Smalltowns Stories

Naina Verma never imagined her first job posting would bring her to the unfamiliar streets of Haryana. Far away from her small town, family, and comfort, she struggles to adjust to a place filled with silence, fear, and strangers who never feel safe. But everything changes when she crosses paths with Daksh Lohchab - Daksh is exactly the kind of person Naina should stay away from. Yet behind his rough exterior lies an unexpected calm... a strange sense of protection she cannot explain. In a city that scares her every day, Daksh slowly becomes the only thing that feels safe. A story of fear, loneliness, protection, and a love that begins where comfort ends.

WATTPAD BOOKS EDITION. There are some friends you never forget. It's the summer of 1955. For Ethan Harper, a biracial kid raised mostly by his white father, race has always been a distant conversation. When he's sent to spend the summer with his aunt and uncle in small-town Alabama, his blackness is suddenly front and center, and no one is shy about making it known he's not welcome there. Enter Juniper Jones. The town's resident oddball and free spirit, she's everything the townspeople aren't-open, kind, and accepting. Armed with two bikes and an unlimited supply of root beer floats, Ethan and Juniper set out to find their place in a town that's bent on rejecting them. As Ethan is confronted for the first time by what it means to be black in America, Juniper tries to help him see the beauty in even the ugliest reality, and that even the darkest days can give rise to an invincible summer . . .

Kelly just wants her business to succeed, and getting involved with a bodyguard is not part of her plan - but he is the only one who can keep her safe... ***** Kelly Harris is determined to make her antiques business a success. She won't let Tanner, a bodyguard who likes first edition poetry books, interfere with her life. But winning a mystery box at an auction changes everything. With Tanner working alongside her, they decipher the code in a forgotten journal, uncovering a young girl's journey to freedom and a powerful family's secret. Working for a high-profile security company, Tanner has seen the worst that humanity can do. He doesn't believe in love. But when disaster strikes, he finds himself doing everything he can to keep Kelly safe - even if that means letting her into the most vulnerable part of who he is. Leeanna Morgan is a USA Today Bestselling Author.

WATTPAD ORIGINAL EDITION In 1955, mixed-race Ethan Harper leaves his progressive hometown for a summer in Alabama where he's not welcome, except by resident free spirit, Juniper Jones. ***** After getting himself into a bout of trouble, 16-year-old Ethan Harper's parents send him to Ellison, Alabama, to live with his aunt and uncle for the summer. But the year is 1955, and Alabama is a far cry from his beloved home of Arcadia, Washington. As much as it's hotter in temperature, it's colder in every other way, and Ethan learns the hard way that people see his mere existence as a threat. Amidst all the mayhem, a fiery, free-spirited, oddball walks into Ethan's life. Her name is Juniper Jones. She is the first person in Ellison who seems unfazed by their racial differences, and she promises to give Ethan a summer he will always remember, filled with endless adventure and discovery. With Juniper, Ethan can breathe, he can be, despite the incessant attention and bullying their newly formed friendship attracts. Can the two survive the summer, run in the light and block out the noise of the outside world? [Published version comes out June 16, 2020 with Wattpad Books!] [[word count: 70,000-80,000 words]]

Four years ago, Juliette Bennett walked away from Mason Brooks, the golden boy of college hockey and the only person she ever truly let in, and never looked back. She rebuilt her life in silence, burying heartbreak under long nights, hospital shifts, and the one secret she swore would never see the light again: her daughter, Maisey. Mason Brooks has spent years becoming everything he was supposed to be, star forward, team leader, the future of professional hockey, without knowing the biggest piece of his life was already missing. When fate drags Juliette back into his world, the past doesn't stay buried for long. Old sparks don't just flicker, they ignite. And the truth doesn't just hurt... it changes everything. Now there's a four-year-old girl with Mason's eyes, a love that never really died, and a history built on a misunderstanding neither of them knew they were living in. Juliette wants to protect the life she fought so hard to build. Mason refuses to walk away from the one thing he never knew he had. And when a daughter becomes the center of everything between them, one question remains- Do you forgive the past... or does it destroy the future you never got to live?

Fallon Hayes thought she was dating Colorado's golden quarterback. She didn't know Easton Avery had a wife, three kids, and an entire life waiting for him at home. After ending their relationship and discovering she's pregnant, Fallon's world begins to fall apart - until a sweet NHL player named Luca Bennett unexpectedly steps into her life and shows her what real love looks like.

Back to Friday Nights is a heartfelt small-town romance about coming home, second chances, and the love that never truly fades. As football season brings Friday night lights back to town, old memories, lingering feelings, and new challenges force two hearts to confront everything they've left unsaid. Through rumors, almost-kisses, winter dances, late-night drives, and first dates, they discover that sometimes the right person has been there all along. Set against the backdrop of a close-knit community and the traditions that bring everyone together, Back to Friday Nights is a story of love, growth, and finding your way back home.

