In Chino, survival means staying one step ahead of the chaos. For Valerie Atwood, it means never looking back. After escaping a troubled foster home and a dangerous past, she reluctantly reaches out to her estranged brother, Ryan, in Newport Beach-a place she thought she'd never belong.
Newport is everything Valerie isn't: polished, perfect, and full of secrets hidden behind manicured lawns and ocean views. It's a fresh start, but even the California sun can't chase away the shadows of her past. When her ex-boyfriend, Damien, resurfaces with threats that could unravel her new life, Valerie realizes leaving Chino was only half the battle.
Caught between old habits and new hopes, Valerie struggles to trust the unfamiliar warmth of the Cohen family and the persistent kindness of Seth, the boy who sees through her walls. But running from her past has a cost, and Valerie must decide if she's ready to stop running-and start fighting for the place she wants to call home.
"Halfway Home" is a story of escape, belonging, and the complicated journey of finding where you truly belong-even when you're not sure you deserve it. Perfect for fans of The O.C., this novel blends tension, nostalgia, and emotional depth, capturing the essence of being caught between two worlds.
❝I've been falling every day
since I first met you.❞
stolen glances,
hushed whispers,
teasing breaths,
lingering touches.
𝘖𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙚, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.
─ tim bradford x fem!oc
─ the rookie; s1 ~ s?
─ slow-burn, flirting, some spice
─ updating every other day!!
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