From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new forbidden, enemies-to-lovers story…
It all started with an unexpected phone call.
Two years after my fiancé passed away in an accident, his father died suddenly, leaving Brad’s adult, special-needs brother with no one to care for him.
The next thing I knew, I was on a cross-country drive to New Hampshire where I’d be moving in to look after Scottie until I could get him into a group home.
The last thing I ever expected?
I wouldn’t be taking care of him alone.
Josh Mathers, my fiance’s best friend—who also happened to be my sworn enemy—insisted he was the better person for the job. He told me to go back to California, and I told him where he could stick that demand.
Our disdain for each other wasn’t anything new. It dated back to a text I’d accidentally read years ago.
We hated each other. But we both loved Scottie, so neither of us budged.
Now we were living together in a tiny house—with one available bedroom. Thank goodness it was only temporary.
Over time, I realized the broody jerk I thought I knew was different than I’d imagined.
I found myself slowly growing attached to someone I once considered the enemy…and growing attracted to him.
Sure, both of us were guilt-ridden over Brad. We were also two grown people with pent-up frustration toward one another—stuck in a cabin in the woods.
Penelope
Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling
author of contemporary romance.
She grew up
in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a
television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son,
and beautiful daughter with autism.
With over two
million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author
of over twenty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen
languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new forbidden, enemies-to-lovers story…
It all started with an unexpected phone call.
Two years after my fiancé passed away in an accident, his father died suddenly, leaving Brad’s adult, special-needs brother with no one to care for him.
The next thing I knew, I was on a cross-country drive to New Hampshire where I’d be moving in to look after Scottie until I could get him into a group home.
The last thing I ever expected?
I wouldn’t be taking care of him alone.
Josh Mathers, my fiance’s best friend—who also happened to be my sworn enemy—insisted he was the better person for the job. He told me to go back to California, and I told him where he could stick that demand.
Our disdain for each other wasn’t anything new. It dated back to a text I’d accidentally read years ago.
We hated each other. But we both loved Scottie, so neither of us budged.
Now we were living together in a tiny house—with one available bedroom. Thank goodness it was only temporary.
Over time, I realized the broody jerk I thought I knew was different than I’d imagined.
I found myself slowly growing attached to someone I once considered the enemy…and growing attracted to him.
Sure, both of us were guilt-ridden over Brad. We were also two grown people with pent-up frustration toward one another—stuck in a cabin in the woods.
Josh sat at the table, casually having coffee as I walked into the house after my drive home from the salon. The smell of cigarettes emanated from him. He hadn’t smelled like that since the first day he arrived.
“Where’s Scottie?” I asked.
“In his room,” he answered without making eye contact.
I stated the obvious. “You smell like smoke.”
“Must be the firewood.” He brought his mug to his mouth.
“Bullsh*t. The pellet stove doesn’t emit any fumes.”
“Yeah. I caved and had one. Big deal.” He pointed toward the door. “I did it outside, though, while keeping an eye on Scottie through the window.”
“You’d been doing so well. What happened?”
He still wasn’t looking at me, and instead stared straight ahead. “Just human, I guess.”
Then something in front of him on the table caught my attention: pieces of ripped pages piled atop…my journal.
A rush of adrenaline shot through me. “Why do you have that?”
“It’s apparently your diary.”
“I’m quite aware of that.” My heart began to pound. “You were snooping in my room?”
He shot daggers at me. “Think, Carly. Of the two guys in this house, who is the one more likely to have been ransacking your room?”
“You were supposed to be watching him while I was at the salon,” I yelled.
“God forbid I take a piss in peace. Is it not bad enough that I’m showering with him now? Getting my balls tugged?”
I wanted to laugh, but this moment was far from funny.
“Scottie ripped those pages out?”
“The notebook is bright orange, like his iPad cover. Probably caught his attention. The drawer next to your bed was open, so he must have gone in there. I assume that’s where you kept it. Admittedly, I’d been letting him hang out in your room, but you sometimes do, too. I went to check on him, make sure he wasn’t doing anything bad, and found those pages strewn about.” A vein popped in his neck.
Josh was angry. Why? I should’ve been the angry one.
“Did you read it?”
“I only happened to see what was on the pages he ripped. I didn’t read anything else once I figured out what the hell it was.”
This is bad. Starting to sweat, I asked, “But how much did you see?”
