stories in and

No Strings For The Summer by Dae Storm

27-year-old Olivia Waitts has been looking forward to her week vacation in the Caribbean all summer. It's the last vacation she'll have from work until next summer. All Liv wants is to get laid and enjoy her time in the sun. 44-year-old Kathleen Danvers, however, has been uncertain about her work-vacation to the Caribbean since she heard about it. Two weeks in a two-bed hotel room with three of her coworkers, could it get any worse? When she lays eyes on Liv, she knows she has to have her, every single inch of her. It's the only thing that can salvage the rest of the summer. But Liv and Kathy live in two very different places in America, and lead opposite lives, so they decide on a no-strings policy...and find it difficult to maintain. ~~ 'No Strings For The Summer' is a sapphic age-gap romantic erotica novella featuring a 17 year age gap, a plus-size love interest, and lots of explicit sexual content. Romantic erotica is different from erotic romance in that romantic erotica has a much heavier focus on sexual content. Intended for 18+ audiences.


Growing Connected by Penny Heart

They both thought they were through with romance, until something began to grow between the school teacher and gardener
 As far as she was concerned, Susan didn't need the hassle of a relationship in her life. She was perfectly content, although slightly adrift, focusing on the teaching job she adored. What better way to fill the nagging void she was feeling than by planting something in it? When an opportunity arises to create a garden space at her school, Susan jumps at the chance. Unfortunately, with no gardening experience, she quickly finds herself in over her head and calls in a professional. Jacob is better with plants than people. Social anxiety and a grumpy nature due to failed past relationships have caused him to prefer his solitude. Yet when he meets Susan, buds of attraction begin to bloom. Neither are looking for more than a professional, working relationship. They're far too opposite for anything more. She's sunshine and smiles. He’s clouds and brooding. Despite their differences, the passion between them grows. Will the pair have the courage to sow the seeds of romance? "Growing Connected" is a snarky, sexy romp between 30-somethings who can't resist their attraction thanks to the machinations of a secret matchmaker. Fans of will-they-or-won't-they romances are sure to love this steamy read! This title contains explicit sexual language and adult situations.


Faking Forever by V.M. Rheault

Fox Posey is my best friend, and when my sister tries to make good on a bet, I ask her to pretend to be my fiancĂ©e to win. All we have to do is spend the weekend together at my uncle’s ski chalet. I already give her all my free time and sharing a room—with that king-sized bed—will be easy. I didn’t think our fake kisses would crawl under my skin, but they do, and I fall hard. I want our engagement to be real, but when I propose, she says no. I’m not still in love with my ex like she thinks I am, but I can’t tell her the real reason I’m stuck in the past. She’ll hate me forever, and I’ll lose more than our engagement. I’ll lose my best friend. Posey Fox isn’t one of those arrogant, playboy billionaires. He’s happy spending quiet evenings at my apartment, and we listen to jazz and drink wine while I cook. We’ve been friends for years, and there’s no one I’d rather be with. When he asks me to pretend to be his fiancĂ©e for the weekend to win a bet, I agree. What’s a little kissing between best friends? Sharing a bed won’t matter . . . we’ve fallen asleep on my couch more times than I can count. I’ll just have to be careful I don’t let my heart get too carried away. Our engagement can never be real for reasons I can’t let him know, and I’d rather keep his friendship than end up with nothing at all.


Always There For You by Halli Starling

A new town, a new start, and finally opening the wine store of her dreams. Amelia has picked the small town of Breakwater to be her new home, and her new beginning. Even as her chronic pain sometimes gets in her way, she won't let anything keep her wine store and tasting room from opening. And now that her best friend Hadley is with her, everything is perfect. What Amelia won't speak aloud is how much she adores and cares for Hadley -- how much she truly loves the woman she's known since they were kids inspecting bugs and reading together in one of their backyards. Hadley thinks the town of Breakwater is the perfect spot for Amelia and her new lease on life. And she's thinking about settling down herself, after years of traveling around the world and taking on odd jobs and having flings with beautiful women. But she always, always comes back to Amelia and now is her chance to tell her best friend exactly how much she cares. It's hard to be brave, especially when it comes to affairs of the heart. But together, they can weather the storm and find what they've always been searching for.


A Brighter, Darker Art by Halli Starling

A chance meeting at a bar. An instant connection. But that connection turns from a spark into all business. For the moment. And it's a really bad idea to date the boss... Raphael (Raf) Lutz, is under immense stress with the opening of his fifth art gallery in a few months. He's mentally and physically exhausted, and given his perfectionist nature, deeply concerned that this gallery won't stack up to the rest. His best friend, Ambrose and Ambrose's boyfriend, Barrett, have trusted Raf with a very special set of illustrations belonging to Barrett's deceased friend. Raf is making the illustrations a highlight of the gallery's opening, and it has to be just right. Perfect. But he's drowning and he needs a marketing manager yesterday. On the other side of town, Silvan Diedrich has just been downsized from the marketing firm he helped build, and drowning his sorrows in a few drinks and maybe some company sounds about right. The man who takes the stool beside him is dangerously handsome with a clear flair for the dramatic. Company, indeed. But as he and Raf talk, Raf offers him the one thing Silvan hadn't been expecting - an interview. Which he passes with flying colors. But close proximity to Raf, day after day, is far too much temptation. Raf doesn't need any more complications. Silvan's not been with anyone in a long time, as he's been the primary parent for his now college-aged daughter. So they make a deal. Hands off, for now. Sticking to that deal proves to be rather difficult for both of them. The companion to Ask Me For Fire, but can stand alone.


