Some truths should stay buried. Some men should be avoided. She does neither. Olivia Torre has spent years running from the shadows of her past. As a sharp-tongued private investigator, she takes on a case that drags her into New York's elite circles-the disappearance of a wealthy family's son. What seems like a routine job quickly spirals into something much darker. Dominic Giordano is a man of power and secrets, whose world collides with Olivia's in unexpected ways. When she refuses to back down, she uncovers more than she bargained for, revealing a link between him and a mystery that has haunted her for years. Now, walking away isn't an option. Not when the truth is within reach. Not when Dominic Giordano is the only man who can give it to her. But some truths don't set you free. Some ruin you.

A stranger to her own existence, Kayla moves to a small town with the hope of finding comfort in a fresh start. But as she steps inside the unfamiliar classroom on the first day, standing in front of the class is a mysteriously familiar face, one that rouses memories of a time she believed had gone by. With past baggage catching up in the most intrusive ways, she stumbles upon unexpected comfort of friendship, unconditional love of found family, and a beautiful yet complicated bond between two hesitant souls. "This book was like a warm hug, and I might believe in love again." "I would give everything, especially my soul, to have the opportunity to read this book for the first time again." ────── CW: Substance abuse, harsh language, sexual content, mention of self-harm and suicide. ────── Started in January 2018. Re-published in November 2022. First draft finished in April 2023. ────── Copyright 2018 © Renee Steinberg All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced, copied, translated, or republished in any form without the author's permission, except for brief quotations or reviews with proper credit.