WATTPAD ORIGINAL EDITION When a summer of fun turns upside down, Olivia must figure out whether her paranoid imagination is playing tricks on her or if she's being followed - and by who. ***** It's been years since Olivia nearly drowned in Caldwell Beach, and after moving away, she's back for the summer to reconnect with old friends. However, not everything-or everyone-is the same. Her childhood best friend, Miles, is still sweet and carefree, but his older brother West is not. Disowned and working at the local garage, he's distanced himself from everyone, until Olivia accidentally uncovers the reason why. But as the two grow closer, strange things begin happening to Olivia. She can't stop seeing shadows and hearing voices, but as she slips into a downward spiral of obsessiveness and paranoia, she must fight to uncover the truth behind who is after her, and why. [[word count: 60,000-70,000 words]]

WATTPAD BOOKS EDITION. The past always resurfaces . . . Five years after almost drowning, Olivia Cathart returns home to Caldwell Beach determined to face her fears and take some risks-not just by swimming but by opening her heart. Hoping to rekindle her friendships, she's excited about a carefree summer with her best friends Keely and Miles. But life in the sleepy town has changed, and no one and nothing is as it seems. When a series of startling crimes threaten Olivia's fragile state, she is plunged into a terrifying game of cat and mouse. Her only solace from the chaos is West, Miles's disowned and ruggedly handsome brother, but even he can't answer the question on everyone's minds-is Olivia really in danger or is it simply all in her head?

NEEDS EDITING THIS IS A FIRST DRAFT He built a fortress around his heart. She brought a wrecking ball and a secret. Elias Thorne is a mystery in Oakhaven, A solitary figure and the owner of a successful tattoo franchise, his wealth is as carefully guarded as his silence. He is the quiet grump the whole town wants to decipher, but no one ever gets close. Elias likes his life neat, organized, and utterly empty of anything that could remind him of love and loss. Then June Hayes arrives. Burnt out from the new york art scene and pregnant via a donor, June is determined to create a peaceful, new life for herself and her baby. To the locals, she's just a sweet, new artist. They have no idea she's also viral sensation with over a million followers who sells her work to the A-list. June sees Elias's grumpy exterior and smiles. She needs a friend, and she has decided the broody, ball cap wearing man (no seriously I never see him without a hat on - June) across the street is it. She invades his quiet space showing up at the inkwell every Tuesday and spending the day, sharing her music, and poking at his meticulous order. Elias fights it all, clenching his jaw and pulling his cap low to hide the truth: he fell for the Wildflower the minute she crashed into his life. As June begins posting subtle, faceless photos of him, their reluctant friendship turns into an online viral romance that threatens to expose both of their secrets. How do you guard a heart that already belongs to a Wildflower, a baby, and a life you swore you'd never have? And what happens when the most careful grump in Oakhaven blurts out, "That's my wife," just to stay by her side? Tropes: - Grumpy x Sunshine - He Falls First - Protective - Pregnancy - Small Town - Forced Friends - Friends to lovers - Secret Identity CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE

A guarded single mom moves to a small town for a fresh start, determined to keep her world small and safe for her and her son. But her plans unravel when she unexpectedly comes face-to-face with a man from her past-a steady, quietly intense police officer she once shared a one-night stand with-who now becomes part of their everyday lives. What begins as awkward encounters and undeniable tension slowly deepens into something neither of them planned for. As her son grows attached to him and the town begins to take notice, she's forced to confront her fear of things falling apart, while he proves, again and again, that he's not someone who walks away. Their relationship doesn't unfold perfectly-it's messy, realistic, and shaped by miscommunication, vulnerability, and growth. They learn each other slowly, through small moments: shared mornings, difficult conversations, quiet support, and showing up when it matters most. As her past resurfaces and challenges their stability, they must decide if what they're building is worth the risk. At its core, the story is about healing, trust, and the kind of love that isn't loud or dramatic, but steady-one that grows through everyday choices and ultimately creates a found family that feels like home.

When Hayley falls for a bodyguard whose secret is more dangerous than her own, she must decide how much she is willing to risk for love. ***** Tank has spent his life protecting people. He works for one of the most successful security companies in the world, makes more money than most people see in a lifetime, and has a past that no one can ever know about. Hayley Elliott will do anything to keep her mom safe. Her sister has found a cure for Alzheimer's and their mom is living proof that the supplement works - but hiding from the people looking for the supplement's formula is impossible. When the threat to their lives becomes deadly, she has no option but to trust a man who's living with a secret more dangerous than her own. With more at stake than their own lives, Tank and Hayley have to decide what is more important: protecting the past or risking everything for love. Leeanna Morgan is a USA Today Bestselling Author.

WATTPAD BOOKS EDITION Griffin Tomlin is dead. And Clara's sister killed him . . . Four months after the murder, the entire town of Shiloh is still in shock. For Clara Porterfield, the normal world has crumbled around her in a million chaotic pieces. Now Clara lives in a new reality, where her sister awaits trial for murder, her mother obsessively digs in a dead, frozen garden, and her father lives and breathes denial. At school, Clara is haunted by her classmates' morbid curiosity-and all of the unspoken questions they won't ask. But none of them knows what she knows . . . Now Clara's sister wants something from her-the one thing in all of this that Clara isn't ready to face: the truth about what really happened that night. Because this story didn't die with Griffin Tomlin. There's another story that needs to be told. And sometimes, the lies we're told are nowhere near as deadly as the lies we tell ourselves . . .