He stood up from his seat and slowly approached me. With each step he took toward me, I took one back. When we could go no farther, he placed his arms on either side of me, leaning his hands against the wall. And I forgot how to breathe.
Fear. Arousal. Embarrassment. You name it, I was feeling it right now. Every emotion hit me at once.
His breath grazed my face. “How much did I actually see?” He paused. “Enough to know you think I’m an evil pig.”
Ugh. No. Now his anger made sense.
When he backed away, I walked over to the ripped pages on the table and sifted through them.
“It’s the last one, for reference,” he noted.
I read what I’d written the other night.
AUTHOR BIO
Penelope
Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling
author of contemporary romance.
She grew up
in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a
television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son,
and beautiful daughter with autism.
With over two
million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author
of over twenty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen
languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
An unexpected proposal occurs when a Vegas oops marriage turns into a marriage of convenience between a rugby player and his best friend’s little sister.
The Proposal by Adriana Locke is now live!
Breaking News: Rugby’s bad boy marries his best friend’s little sister
If Renn Brewer would’ve asked me to marry him, I would’ve said no.
Why?
One, his reputation precedes him. His name is in the headlines at least once a month. Two, he’s not just my brother’s best friend. They’re teammates. And three, I’m in my self-care era.
Unfortunately, a version of me equates self-care with bad choices.
The cocktail in my hand—similar to the one that got me into this situation—is the prettiest shade of pink. It’s almost the same color as the giant rock on my left hand. And instead of discussing an annulment, I’m considering a 90-day marriage of convenience to the man I accidentally married in Las Vegas.
Renn didn’t propose marriage. But he does deliver a proposal I might be unable to turn down.
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
USA Today and Amazon Charts Bestselling author, Adriana Locke, writes contemporary romances about the two things she knows best—big families and small towns. Her stories are about ordinary people finding extraordinary love with the perfect combination of heart, heat, and humor.
She loves connecting with readers, fall weather, football, reading alpha heroes, everything pumpkin, and pretending to garden.
Hailing from a tiny town in the Midwest, Adriana spends her free time with her high school sweetheart (who she married over twenty years ago) and their four sons (who truly are her best work). Her kitchen may be a perpetual disaster, and if all else fails, there is always pizza.
Damien Sinclair is a force of nature, the beauty of a sunset over the ocean while capable of devastating hurricane-strength winds. At one time, he’d held my heart in his hands. That was until the day I walked away.
I didn’t leave him because I didn’t love him. It was that loving him was too much, an all-encompassing affair. In his presence, I failed to exist.
For two years, I worked to build a life free from Damien’s irresistible pull. I succeeded until one fate-filled afternoon I found myself seated by his side for a long flight. Unbelievably, we were headed to the same destination. His sinfully charming smile, charisma, and devilish smirk reminded me of all we’d shared.
Forgetting him had been agony.
Will I survive remembering?
Have you been Aleatha’d?
The Sinclair Duet is a scorching hot, second-chance romance filled with the suspense and intrigue you’ve come to expect from New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig.
Rekindling Desire
In a blink of an eye, the tables turned.
I’m Damien Sinclair, a man always in control.
I thrive on the knowledge that my word is the final—gospel.
In the millisecond I hesitated… Gabriella Crystal stepped in. I’m damn glad she did, but I will forever be in her debt.
Ella holds not only my heart, but my future, my company, and everything I hold dear in her hands. The love we once shared is palpable, a glowing ember in the dying ash. To save my world, that ember must grow, must ignite and burst into the flames of desire.
She can never know the power she holds.
It’s the only way to save all I live for.
Have you been Aleatha’d?
The Sinclair Duet is a scorching hot, second-chance romance filled with the suspense and intrigue you’ve come to expect from New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig.
*REKINDLING DESIRE is book two, the conclusion of the Sinclair duet.
Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Together with her high-school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years, they’ve raised three children. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns or her new lighter side, she likes to spend her time with her family and friends. Her pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!
Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward are excited to bring you the Cocky Hero Club: original works from various authors inspired by Keeland and Ward’s New York Times bestselling Cocky Bastard series.
BLURB
My love life has been epic.
Epically disastrous.
But that’s all in the past. I put my unrequited crush on Zach, my best friend’s grumpy brother, behind me years ago. My ex-fiancé, the jerk who left me at the altar, is also in my emotional rearview. Now, I’m focusing on my career. I don’t have time for romance.