The Way We Wind by Halli Starling

Twins Bren and Clark have been holding each other up since their mother passed away. It hasn’t been easy. But Bren is running the family greenhouse and Clark has a good job at the local library. Life is quiet, just as Bren likes it. But Clark feels like he’s stagnating. Bren isn’t looking for love when a greenhouse customer dumps water all over her. But Elodie’s cute and bouncy and, it turns out, a folklorist at the local college and has a special interest in plants and their stories. It seems like a perfect match. Clark might have a tiny crush on a patron at the library, but he’s never going to say anything. But when Jasper, that very patron, asks for Clark’s assistance on a research project, Clark can’t say no. To Jasper or the project; Jasper’s researching local “ghost trails”. And Clark is a bit of a believer. But trauma and grief are slippery things, and getting through it isn’t simple or easy. Maybe love needs to find a way to help them both heal.


When He Beckons by Halli Starling

A charming - but slightly strange - accidental first meeting at a skate park. Opposites attract. And technically...one works for the other one. Zan has a fast mouth and a lot of technical know-how, so dating hasn't always been easy. He'd set aside any notion of a romantic life to work and spend as much time outdoors as possible. Biking, canoeing, skiing, you name it. He's never tried skateboarding, even though he stops by the skate park near the trail where he bikes to watch boards - and sometimes people - flip, or crash hard. Instead of skater-watching, Zan meets Deacon. Deacon's odd and interesting, and it turns out, the head of the small indie press of which Zan is a huge fan. Rochester Press puts out the weird and erotic, the dark and mischievous, and finally meeting the head of the press is great. Maybe not so great - Deacon has just hired the printing company Zan works for, and now Zan's in charge of all the new jobs. It'll be fine. Except Zan (and his big mouth) immediately asks Deacon out on a date. And Deacon accepts. There's no fraternization clause in Zan's contract, or Deacon's. It should be fine. A high-heat novella about two quirky people who would never seek out a date via online platforms or at speed dating. But their weird seems to compliment each other. Add in a romantic picnic date, a rainstorm, and a love of books and the outdoors, and Zan and Deacon might just carry away your heart.


Bound by Rowena Aiello

They’re supposed to be together. The magic says they should be. So why is she trying so hard to get away from him? Every single one of us is fated to be with someone else. That’s how the magic works in Atlantis. It chooses your soul mate at birth. And while I want Matt to be mine, he’s fated to Sarah—to her dismay. One one’s ever tried to break their mating bond
until now. And it’s not that easy. In fact, I think it’s making him sick. But can I convince him to let Sarah go before her attempts to break away ruin him forever?


The Catch by Jenna Miles

Poignant and powerful, The Catch is a contemporary second-chance romance that effortlessly captures the nostalgia of young love and relatably reflects the trials that come with family, motherhood, and responsibility. Julia Dunphy’s husband just left her for the second time, her thirteen-year-old won’t stop swearing in public, and to top it all off, her four-year-old just asked to buy condoms. Needless to say, this isn’t how she’d expected her life to pan out. Then, Julia's new work in an aquarium shop washes up old memories of a whale-watching business she once imagined - and of William Quinn, the man she imagined it with. William walked into her life with striking blue eyes and constant surprises. Before she knew it, she was head-over-heels in love. However, the realities of life eventually pulled them apart. When Julia and William’s paths cross again, despite their baggage, an undeniable spark remains. When she learns that William has made a success of their ideas, she wonders if it's too late to finally make a success of their relationship. But Julia has already blown her first two chances at happiness with William, so a third one seems like wishful thinking. Then she uses her prowess as a paralegal to save William's business, and when he shows up to thank her, she dares to wonder - is another chance with him possible, after all? Perfect for fans of both modern romances like Colleen Hoover’s Reminders of Him and reminiscent of classics like Pride and Prejudice, The Catch is witty, heartwarming, and inspiring.


Tears in the Water by Margherita Scialla

A character-driven, slice-of-life contemporary story of love and self-discovery. At White Ravens University, where athletes train to become professional sportspeople, Alex is on the swimming team with her best friend, Xiuying. Having grown up mostly alone, parents absent and brother often busy with his own life, Alex tends not to meet new people unless she and Xiuying are together. After an embarrassing encounter with a boy from the volleyball team Alex soon discovers that the world isn’t so big after all and the universe has a funny way of setting people up, especially when and with whom they’re least expecting. Despite her reserved character, Alex becomes part of a newly formed friend group consisting of four amazing people with different identities and personalities. As she tries to overcome her anxiety and negative past events, Alex finds herself both struggling with romantic feelings for a new acquaintance and a full blown gender crisis.


