The Starlet Before | ONC 2023 - Stephanie - Wattpad

Story cover for The Starlet Before | ONC 2023 by theStphnieCollection

The Starlet Before | ONC 2023

theStphnieCollection

Reads 989
Votes 189
Parts 10
Time 2h 6m

Reads 989
Votes 189
Parts 10
Time 2h 6m

theStphnieCollection

1950s 1954 affair california entanglement fastpaced historical historicalfiction hollywood novella oldhollywood onc2023 secrets secretsrevealed strainedrelationships twistandturns

***2023 SHORTLISTER FOR THE @OPENNOVELLACONTEST & FEATURED ON (FORMERLY) @STORIESUNDISCOVERED'S 'FEAST ON FICTION' READING LIST IN OCTOBER 2023***

Born and raised within a few steps of Hollywood's golden gate, Arlene Berkshire always knew she wanted to be an actress. After some minor roles in overlooked features, Arlene gets her break at last when she secures a role in Forrest Washburn's highly-anticipated directorial debut. Asked to play opposite a veteran actor who seems to stray from the script only in her presence, Arlene soon finds herself at the cusp of a blossoming affair with the famed Norman Stillwell himself. 

Yet it is not long after their affair's beginning that an individual reveals a secret that could bring ruin to Arlene's career before it's even started. Thus torn between the man she's fallen for and her reputation, Arlene realizes relatively quickly that no script could have prepared her for what turns out to be her own Hollywood scandal. 

AN OLD HOLLYWOOD NOVELLA & AN ONC ENTRY.All Rights Reserved

1950s 1954 affair california entanglement fastpaced historical historicalfiction hollywood novella oldhollywood onc2023 secrets secretsrevealed strainedrelationships twistandturns

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10 parts

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Lie To Me Softly by BlakeNewbury

He was my cousin's fiancé. Off-limits. Untouchable. Irresistible. Dalton Haywood isn't the kind of guy you fall for-he's the kind of guy you survive. Cold. Confident. Hiding secrets behind every smirk. But when Elijah walks back into his cousin's life, all quiet fire and unexpected softness-everything Dalton thought he knew starts to unravel. In the city that never sleeps, their connection grows like a bruise: dark, aching, impossible to ignore. Loving Elijah was never part of the plan. But some lies feel like love. And some love stories were never meant to stay hidden. ------------------------------- LGBTQ friendly 🏳️‍🌈 Soundtrack: POV by Ariana Grande 🎶 Lie To Me Softly Published: 22.04.25 - 17.08.25

Imprisoned by secrets by MenteMelan

Beatrice Rivera's life appeared to be the epitome of perfection. As the sole heiress to the Rivera Empire, she possessed everything you could ever wish for-beauty, brains, and wealth. When her parents organized a marriage of convenience for her with a fellow elite who seemingly doted on her, it was assumed no better match could possibly exist. Sadly, nothing is ever as it seems. Beneath the designer dresses, alluring smiles, and extravagant jewelry, Beatrice was a prisoner. For years, she hid a terrible secret that could destroy the perfect life that had been designed for her. As her wedding loomed closer, so also did her fear that her secret would be betrayed in the worst way possible. However, everything changed one night. Not only was she forced to reveal her treacherous secret to her parents and fiancé, but she also discovered she wasn't the only one who had hidden skeletons for years. Would she ever be able to break the cycle of lies and manipulation that surrounds her? Or would she forever remain imprisoned by secrets?

Enthralled by troubadouri

WARNING: This is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are all fictitious and only existing in the author's mind. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Anathalia Lavimoure had it all-fame, fortune, and a face plastered across billboards and movie screens. But behind the glamorous facade was a self-absorbed, sharp-tongued diva who was used to getting her way and never hearing the word no. As one of the most controversial figures in the industry, she'd made enemies in every corner-enemies who didn't just gossip behind her back, but were now actively hunting her down. Forced out of her luxurious life and into a nightmare she never imagined, Anathalia was suddenly on the run, desperate and terrified, with nowhere to hide and no one left to trust. Once a man with a future, Elias had been wrongfully convicted and left to rot in a prison cell for a crime he didn't commit. By the time he got out, the world had forgotten him-and he wanted nothing to do with it anyway. Hardened by betrayal and injustice, Elias had built walls no one could climb and trusted no one but himself. He had no interest in heroes or saving anyone. And yet, when fate threw a panicked, designer-heeled Anathalia into his path, running for her life, he didn't walk away. Maybe it was the fear in her eyes. Maybe it was the way her bravado crumbled in the face of real danger. Or maybe, deep down, Elias just couldn't turn his back on someone who felt what he had once felt-helpless, cornered, and utterly alone. Now bound by necessity and danger, the spoiled starlet and the bitter ex-con must rely on each other to survive. But as bullets fly and secrets unravel, the line between protection and connection begins to blur-and neither of them is ready for what that might mean.