Then my ex shows up and everything changes.
Zach comes to my defense in a big way, pretending to be my boyfriend. Then he suggests we keep up our mutually beneficial fake relationship for a few more months.
And it’s not long before I realize my crush on Zach might not be as over as I’d hoped.
It might not be as unrequited as I’d thought, either.
But as much as I’d love to trust him, to give him a second chance, I’m not sure I can. I gave him my heart once and he broke it.
This time, I’m afraid trust might be a luxury I can’t afford.
Broody Nerd, part of Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward’s Cocky Hero world, is a light-hearted, contemporary romance standalone featuring plenty of mutual pining, a strong, curvy heroine, and a slightly nerdy, growly hero. Happily ever after guaranteed…along with a slow-burn romance.
Welcome back Autumn Grey!! Oh, how I have missed your writing and your stories.
Broody Nerd is exactly what you get in this book.
Zach is Chloe’s best friend older brother. And also the first guy to break her heart. But he’s also been there to support her through other difficult times.
Broody Nerd is a slow burn, best friend’s brother romance and I am here for it.
I thoroughly enjoyed how this story played out. It was very real and authentic and just made me love them both so much.
The only reason this isn’t 5 stars is I wanted more of them after everything happened. Plus there’s one particular part of Chloe’s job that was very important to her & once she achieved that (read to find out), it was sort of took a backseat. I felt it should’ve stayed revelant through the end.
Overall, I loved this book and I’m excited to read more from her.
Autumn enjoys writing angsty romance, featuring flawed and quirky characters and hard-won happy ever afters. When she’s not working as a nurse assistant, you’ll find her behind keyboard writing stories, or curled up on the couch with a book. Her work has been featured in USA Today’s Happy Ever After.
She lives with her two children and one fur baby, enjoys good wine and binge-watching TV shows whenever she can.
From New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake, discover The Park Avenue Promise Series… Three young women make a pact in high school— to always be friends and to one day make it big in Manhattan. She’s a high-tech boss who lost it all…
Ivy Jensen was the darling of the tech world, right up until her company fell apart completely after she trusted the wrong person. Her reputation in tatters, she finds herself back in the tiny apartment she grew up in, living with her mom. When a group of angel investors offer her a meeting, she knows she has to come up with the new big idea or her career is over.
He’s an up and coming coder…
Heath Marino has always been fascinated with writing code. He’s worked on a dozen games and apps and is considered one of the industry’s more eccentric talents. But now he’s back in New York to spend time with his grandmother. She was known as one of the city’s greatest matchmakers, and he wants to know why. Surely there’s some kind of code in his grandmother’s methods, and he’s going to find them.
When Ivy meets Heath it’s instant attraction, but she’s got a career to get back to and he just might be her on-ramp. It could be a perfect partnership or absolute heartbreak.
Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo!
Start Us Up is the first book in Lexi’s newest series, Park Ave Promise.
This book was right down the middle enjoyable for me. I did not hate it but it also did not wow, which honestly surprised me because I love just about anything that Lexi writes.
Start Us Up is definitely woman’s fiction than romance as it primarily focuses on Ivy’s personal growth with a tad of romance sprinkled throughout. I can read just about anything but having this promoted as a romance, it felt a bit misleading and I think that played into my expectations.
This book is strong and very well written. You can tell that Lexi did her own research, especially when it comes to the more techy aspect of this book and all the ins and outs of that world. The depth she brings to her characters and their interactions definitely kept this book entertaining.
Overall, it’s a good read.
Meet Lexi
New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. Since starting her publishing journey in 2010, she’s sold over three million copies of her books. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings.
She’s a country music star trying to escape the spotlight. He’s the scorching hot bodyguard she doesn’t want on her vacation. And there’s only one bed.
Hideaway Heart by Melanie Harlow is now live!
All I wanted was a break—two weeks off from being Pixie Hart, country music sensation, and fourteen days of peace, privacy, and solitude as plain old Kelly Jo Sullivan.
But thanks to some overzealous paparazzi, my family refuses to let me go anywhere alone, and I’m stuck sharing this tiny cabin with a tall, dark, and bearded bodyguard.
And guess what? There’s only one bed.
Well, he can couch it.
