I realize I used this title and cover for another works used in a contest, but I fell in love with it and became inspired to write something else - this is separate from my entry to the six word love story contest by Romance.
Sydney Shae was the 'it' girl back in her prime - beautiful, popular, and wanted. After the death of her parents sent her world spiraling out of control, and she was forced to take shelter at her Great Aunts in farming country, she changed. Secluded and studious, down-to-earth, and protected, Sydney now lives on her own, in her late twenties, aching for the life she could have had. Marriage, a family... but with her lack of a love life, she's not getting hitched any time soon.
That is until, as a desperate last resort, she enters to be on a bachelorette dating show. And is chosen. Suddenly, she's in the spotlight again. And love is popping up in the strangest of places.
As Claire aims to leave her oppressive stepfamily behind, she befriends Zion. Will he be her ticket to freedom or a distraction in achieving her dreams?
*****
Claire Olsen has had a crush on Zion Petrakis since the first time she laid eyes on him, but he never noticed, instead only having eyes on the school's it girl, Maddie Jennings. Knowing she couldn't compete with Maddie, Claire hid her feelings for Zion, satisfied with admiring him from afar. However, when a series of events led Claire closer to Zion, her feelings for him grew from infatuation to love. And despite fighting hard to keep her feelings contained by distancing herself from Zion, he was determined to show her that he's earned a spot in her life.
[[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]