[2021 Wattys Shortlist] Monica Kelly returns to her hometown years after abandoning it, only to bump into and befriend Liam Belkin-who, despite his walls and issues, cannot help but draw himself closer to someone he can't have. ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎✦ ✦ ✦ After being screwed over too many times, Monica Kelly ran from her hometown as soon as she graduated high school, leaving her brother and former life behind. But it isn't until four years later when she returns, and in need of money and a distraction, she gets a job at the local diner. She swears this isn't a forever thing-when the summer is done, she'll go get her masters and become somebody, far away from the people who screwed her over. But when Liam Belkin, the towns residential brooding man who hides behind a baseball cap, steps into the diner every night, she finds herself breaking down her one rule: don't get close to anyone. And although he doesn't talk, or even smile for that matter, he finds himself doing so every time Monica is around. But when two people with broken pasts come together, there's no telling if two wrongs can make a right-especially when betrayal is right around the corner.

A jilted, curvy accountant joins a gym on a journey of self-love. The last thing she plans for is to fall for her grumpy trainer. ***** Who needs men, anyway? Certainly not Joanna Lozano. The youngest of five and the only girl, she has learned at a young age the importance of survival in a man's world. It's what drives her to be a successful accountant in the corporate world of Chicago. When her boyfriend of six years unceremoniously dumps her--though her pride is wounded--she accepts the rejection as an opportunity to rediscover herself, starting with a reluctant agreement to join an eight-week fitness boot camp. Sage Kingston is a straightforward gym owner who appreciates and lives by the monotony of his life. His only goals are to provide and care for his young son after his divorce left him jaded. He doesn't have the time or patience to play games that come with dating or relationships. Who needs that headache, anyway? Yet, with a new season of boot camp at his gym underway, he's instantly attracted to the curvy and feisty participant, Joanna. However, his work is cut out for him since she's not easily charmed or swayed by his bulging biceps or six-pack abs. But even Joanna can't deny the mounting tension after each draining and sweaty training session. As they grow to know each other, so does their affection and both must deal with overcoming their hurt pasts and decide if unexpected love is worth the risk. ©2022 LJ Rae

Whitney Lowe is too comfortable. Nothing has changed from fifteen to twenty-five. Her boyfriend will never propose. The promotion she wants will never come. She doesn't know how she got here. So when her brother breaks his leg and offers her his non-refundable plane ticket and the apartment he already rented in Italy for a month, she blows up her life - only to have Alden Miller, her brother's best friend, blow up her vacation. Alden has always been a little out of reach for Whitney. He's two years older, a huge flirt, and lives life like a nomad. So there really isn't anyone better than him to show her how to find herself again.

When Rena meets Brent, he is a dream come true. He is a real gentleman, funny, caring and even her overly protective father likes him. But then, she discovers a different side of Brent - a violent side that scares her. Promising that this had been a one time slip up, she forgives him. After all, he is the love of her life. She dosn't see the signs -- the controlling, the alienation from her friends and dad, the obsession he has with her. She is like putty in his hands. Over time, she learns about the Cycle of Abuse the hard way and she even tries to break free. But in the end, she only sees one way out and it will likely cost her everything. Best Ranking: #2 in ChickLit Winner of the 1st Corner Booth contest Authors Note: This is a story about domestic violence and can be disturbing at times. Even though the people in this book are fictional, abuse at the hands of a loved one is real. It is something that can happen to any of us, even to teenagers like Rena. Please do not read this book if you find this topic disturbing. It is not designed to upset anyone but to raise awareness. Copyright©2015 by Sally Mason All rights reserved Cover by @lucyface Image "Girl"; courtesy of Rolands Lakis

----------------------------- PUBLISHED AS A PAID STORY ON GOODNOVELS UNDER EDITOR'S PICKS. ------------------------------ You are an 100 lvl student bah?" "Yes" "Turn right,there's a guy in black overalls,he'll register you" "Thank you" "You are welcome" I gave a curtsive nod as I walked forward and turned right. Paul was chatting and laughing with some boys and as I was about to say something, I saw a guy in black overalls so I quickly walked up to him. Paul could wait for now. His head was buried in his phone as I approached him. "I want.... " "What's your name?" He asked without taking his eyes off his phone cutting me off. I stilled immediately. I was dazzled by his voice as I instantly craved to hear it again. "Huh?" "What's your name?" He asked again without even raising his head. Oh god! I could have an organsm right now. Oladele Anjola is an 100lvl student of Computer Science who just got admitted into Federal University of Technology, otherwise known as FUTA. She's extremely reserved and a big introvert. Although beautiful and intelligent, she has zero social skills. Adeleke Kolawole is your typical one of the most popular guys at FUTA. Cute, tall, handsome and brilliant and has more than half of the female population running after him. But Kola is the second definition of being snubbish and icy. He barely has friends and keeps to himself. Jola is totally smitten by Kola on their meeting and for the first time in Kola's life, he has a girl in his head. No matter how hard he tries to get her out of his head, she wouldn't budge, its not like he wanted her out of his head though. And so, an interesting love story starts. What will happen when Jola discovers that her very first friend in FUTA, Fisayo also has a huge crush on Kola. Will she give him up for friendship or give up her friendship for Kola. Its truly an hard decision, but sometimes before anyone else, we should come first.

