When Julia O'Connell's ex-best friend and current enemy, Colton West, returns from juvie for their final year of high school, accidents start happening around her-accidents that begin to put her life at risk.
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Thick as thieves, Julia O'Connell and Colton West once strode through their childhood with laughter and devotion to one another. But when Julia leaves the summer before they start high school, that all changes, and she finds her best friend a shell of who he used to be. Cold and heartless, Colton fills the role of the bad boy in their high school, up until he gets himself arrested and put into juvie. That is the last Julia hears of her ex-friend, until senior year rolls by, presenting Colton: who is just as rude but much more dangerous. Everyone is terrified of him, but Julia can't help but feel heartache and anger every time she looks his way. That is, until a series of events start threatening her life, and she finds herself at the mercy of the man she once called a friend. With a new lens and a keener eye, Julia starts to look at everyone around her in a different perspective, questioning if the threat is closer to her than she realized, all while thinking what really happened that summer.
Content warning: This story contains sexual content, strong language, and themes of bullying, sexual assault and violence.
Cover designed by Holly Thurston
"Run!" Julia exclaimed before grabbing a hold of her bag and bolting away as soon as we heard the sound of sirens approaching us.
I ran behind them before my foot got caught in a branch and I tripped, leading them to catch me.
Not my best friend and my boyfriend, no.
Those two ditched me.
Letting the police only catch me.
*****
Seventeen-year-old Sophie Reynolds thought she had her life all figured out-until a reckless decision gets her exiled to her grandfather's ranch for the summer. Trading in her designer wardrobe for dusty boots was never part of her plan, especially at a place like Equestrian Creek, where the horses outnumber the people and the only excitement comes in the form of chores.
Enter Liam Parker, the easygoing stable boy with a wicked sense of humor, a captivating British accent, and a look that could stop hearts. He's everything Sophie can't stand: carefree, unpretentious, and entirely unimpressed by her attitude. And the feeling? Mutual.
Forced to work side by side, their constant bickering sparks something unexpected, a slow-burn connection that's impossible to ignore. With every stolen glance and late-night conversation, Sophie realises that maybe, just maybe, her perfect world wasn't so perfect after all.
One summer. One chance to rewrite her story. And one boy who just might change everything.