Xander Buckley might be hotter than a stolen blow torch, and I get that he’s a former Navy SEAL and all, but the man gives new meaning to the words overbearing, overprotective, bossy alpha male. I can’t even post a photo on social media without him warning me it’s not safe, or take a morning jog without him following behind.
But he’s made it clear that what he says goes, and if I don’t like it, I can kiss my vacation goodbye.
Instead, I end up kissing him.
I don’t even know how it happened—one minute we were at each other’s throats, the next we were at each other’s mercy. What’s even more shocking is how good we are together. He understands my need for freedom, and I understand his need for control.
But emotional trust doesn’t come easily to me. And we’re on two completely different paths.
Without question, I’d put my life in his hands.
Just don’t ask me to give him my heart.
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author Melanie Harlow writes sweet, sexy, feel-good romance. She likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. If she’s not writing or reading, she’s probably at Orangetheory or watching Schitt’s Creek again. She lifts her glass to readers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.
Kristen Proby has revealed the gorgeous cover for The Stand-In!
Releasing: November 14, 2023
Model Cover Design: Hang Le Designs
Special Edition Cover Design: Emily Wittig Designs
Photography: Wander Aguiar
From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes THE STAND-IN, the newest novel in her beloved Single in Seattle series, featuring Drew Montgomery!
I don’t like my new boss. Not at all.
London Ambrose is a spoiled billionaire’s daughter. And now she’s the new co-owner of the Seattlefootball team,but that doesn’t mean that she knows diddly squat about football.
There’s nothing I hate more than having someone micromanaging me, shadowing my every move, and giving me their two cents on Every. Little. Thing. as I coach MY defensive line.
I don’t care about new team jerseys and branding or answering her million and one questions about how I do my job. But, I can’t help but come to her defense when an old flame shows up and starts harassing her. I’m a Montgomery. We don’t let anyone mess with women.
Now, I’m suddenly in a fake relationship, pretending to date the gorgeous billionaire and learning so many surprising things about this captivating woman that I just can’t seem to stay away from her.
When the lines between our fake relationship and real relationship blur, and my initial distaste for her turns into desire, I find myself coaching the most important game of my life – do I let my guard down or do I let London Ambrose walk away forever?
Kristen Proby is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over seventy published titles. She debuted in 2012, captivating fans with spicy contemporary romance about families and friends with plenty of swoony love. She also writes paranormal romance and suggests you keep the lights on while reading them.
When not under deadline, Kristen enjoys spending time with her husband and their fur babies, riding her bike, relaxing with embroidery, trying her hand at painting, and, of course, enjoying her beautiful home in the mountains of Montana.
Maximillian Vaughn:
Once I saw Marnie Long, a sassy, sultry, charismatic older woman in a bar, I couldn’t peel my eyes off her. I wanted her. At least, for one night. I’m way too busy with my career these days for anything more. As it turned out, after recently getting burned, Marnie was on the same page as me—all she wanted was one night of fun. I was happy to be of service. What I didn’t expect during our night together, however, was how deeply we connected. Also, how much I was dying to see her again the next morning.
Marnie Long:
After accepting Max’s surprising breakfast invitation the next morning, I was floating on air. Mere minutes later, though, all hell broke loose and I had no choice but to bolt out of Max’s place like my hair was on fire. It was such a pity, too. That scorching-hot patent attorney was the best I’ve ever had.
A year later, when I ran into Max at a party, I was a very bad girl and didn’t resist doing that very naughty thing. Now, thanks to my utter lack of willpower and common sense, I’ve risked my horrible secret getting out. Even worse, I’m in danger of catching real feelings for Max. Which I simply can’t do. Obviously. I’m not sure I can control what happens next, though. When I’m with Max, I feel like a runaway train, on the verge of hurtling off my tracks.
Who’s Your Daddy? is a single mother, age gap, forced proximity, standalone, unputdownable rom com that will keep you laughing, fanning yourself, and swooning, all the way to Max and Marnie’s happily ever after.
Lauren Rowe is the USA Today and international #1 best-selling author of bestselling Standalone Smitten, The Reed Rivers Trilogy, as well as The Club Trilogy, The Josh & Kat Trilogy, The Morgan Brothers Series, Countdown to Killing Kurtis, and select standalone Misadventures.
Lauren’s books are full of feels, humor, heat, and heart. Besides writing novels, Lauren is the singer in a party/wedding band in her hometown of San Diego, an audio book narrator, and award-winning songwriter. She is thrilled to connect with readers all over the world.
