To transform her family's life from rags to riches, Cari is determined to focus on her studies and set the idea of love aside. But upon meeting the mysterious Ross, she knew things will never be the same again. Will Cari be able to tame the fiery beast in him--or let herself burn from the heat? ___ Possessing both beauty and brains, Carmilla Rina Dela Pente is dearly called 'Aphrodite' by her best friends. Despite being a head-turner, Cari has no intention to entertain suitors because she has strict goals set up- to fulfill her family's dreams. One soccer game unexpectedly changes her life, ultimately drawing her to the cold and handsome Ross. For the first time in their lives, both Cari and Ross experienced the bliss of falling in love. But with their feelings growing stronger, Cari soon discovers that their love comes with a price- one that may cost her not only her special love ones, but even more. Disclaimer: This story is written in Taglish. Start: May 12, 2020 End: July 18, 2020

Born in a strict and ambitious family, Syerana cannot handle the pressure that her family gives. As her family tries to control every decision she makes, including her dream to be a flight attendant. Instead of following what her heart wants her to become, she then took the path of being an investigator. With her walking to the path, she does not want in the first place, little did she know that it will also be the path that will draw her to Seig. Being with her first love made her feel different emotions, and experience a lot of things. But as she continues communicating with Seig will make her deal with consequences. The consequences she doesn't even want to face. But then she found out that what scares her most is the only way for her to live with the truth. Start: December 18, 2020 End: July 23, 2021

Sydney James Wantirano is a woman of contrasts. With a fiery, untamable spirit and unyielding principles, she commands respect and admiration. Yet, behind this formidable exterior lies a tender heart that remains devoted to her parents, despite their harsh treatment and the absence of familial love. Her efforts to honor and make them proud are both a testament to her resilience and a source of hidden pain. Everything changes one fateful night when Sydney meets Xarius-a charming, effervescent man who shatters her rigid world. His presence awakens something in her that she never knew she was missing. For the first time, Sydney feels truly at home, valued, and loved-experiences she thought were forever beyond her reach. The irony of finding solace in someone so different from herself only deepens the impact of their connection. But such profound change comes at a cost. Sydney is faced with an impossible choice: between embracing the happiness Xarius offers and fulfilling her obligations to those who have always been her burden. Torn between two conflicting paths, she must decide whether to pay the price for her newfound joy or abandon it to maintain her old responsibilities. Will Sydney find a way to navigate these treacherous waters, or will she escape into the safety of the familiar, leaving behind the twisted wildlands of her heart? Started: July 18, 2020 End: December 17, 2020

Tulad ng sinasabi ng nakararami, panatilihin ang mga mata sa kung ano ang nangyayari ngayon at hindi sa nangyayari noon. Ngunit paano kung ang nakaraan ay muling bumalik para maging kasalukuyan? ______ Living in a glamorous family, Reganne Quinn Noviemendo cannot handle the pressure weighing her down. In her mind, she has everything figured out, unaware that she still has a long way to go. She faces every consequence head on, following a principle she set for herself: to alter imperfections so they can serve their purpose. But when she met Evan, her world made a complete turn. All along, she was oblivious to the complexity of the world. All along, she was kept in comfort. Until everything between her and Evan resulted in something more. Something beautiful. Something unexpected. His past was haunting. And as she tries to unveil everything, Reganne must face a difficult choice. Will she allow her life to fall apart, or will she let him go? Warning: This story is R-18 Start: March 22, 2020 End: May 11, 2020

THE LOSERS' CLUB SERIES #1 Have you ever been so smitten with someone that you were just so grateful they existed? Tipong makita mo lang siya, solved ka na. Kahit hindi mo siya makausap o makasama, inspired na inspired ka. That was the case for Dawn Karsen Navarro, a die-hard fan of a prominent singer and songwriter, Dior Kobe Gallardo. Kahit pa laging General Admission ticket lang ang nabibili niya at halos kasinlaki lang ng gagamba ang natatanaw niya mula sa upuan, marinig niya lang ang boses ng binata, kuntento na siya. So, when luck pulled a trick on her poor heart, she didn't hesitate to take advantage of the opportunity. She went from being in the farthest row to being in the backstage, from seeing only a glimpse of her idol to a face-to-face encounter, and from hearing only a fraction of his life to knowing everything there was to know about him. She had made a lot of progress. But, why did she go back to being seated in the farthest row? Why did she go back to being just a mere fan? After everything they vowed, why did she go back to being a stranger in the midst of the crowd?

