A small town, best friend’s sister, age-gap, grumpy, sunshine, contemporary standalone
Confirmed bachelor—that’s what I’ve become.
Life is safe and predictable. After all, Riverbend doesn’t exactly have a roaring social life or an influx of women looking to be the wife of a farmer.
Hold on.
I’m not looking for a wife—or even a girlfriend.
When my best friend tells me that his little sister, Devan, is moving back to Riverbend to teach science, I envision the little girl with pigtails, freckles, and an annoying urge to be wherever her older brother was. Of course, that was twelve years ago when she was ten years old.
Newsflash. Devan is no longer a child.
Imagine my shock when I learn that she is the woman who disappeared after one passionate kiss—one I couldn’t get out of my head.
Once I realize Devan is my mystery woman, I can’t walk away.
The problem is that she’s my best friend’s little sister, ten years younger than me, and definitely off-limits.
What will it mean for my friendship if I pursue my feelings?
Can one kiss change everything?
Have you been Aleatha’d?
ONE KISS is a stand-alone, age-gap, best friend’s sister, small-town forbidden contemporary romance set in Riverbend, Indiana, and one of Aleatha’s Lighter Ones. Sit back and enjoy the hijinks as Justin’s safe and predictable world is turned upside down.
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!
The first time I met Casper Hart, I turned him down despite his good looks and obvious charm. I’d only just arrived at university, and a man like him was the last thing I needed to make me lose focus.
The only problem? I had no idea who the hell he was. Rich, entitled, hot, and arrogant, no one walked away from Casper without paying a high price.
Unfortunately for him, he’d chosen the wrong girl to pick a fight with.
Unfortunately for me… Casper happened to live right next door, and he didn’t let up easily.
Three years of endless torture later, it’s no secret to anyone that Casper and I share nothing but hate towards each other, going out of our way to cause as much pain and annoyance to the other as possible. But when a series of break-ins break out on campus, and my friends are all otherwise occupied, Casper ends up being the only person I can call upon to help me get out of a nasty situation.
The only question now is at what cost?
Because nothing Casper ever does for me comes free, and despite everyone else seeing him as the superhero, I know the truth.
He’s nothing but a rotten Villain. One I can’t seem to stay away from no matter how hard I try.
Natasha Preston is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Cellar, The Cabin, Awake, You Will Be Mine, The Lost, The Twin, The Lake, The Fear, and her latest, The Island. A UK native, she discovered her love of writing when she shared a story online—and hasn’t looked back. She enjoys writing romance, thrillers, gritty YA, and the occasional serial killer.
𝘼𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙧𝙖 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙬 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. 𝘽𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙛𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙥-𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙚𝙨. Enduring rough living conditions became second nature. With her shield of sarcasm and a tenacity of amour, Rory’s gut had never failed her. That was until she landed in a small town with a passion for bourbon, horse-racing, and the Jordan brothers.
The walls of her new foster home were abundant but brimmed with secrets of their own. She knew biding her time until her eighteenth birthday wouldn’t be easy. 𝗨𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗻𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝗿𝘀, 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘄 𝗝𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗻.
The most paramount decision she’s ever been faced with was choosing between two boys. Each claiming a little bit of her heart for unique reasons. Amidst the chaos that surrounded her, she found beauty in the boisterous laughter one brought and the myriad of feelings the other made her feel.
“I love you more than I’ve ever loved anything or anyone in this world. It’s unusual, some might even say rushed, to fall in love so young and commit your life to another person. I say the world can go fuck itself. I’m tired of trying to please other people and be what society expects of me. All I care about is being good to you. Loyal. Protective. And respectful. I won’t make you promises that I’ll never screw up again, or that we’re going to be happy every day for the rest of our lives. That’s not real. Life is about embracing the chaos. I want to make the hard times easier. I want to give you the life you dreamed you’d have. I want to be your forever home. Not this town. Not even because we’ll share a last name. Me. I want to be your refuge just as much as you are mine.”
Beauty in Chaos is Nacole’s newest release and her first book in over eight years. Let’s just say that Nacole really knows how to make comeback into the writing scene.