To find out about Lauren’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for Lauren’s emails here!
To learn more about Lauren Rowe & her books, visit here!
Right Guy, Wrong Word by Jewel E. Ann is now live!
Do books have souls?
Anna Black has the perfect novel choice for her book club. She also has a sexy new neighbor who jumps at the opportunity to join fellow bookworms in discussing her pick for their summer read.
It’s lust at first sight and the marriage of two literary souls.
The charismatic owner of a new T-shirt store in Des Moines’s East Village, Eric Steinmann, has a confident air and an irresistible “mating dance.” He’s almost perfect … until he says the wrong word.
Will Anna and Eric write their own story? Or will their chemistry die when fiction turns into reality?
**Right Guy, Wrong Word was originally written as a short story, The Last Person. It’s been revised with significant changes to the original content and extended into a full-length novel.
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
You can never go wrong when it comes to a book by Jewel E. Ann.
I truly love when I am reading a story and I just find myself all smiles and giggly and that’s exactly what Right Guy, Wrong Word did.
It is impossible to not love Eric from the get-go. He truly had me enamored the entire book (and his mating dance – LOL). Anna, she was a bit different but in true Jewel fashion, she had me really liking her by the end.
Overall, this is another great read from Jewel and you will truly love every bit of this book.
Meet Jewel E. Ann
Jewel is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author with a quirky sense of humor. When she’s not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance.
The One I Want, an all-new emotional, angst-filled new adult stand-alone romance from USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author Siobhan Davis is available now!!!
We thought we were forever, but fate had other plans…
I never intended to fall in love.
This girl had goals and guys were an unwelcome distraction.
Until I met Garrick, my sophomore year of college, and he blasted through the walls I kept around my heart, tearing them down.
He knew what he wanted, and he wanted me.
Falling hard and fast, I experienced the rollercoaster highs and lows of first love.
Until life threw us a curveball, and everything flipped overnight.
Stuck in a limbo state, I was falling apart while trying to be strong for my boyfriend.
Then he entered my life. The hot, slightly older guy who looked like a cross between a tatted biker and a billionaire businessman.
Beck understood me, and our situation, in a way no one else could.
As a friend, he held me together and helped to piece back the shredded fragments of my heart.
I didn’t mean to fall in love with him—it just happened.
No one understands, least of all me.
Now my heart is split in two, and I don’t know what to do.
Is my first love my one true love? Or do I belong with the man who brought me to life?
“Can I get you anything else?” I ask, my eyes darting to the door. It’s crazy busy and I need to get back. I also wouldn’t mind putting some distance between the two of us. His presence is magnetic, and it concerns me that I’ve noticed.
Little beads of sweat cling to his brow before he swipes them away with the back of his hand. His disarming smile is firmly in place as he stalks toward me. “Just your company.” He moves in closer, and his breath tickles my face when he speaks. “What’s your name, and do you go to school here too?” Curiosity lights up his handsome face as his inquisitive gaze probes mine.
“Why do you want to know?” I step sideways to create some distance between us.
“I’m just making conversation.”
There’s a weird tension in the air. A crackling charge ripping across the space separating our bodies, and I don’t like feeling some freaky connection between us. “Well, I’m working, and they need me outside, so I should go.”
“It’s too quiet in here, and I don’t like hanging around by myself.” His earnest eyes are shielding nothing, and I know it isn’t a lie or a ruse to trap me into spending time with him. “Not when I’m pumped full of adrenaline. Normally, my friends would be here, but they all had shit to do tonight.” His eyes soften. “You’d be doing me a big favor if you kept me company.” He flops down on the couch, still maintaining eye contact with me. He pats the space beside him. “I only have a short break, and I promise I won’t bite.”He flashes me another ovary-clenching smile. “I’m betting you haven’t taken a break all night. Rest your feet and take a breather.”
A break does sound nice, and he’s right. I wasn’t able to take my usual ten minutes earlier because it was too busy. Suddenly, my feet feel heavy, and my legs ache like they might go out from under me.
Garrick hops up and grabs two chilled bottles of water from the mini refrigerator as I lower my tired butt onto the couch. Fridays are always nightmarish because I have classes until lunch, then I work my shift at Butterfly Flowers, and run back to the apartment I share off-campus with my friend Ellen to grab something to eat and a quick shower before showing up for my shift at the bar. I usually sleep in late on Saturday morning, too exhausted to get up early.
