Avery's senior year is turned upside down when a kiss with her older brothers' best friend ignites a forbidden relationship tangled in danger, heartbreak, and family secrets that could destroy everything. *** "Aiden..." I shake my head, eyes fixed anywhere but the gorgeous man next to me. His hand grips my chin tightly, just enough to make me avert my eyes to his. "You know you want this as much as I fucking do. I want you to be mine. I want to be the one to hold you and kiss you the one you go to whenever you're happy or fucking sad. But let it be me, let me fucking show you that it should be me." He glares, jaw tensing. ...... ©hessaherophinelove

Ares Gabriel Salazar has always believed in love that when Cupid aims his arrow, you don't get a choice. You fall, hard. No rewinds. No escape. Just fate doing its thing. So when Aidan Lysander Angeles moves into the neighborhood, all clean-cut smiles and polite nods. Aidan may look like the perfect good boy, but Ares sees the restlessness in his eyes. The part of him that wants to break free, to be seen for who he really is. And maybe . . . to be loved. Ares didn't expect to be the one hit. But when you meet someone who makes your heart race and your beliefs shake, what else is there to do but fall?

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[The Wattys 2025 Shortlist] ********** She spent twenty-four years preserving herself for one man-only for him to choose her best friend instead. Tomorrow, they would vow eternity to each other, while she remained nothing but a spectator to a love she had longed for. Desperate, she devised a plan, one final chance to make him hers. A single drop of aphrodisiac, a carefully orchestrated encounter-she would take what was meant to be hers. But fate had other plans. In the darkness of her deceit, she fell into the arms of the wrong man. A ruthless, merciless, and identical in every way except for the shadows that clung to him like a second skin. Her trickery had backfired, and now, she was at the mercy of a man whose hunger knew no bounds. He devoured her, claimed her, and became intoxicated by her taste, scent, and the desperate, helpless moans she never intended for him. She had set a trap, but it was she who had been ensnared. In her desperation, she had tasted her own poison. And he had found a new obsession. *********************************** Started: March 22, 2025 Ended: April 21, 2025 Revised: August 2, 2025

Left with no choice, Franzess Iah Millado is forced to marry Red Yvan Allen to pay off her debt. But when their feelings slowly turn real, can they finally move on from the past and heal? *** Franzess Iah Millado's world is turned upside down when she continuously crosses paths with band vocalist Red Yvan Allen. Due to an accident, she is forced to marry him as payment for her debt. Franzess initially expects that Red will treat her poorly, but his actions prove otherwise. Just when they believe their relationship is on the right track, they face their biggest challenge yet. As complications from both the present and the past continue to tear them apart, can Franzess and Red be strong enough to fight through the odds? Or will they choose to let each other go, even if their hearts tell them otherwise? Disclaimer: This story is written in Taglish. Cover Design by Rayne Mariano

11:11 series, book 1. Is honor enough? Is truth worth the cost? Isla Cyhrenia Mijares and Caleb Laurent de Vera have been best friends since high school, both of whom have served in the Philippine Navy. When Caleb confesses his feelings for Serena and faces rejection, Isla becomes his support. But as their friendship blurs and unknown feelings emerge, everything they have built begins to collapse. As they grow closer and their feelings deepen, some truths that were buried resurface, reopening old wounds they tried to forget. When revealing the truth threatens their love, their bloodline risks dishonor, and loyalty may demand betrayal. Can love endure the burden of hidden truths and blood-stained loyalty?

anxious boys series #2

Jackson Ramirez has always followed the rules-his family's, society's, everyone's but his own. Trapped in a life dictated by expectations, he buried his passion and silenced the voice that once made him feel alive. So when Kenzo Adachi walked into his class-blunt, intense, and always acting like he owned the room. Jackson couldn't help but feel . . . annoyed. Annoyed by his confidence. Annoyed by how he said whatever he wanted. Annoyed by how free he was. But Kenzo? He saw something else. He saw a bird trying to breathe through its cage. And Kenzo, the kind of man who lives by his own rules, was ready to go beyond the boundary-just to help Jackson learn how to fly.

Santiago Alverio is torn between family expectations and his own internalized fears from homophobic relatives. As he enters a casual fling with Diablo Delgado, he discovers that love, patience, and acceptance might be the blueprint to healing and embracing his true self. *** Santiago Alverio has always lived by the rules of his family, peers, and a silent world that tells him who he should be. As a civil engineering student, he hides behind toxic masculinity and the fear of being noticed because of expectations and a homophobic upbringing. Then comes Diablo Delgado--fearless, affectionate, and unapologetically himself. What begins as a no-strings "friends with benefits" arrangement slowly converts into something deeper. With every touch, every unguarded smile, Diablo breaks the walls Santi has built around his heart. But love is never simple. Santi is caught between family pressures, societal judgment, and his own insecurities. Will he ever realize that happiness was never about meeting expectations but about choosing the person who makes him feel whole? DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish. COVER DESIGN: Rayne Mariano ILLUSTRATOR: Ri Ot

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