Beauty in Chaos is such a unique and emotional story. The blurb truly gives you just a tiny glimpse of what Rory’s story is about.
Rory is just trying to survive foster care and find a way to get full custody of her foster brother once she ages out. What she never anticipated were the Jordan brothers.
One brother is fire and the other ice. I just can’t decided which one is going to burn me first.
Trice and Crew are complete opposites of one another. And Rory struggles with her reactions to each of them; she’s never had to sift through her thoughts and feelings like she does with each of them. But when a family secret is revealed, Rory is faced with an almost impossible decision.
I cannot applaud Nacole enough for how well written this story is. You sense what each of these characters are going through. You find yourself empathizing with Rory, understanding some of these teen’s life choices.
But eve moreso, Nicole delves into the in-depth issues such as foster care and adoption and the nuiances associated with those issues. All the grey areas surrounding our foster care system and how broken it is, and she does it with grace but keeps it real.
Beauty in Chaos is definitely an emotional read and will tug at your heart strings in so many ways. It is worth every penny.
Bones.
Nacole Stayton is thirty-something years young and resides in the Bourbon Capital of the World with her husband and son. Her debut novel, The Upside of Letting Go is an Amazon top 100 bestseller. She spends her days working in healthcare as a practice administrator and her evenings pinning away on her next novel. She can usually be found playing with monster trucks and dodging Nerf gun darts or enjoying an iced coffee poolside.
Monica Murphy has revealed the gorgeous cover for Playing to Win!
Releasing: August 10, 2023
Cover Design: Emily Wittig Designs
Ace Townsend is the biggest player on campus.
The sexy new quarterback on the football team.
I should probably mention he’s also a complete flirt. The life of the party wherever he goes.
Someone I should avoid at all costs.
It’s difficult though, when I’m on the social media crew for the football team and we’re out on the field during practice almost every day, filming them. On the sidelines at games. Hanging out with them at bars. The more I spend time with Ace, the more I’m drawn to him. The attraction is there, but it’s more than that. I actually like him. We have a connection, and he definitely feels it too.
The problem?
I signed a contract when I started on the social media team with a ‘no dating athletes’ clause. They’re strictly off limits. If we get caught together? It’s cause for my immediate termination. I love my new job and don’t want to risk it, but I’m falling for Ace.
Hard.
We’re all for sneaking around and keeping our growing relationship secret, but it’s starting to wear on us. Ace is determined to win me at all costs, though he doesn’t want to be the reason I lose my job, but…
Maybe the two of us being together is worth the risk.
Monica Murphy is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling romance author. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. Both a traditionally published and independently published author, she writes young adult, new adult and contemporary romance.
A native Californian, she lives on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere with her husband, son, their goofy dog, and three cats. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. Or reading. Or binge watching something.
From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes an all-new novel, The Setup, in her Single in Seattle series, featuring Keaton Williams!
I’m a sucker for pretty things. Give me a roaring engine in a souped-up vintage muscle car with cherry red paint and brand-new leather interior, and that’s about as pretty as anything I could ask for. I’m a simple man, who doesn’t need or want the kind of wild celebrity that my father has. I restore one-of-a-kind vehicles and sell them to the highest bidder. Usually, that bidder just also happens to be a celebrity.
But no matter how often my cars steal the spotlight, staying out of it is my number one priority.
Which is why Sydney Sterling is absolutely out of the question.
She’s a country music superstar. She’s in the spotlight. People can’t get enough of her.
It doesn’t matter that our one night together was hotter than a full throttle muscle car, or that she’s the most incredible woman I’ve ever met.
I. Need. To. Stay. Away.
And I was doing a great job of just that until our friends set us up on a blind date, and now here I am, sitting across from the only woman who made me want more. How am I going to handle the fact that the rest of the world wants her almost as much as I do?
And do I even have a choice in the matter?
Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Second-chance romance only works out in movies. In real life, it’s …messy.
I don’t need a man for anything.
Love and romance? Pfft. No thanks. Never again.
Between my career as a wedding planner and being a single mother, I barely have time to think about men.
I wasn’t looking for a hero when I ended up locked outside a hotel that was engulfed in a blazing inferno, wearing nothing but a robe. I would’ve eventually saved myself. Too bad he didn’t give me a chance.