A Christmas Truce by Emma Bennet

A BRAND-NEW, UTTERLY ADDICTIVE FEEL-GOOD FESTIVE GRUMPY/SUNSHINE ROMANCE FOR CHRISTMAS 2023. Photographer Libby just got fired. Again. Then she gets home early to find her boyfriend in bed with another woman. And just like that, her dreams of a Christmas Day proposal are shattered. Libby lands a new job as a personal assistant to enigmatic businessman Seth Coleman. He’s terse and demanding — it’s no wonder Libby keeps messing up. Then one day an adorable Golden Retriever puppy is delivered to the house. As Libby helps Seth train Barney, she realizes that there’s a surprisingly sweet side to this CEO . . . But everything goes wrong when Libby finds out that Seth’s company just bought the community centre where they’ve been training Barney. It’s not only puppy classes, it’s a lifeline for the whole village. Libby is devastated when Seth says it’s ‘just business’. So she packs her bags. Until disaster strikes and Libby is forced to spend her favourite time of the year with a man who doesn’t even own tinsel. It’s up to Libby to bring some much-needed Christmas spirit. Starting with a truce, since they’re going to be stuck together whether they like it or not. But Libby might just find magic under the mistletoe after all if she can encourage Seth to open his heart to Christmas . . . This heartwarming Christmas romance is perfect for fans of Jessica Redland, Jenny Colgan, Holly Martin, Teresa F. Morgan, Helen Rolfe and Julie Shackman. READERS ARE FALLING IN LOVE WITH EMMA BENNET’S UPLIFTING, FEEL-GOOD CHRISTMAS ROMANCE: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This is the perfect feel-good read. A lovely love story. I loved the cute puppy Barney.’ Rosamond ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A really cute Christmas-themed novel. I loved the storyline and how a cute dog tied in as well. This would make a great movie as well! Perfect feel-good holiday novel. Highly recommend.’ A reader in the UK ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This was such a beautiful and enjoyable read. I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre.’ Sophie L. ALSO BY EMMA BENNET HER PERFECT HERO THE GREEN HILLS OF HOME THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY? STARSTRUCK FALLING IN LOVE AT NIGHTINGALE FARM


The Echoes of Ashlington by Rowan MacKemsley

Ashlington Manor has a protector. Two hundred years after his death he needs help to find the man he loved. 2015 ‘There has been a Durand in Ashlington for hundreds of years,’ was something Lillian had heard all her life. A life now spent in London with the career, fiancĂ©, and success she had always wanted. When forced to return to her ancestral Cotswold home, a chilling presence with a desperate message leads her to believe she is not the only Durand left walking the halls of Ashlington Manor. 1807 Henry escapes his father’s expectations by taking a commission in the British Army where he meets Robert Westbrook. Standing shoulder to shoulder through the Peninsula War, not only fighting the French but each other’s demons, their bond grows into something deeper. But it is going home to Ashlington that Henry dreads. Home where disaster waits. Lillian enlists the help of childhood friend Nick Hawkins to unravel Henry’s story, discovering much of what they had been told of Lillian’s heroic ancestor was a lie. Can past and present find a way to work together so that they might all settle their grief, find love once lost, and learn what it truly means to be home, or will Ashlington be lost forever?


When Things Happen Together by Jordan Clayden-Lewis

Two travelers on the ultimate Australian road trip. Two numbers that will change their lives forever. Thomas is in need of a change. Being an aspiring artist from London, he hopes a working holiday in sunny Australia will be the muse he’s been waiting for. But it isn’t Australia’s vast landscapes that are his source of inspiration
 After a string of unromantic dates, Thomas meets Bruce, a handsome Irish traveler with alluring almond eyes. The more time the pair spend together, however, the more they start seeing the numbers 1122 everywhere. Are the numbers just a coincidence, or is something greater at play? Is Bruce really who he says he is, or is there more to him than he’s letting on? A story about seizing the moment, finding a sense of home, and embracing love when it comes knocking.


Cover Story by Valerie Gomez

Two queer thirtysomethings—a buttoned-up art director and a comedian—learn first impressions aren’t forever in Valerie Gomez’s sparkling contemporary romance debut perfect for fans of Alexis Hall and Casey McQuiston. “Don’t panic, just breathe,” Dax XimĂ©nez tells himself after every gig. About to become a household name with the premiere of his own TV show, he should be flying high, and he is
on the surface. But all of the pressure and attention make him want to retreat into the safe cocoon of his warm family home in Queens. The last thing he needs is a prickly art director judging him at his first magazine cover shoot—no matter how handsome he is. The shoot is a huge opportunity for AJ Bond to prove himself worthy of a promotion at The Modern Gentleman, but Dax showing up late is not a good look. The vibe is off, and AJ’s original vision is going down in flames—until Dax lets his natural charisma and gorgeous smile shine. After the shoot wraps, AJ knows they’re both on the verge of something big, not just professionally. Neither AJ nor Dax can stop thinking about the other, hoping their magic wasn’t confined to the studio. As the magazine and show launches approach, they’ll rely on each other for support through the highs and lows of success, fame, anxiety
and maybe even love.


A Match Made for Thanksgiving by Jackie Lau

Advertising executive Nick Wong enjoys living in Toronto. He loves late nights partying and taking women back to his penthouse. And so it is with great reluctance that he returns to his boring hometown of Mosquito Bay for Thanksgiving. This year, however, is even worse than usual. His interfering parents and grandparents, frustrated with the lack of weddings in the family, have invited blind dates for him and his three siblings. Nick’s brother Greg has been set up with Lily Tseng, who just so happens to be Nick’s latest one-night stand, the one he can’t get out of his mind. Although Nick has never been interested in settling down, Lily has him reconsidering. Perhaps he’s good for more than a single night of sex, dumplings, and bubble tea after all. But first, he has to get through this painful weekend with his family and convince her that she should be with him, not Greg