"And who are you?" I looked up to see his well structured face. "I'm Itoro, Itoro Samuels." "And what are you doing here?" "Trying to clean up Sir, you came home drunk last night and your elder brother thought it was wise to let me clean up your mess." He looked at the mess in his room, "Good, I've got the worst head ache. Clean up and get out." ************************************************************************************** Itoro Samuels, was in need of money. Her mum was sick in the village and her father's brothers wasn't an option. Itoro needed money or she'll have to drop out of school. Itoro and her best friend Chidinma, came across a house help website and Itoro was adamant to fill the form at first. But when she saw the huge salary, she let go of her dignity and eventually filled the form. While working as a house help, Itoro met Genesis who happened to be her boss's second son. She couldn't help but fall in love with him, but Genesis was oblivious of her being. But what will happen when Genesis, eventually noticed her? Will it turn into something more or will it just be a C.R.U.S.H ************************************************************************************** Started : 24/06/2019 Finished : 11/09/2019 ************************************************************************************** Highest Rankings 25/08/2019 #1 - african #1 - nigeria #3- bestie #1-nigerian 23/08/2019 #3 - nigerian #4 - bestie #1 - proudlynigerian 07/07/2019 #2 - nigerianstory #6 - proudlynigerian Cover by Eddy622

Jadeshola Badmus is not your regular female lead. She's outspoken, Brilliant, Sassy, beautiful, intelligent, and is the president of the Literary and debate team. What's more, she comes from a very wealthy family and is the head girl of her school, Lakeview High, one of the most prestigious schools in the country. The only bad luck for her comes in the form of the golden star boy of the school, Uthman Gbadamosi, her arch-rival in debating, the school's head boy, football team captain, and the crush of many girls in school except Jade of course. The two are thrown together after a brief encounter and they found themselves developing feelings for each other amidst family breakdown, friend's betrayal, failed tests, and missed opportunities. This book follows the lives of the finalists at Lakeview High as they maneuver their way to become better adults in the seemingly ugly world.

In Phi, you don't get a choice. You fight and you kill until it kills you. After running from the only home she'd ever known, Cassie is out to get revenge. In the sunny streets of Rome, she attempts to forget her past and focus on one thing only. Kill the woman who killed her team. When Andrew's mentor refuses to show for their usual meeting, he uncovers a dangerous secret that threatens to make him one thing he never wanted to be. A liar. Her mother's death left her in a wheelchair, but it didn't take away her spirit. Diana may be physically unable to fight, but she won't stop. Not until she makes her mother's dreams come true and becomes an A-list assassin. Being stuck in North Carolina with a jail sentence hanging over your head if you return to Europe, Chloe is forced to fight. She never wanted to kill , but when the world has showed you how cruel men can be, how one mistake can ruin you, you don't get to run away. Bill's only friend in the last two years was a beer bottle and his only sibling 6ft under. If he was even given a proper funeral at all. When these five people cross paths and are put to work together to stop M. Corp. from using newly emerged weapons against them, Squad 6 is fighting for much more then they bargained for. Five trained assassins, five stories, five personalities. One battle. Survival. Hang a few secrets around the room, shove some feelings and guilt under that expensive red carpet and call it a night... More like a nightmare. ~*~ "Imagine having a team where one person is dead, one's on drugs, one is drunk, one disabled, one a double-agent and one detached from reality." "That's a set of very unfortunate circumstances." "I'd beg to differ."

"Okay. What's your favourite food?" "It will be you after we get married, but for now It's anything you give me to eat." He deadpanned. Tseju almost choked on her own surprise. Sputter. More sputter. "Close your mouth shugah. I don't wanna share that space with flies." He said, the shadow of a mischievous smile playing at the ends of his lips. Tseju was still not talking, although she'd snapped her mouth shut now. "Next question?" She coughed. "Ahem. What's your favourite color?" "It was ice silver, now its the color of your skin." ________________________________________ Meet your Heroine, Tseju Anne Mobijilade, a not so typical but typical chubby curvy Nigerian melanin goddess who exchanged her heart of flesh for a heart of stone following her break up with long term boyfriend Benjamin Ayigbarin and now sees men as nothing but sex toys and external bank accounts. Especially Yoruba men. Meet your Hero, a beefy bald but beautiful Yoruba demon whose dimples set your ovaries on fire. Most eligible bachelor of the year, 3 years in a row Bayo Ayodeji Jacobs grew up watching his dad spoil his mom silly with love and has been looking for a woman to spoil silly with love. When their parts cross, Tseju finds herself falling hard and fast for a man who by every standard of the word resembles a First Class Yoruba demon. Will Bayo redeem Yoruba men everywhere? Or will he make the Yoruba Demon Association of Nigeria proud? I don't even need to say keep reading to find out, you're already reading!