From Crime To Court by KimberlyTanithMarie

▪️TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE▪️ "Go on, lie to me again..." With my back pressed against the wall, I stammered, "What-" Alessio placed a finger against my lips, silencing my protests, and smirked, "But try and make it more believable this time." **** In a desperate attempt to evade the Italian Mafia, art historian Serena Costa finds herself thrust back in time, landing amongst the splendour of the Renaissance, an era dominated by kings and their courts. In this patriarchal society, where roles are strictly defined, as a female, her destiny is already predetermined. However, Serena is resourceful and cleverly disguises herself as a man, named Sereno. Unfortunately, she soon finds herself in the service of the Marquis of Savoy. Though Lord Alessio possesses a magnetic charm and a sharp mind, he remains blissfully unaware that his new and slightly mysterious squire is, in fact, a woman. Imagine his surprise when he begins to develop unexpected feelings for Sereno, leading him to question everything he thought he knew about himself. Serena must balance the weight of her concealed identity while trying to find her way back to the present. However, things becomes even more treacherous when her growing affection for the Marquis complicates her path. 🔅Rated R: Contains thematic issues, adult language, MATURE sexual content, violence and possible triggers. ------------------------------------------------- Cover Photo: Edited by @KimberlyTanithMarie using an image generated by Midjourney © All rights reserved 2023 I DO NOT consent to my story being translated, copied or otherwise reproduced by anyone.

Love & Reputation (HC #3.5) by Flo_Writes

Rosemary Albright has been a topic of gossip in the Ton for six long years. She has perfected her gentle smile, her polite non-answers are above reproach, and not a single brash suitor has seen a snippet of her ire. She is the picture of a calm and collected widow, and she intends to remain that way, even as strangers, acquaintances, and friends alike insist on encouraging her to marriage once more. Alexander Kilroy will do anything in his power to remain unnoticed. Caught between two worlds - his brothers' titles and his father's humble roots - there is nowhere he quite belongs. Ignoring the whispers around him and the hurt in his mother's eyes, Alex is determined to forge his own path, even if it carries him even further from the family he craves but cannot have. When Rosemary and Alexander are reunited, they find their situations are not so different. And what starts as a friendship between two opposite - one like sunshine, the other midnight rain - might just be what they've both been searching for. *A Humphrey Chronicles Novella (book 3.5) which may be read as a standalone* An ONC 2024 Entry (2K, 8K, and Round 2 Ambassador's Pick) Completed December 2024 (~35000 words)

City of Secrets| ongoing by ersatz-

Toronto, 1954. The city hums with neon, jazz, and whispered secrets, but for Selina Carter, a young Black woman trapped in the polished confines of her respectable life, it is suffocating. Married to a well-meaning but distant husband, Selina carries the unspoken grief of a childless marriage and the ache of desire that goes unmet. When her car breaks down on a quiet summer evening, a stranger comes to her aid-a man of rough hands, quiet authority, and a dangerous, magnetic presence. Reed Sullivan owns a small mechanic shop in the city's shadows, and from the moment they meet, sparks fly that neither can ignore. What begins as polite gratitude quickly turns to stolen moments, lingering glances, and a hunger neither has felt before. Their affair is intoxicating, charged with erotic tension, secret laughter, and the thrill of the forbidden. In his arms, Selina discovers a passion and tenderness that her marriage has never given her; in her, Reed finds a vulnerability and longing that unsettles him entirely. But Toronto is not kind to women like Selina. The affair threatens not only her reputation but everything she has been taught to value-respectability, family, safety. And Reed, brooding and fiercely protective, demands a reckoning: a choice between the life she knows and the love that could destroy them both.

The Actress' Husband Retitled "Love, Unscripted" (PUBLISHING 02.12.26) by Zanzan112

❝Hollywood is scary. She is scarier.❞ • • • Emily Pinault is on hiatus as Hollywood's Golden Girl after a series of traumatic events. Just as her luck would allow, another is added to the list when she catches her fiancé in the act of cheating. Unaware that she knows, he's audacious enough to push her limits further: he postpones their wedding. In a whirlwind of rage, Emily comes up with a plan-a revenge plan. She no longer wants to forgive and forget. Instead, she's bloodthirsty for payback. To get even, Emily grabs the first good-looking man she sees and confidently asks, "Will you marry me?" Nicholas King is the ruler of the #1 media company nationwide. But he's also about to turn thirty and is in desperate need of a wife. His company's shareholders want the stability that comes with a married man. This is when Emily's intrusion turns out to be quite the temptation for him. Achievements: #1 - hollywood (08/01/2020) #1 - actress (01/26/2020) #1 - actor (06/26/2020) #1 - young adult (12/19/2019) #1 - diverse lit (02/05/2020) #1 - husband (02/22/2020) #1 - cute (12/18/2019) #1 - revenge (04/22/2021) #1 - wife (12/29/2022) #3 - chicklit (11/22/2019) #3 - steamy (04/19/2020) #5 - new adult (12/06/2019) All rights reserved @Zanzan112. Copyright 2019. [The first book in the Hollywood series.] ***BEING PUBLISHED AS "LOVE, UNSCRIPTED" BY ZANIELLE HART ON FEB 12th 2026*** Preorder on Amazon, KU & all major book platforms. Socials: Instagram: authorzaniellehart TikTok: authorzaniellehart Website: zaniellehart.com

