[Selected for the Wattys shortlist-2025] "𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆. 𝑯𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍. 𝑵𝒆𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆. 𝑵𝒐𝒘 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉." When Vanora Blackthorn is forced into a cold, calculated marriage to Alestor Drevenhart-the ruthless heir of a powerful dynasty-she thinks she's escaped one nightmare only to enter another. But beneath the icy vows and suffocating walls of the Drevenhart estate, something begins to shift. Secrets fester. Obsession brews. And love? Love was never part of the deal... until it becomes the deadliest one of all. Will she survive the cruel games of a family that never wanted her? Will he learn to love the woman he was never meant to care for? Or will their hearts shatter beneath the very vows that bound them?" "𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒐𝒔, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕."

Silence and Honey I talked enough for both of us. He listened like he might never let go. Runerth Castellion was the boy with the sharpest eyes and the quietest heart. He didn't talk much-didn't smile much either. But he always showed up. For me. I had known him since we were twelve. Since I decided I was going to be his friend, whether he wanted one or not. I was the chatterbox play school teacher who sings songs about dinosaurs and glue sticks. He was the grumpy heir to a mafia empire no one talks about out loud and a CEO of a heritage company. We were never meant to fit but we did and we did not at the same time. All that until the fate tested us. Tested me. In a world where healing feels impossible, our bond became a refuge, a promise that no matter how dark the night, dawn was waiting. This is a story about the strength found in vulnerability, the power of a patient heart, and the beautiful, messy journey toward a love that saves. Credit to the original owner of picture used in cover. I do not own it. 7 in comfortcharacter on 20th August, 2025.

Adrienne Lace's life was a mess. A big mess. A 22 year old college student who was not only financially struggling, she was emotionally struggling too, a girl with no friends other than her novels and thoughts which unfortunately did not make for good company. She had so much to pay for, always had so much to do, helping her mother, her grandmother and herself all at once. She was drowning, sinking so damn low, and she wasn't sure if she wanted to swim back up anymore. That is until she's paired up with her antithesis, Karsen Krist, for an assignment that will cost them most of their grade in their final year of college. Unlike Adrienne, Karsen was rich, happy, the college's star football player who as she spends more time with realizes is not as horrible as she thought he'd be, and actually, is just as human as she is. Except that he is much too talkative, too flirty, too smart, too sweet and unfortunately, a little too... desirable. But when you've been in a box so long, it becomes your new home, whether it's comfortable or not. Will he be able to get her out of that box? Or will all their potential end up going in vain? *** #1 in books #1 in art #1 in reversegrumpyxsunshine #1 in collegeromance #1 in player #1 in forcedproximity #1 in flirty #1 in grumpygirl #1 in project #1 in opposites #1 in growth

After getting attacked one summer night, 19-year-old Elle Russo doesn't want to be weak anymore. Deciding to get a self-defense teacher sounded easy until it ends up being the guy she hates most from her childhood. Elle is known for her sweetness, but he brings out her venom. Nico Cross is very quiet and to himself. The only time he speaks is to make sarcastic remarks or tell people to shut up. With a gaze that makes you shiver, most people choose to not speak a word to him. Hating each other and seeing each other everyday isn't a good mix. They push each others' buttons and hate nobody in the world more than they hate each other. But as time goes on, they both soon realize, Sometimes you hate something to keep yourself from loving it. ---------- "Why would I be scared of you?" I asked. "What are you gonna do, kill me?" He leaned forward, and I could feel his breathing against my skin. I whispered, "I think you want to kiss me."

When Isadora, a personal trainer from a wealthy family, falls for Roman, the heir to a deadly cartel, their intense connection is shattered by secrets and betrayal. As danger closes in, they must confront their pasts, fight for survival, and decide if love can exist in a world built on lies and violence. *** Los Angeles, also known as The City of the Angels. It's a fitting name for Los Ángeles del Armagedón, a cartel based in LA that runs the entire continent of South America. They're notorious, ruthless, and absolutely elusive. Well, apart from 26 year old Roman Ernesto Alvarez. Recently released from a two year stint in prison, he returns to the free world as the adopted heir to the most powerful cartel in South America. He's struggling to be back on the outside... until he meets her. Isadora Visente. She's a 23 year old personal trainer struggling with her parents' pressure to settle down and marry. Unknowingly, their slow-building but intensifying connection becomes Roman's unexpected anchor after his release. Her life working as a trainer in her gym is pretty mundane and repetitive, until she meets Roman, of course. Then it all gets a lot more interesting. *** "You sneaky little shit." Roman's eyes snapped over to me, or more accurately, towards my legs. There I stood in the middle of his room glaring at him, and he sat there with his beautiful eyes roaming over my exposed legs. He eventually dragged his gaze towards my upper half, but only for a second before it was back on my legs. "Damn." His voice was low and husky and just...perfect. Even if I was mad at him I couldn't deny that fact. "My eyes are up here, Roman." "Yeah, but your legs are down there." *** Part of the Costantino Universe

