped in. The problem? Her new boss is Ryan Thorne. Her former friend. Her first crush. And the boy who broke her heart nearly 17 years ago. She had no intention of ever seeing him again after that night. And it seems he isn't that keen on having *her* around either. Be prepared for nineties flashbacks, many awkward encounters, and *hopefully* a happy ever after . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ❤️Second Place in the Chick-Lit category in The Pink Cloud Awards❤️ ❤️Second Place in the Chick-Lit category in The Hibiscus Awards❤️ ❤️Winner of Best Opening in Chick Lit in the Berry Pancake awards❤️ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Complete companion novella entitled "No Reservations: Ryan's Version" is now available*

AMBY AWARDS TOP PICK 2024❤️ I can only see half of his face, reflected in the mirror at the front of the bus, and part of that is obscured by the peak of the black company-branded cap he's wearing. But I can see enough to glean that there's a strong jaw covered in scruff. A wide mouth that looks like it would be prone to smiling. He's wearing glasses with trendy light tortoiseshell frames, and I can't quite discern the colour of his eyes from my position . . . but some weird intuition is telling me that they'll be hazel, and I wonder when my brain is going to catch up. Because I *know* him, don't I? I'm almost certain of it. And he seems to know me, too. Or at least he thinks he does. The way he's glancing over at me lets me in on that. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mirren Shepherd has *many* pet peeves. Top of the list, though? Staycations . . . And surprises. So when her girls' trip abroad is cancelled at the last minute and she finds herself roped into a minibus tour of Northern Scotland instead, she isn't remotely happy. And when she finds out who their guide is . . . It's yet another reason for her to dislike surprises. Because Owen Sullivan wasn't so much the one who got away . . . He was the one who just didn't return. And, after she finally got over him, she never expected to see him again. Mirren would prefer to leave the past in the past, but Owen is determined to try to right his wrongs. Can she trust him? Can she trust *herself*? Maybe, just maybe, this surprise - and staycation - won't be as bad as Mirren thinks . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~

"We could just . . . *do it*, you know," he says now, teasingly. "Clear all that sexual tension up with one quick ten minute session?" I seriously hope he's joking, but I'm not certain he is. Either way, I can't prevent the exasperated huff of laughter that escapes my lips at those words. "You must be dreaming if you think there's *any* sexual tension between us," I scoff. "Anyway, I'd rather not be another notch on your bedpost, thanks very much." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ruby Rafferty has won the ultimate prize - a luxury holiday in Crete! In theory, it couldn't be more perfect - endless sun, Greek food, an unlimited free bar . . . There's only one problem. The man she has no choice but to share the prize with. Lewis Sheridan may be ridiculously attractive, but he is also cocky, cynical, and comes complete with his own specific set of red flags. He's everything Ruby has never wanted in a guy, and she's not sure she can survive *one* day alone with him, let alone ten. It's *fine*, though . . . Their suite is massive, the cocktails are flowing, and Ruby can't help but notice how handsome and charming the hotel manager is. If only he didn't think she and Lewis were already a couple . . . Will forced proximity push our vacationers closer or further apart? Can enemies really become lovers? And what will happen if anyone realises they're technically on holiday under false pretences? I guess we're about to find out . . . Cover by @jspromcoms

Remember when I said earlier I was glad there hadn't been a spark between us when we shook hands? Well, it must have just been on a temporary loo break or something because energy is now throbbing in the small space between us. Once again, I can't look away from him. Heat pulses through the hand he's holding. There's a look in his eyes too that I've never noticed before. And his pupils are rapidly dilating. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Socially awkward Chloe West prefers to live very much within the border of her own tiny comfort zone. The last thing she wants to do is go on a traditional Glasgow Subcrawl, but she's determined to be a good friend . . . even if it means she's a stressed mess the whole day. But let's not forget the following points . . . 🥂 The self-appointed subcrawl coordinator is determined to force fun on them whether they like it or not 🥂 Chloe's ex is going to turn up at any moment, possibly with his new girlfriend in tow 🥂 And, Liam, the guy who has always rubbed Chloe up the wrong way? Well, *he's* already there... Can she make it through this nightmare unscathed and complete the subcrawl? And will she find something unexpected in the process?

[2024 WATTY WINNER][18+] When global pop sensation, Maisie Rhodes, accidentally reveals her love songs are about someone close to her, she agrees to fake-date her best friend, August, to keep the truth buried. But with six weeks of pretending and nine years of unspoken feelings between them, she's forced to choose between protecting their friendship or risking everything for the one person she's never stopped wanting.