Hareame hasn't seen the sun in eleven years. Souta Hinami delivers the mail through the endless rain - carrying everyone else's joy and grief, but never his own. ---- Then one night, a letter arrives addressed to no one: "To: The Girl Who Listens to Rain." It leads him to Mio Tsukishiro, a quiet new girl who lost her ability to hear certain sounds, and grows flowers that only bloom in real rain. ---- What begins as one anonymous letter becomes many - until the line between strangers and something more disappears completely. ---- A slow-burn romance about letters, rain, and finding the right person at exactly the right moment. 🌧️📮

Aubrey Collins thought she had the perfect life-until she caught her fiancé with her best friend. Now she's back in her hometown, hiding a secret... and trying to stay away from the one man she's never been allowed to want.

They say you can't go home again. But what if home is the man you can't forget? Luca Romano left his small town and its narrow-minded whispers behind, trading them for a life of vibrant freedom as an openly gay photographer. But when a family emergency forces him back, he's thrust into a world of memories he'd rather forget. The last person he wants to see is Daniel his former best friend, his first love, and a secret chapter of his past he's desperately tried to burn. Daniel has painstakingly built the perfect, "normal" life: a respectable job, a house with a white picket fence, and a kind, loving fiancée. He's locked away his desires, his truth, and the boy he once was, convincing himself it was all just a phase. He's safe. He's straight. Or so he thought until one glimpse of Luca shatters the illusion completely. Ranking: 🏆 1. #Closet (29/09/2025) 🏆 1. #romance-friendship (13/10/25) 🏆 1. #Lgbtlove (17/10/25) 🏆 1. #SmallTowns (21/10/2025) 🏆 1. #Original (02/11/2025) 🏆 1. #Lgbt-Themed (22/01/2026) 🏆 1. #Reality (14/02/2026) 🏆 1. #Romance-friendship (10/03/2026) 🏆 1. #Lgbtlove (15/03/2026) 🏆 1. #Smalltown (21/03/2026)

Regrets take over Cooper's life. Literally. As a radio host, she spends her days reading anonymous letters about heartbreak and regret on her segment Regret Radio, immersing herself in other people's stories to avoid facing her own. But no matter how far she runs, her past is always there, reminding her of the mistakes she's made. One of those regrets? Losing her childhood best friend. And it doesn't help that he's no longer just a memory, he's global superstar Harry Styles. He's everywhere. And just when she thinks she can escape through Regret Radio, a letter arrives that drags her straight back into the past.

Drawn into the shadows of a powerful mafia dynasty, a woman scarred by betrayal finds love, strength, and an unexpected family-until her past returns with a vengeance, threatening the life she's built and the child she calls her own.

𝗨𝗡𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 : A Journey of eldest sons. 24 year old Jeon Jungkook, an alpha and the eldest son of a prominent family, felt suffocated by the weight of his parents' expectations. He was expected to take over the family business, marry a suitable partner, and carry on the family legacy. But Jungkook had other plans. He longed for freedom, autonomy, and the chance to forge his own path. Park Jimin, 24 years old omega also an eldest son, felt trapped by the societal expectations placed upon him. He exhibited the urge to stop the traditional strict rules of omega's in their society. His parents had always assumed that he would marry a good man, settle down, have kids and become a dutiful partner and a mother. But Jimin yearned for more. He wanted to explore the world, pursue his passions, and discover his true purpose. One fateful night, Jungkook and Jimin both decided to take a stand against their respective expectations. They packed their bags and set out on a journey of self-discovery. As fate would have it, their paths crossed. Both eldest son's of a family full of beyond expectations-where will this journey take them? 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒 : Top Jungkook | Bottom Jimin | gay romance | morden omegaverse | alpha Jungkook | omega Jimin | romance | running away | chasing freedom | action | violence | eldest son trauma | trauma bonding | shared trauma | character development | happy ending © stargirlpjm | 2026 ✓

Nora Bennett knows better than to trust Jack Callahan with her heart again. Once upon a time, Jack was her best friend, her almost something more, and the boy who could make the whole world go quiet with a guitar in his hands. Then Nashville came calling, Jack left Laurel Creek behind, and Nora learned the hard way that some people could make promises without ever saying the words out loud. Eight years later, Jack is back. His career is messy, his heart is bruised, and his father's passing has left him and his brother trying to hold Callahan Tavern together one impossible day at a time. Jack says he wants to stay. He says he wants to do things differently. He says Nora was always the sound of home. But Nora has spent years turning her hurt into something she could survive. Letting Jack back in means risking the life she built without him-and trusting that this time, he will not leave when the road starts calling. As the Laurel Creek Jubilee pulls them into planning a town music showcase together, old memories resurface, new songs begin to take shape, and the whole town starts noticing what Nora and Jack are trying very hard not to name. Jack Callahan may know how to write a love song. But if he wants Nora Bennett, he'll have to prove he knows how to stay.