“You look like you need this as much as me,” he says, handing me a water.
“Thanks, and I do. It’s hot out there tonight.”
“It’s a veritable sauna, ”he agrees. “If it’s like this every Friday night, I might start showing up in nothing but shorts.”
“That would be one way of keeping your fans loyal,” I tease as I uncap the bottle.
“I’m here for the music, not the girls.” He flashes me a flirty look, that seems to contradict his statement, before gulping back his drink.
“Said no rock star ever,” I deadpan, fighting a grin. “I’m not a rock star nor do I have any desire to be.”
“How come? You must know you’re good, and isn’t it what most musicians dream of?”
He shrugs before draining his second bottle of water and tossing the empty in the trash can. “Not me. Music is a hobby. It’s a release. A way to indulge my creative side. It will never be anything more.”
“It seems a shame to waste such natural talent, but I admire you for knowing what you want and sticking to your resolve.”
“I still don’t know your name.” He twists around on the couch. His knee brushes against my jean-clad leg as he leans in closer, giving me his undivided attention.
It’s unnerving, but I still can’t force myself to get up and leave.
“And you didn’t tell me if you go to UO too,” he adds, looking at me like I’m the most fascinating person in the world.
“I’m Stevie, and yes, I go to school here. I’m studying floral management and just about to finish my sophomore year.”
“Same here.”
My eyes pop wide. I’m pretty sure there are no guys in any of my classes. Floral management is not really a guy thing.
He chuckles. “I meant I’m a sophomore. I’m majoring in family enterprise.”
“Oh, cool. Does your family have a business?”
He nods as his tongue darts out wetting his lips. “My dad is CEO of Allen Lumber and Allen Wineries. I’ll be joining the business when I graduate.”
His tone is very matter-of-fact, and it doesn’t seem like he’s bragging. Wouldn’t matter if he was. I’m hard to impress, and I can’t think of any guy who has ever managed to do it. “I know Allen Wineries. The country club I used to work at back home buys their wine. So, you’re from Seattle too?”
“Born and bred.”
“What part?”
“Dad lives in North Bend, and Mom lives in Medina. I used to split my time between both homes.” Air trickles out of his mouth as he drags one hand through his messy dark hair.
Something akin to desire pools low in my belly, but I ignore it.
“What about you? Where do you call home?” he asks.
“Ravenna. I live with my mom, and my nana is close by too.”
“No dad?”
“I never knew him.” I’m not about to get into it with a guy who is a virtual stranger even if he seems like an okay guy and the conversation is flowing easily.
“This feels a little like fate.” His eyes sparkle with excitement.
“What does?”
“Us meeting like this.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “It’s coincidence. Not fate. And it’s not like there aren’t a ton of people attending Oregon from Seattle.”
“True, but I’m sticking to my convictions. You call it coincidence. I’m calling it fate.” He attempts to dazzle me with that flirty smile again, and it almost works. Angling his body closer, he stares at my mouth like he wants to kiss me.
Siobhan Davis never ceases me to amaze with her writing and stories.
Gah!! I do not even know where to start this one. I finished this book over the weekend and I was all up in my emotions the whole time.
I am not going to rehash this story – read the blurb if you want to know what to expect. I’m not even going to talk about the characters because I truly feel that this is one story that the reader needs to read without any knowledge except what the author has told you in the blurb.
I will tell you that this story rocked me in so many ways. I felt everything from sheer joy, to laughter to unbelievable heart ache and just raw emotions. I love a story that seeps deep into your bones, directly into your soul and The One I Want does exactly that!!!
I cannot love this book enough. It is a long book and yes, the beginning is a bit slow. BUT, there’s reason for that and I urge you to not stop because the reward it so worth it.
Grab this book now!! It’s worth every ounce of emotion you feel. The is Siobhan at her best.
Learn more about Siobhan Davis and her releases by visiting her website:
Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Together with her high-school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years, they’ve raised three children. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns or her new lighter side, she likes to spend her time with her family and friends. Her pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!
Lauren Rowe is the USA Today and international #1 best-selling author of bestselling Standalone Smitten, The Reed Rivers Trilogy, as well as The Club Trilogy, The Josh & Kat Trilogy, The Morgan Brothers Series, Countdown to Killing Kurtis, and select standalone Misadventures.