PUBLISHED UNDER LIB Note: If you're not into flawed characters who make wrong decisions, don't read this. Save yourself from stress. Started: 10/07/2020 Ended: 11/18/2020 Elora Chin Valencia grew up in a toxic Christian family where she was viewed as the black sheep. Araw-araw ay ipinaparamdam sa kanya ng mundo na wala siyang lugar sa sarili niyang tahanan. She was a consistent dean's lister and an obedient daughter, which left her wondering what she had done so wrong to be disregarded as a speck of dust in the wind. They made her feel like she was just dirt, filling up the empty space. The one who would never have her own safe place. Feeling all of this contributed to her endless suicidal ideations. Baka nga tama sila. Baka nga wala siyang halaga at kailanman ay hindi na sasaya. She almost believed that. She almost held onto that notion. Not until she met the man in his BS Civil Engineering uniform and gorgeous grin, Troy Jefferson Dela Paz. He kissed her forehead, and her loud thoughts were silenced. Her demons calmed down. Her foes were defeated. For the first time in her life, she had proven her family wrong---a happy Elora Chin was possible. She was loved and well-taken care of. Troy embraced her sharp parts, not minding the wounds he might get. But fate had a lot of cruel things in store for her. Because when she thought she had reached the peak of happiness, she found myself drowning alone in the ocean she now called home, alone in her shame, alone with the waves she couldn't tame.

PUBLISHED UNDER LIB Note: If you're not into flawed characters who make wrong decisions, don't read this. Save yourself from stress. Started: 09/09/2020 Ended: 10/07/2020 Solene Clemente was a typical Civil Engineering student who struggled to put up with her studies. Kung pwede ngang i-bake na lang ang napakaraming itlog sa test papers niya, ginawa niya na. At a young age, she experienced the harsh reality of life-poverty, abuse, and a broken family. But, as someone who could see the bright side of everything, she knew she could make it with only her mother and best friend, Duke Laurence Sanders, whom she secretly loved. Kahit pa naghihirap, basta kasama niya ang ina, kaya niya. Kahit pa madalas niyang hindi maintindihan ang lessons, ayos lang kasi may Duke naman na tuturuan siya. Na kahit gaano kalupit ang tadhana, patuloy siyang lumalaban sa buhay dahil may dalawang taong sumusuporta at nagmamahal sa kanya. She became too dependent on the love they could offer. But little did she know, like the sun she adored, she was destined to be alone.

Sequel/Book 2 (The MAIN STORY) of Love at First Read. Ano ang gagawin mo kung ginulo ng tadhana ang tahimik mong mundo? Sina Train, AB, Kudos, at Hazel, pinagsama-sama at sabay-sabay na pinaglaruan ng tadhana. Handa na nga ba silang harapin ang lahat kahit na maaari silang masaktan at mawasak sa huli? *** Hanggang saan ang kaya mong gawin para sa pag-ibig? Para kay Train, kaya niyang suwayin ang ama at maghintay ng hanggang sampung taon para kay AB. Para kay AB, pipilitin niyang mabuo ang nawasak na sarili para maging karapat-dapat kay Train. Para kay Kudos, kaya niyang masaktan nang paulit-ulit basta't mananatili siya sa tabi ni AB. At para kay Hazel, patuloy siyang aasa na mahahanap ang taong tunay na magmamahal sa kanya. Pero paano kung tadhana at realidad na ang kalaban nila? Itutuloy pa rin ba nila ang laban kahit na pinipilit na nito na sumuko na sila?

[ Pereseo Series #1 ] Habang nakikipagsiksikan sa MRT. May nahulog na diary. Diary ng NBSB. Napulot ng isang lalaki. Lalaking ang hobby... magpaiyak ng mga babae. -- Book cover by @arkiSTEPH

UNIVERSITY SERIES #5. Ever since they were kids, Avianna Diaz from UST Architecture and Larkin Sanchez from UP Film were inseparable, not until Larkin's fame grew over time, and they suddenly found themselves taking different roads at the same time.