Untangled by Stephanie_Aston

I slammed the table loudly and groaned out of pain. Not only the pain from the headache I was having right now. But also from the memories flooding my mind as well. I was slowly remembering everything. "I hate you!"I shouted seething from anger as I gritted my teeth to stop myself from attacking him. He was really tempting me and I knew it wouldn't be long before I would attempt to pull his face apart and rip out his throat. "Not more than I hate you Alexander Norman. Trust me." He said emphasising on the name that seemed so foreign to me yet that was my real name. He had a mischievous glint in his eyes as he seemed to enjoy the internal battle I was having in my head. " So back to my story-" He drawled in an attempt to irritate me before he continued. " Your mother married me because I had her secret and I threatened to ruin her with it if she did not give in to my wishes." "And what exactly was her secret?" I asked. "She killed your father." He responded and glanced at me probably waiting for my reaction at what he just said. ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● Scandals brew in the air once more. Lies in the web of deception and atrocities committed, he seeks to unravel them. Would the past rear its ugly head and untangle all the mysteries? Started[November 2022] Finished [August 2023]

In My Neighbor's Bed by RipperGirl88

Maggie thought she was content with her serviceable marriage, but when a new neighbor awakens the hidden passion inside of her, she must make an impossible choice: risk it all and follow her heart or lose her brother forever. Season 1 of In My Neighbor's Bed *** Maggie Henderson is a housewife living in your typical picture-perfect suburb. A handsome husband, friendly neighbors, and a peaceful life. What more could a girl ask for? Too bad it's all a lie. In reality, her husband is a manipulative jerk who uses a prenup and her terminally ill brother to keep her from leaving, her neighbors are as fake as a three-dollar bill, and her "peaceful life" is actually boring as hell. But that all changes when the new guy, Mason Kendall, moves in across the street. What starts as a sexy game soon turns into a full-fledged affair. But as feelings bloom beneath the surface, the stakes in their little game become higher than ever before. What will she choose? A new life with her lover? Or the life of her dying brother? *** "You're going to kill me at this rate," he grumbled. I had to repress a giggle as I feigned ignorance. "What do you mean? Am I too heavy? Should I get off?" "Don't worry, I'll take care of getting you off," he murmured, sliding his hands under my shirt.

𝙼𝚒𝚜𝚜 𝙾𝚝𝚒𝚜 𝚁𝚎𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚜 | ONC 2024 by MarCafeWrites

ONC Ambassador's Pick & Shortlister! Rumors. Infidelity. Lies. Secrets. MURDER. And all before lunch time. Who knew being a socialite in 1951 could be so thrilling? ~~~ On a lovely June afternoon, as the oh-so-chic members of the Gilded Grove Ladies' Book Club gather for their scheduled luncheon, they are shocked to receive the news that their vice president, Camilla Otis, is unable to attend. Gossip ensues. What catastrophe could possibly have befallen her to warrant a last minute cancellation? The answer comes by way of two clever, dashing police officers. It seems Camilla Otis has had quite a busy morning, and that the truth behind her absence is far more scandalous than the Book Club ladies could ever have imagined. As the police dig deeper into the events surrounding Mrs. Otis' shocking crime, buried secrets about the other Book Club members begin to surface. None of the women in question are the fine, upstanding ladies of society that the public believes them to be. Each has tarnish on her so-called "sterling reputation." And no one has more to hide than club president Marcella Montgomery. Written for ONC 2024, this is a tongue-in-cheek "whodunit" (in reverse) that will leave you wondering just what a scorned woman *wouldn't* do for sweet, sweet revenge. ⚠️ Warning: many very nonchalant references to murder and death. Very ignorant (era-realistic), inaccurate comments about nationalities/cultures outside the US.

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Slide 1 of 10

Lie To Me Softly cover

Imprisoned by secrets cover

Enthralled cover

From Crime To Court cover

Love & Reputation (HC #3.5) cover

City of Secrets| ongoing cover

The Actress' Husband Retitled "Love, Unscripted" (PUBLISHING 02.12.26) cover

Untangled cover

In My Neighbor's Bed cover

𝙼𝚒𝚜𝚜 𝙾𝚝𝚒𝚜 𝚁𝚎𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚜 | ONC 2024 cover

Lie To Me Softly

He was my cousin's fiancé. Off-limits. Untouchable. Irresistible. Dalton Haywood isn't the kind of guy you fall for-he's the kind of guy you survive. Cold. Confident. Hiding secrets behind every smirk. But when Elijah walks back into his cousin's life, all quiet fire and unexpected softness-everything Dalton thought he knew starts to unravel. In the city that never sleeps, their connection grows like a bruise: dark, aching, impossible to ignore. Loving Elijah was never part of the plan. But some lies feel like love. And some love stories were never meant to stay hidden. ------------------------------- LGBTQ friendly 🏳️‍🌈 Soundtrack: POV by Ariana Grande 🎶 Lie To Me Softly Published: 22.04.25 - 17.08.25