Category Archives: Contemporary

The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod

The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod

Growing up, Antonia “Toni” Bennett’s guitar was her only companion…until she met Sebastian Quick. Seb was a little older, a lot wiser, and he became Toni’s way out, promising they’d escape their small town together. Then Seb turned eighteen and split without looking back.

Now, Toni B is all grown up and making a name for herself in Philadelphia’s indie rock scene. When a friend suggests she try out for the hottest new band in the country, she decides to take a chance. She’s in for a surprise when one of the decision-makers… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Misogyny
  • Parental abuse & neglect
  • Recreational drug use
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Enemies by Tijan

Enemies by Tijan

Stone Reeves was my neighbour, and I’ve hated him since sixth grade. Gorgeous and charismatic, he became the town’s football god, while I became the town’s invisible girl. He went to a Division 1 school for football, while my father was fired by his father. His team won the National Championship, while my mother died the same day.

He was a first-round pick for the NFL.. while I made the worst decision of my life… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Rape, off-page
  • Death of parents in a car accident
  • Death of a parent from cancer, off-page
  • Stalking
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The Insiders by Tijan

The Insiders by Tijan

Bailey is as normal as could be, with a genius IQ and a photographic memory. But still, normal for her. Then, things happen—a guy breaks into her house in the middle of the night to take her hostage. She finds out her father is actually billionaire tech genius Peter Francis, the same guy she’s idolized all her life. She learns all this when she meets dark, mysterious, and electrifying Kashton Colello. He’s an associate of her father’s, and he gives Bailey two choices—go with him and meet her father or survive on her own because those kidnappers are going to try again. It’s a no-brainer… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Attempted murder
  • Attempted kidnapping

The Damaged by Tijan

The Damaged by Tijan

No longer an outsider, Bailey has a family and love that she never could’ve imagined. Used to living in the shadows, Kash will now do anything to protect his family and his woman. They will take on the world together…

In the meantime, stunning motives, lies, and explosive secrets continue to unfold. 1. Quinn is in jail, awaiting trial. 2. Friends might actually be enemies. 3. And what is Calhoun plotting? More importantly, will Kash discover it before it’s too late?

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • PTSD & trauma
  • Panic attacks
  • Murder

The Not-Outcast by Tijan

The Not-Outcast by Tijan

Cutler Ryder was everything I wasn’t. He was the hockey star. I was an outcast. He was best friends with my stepbrother, that same stepbrother who hated me. His two parents loved him. My mom was a junkie. My dad barely knew me.

Years passed. I got my life together. Cut went onto NHL stardom. Then there was a text. I was drinking. There was a party. Cut was there… I loved Cutler Ryder since the first moment I saw him. The only problem? He never knew I existed. 

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Parent with substance addiction
  • Death of a mother recounted
  • Homelessness

Wrong by Jana Aston

Wrong by Jana Aston

I have a history of picking the wrong guy.  Now I can’t stop fantasizing about one of the customers at the coffee shop I work at between classes. It’s just a harmless crush, right? It’s not like I ever see this guy outside of the coffee shop. It’s not like I’m going to see him while attempting to get birth control at the student clinic. While wearing a paper gown. While sitting on an exam table. Because he’s the doctor. Shoot. Me. But what if, for once, the man I’ve had the dirtiest, most scandalous fantasies about turned out to be everything but wrong?

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Doctor-patient relationship
  • Pregnancy (theme)

Law Man by Kristen Ashley 

Law Man by Kristen Ashley

Sweet, shy Mara Hanover is in love with her neighbour. For four years, she has secretly watched her dream man from afar. Handsome police detective Mitch Lawson is way out of her league. She’s a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, and there’s no way a guy like Mitch would want anything to do with her. But when Mara has a leaky faucet that she can’t fix, it’s Mitch who comes to her rescue.

Mitch has been eyeing his beautiful neighbour for a long time. He jumps at the chance to help her, and soon their formerly platonic relationship… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Alcoholism mentioned
  • Drug use mentioned
  • Kidnapping

At Peace by Kristen Ashley 

At Peace by Kristen Ashley

Violet Winters once had it all but lost it when her husband was murdered by a criminal madman. During a cold winter night Violet has to leave her warm bed to tell her neighbor to turn the music down. And that’s when she meets sinister, scarred, scarily attractive security specialist, Joe Callahan.

She wants to deny it, but Violet can’t beat back the hunger she feels for Joe so she gives in again and again. Feeling it himself, Joe feeds Vi’s hunger, breaking his own rules to keep her in his bed… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Alcohol abuse
  • Death of a spouse recounted
  • Death of a sibling, on-page
  • Murder, on- & off-page
  • Kidnapping
  • Stalking

Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher 

Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher 

I’m destined to become the next CEO of my family’s media empire. The only problem? My grandfather’s inheritance clause. Fulfilling his dying wish of getting married and having an heir seemed impossible until my assistant volunteers for the job. Our marriage was supposed to be the perfect solution to my biggest problem. But the more we act in love for the public, the more unsure I feel about our contract. Caring about Iris was never part of the deal. Especially not when breaking her heart is inevitable… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Parental abuse
  • Boss-employee relationship
  • Asthma
  • Substance addiction
  • Anxiety attacks

The Fine Print by Lauren Asher 

The Fine Print by Lauren Asher 

I’m in the business of creating fairy tales. Theme parks. Production companies. Five-star hotels. Everything could be all mine if I renovated Dreamland. My initial idea of hiring Zahra was good in theory, but then I kissed her. Things spiralled out of control once I texted her using an alias. By the time I realized where I went wrong, it was too late. People like me don’t get happy endings. Not when we’re destined to ruin them.

After submitting a drunk proposal criticizing Dreamland’s most expensive ride, I should have been fired. Instead, Rowan Kane offered me a dream job… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Suicidal ideation recounted
  • Death of a parent recounted