Yep, you guessed it. Luke Incendio, the sexy firefighter who came to my hotel rescue and the man who had caused me to swear off love years ago is one and the same.
Now, he says he wants to make amends. He says he’s never stopped wanting me. His words are laced in regret as he says he made a mistake.
But talk is cheap—and the tingly feelings he inspires in me are not to be trusted. Because this time around, I’m not the only one who’ll get burned if he proves to be unreliable.
Jeannine Colette combines humor and angst in her sexy, stand-alone romance novels. Her stories feature dynamic heroines, and swoon-worthy heroes, who have to abandon their reality in order to discover themselves . . . and love along the way.
A graduate of Wagner College and the New York Film Academy, Jeannine went on to become a Segment Producer for television shows on CBS and NBC. She left the television industry to focus on her children and pursue a full-time writing career. She lives in New York with her husband, the three tiny people she adores more than life itself, and a rescue pup named Wrigley.
Jeannine and her family are active supporters of The March of Dimes and Strivright The Auditory-Oral School of New York.
“She was captivating. Breathtaking. Stunning. Surprising. Tempting. And Katy’s teacher.”
The Dandelion Diary, an all-new heartwarming Maysen Jar novella from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Devney Perry is available now!
From Wall Street Journal bestselling author Devney Perry comes a new story in her Maysen Jar series…
Dear Diary,
My dad needs a girlfriend, and I’ve already picked her out.
Miss Adler would be perfect for him, right? She’s super pretty. She has the best smile and she gives the best hugs. And she’s, like, the most amazing teacher in the world.
Dad is my hero, but I can tell he’s lonely. He tries to hide it from me, but sometimes at night, when he thinks I’m asleep, I’ll sneak downstairs and find him sitting on the couch, staring at nothing. He’s never had a girlfriend, not since the divorce. Mom messed him up. She’s good at that.
He’s smart and funny, but he doesn’t laugh enough. I’ve seen other moms at school check him out so I guess he’s handsome. (Eww.) And he makes up the best nicknames. He calls me Dandelion. I bet he’d give Miss Adler an awesome nickname too.
They’re perfect for each other. I just know it. Now I only have to show them I’m right.
Wish me luck.
Katy
**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**
Fall in love today, exclusively on Amazon! Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ey8Q8r Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/thedandeliondiary Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3ZBEB25
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Keep reading for a look inside The Dandelion Diary
Jeff stopped just beyond the patio, turning to face me. I stopped too, standing just within arm’s reach. He reached up, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. “I’m stalling.” “You’re stalling.” “You gotta tell me what you want. It’s your job. It’s your life. You want to wait until summer, then I’ll walk you to your car right now.” I inched closer. More of that bravery bubbled to the surface. Was this a stupid idea? Yep. So why couldn’t I leave? “What if I don’t want to go to my car?” A growl came from his chest as he dragged a hand over his jaw. “You’re sure?” “Is Katy asleep?” He nodded once. “Out like a light.” “Then I want you to kiss me.” The words were barely out of my mouth before his lips crushed mine, his strong arms sweeping me off my feet as he hauled me into his chest. Yes. Whatever doubts I had vanished. I melted against him, sinking into the feel of those lips against mine. Never in my life had I been this bold. Never in my life had I told a man to kiss me. Worth it. So fucking worth it. His tongue swept against the seam of my lips, demanding entry. A mewl escaped my throat as he slid inside. Then he plundered, fluttering and tangling and swirling his tongue with mine until I was breathless. This man could kiss. Thank the stars in the sky, he could kiss. He nipped at the corner of my mouth, then sucked my bottom lip between his teeth. He slanted over me, delving deeper, leaving no corner of my mouth untouched. My entire body went up in flames, my pulse thudding in time with the aching throb in my core. When he broke us apart, my lips were swollen. He latched on to my neck, sucking and kissing as he left a trail down the column of my throat. “More.” I fisted the material of his shirt, holding him to me. “Fuck, Della.” His voice held an edge of restraint, like he was trying to press the brakes. He pulled back, setting me on my feet. His eyes searched mine and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. Then he shifted, taking a step away. No. “Don’t,” I panted. Maybe it was the years of rejection from Luka. Maybe it was this all-consuming need for Jeff’s touch, his skin against mine. If I had to beg, I’d beg. Tonight, I wanted to be craved. Worshiped. And if that kiss was any indication, together, we could be dynamite. “Della—” “Please don’t pull away from me.” There was a vulnerability in my voice that surprised even me. Jeff’s eyes softened. “I don’t want to, beautiful. But if I don’t put this space between us, I’m not sure I’ll be able to let you go.” The air rushed from my lungs. He wants me. Deep down, I knew he wanted me. That kiss was a kiss from a man who wanted a woman. But to hear the need in his voice, well…it meant I didn’t care about the rules. Not tonight. I’d risk it all, just once. “You said I had to tell you what I want,” I said. “And that’s you. Kiss me again. Take me inside to your bedroom. Or if all you want to do is sit at the table and play cribbage with me, I’ll take whatever I can get. We don’t even know each other but the idea of me leaving right now…” I shook my head. “I don’t want to leave.”