Mistletoe & Mishigas by M.A. Wardell

Beauty and the Bear: Can these opposites fake their way into something real? Sheldon Soleskin should be having a horrible day. Even though he’s been unexpectedly transferred to a new school right before the holidays, has only one day to set up his new classroom, and just discovered his twin sister's been hiding an invitation to his ex-boyfriend’s Christmas Eve wedding, he’s still ready to take on the world with a smile on his face and a skip in his step. Theo Berenson just wants to be left alone to his custodial duties. But when the chipper new first-grade teacher needs help moving furniture the Sunday after Thanksgiving, he's forced to do something he detests. Help. To make matters worse, Theo's overbearing parents are coming for Hanukah in a few weeks, and he's told them he has a boyfriend. Except he doesn't. Because who would want to date an oaf like Theo? Working together, these opposites discover they might be able to help each other out. Agreeing to be each other’s dates, they become friends as they practice for their upcoming events. But when all the rehearsing starts feeling a little too real, and both men's pasts come roaring back to haunt them, will they be able to pull off the ultimate holiday masquerade?


Teacher of the Year by M.A. Wardell

Love: Not as easy as ABC. They were supposed to keep things casual. Who’d expect they’d be schooled in love? Those who can, teach. Marvin Block is one of the best kindergarten teachers out there. And despite his anxiety, Marvin’s life is sweet. He knows what he wants. And what he wants is the Teacher of the Year Award. Not just for himself – his school needs him to win. Returning from break, the New Year finds Marvin all set to welcome a new pupil to his class. But when Illona walks in with her cute-as-hell single dad beside her, Marvin’s focus starts to slide. Sure, his students always come first, but he deserves to have a life outside the classroom, too, right? As their friendship starts to deepen, Marvin realizes Olan has the potential to teach him things about love he never thought possible. But with the Teacher of the Year award and his school’s future on the line, now’s not the time for anything complicated. Education has always been Marvin’s world. And he needs to keep a cool head if he wants to win the award and save his school. But will it be worth it if he loses Olan in the process? With Olan’s past and Marvin’s present colliding, their experiment in love hangs in the balance. Marvin knows what he wants out of life. But now he’s forced to consider what he wants out of love. Will Marvin chalk the relationship up to experience? Or can they revise their story into a textbook romance?


The Fine Line Between Us by Ruth Miranda

Jayal Hasen has never had a one night stand, or taken someone home for sex - he's just not that kind of man. Not with his past. But when his best friend introduces him to internationally acclaimed model Lu HaoRan, the attraction is immediate. The chemistry between them is such that, contrary to his character and all the fears he still can't shake, the two end up in bed. And though it was supposed to be just a one-night-stand, Jayal finds himself entertaining unexpected thoughts of something else... Lu HaoRan isn't looking for a relationship - he doesn't believe that's in the stars for him. Not with his life. But after spending the night with Jayal Hasen, he can think of nothing else, the memory of what took place becoming the buyoy he turns to when under stress. After weeks of trying to fight his growing obsession with a man he hardly knows and has never seen again, he's ready to throw caution to the wind and do all he can to meet Jayal again. Still, a fine line stands between them, one that's made of everything they hide from one another, secrets that threaten to break them apart, even before they come together. With neither finding the courage to cross that line, they risk losing each other without ever meeting again. Who will take the first step?


Does Love Always Win? by Diane Billas

Does Love Always Win is a sapphic coming of age young adult novel that explores coming out and understanding one’s sexual orientation. Sam “Shorty” Daniels has a plan for her senior year, but her romantic life being a hot mess was not part of the agenda. Shorty quickly discovers she’s not attracted to her newest boyfriend and fellow marching band member Zack despite her many hours of daydreaming of what it would be like to date him. Their flirting previously had been so intense that those feelings have to come back again, right? When Shorty’s asked to show the snarky new girl around high school, Shorty’s instantly intrigued by Kristy’s wit, and they bond over their love of writing. They quickly become inseparable, and Shorty has a breakthrough moment realizing why none of her other relationships worked out. Just as Shorty is about to break up with Zack, her bitter ex-boyfriend Bryan threatens to out her to the entire school and Shorty’s conservative parents. Will Shorty be able to overcome Bryan’s ridiculous blackmail scheme and get her dream girl?


Ace of Hearts by Lucy Mason

Hesper Stalides and Felix Morlan have been best friends for as long as they can remember, bonding over their troubled home lives. When a horrible sports injury derails Felix’s promising career and results in the loss of his scholarship, Hesper offers a proposition: a year-long marriage of convenience so he can get free tuition at the college where she works. It isn’t supposed to be complicated
until they fall in love for real. When Hesper reveals that she’s asexual, Felix must reassess everything he thinks about love and ask himself what he’s willing to sacrifice for a future with Hesper—before the past she’s spent her life running from can take her away from him forever.