"I like kissing you Ellie, are you really gonna make me stop?" ☆☆☆ Elzay Blaine has never fit into her own life. As a matter of fact she has felt cast out since she was born, when her father decided he could handle two kids but not three. Her father walked out on them before she was even born, and her mother died shortly after, leaving her and her older sister in the care of her much older brother. But truthfully, Ellie has no memory of her life before moving to Los Angeles, California. With her brother being a wealthy businessman and her sister being a world famous supermodel, Ellie has only known the luxury life of LA, but even at a young age she realized she was far too different and that different wasn't good. Different wasn't accepted. It made you a misfit. Damon Parker, son of tech mogul Dante Parker and heir of Parker Industries. A wealthy bad boy with a reputation that precedes him. Sharp cheekbones and a glare so cold it could freeze fire. He has no interest in following the rules of life, or following in the wealthy footsteps of his father. He's a misfit in the expectations of society and the black sheep in his own family. Damon not only has a rebellious reputation, but a dirty one too. It's known that he doesn't like anyone, not even the many girls he sleeps with. He tolerates, and if you really piss him off, he'll shred you to pieces with his words alone. He doesn't dislike, he hates. He doesn't like and he absolutely does not love...at least not until he started his senior year at a new school. Overalls, glasses, short brown hair, and a girl who is fascinated by anything that lies beyond the planet earth. Damon quickly realizes there is only one person that is his exception. It isn't a secret that Ellie is bullied in school, and she's ready to get her senior year over with. But with Damon around, maybe the year won't be so bad. Maybe these two misfits will find comfort in the most unexpected of places...with each other.

Anastasiya Greyson is back in her stuck up hometown for her senior year after the death of her mom. she already left once and she can't afford to get close to people just for her leave again. but would a friendship with her childhood love be worth the cost of her leaving? August Matthews shows everyone the side of him that's on top of the world, pretending what happened to him had no effect on him. But he can't open himself up to anyone, his heart has been locked up and the only one with a key left years ago. But she's back. Can he really be only friends with the only girl he's ever loved? • • • Matthews Series: Book One ⚠️TW: Death, Sexual Assault, Abuse [DUAL POV] [word count: 105064]

"All week, you've been on my mind, and I can't make it go away. Finally, after suffering in silence for so long at the thought of your lips, your laugh, and your smile..." Aaron trailed off, his eyes roamed my face. "All week?" I scoffed pulling away. "I've been in love with you for twenty years!" "We've been friends since childhood, and I've accepted that we're just not meant to be. I've tried to move on and you encouraged me to follow my dreams. I just... I didn't know that my dream was you." . ✧ . Bethany grew up in a small town in rural Alabama. Her older brother and her best friend had been the only closest people to her for years. Until they all graduated together and went their separate ways. Struggling to stay in touch with one another with their developing, adult lives. Years ago Bethany had fallen head over heels in love with the most popular guy in town, Aaron Russel. But confessing her feelings had always been something she would never do. After all Aaron was her best friend's brother who never gave Bethany a second thought. Or so she thought. Bethany had always been the typical nerdy girl without any fashion sense. Aaron was the complete opposite. Aaron throughout school was the class clown, football quarterback with dozens of friends that hung onto his every word. Girls at his beck and call. And high school only enriched his popularity. And now almost a decade later they all have the opportunity to see each other again at their ten year high school reunion. Now Bethany had the chance to show everyone she grew up with how much she changed. Her thriving career out of state finally gaining confidence and sophistication transforming into a whole new woman. It took Aaron and Bethany some time to realize what they wanted and what they needed in life. And it took them even more time to confess who they were truly in love with.

Piper Walsh has always been the fixer. The one who keeps it together, no matter what life throws at her. So when an internship lands her in New York City for her final year at Columbia, she packs her bags and promises her brothers she'll be fine. Then her housing falls through-and she ends up living with five inked-up, too-hot-for-their-own-good bikers. They're reckless. Messy. Completely inappropriate. And somehow, the only people in the city who feel like home. Except for Greyson Lowell. He's the quiet one. The one who doesn't look at her. Doesn't talk to her. Definitely doesn't want her there. He keeps his distance like it's a full-time job-until he doesn't. Until one stolen moment changes everything. Piper knows heartbreak when she sees it. Greyson's drowning in it. And the closer she gets, the more he pushes her away. But Piper didn't come this far to let one broken boy scare her off. Even if he might be the one thing that could break her in return.

When Lily Langston goes to a game with her best friend. The last thing she ever thought to happen was being hit in the face with a ball. But what left her even more shocked was when the guest pitcher himself, the known ruthless billionaire Hayes Grant came to apologize to her. Hayes Grant was a selfish, arrogant, narcissistic, ass hole who'd rather shoot himself in the foot than apologize. So when he sucked up his pride to give one to Lily, he's left shocked when she simply ignores him. But when Hayes finds himself needing a wife to salvage his family ties. He gives Lily an offer she simply can't ignore. She finds herself with a wedding ring that felt more like a chain than freedom.