❝ Things are only as beautiful as you make them, Charlie. Including murder. ❞ It's the opening night of Burton Abbey's production of Romeo and Juliet and all is going smoothly - that is until the climactic death scene. Romeo takes a big gulp of the poison to be with his lover, except it really is poison and Elijah, who plays Romeo, is now dead. Charlie Monet, in charge of props, is the first suspect but soon the suspicion around her turns to worry as it seems she's the next target. Khaleel Rahim, an aspiring writer, is dying for a mystery to solve at his new school. When he sees Charlie sneaking around at night he thinks he's finally found something worth writing about. After discovering Charlie's ability to see visions of the past, Khaleel decides that they're the perfect pair to solve the mystery. With threatening notes, a quiet library and poison disguised as props; somebody in the school is blurring the lines between theatre and reality and the fast friends are about to discover that there's more to boarding school than just silly rumours. [2022 Watty's Shortlist]

The kingdom of Bayfell requires that every male and female must marry after he or she turns sixteen. Of course, not everyone loves this law, but the kingdom's population is dwindling. The Claiming is a ceremony in which one young man writes down the name of three women of his choosing, listing most preferable to least. At the event, the announcements are made of whom each man chose to be his wife. The woman does not get a say in it whatsoever. She is stuck with whoever picks her. Isabella Reyes is unfortunately sixteen, and she is terrified. She grew up in the Facility, a home for orphans born to women of the lower class. Little does she know that the claim that is made for her hand will change everything. *Disclaimer: If you think this is a werewolf novel, you are very much wrong! I didn't realize the title's connection to werewolf lore until MONTHS after I was halfway into it. But please, give it a try if you were fooled! It's a mixture of fantasy, romance, and dystopian that has yet to disappoint!* Book cover credits to @Teddy_Ninja Thank you so much for the brilliance you have created for my story!