After a decade of chasing success in New York City, Emily Monroe's career in interior design is everything she dreamed of- until a failed project sends her back to her sleepy hometown of Riverbend to regroup. Tasked with restoring the town's historic library, Emily is ready to prove herself again. But when she discovers that the project's lead contractor is her high school nemesis, Jake Harper, sparks fly in unexpected ways. Jake has spent the last ten years building a reputation as the go-to craftsman in Riverbend, trading his wild teenage years for stability. Working with Emily means navigating their complicated past-and a growing attraction neither of them expected. As they rebuild the library, they'll have to decide: can two people with such different lives make room for love, or are some paths better left uncrossed?
The train screeched into the station with a sharp metallic wail, breaking the quiet hum of Riverbend's sleepy autumn morning. Emily Monroe clutched her travel bag, hesitating for a moment before stepping onto the platform. A gust of crisp air tugged at her coat, carrying with it the familiar scents of woodsmoke and damp leaves. The town looked exactly as she remembered-quaint, idyllic, and painfully slow compared to the whirlwind of New York City.
She adjusted the strap on her shoulder and took a deep breath. This wasn't where she wanted to be. The thought lingered in her mind like a bitter aftertaste. But after the disastrous fallout with her last client and her reputation teetering on the brink, she hadn't had much of a choice.
The sight of Lily Dawson waving from a beat-up red pickup jolted her from her thoughts. Her childhood best friend looked unchanged, with her wild blonde curls escaping from under a knit beanie and a grin that could light up the grayest day.
"Emily!" Lily bounded over, enveloping her in a hug so tight it knocked the air out of her. "Look at you! All fancy and city-chic. You're gonna make the rest of us Riverbend folk look bad."
Emily forced a laugh, the corners of her mouth twitching upward. "You're exaggerating. It's just a coat."
"It's a *designer* coat," Lily teased, stepping back to appraise her. "And heels. In *Riverbend.* Girl, you're lucky this is paved ground, or you'd be eating dirt by now."
Emily sighed, gesturing toward the truck. "Can we skip the commentary and just go? It's been a long trip."
Lily held up her hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Grumpy already. Let's get you settled before you start scaring the locals."
The ride through town was a stark contrast to Emily's usual rush-hour commutes. Main Street was dotted with mom-and-pop shops, their wooden signs swinging gently in the breeze. The bakery still had its signature display of pies in the window, and the hardware store looked exactly as it had a decade ago.
Lily kept up a steady stream of chatter about town gossip, but Emily only half-listened, her thoughts swirling with the weight of her situation. Her mentor had called the library restoration project a "golden opportunity." She'd sold it as a chance to rebuild her confidence and portfolio. But to Emily, it felt like being sent to the minors after playing in the big leagues.
"Earth to Emily." Lily's voice cut through her reverie. "You're doing that thing where you stare out the window all broody. What's on your mind?"
Emily shook her head. "Nothing. Just... adjusting."
Lily raised an eyebrow. "Adjusting, huh? Well, don't get too cozy in your pity party. You're going to love this next part."
The truck slowed to a stop in front of the Riverbend Inn, a charming bed-and-breakfast with ivy climbing its stone façade. Emily stepped out, her heels clicking against the cobblestones, and surveyed her temporary home. It was quaint, picturesque even, but it only reminded her how far she'd fallen from her sleek Manhattan apartment.
Inside, the innkeeper greeted her warmly and handed over an old-fashioned brass key. Lily helped haul her suitcase upstairs, chatting nonstop about the library project.
"Wait until you see it," Lily said, grinning. "It's got character. You're going to work magic on it, Em."
Emily dropped her bag onto the bed and turned to her friend. "You're awfully optimistic about this. I haven't even seen it yet."
"Trust me." Lily gave her a conspiratorial wink. "You're going to love it."
---
The library was worse than she'd imagined.
Peeling paint, warped wood, and shattered windows greeted her when she arrived at the site the next morning. The once-grand building stood in a sorry state, its facade barely holding onto a sense of dignity. The town council must have been desperate to find someone willing to take on this project.
A deep voice interrupted her inspection. "Well, look who's back."
Emily turned, and her stomach sank. Jake Harper stood leaning against the frame of his pickup truck, tool belt slung low on his hips and a cocky smirk plastered across his face. He hadn't changed much since high school, except now he seemed taller, broader, and even more insufferable.
"Jake," she said curtly, keeping her tone neutral.
His grin widened. "Didn't think I'd see you back in Riverbend. Thought you were too busy conquering the big city."
"I didn't think I'd see you still here," she shot back.
He laughed, the sound grating. "Touché. Small towns aren't for everyone, I guess."
She turned back to the library, refusing to let him get under her skin. "Are you just here to gloat, or do you actually have a reason to be on-site?"
"I'm the contractor," he said, strolling up beside her. "Looks like we'll be working together."
Her head snapped toward him. "You're kidding."
"Nope." He crossed his arms, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "Guess you'll have to get used to me."
Emily pinched the bridge of her nose, cursing her luck. Of all the people in Riverbend, why did it have to be Jake Harper?
"Let's get one thing straight," she said, narrowing her eyes at him. "I'm here to do a job. I don't have time for games or... whatever this is."
Jake held up his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, city girl. I'm just here to swing a hammer and make sure this place doesn't fall apart."
Her jaw tightened, but she turned away before he could see how much he was getting to her. "Fine. Then let's keep it professional."
