Nick doesn't believe that a marriage needs love to survive, and he's out to prove it by marrying a stranger. But after proposing to headstrong waitress Annabelle, his theory begins to fall apart... ***** Nick Brady has only ever seen marriage as an agreement for mutual economic and financial gain. Wanting to prove his point once and for all, he sets out to marry a total stranger. In walks Annabelle Skye, a down-on-her-luck waitress. All she's ever wanted was stability and comfort. So when Nick explains his theory and proposes, she accepts and moves in with him. After all, she's never believed in fairytale romance. Facing disapproval from their family and friends, Nick and Annabelle become determined to make his marriage without love theory work. But when Annabelle starts to break down Nick's walls, he realizes his theory might not be as foolproof as he thought... Content/Trigger Warning: this story contains mentions of an eating disorder, physical and sexual abuse, and other mature content that may be triggering to the reader. [[word count: 90,000 - 100,000 words]] Cover designed by Ashley Marie Bandy This is the first book in The Marrying You series. [Highest rank: #1 in new adult romance, #1 in womens fiction, #86 in romance and #4 in fiction]

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.