Fighting For Her Heart by Brandie Nikole

I love my life like it is. Full of amazing adventures and without a monogamous relationship.I've had my heart broken more than once and that's enough for me to know I don't want to do that again.I don't want a man coming all up in my mix trying to make me commit.After all, I'm Shavonne Jordan, a rebel, also known as a LimitlessSpirit! But then he comes along fighting me at every turn, invading places I never invited him to.Leaving his imprint every step of the way trying to win my heart with his suspenders and floggers, ropes, and suits.Making me see life in a way I never imagined I would or could. Will I let him in or will he eventually get fed up with the fight? Follow us on this adventure of love's tug-o-war.Fighting For Her Heart by ella Shavonne's Story


His Favorite Girl by Brandie Nikole

Imagine knowing a person most of your life. You know their flaws, the things that make them tick, the hearts they've broken, and the chipped pieces in their armor, and still, you love them completely
 unconditionally. That is Khalil and Ajah. Best friends since they were eating dirt together. Their bond is unbreakable, but could they survive that one time in college? Khalil has tried moving on from the events of the past, becoming a serial dater with no satisfaction. His recent girlfriend, Destiny, is madly in love with him, and she refuses to accept rejection from Khalil or the destruction of their relationship. But are her feelings the same for her, or is he in love with someone else? Then there's Ajah. While enjoying the single life, she encounters the one-night stand that haunts her for longer than she wants. Will these two friends place all their cards on the table and see if revisiting unfinished business is worth it? Or will they continue playing friends while playing the field? Join Ajah and Khalil as they work to strengthen their bond as best friends while trying to hold on to the lives they have separate from each other. Life doesn't always go according to plan, and we all know there's a reason for everything.


Kit & Basie by Tess Carletta

Immortality is a dangerous affair when it isn’t done right. Basie Yeats knows he’s doing immortality all wrong, spending endless days in the same place, but he doesn’t see a reason to leave the home he loves in Long Lily, Pennsylvania. Once the impossible death of his mother leaves him the only immortal person he knows, Basie decides that the only thing he wants to do is get out of Long Lily and start doing immortality the right way—alone. Kit Elliot has wandered the world looking for the right place to call home, so when a church-turned-cottage suddenly goes up for sale in a quaint Pennsylvania town, it feels like it was meant to be. It takes only a few days at Wellhead Cottage for Kit to decide that the man who sold it to him is frustrating, awkward, and terribly handsome. He offers to help Basie find a new home away from Long Lily—but as days turn to months, Kit finds himself wishing he could make Basie stay.


This Doesn't Mean Anything by Sarah Whalen

Spencer’s first semester at Ravens College is going surprisingly well. For starters, she actually likes her roommate and soon finds herself settling into a routine of eating all her meals with the same two people, studying in the library with Nick - an upperclassman she finds only a little insufferable, and hanging out at the local coffee shop. Her new environment also means she’s trying new things - like Tinder dating. But Spencer can’t figure out why the idea of sex makes her want to run for the hills. That is, until she comes across the word “asexual,” and for the first time, she doesn’t feel so alone. As Spencer and Nick begin to spend more time together, she realizes she doesn’t feel any panic or revulsion when they touch, and wonders if that means there’s hope for a fulfilling, loving relationship without sex. But despite reciprocating her feelings, Nick has reservations of his own, leaving Spencer to wonder if the risk is worth it.


You Wish by Brooke J. Losee

Three wishes. A lot of trouble... Maya After a four month trial period as an intern, I’m determined to get a position at the top analytics company in New York. All I have to do is knock this final report out of the park. It’s all going well until my drool worthy coworker asks me out. On my first date. Ever. Somehow my natural aptitude in the art of awkwardness has failed to repel him. My focus has gone down the toilet, and I’m succumbing to his charms. S.O.S. I’m sinking fast. When did my dreams shift from becoming a senior analyst to kissing this guy? Nash Making bets with coworkers is a bad idea. Losing them is an even worse one. Now I have to grant the wishes of an office intern like some kind of genie. It doesn’t help that I’ve been attracted to her for months or that this wager has me breaking my don’t-date-coworkers policy. As an acquisitions team member, it's my job to win over new clients. Now all I can focus on is winning her, even if she likes pineapple on her pizza. But I can handle this. It’s only three wishes. What could possibly go wrong?


Insta Family by Ruth Miranda

Song Jaesun knew what he was getting into, when he married Jok OnMi and became her child’s legal guardian. He knew the challenges he’d face, raising a trans pre-teen alone, after his wife's death. He’s known all this well in advance, and believes himself ready, eager, even, for it provides him with the one thing he’s longed for but is beyond his his own family. He believes himself man enough to stand up to the hurdles and face every trial. What he didn’t count on, though - and sure wasn’t ready for - is the father of his late wife’s child. Now that Kai HaoTian’s decided to make up for all his past mistakes and work hard on regaining his kid’s affection, the two men find themselves forced to share living arrangements for the sake of a child both love immensely. And it’s not gonna be easy, when all they feel for each other is resentment...


That Girl by Ruth Miranda

I don't believe in love at first sight, not with my track record. But the night I met Yvette has come close to changing my mind - I couldn't have kept away from her even if I tried, she was all I had eyes and ears for, and since that day, this hasn't changed. I want to be around her all the time, spend time getting to know her, take her out on endless dates. Problem is, Yvette is unlike any of the women I tend to date - and I tend to date a lot, to the point I've acquired something of a reputation. You just have to Google my name, to see what I mean, I'm not the most reliable of men, where relationships are concerned. In fact, I just don't do them. I have no space in my life for that kind of thing, I have businesses to run and a daughter to raise, who happens to be my priority. And I fear that, with Yvette being who she is, my friends and family will have an issue with us being together - my mother would surely never approve of it, and what of my daughter? What repercussions would it have on her? And yet, despite all this, I still can't keep her out of my head...