This is how you write a novella!!!
The Dandelion Diary is a novella in Devney’s Maysen Jar series and part of the 1,001 Dark Nights 2023 collection.
If you’re a dummy like me and haven’t read any of the books in this series, this is the perfect book to get a peak into this perfect small town. And it’s also a perfect way to get a glimpse into Devney’s phenomenal writing.
I cannot rave enough about this novella. It’s set in this quaint small-town and has adorable little stores. The Dandelion Diary features a divorced, single dad and he’s incredibly sweet daughter and his daughter’s teacher. Yep – a forbidden romance.
Jeff helps manage a local landscaping business and his main focus has always been his daughter, Katy, whom he also calls Dandelion. I absolutely love the father-daughter relationship between these two.
Della Adler is Katy’s school teacher. She and Jeff have a meeting one day at Katy’s school after Katy has a bad day and there’s this immediate connection between one another. And from there – things take off.
There’s reason this is called The Dandelion Diary – and you must read this one to find out why. The ending had me smiling the biggest smile.
Definitely a must read!!!
For More Information about Devney Perry, visit her website: https://devneyperry.com/
For More Information about 1001 Dark Nights, visit: Website: https://www.1001darknights.com/ Facebook: https://bit.ly/3ONzTtZ Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rTZdo3 TikTok: https://bit.ly/3G98oYh
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.
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.
The boy who broke my heart is now the man who wants to mend it.
Tell It To My Heart, an all-new emotional and angst-filled new adult romance from USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Siobhan Davis is available now! This 97k-word full-length novel is FREE for newsletter subscribers.
Description
Jared was my everything until an ocean separated us and he abandoned me when I
needed him most. He forgot the promises he made. Forgot the love he swore was eternal. It was over before it began.
Now, he’s a hot commodity, universally adored, and I’m the woman no one wants. Pining for a boy who no longer exists is pathetic. Years pass, men come and go, but I
cannot move on.
I didn’t believe my fractured heart and broken soul could endure any more pain. Until Jared rocks up to the art gallery where I work, with his fiancée in tow, and I’m drowning
again.
Seeing him brings everything to the surface, so I flee. Placing distance between us
again, I’m determined to put him behind me once and for all. Then he reappears at my door, begging me for another chance.
I know I should turn him away. Try telling that to my heart.
Second – now is your chance to see what all the hype is about – FOR FREE!!!
This ebook is FREE if you sign up for Siobhan’s newsletter.
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/xhkz9qp9fl?…
Tell It To My Heart is a second-chance rockstar romance and I am here for it!
This review (like most of mine) will not reword the blurb nor will I summarize what happens. The blurb is all you need to know going into this.
In true Siobhan style, she pulls you in from the beginning, keeps you transfixed the entire time, all the while, has you understanding and empathizing with these characters.
The story is told from both POVs and the story flows absolutely perfectly. It is a slow burn that is filled with angst, some suspense and heat.
A definite must read!
Learn more about Siobhan Davis and her releases by visiting her websites:
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!
