These Hills Called Home | ONC 2024 - Oxibubbles 🫧 - Wattpad

These Hills Called Home | ONC 2024

Reads 1,108
Votes 173
Parts 17
Time 3h 23m

Reads 1,108
Votes 173
Parts 17
Time 3h 23m

contemporary disappearance drama dreamlandbooks femalemaincharacter foster friendship lgbt litfic mystery newadult novella onc onc2024 opennovellacontest romance rural secrets sliceoflife

[ONC 2024 Shortlister]
When turning back isn't an option, what does it take to delve into the unknown?

After a troubled upbringing in the foster care system, Gemma Haywood is used to switching homes. Her latest destination is Milnhome, the rural town where her runaway brother Jacob has resurfaced after five years of silence. With its distant location, picturesque countryside setting, and the chance to reconnect with her only living family, Milnhome carries all the hallmarks of a fresh start. 

Yet the move isn't the new beginning that Gemma hopes for. Jacob is nowhere to be seen when she arrives, and it doesn't take long for Gemma's search to turn up her brother's dead body. The news sends shockwaves through the quiet community, exposing deep tensions between the town's residents and the private security company Jacob worked for. And when Gemma digs into her brother's life looking for answers, she uncovers signs of a worrying conspiracy that threatens Milnhome's whole future. 

With every step, Gemma descends further into danger. What made Jacob reach out to her after so many years apart? Why did he keep her a secret from the locals? And as new friends and old mysteries spring up around the town in equal measure, can Gemma find herself a home between these hills?

***

Written for #ONC2024.

13. "Every family has that one member of whom no one speaks, and that's you."

27. "Sometimes love is what drives you to take your next breath. Other times, it's revenge."All Rights Reserved

contemporary disappearance drama dreamlandbooks femalemaincharacter foster friendship lgbt litfic mystery newadult novella onc onc2024 opennovellacontest romance rural secrets sliceoflife

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Out of Time by evadec123

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Out of Time

Madison My best friend and neighbor, Piper, is trying to arrange a blind date for me. I agree because she doesn't take no as an answer. But why won't she tell me his name? Anyway, it is just for tonight and I want to have some fun? Liam I managed to stay away from her for years because I'm no good for her. Will I have the strength to keep my hands off her one more time? ******** When Madison left her secure and stable job in the financial industry for an uncertain position within a startup, she regretted nothing. Well almost nothing. She regretted that she will not be seeing her CEO Liam Carver anymore. Liam is a big player both in business and in private affairs. Billionaire always on the move for the next new venture. She knew she was not his type but catching a glimpse of him while he passed through her section on the way to his next meeting, was more than enough to make her day. Three years later Madison has a new life and new friends and life couldn't be better. But she never forgot gorgeous looking ex CEO. Liam can't believe his luck when he discovers that the mysterious neighbor is Madison. She worked for him few years ago, but that is not the reason why he remembered her. Madison was the most beautiful woman he ever saw and the only one he will not let himself touch. Torn between his inner demon and the desire to see her again the pull towards her makes him accept Piper's matchmaking offer to hook him up on this blind date. Well not so blind form him because he exactly knows what he is getting in to... Or doesn't he? Mature content, if you do not like explicit descriptions of intimacy between two people, please do not read.