The 5-Day Plan by Ashish Rastogi

Curly-haired, bespectacled, Dr. Akhil can replace your hip without a sweat, but he is a rambling, fidgeting fool outside the operation room. The worst qualifications to have for a man in search of love. However, one can overcome any obstacle with a bit of planning. Right? Plan A is simple. Unfortunately, the heart-to-heart blows up in shouting hysterics, tears, and abandonment. Worry not; time for Plan B. A year in London, and Plan B goes belly up. All because of a reality dating show. Anyway, who cares. Akhil has his plant babies. They are not traitors like the stars that Akhil loves gazing at night. The twinklers conspire to bring the dark enemy back into his orbit. Nope, not happening. Akhil has a plan. This time a three-letter one. Plan KDA- Keep Dan Away. But it is not easy blocking "the player" hell-bent on dribbling his way past Akhil's defences one accident at a time- ready to score. Add the nosy Keely matriarch and her two sidekick clowns to flying forks, tripping legs, and an accomplished kiss coach; our Akhil is in deep trouble.


Love in the Middle by Barbara Lieberman

Love stories are for the young, he's decided, and Sam Mayer is most certainly not young. He's building a new life for himself, after cancer and divorce chewed up and spit out his old one. It's called 'middle age' for a reason and that's because it is not the time to start something new... or is it?


Love Kills Twice by Rien Gray

She needs an assassin. They’re the best in the business. Falling in love was never part of the deal. Desperate to escape her abusive husband, Justine hires a contract killer. Campbell’s services come at a high price, and their dark, seductive charisma leads Justine right into their bed. Hiding an affair while Campbell designs the perfect murder has Justine walking a tightrope of stress, but each time the two of them sleep together, it’s harder not to get attached. Campbell struggles with their own traumatic past, convinced that the truth will drive Justine away. There’s a faint hope that things could work, save for one problem: Justine’s husband wants her dead too. Revenge is easy—heartbreak could cost both of them everything.


Plant Lady by M. A. Phillips

Plants are easy. People
not so much. Fern is a practicing witch with a green thumb. She's earned an enchanting reputation for helping people improve their fortunes at her tiny plant shop in Utica, NY, but she'd trade it all to reclaim her grandparents' garden nursery. Her life takes an unexpected turn when an ex-boyfriend suddenly appears at her Pagan circle's meetup as they plan for their annual witches' ball. Will he uproot this Plant Lady's plans, or will new opportunities bloom?


Jenni’s Boy by Lewis J. Lewin

Jenni’s Boy follows Luke as he grows up, struggling to tell the woman that he has loved since high school how he truly feels. As he fails to communicate with her, other problems take ahold of him in life, and she drifts away, but she is ever present in his mind. His old friends fade away, and even his family members start to go their own paths. He realizes just how important communication is in relationships.


Home by Maxime Jaz

What if the edge of the world wasn't far enough to confront your biggest fears? Damian has it all: first-class ticket home, whisky to drown his fear of flying, snark, and arrogance to push away everyone. Just not the wife. Heartbroken flight attendant Gabe likes his flights uneventful. His training and gentle nature are enough to keep him from busting Damian's face in. Probably. A plane crash forces lives and worlds that couldn't be more different to become one. They fight each other, their biggest fears, a life so rough survival is just the beginning... can they win battles brewing far away, at home?


As the Light Goes Out by Olive J. Kelley

A cozy & honest romance novella about mental health and finding the right person. When Boston born and bred Simon Abbott buys an obsolete lighthouse on the coast of Maine, he envisions turning it into a short-term rental with nothing but a HGTV understanding of renovation and heaps of gay audacity. The current caretaker of the lighthouse, Bruce Cadogan, sees right through Simon’s confidence and, in a last ditch attempt to save his quaint New England hometown’s charm, asks for three days to convince Simon not to go through with his plan, or he’ll help him with the renovations himself. What follows is nothing either man expected— A violent ocean storm brings them together for a night, which turns into a day, and another day; by the time Simon’s three days are up, he’s saddled with feelings for the other man, and Bruce can’t help but wish Simon would stay. With the lighthouse standing between them, the two men have to choose between nurturing the new spark into a flame, or their original agreement, returning to the lives they led before.


Love in the Liner Notes by Katta Kis

Two ex-boy band heartthrobs. A witchy sex educator. The love triangle no one expected. Cazzi has been in love with her childhood best friend Patrick since, well, forever. He’s the only one who gets her paganism, her passion for sex education, and knows what happened on the worst night of her life. But when she kissed him, it ruined their friendship. Now Patrick is back in her life—until his old bandmate throws a wrench in their relationship. Rohan is an ex-boy band heartthrob on his last bid for a comeback career. But this is jeopardized when Cazzi inspires him to leave his tempestuous girlfriend, causing a rift between Cazzi and Patrick in the process. Between the emotional fallout and work drama, Cazzi is duct-taping her mental health together with ritual, marijuana, and the brownies Rohan bakes for her. As Cazzi and Rohan grow unexpectedly close can their relationship survive when the machinations of his ex threaten to expose her biggest secret?


Homecoming Chaos by D. W. Brooks

Four years ago, Jamie left everything behind. Now she’s back to face her past, her family, and a killer. Jamie Scott had a seemingly perfect life: a loving fiancĂ©, a promising career as a doctor, and a supportive family. But she canceled her wedding and turned down a cushy job offer, instead, running away to join a humanitarian mission abroad. But life brought her back to her hometown, and now she’s ready to face the consequences of her actions. What she doesn’t expect is to walk into a murder scene in the parking lot of her family’s business. She also doesn’t expect to encounter Detective Nick Marshall, the sexy and smart cop who is assigned to the case. He’s determined to find the truth, even with Jamie distracting him and interfering in the case. He’s also drawn to her like a moth to a flame, despite the constant chaos that seems to surround her.