"Professional," he repeated, a teasing edge to his tone. "Sure thing, Monroe."
---
The day dragged on as Emily tried to assess the library's potential while ignoring Jake's constant presence. He seemed to take every opportunity to needle her, pointing out flaws in her initial ideas and challenging her design vision.
By the time she returned to the inn that evening, she was thoroughly exhausted. Lily was waiting for her in the lobby, a cup of hot cocoa in hand.
"You look like you've been through the wringer," Lily said, passing her the mug.
"Jake Harper," Emily muttered, sinking into an armchair. "He's impossible."
Lily snorted. "Still holding onto that high school grudge, huh?"
"It's not a grudge," Emily insisted. "He's just... infuriating."
"Well, get used to it," Lily said with a shrug. "Jake's one of the best contractors around. And deep down, he's not a bad guy."
Emily sipped her cocoa, letting the warmth soothe her frayed nerves. "We'll see about that."
Her friend smiled knowingly. "Something tells me this is going to be more interesting than you think."
When Amber Duvall moves to the secluded town of Shadow Creek, she's determined to leave behind the traumatic events of her past. But when a series of brutal murders in the nearby woods bear signs of a werewolf's attack, Amber is thrust into a world she thought was only mythical. As her connection to the town deepens, Amber discovers she's linked to its cursed history-and her own blood holds the key to either saving or destroying the pack of wolves that protect it.
When ambitious architect Olivia Harris is hired by the elusive billionaire Leo Caldwell to design his company's new headquarters, she never expects to become the center of his carefully crafted world. Leo is a man of mystery, known for his icy demeanor and ruthless business strategies. But as they spend long hours together, Olivia begins to see the layers of vulnerability beneath his powerful exterior. When Leo proposes a business partnership that blurs the line between professional and personal, Olivia is torn between her career aspirations and her growing feelings for the man who could make or break her future. But Leo's secrets are deeper than she ever imagined. As they navigate a high-stakes world of power, wealth, and betrayal, Olivia must decide if she's willing to risk everything for a chance at love-and whether Leo can truly let go of the shadows that haunt him.
The small town of Lakeridge has always been steeped in mysteries and whispers, but nothing could prepare it for the night the full moon brought a series of brutal attacks. For Lana Thorne, a recent college grad returning to her hometown to settle her late grandfather's estate, Lakeridge is home to bittersweet memories-and a dark legacy she never expected. As bodies pile up, she uncovers a family secret: her grandfather was the leader of an ancient order tasked with keeping the "Moonborn" at bay. Now, Lana must learn the ways of the hunters and face an enemy older than any legend, all while grappling with an undeniable attraction to the mysterious Aiden Wolfe, a loner with secrets of his own. But as the next full moon approaches, she faces a harrowing choice-sacrifice everything to stop the creatures or risk losing herself to the wolf within.
Billionaire CEO Julian Styles must merge his company with rival firm, Harrison Enterprises. But when he meets Harrison's brilliant and beautiful CFO, Avery Wellesley, Julian's focus shifts from business to pleasure. As they navigate the cutthroat world of corporate finance, Avery's hidden past threatens to derail the merger and their blossoming romance. Can Julian and Avery balance power, loyalty, and love?
In a world where memories can be implanted, edited, and even stolen, 28-year-old Kaelyn Rivers discovers her memories are false. Her entire identity is a fabrication. As Kaelyn searches for the truth, she's hunted by the sinister Organization that created her. With the help of enigmatic underground activist, Asher Monroe, Kaelyn must navigate the blurred lines between reality and deception to uncover the secrets of her past and the truth about the Organization's sinister plans.
When a quiet town nestled deep in the forest starts experiencing gruesome animal attacks, young artist Mina Sullivan finds herself drawn to eerie visions in her dreams. Her new neighbor, Alec, is hiding something monstrous-and his arrival coincides with the escalating violence. As she discovers her own mysterious connection to the werewolves haunting the forest, Mina must decide if her future lies in joining their world or fighting against it.
Elin spent twenty years deeply loving her husband, finally marrying him just as she'd always dreamed. But reality shattered her illusions—he wasn't the man she believed. Instead, he callously destroyed her family, crushing her heart beyond repair. At her lowest point, Ruben, equally betrayed that night, approached her steadily. "Marry me, Elin. I'll help you take revenge." Yet, after their wedding, she quickly discovered he was dangerously unpredictable. "I made a mistake. Let's divorce..." Ruben slid his arm possessively around her waist, whispering a chilling promise, "Only in death."
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
"Who is she?" I asked, feeling tears well up in my eyes. "He met her at the Alpha training camp," he said. "She is a perfect suitor for him. It snowed last night, indicating that his wolf is happy with his choice." My heart sank, and tears made their way down my cheeks. Alexander took my innocence last night, and now he is taking that thing in his office as his Luna. **** Emily never shifted on her 18th birthday and became the laughingstock of the pack. When her old crush, Alexander Black, returns from Alpha Training, she never expected him to be her mate. After a night of passionate love, Emily finds out that young Alpha Alexander has taken a chosen mate. Heartbroken and humiliated, Emily runs off and disappears from the pack. Now, five years later, Emily is a high-ranking warrior in King Alpha's army, specializing in sensitive matters. When her best friend invites her to a night of music and laughter, she never expects to run into her mate, Alexander. Will Alexander figure out it is Emily? Will he chase after her, and most of all, will Emily be able to keep her secrets safe?
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
Natalie used to think she could melt Connor’s icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scale—all in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.