Never Too Much by Sienna Eggler

Romance was never a priority in Cyrille's life; her work on the local nature reserve came first. And compounded by her upbringing in a small town, finding a girlfriend seemed out of reach. "If it happens, it happens." But now that she's in her late 30's, Cyrille realizes it's better now than never. And a lot has changed over the last twenty years, leading to a steadily progressive attitude in town. A not yet out Cyrille braves a speed dating event, where she meets three potential partners: a childhood friend, a fellow park ranger, and a self-proclaimed "Goblin of the Forest." A hopeful Cyrille has one person in mind, but life is full of surprises. Never Too Much is a sapphic romance about an asexual lesbian navigating the dating scene, happy ending included.


Andy and the Extroverts by Jessica K. Foster

Seventeen-year-old bookish Andy has no friends. When her over-involved mother has the audacity to ship her off to summer leadership camp, she's thrust into an introvert's nightmare. Everyone is a Communicator with a capital C, icebreaker activities are scheduled into every waking moment, and horror of all horrors: there's no coffee. Even the girls who take her under their wing are the kind of self-assured people Andy could never dream of becoming. Then she meets Lucas‐‐hot, attentive, and everything Andy reads about in her books. Though the girls in her cottage try to warn her about him, she's swept into the first romance of her life. But when she discovers her friends may be right, she'll have to find her inner confidence to save her summer and become the leader she was always meant to be.


At the Manor House by E A Stoy

As a secret agent in a war between supernatural societies, Brand has made himself into an expert in social engineering and information gathering -- or, as some might put it, sexpionage. His world is upturned when a new handler back at the office takes an interest in him and pulls out all the stops to save him from a trivial lapse in intelligence. Intrigued, he resolves to learn more about what turns out to be a shy and withdrawn man in the Extraction department, whose blisteringly competent work persona is at odds with his awkwardness and inability to control his own elemental powers. Feeling that he owes this handler a favor, and with growing interest in this strange and quiet man, Brand takes him under his wing and swiftly develops a reason to come home at the end of a mission. Meanwhile, he's being sent back into the fray to seduce a dangerously skilled mage bred by an opposing society. It certainly appears that he'd prefer a clean break from his own organization, but will that be enough to flip him as an asset to Headquarters? A queer romance based on mutual respect and admiration.


Paper Daffodils: A Dawn & Rosie Adventure by Titania Tempest

Is it ever too late for a love story? Dawn Clermont certainly doesn’t think so. Rosie Bishop absolutely disagrees. The last place divorcee Rosie wants to be is on a Seniors Retreat in the Lake District. She’s determined not to have a good time, but an unexpected reunion with an old friend thwarts her plans. Her armour of bitterness proves no match for the spirited widow Dawn; dragged through a whirlwind of adventures and betrayed by her own sense of humour, Rosie soon realises she hasn’t got a hope of staying sullen. As Rosie clings to the remnants of her sarcasm, something about Dawn draws her closer than ever before. Soon, their bond threatens to run deeper, but is the possibility of budding romance worth risking their rekindled friendship?


Tamika Wood's Birthday Party by Le Kendall

Follow the stories of Alan Sebastian Parker and his family as they navigate life, love, family and parenting, queerness and neurodivergence.


Purity by Skyler Mason

What happens when a shy virgin raised in purity culture asks her gorgeous, player best friend to take her V-card? I’ve been in love with Cole Walker since the first day he walked into class and sat beside me. Who could blame me? Six foot five, gorgeous, and a sweetheart to boot. He’s charming enough to get any girl he wants. The plan was to make him fall in love with me, get married, and give him all my firsts. Too bad he’s never once looked at me that way. I don’t know how to flirt, and I’ve been stuck in the friend-zone for years. I’m 21 now. And this summer, I’m going to ask him to take my V-card with no strings attached. But when I tell Cole my request, his reaction is not what I expect. He’s furious and over-the-top protective. He won’t touch me, but apparently no one else can either. It doesn’t make any sense. Until we share a kiss that makes the world stand still, and I begin to wonder
maybe I’ve misread him all along. Author’s note: Suitable for ages 18+.Please see author’s website for a list of content warnings.


The BFF Role by Jaysee Jewel

Not every girl wants to be the hero of her own story. Zilla is an average high school senior aspiring to become a nurse. The only unique thing about her is that she adamantly believes she is living inside a poorly written romance novel and her best friend Cindy is the main female lead. Taking her role as the best friend very seriously, Zilla dedicates her free time to protecting her best friend from the author’s drama-hungry fingers, preventing the writer from interfering with Cindy’s love life. However, just as things are starting to go well between Cindy and the sweet boy-next-door who just moved in, a rival appears who could screw up Zilla’s plans. The school’s notorious playboy, Axel Burns, decides to ask Cindy out for prom, singlehandedly turning what was going to be a sweet love story into a love triangle. Zilla won’t stand for it! But when Zilla tries to draw Axel’s attention away from Cindy, she accidentally turns it toward herself and ends up in a romantic side plot she doesn’t want any part of. Fans of Love, Rosie and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before will adore this trope-subverting, coming-of-age love story about friendship, relationships, and overcoming one’s flaws.


March & Feather by Emma Saska

At Stony Point Homeschool Academy, high school senior Audra Dunne spends her time hanging out with friends, cooking and baking, and dreaming of her not-so-distant future at the Culinary Institute of America. Sure, she wishes she were comfortable enough to talk to her much-older sister Madeline about something other than AP Calculus. And sure, she wishes new kid Matthew Harwell would stop invading her friend group. But Audra finds comfort in her digital persona Feather, exchanging texts with her best friend March, the pen pal she met on a homeschool forum four years ago. When March lets slip that he’s recently moved to her city, Audra’s curiosity begins to grow. What if she and March end their pact to stay anonymous? What if March goes to Stony Point? What if... March is someone she already knows? As unexpected family developments and a personal crisis (or two) threaten to upend Audra’s life, she’ll have to decide whether turning away from all she’s used to is worth it for the chance at finding more.


The Figurine by Pepper Effen

At twenty-eight, Joanna Macguire wants a slow and steady kind of love, the kind to build a family on. She knows that intense attraction always burns out too fast. So when a handsome forensic scientist almost sweeps her off her feet, she rejects him. Online dating seems a safer bet, until the perfect guy turns out to be a dangerous choice. Allan Cooper feels an intense connection when he meets Joanna, and he knows the feeling is mutual. So why did she put him in the friend zone? Meanwhile, at the state crime lab, he’s investigating an elusive serial killer with a fetish for redheads and antique wedding dresses. Allan and Joanna get to know each other at weekly trivia night, and his patience finally pays off. But when Joanna disappears, the most important case of his career becomes horrifyingly personal.


A Certain Kind of Sadness by Jillean McClory

Insecurity and loneliness eat away at Rachel Wharton as old debts and obligations compel her to accept a job in another city, leaving behind family and friends. But leaving Morgan Hillier, the man she has loved since childhood, at a critical time in their fragile relationship breeds a toxic mix of self-doubt and anxiety. Now Rachel finds herself stuck in a dingy three-story walk-up. Her demons and countless falls from grace crowd her tiny apartment. Questions she has avoided for years demand her attention: how did she get here? Why did she let this happen? Her regrets challenge her to take off her blinders and see what’s in her peripheral vision, forcing her to examine her perceptions of love, family, bravery, and her ability to captain her life. Always the victim of circumstance – from her privileged upbringing, her unrequited love for Morgan, to being stalked by a man in the shadows – Rachel struggles to accept her new life. Without a net to catch her when she stumbles, she regrets her decision to take a job that anchors her to a mistake she can’t undo. It’s exhausting navigating the distance between her and Morgan, but her mother’s disapproval makes it problematic, putting further strain on their already complicated relationship. To make matters worse, with each day that passes, Rachel becomes a version of herself she hates – a poor slob in love.


Assure Her by Thia Finn

Chandler Chatam, fresh out of Juilliard, finds herself temporarily playing with four hot rockers of Assured Distraction, an up-and-coming band, out on their first big tour. She's lead a sheltered life of luxury and is determined to make the most of this tour as part of the band until her world is suddenly turned upside down. Then more life-shattering news alters the course she's set for herself. Meeting Chandler at her audition for a temporary spot in Assured Distraction, lead singer Keeton MacDonald flashes a panty-dropping smile knowing that a woman is sure to wreak havoc on the bus for this bunch of guys looking to enjoy the perks of life on the road as the rock stars they are. Assured Distraction's tour is the beginning of a raucous journey for them all that leads to fun days, exciting concerts, and hot nights. Not just a life on the bus story, but a story about living messy lives in the real world.


Defending Jessica by Benna Bos

From the author of the Lesfic Bard Award winning novel “Investigating Helen” comes another stand-alone installation in the Murder by the Bay Mystery Series
 Few people accused of murder are as unlikable as Veronica Turner’s client, Jessica French. So to give the haughty heiress the best defense possible Veronica needs help from her favorite true crime podcast. But when she meets the newest sound tech for “Murder by the Bay”, she is instantly enthralled. She wants nothing more than to get close to the stunning, shy woman. Focused on her new job, Kaia Kent pays little attention to the pushy attorney defending their latest podcast subject. But Veronica just keeps coming around, and every time she does, Kaia finds herself slipping a little further away from dislike and toward serious attraction. With an innocent woman to defend, a murderer on the loose, and opposites that are smashed together in a whirlwind of fear, intrigue, and passion, defending Jessica will prove to be anything but easy.


Investigating Helen by Benna Bos

Dr. Helen Nims is hauled into the police station when her new girlfriend is found murdered. Terrified and confused, she finds comfort from a stranger. But when that stranger turns out to be a crime reporter, Helen has to decide if she can be trusted or if confiding in the stunning podcaster will pull Helen deeper into suspicion. Agnes Coates loves reporting on true crime. But it hits a little close to home when her first crush from high school is found dead in a bathtub. A gorgeous surgeon is tangled up in the police dragnet as they search for the killer, and Agnes must navigate her own feelings as she digs into the mystery and seeks out the truth. With so much to lose, Agnes and Helen will walk the line between kisses and crime.


Shackin' Up: Shackin’ Up: Short Stories of Queer Romance and Forced Proximity by Augusta Connor

Get cozy with Space Fruit Press’s collection of stories, where queer couples find themselves getting unexpectedly close. Whether it’s a vacation rental, cabin in the woods, or a run-down motel, any port in a storm can get awfully hot when it’s the right pair trapped inside. There may only be one bed, but there’s plenty between these covers to keep you warm.


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