Category Archives: Contemporary

Pretty Reckless by LJ Shen

Pretty Reckless by L.J. Shen

I’d had four years to stew on what Daria Followhill did to me, and now my heart was completely iced. I took her first kiss. She took the only thing I loved. I was poor. She was rich. The good thing about circumstances? They can change. Fast. Now, I’m her parents’ latest shiny project. Her housemate. Her tormentor. The captain of the rival football team she hates so much. Yeah, baby girl, say it—I’m your foster brother. There’s a price to pay for ruining the only good thing in my life, and she’s about to shell out some serious tears. Daria thinks she is the queen. I’m about to prove to her that she’s nothing but a spoiled princess.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Racism & racial slur
  • Fatphobia & body-shaming
  • Grey-area cheating
  • Statutory rape recounted
  • Principal-student relationship
  • Domestic violence
  • Substance addiction
  • Alcohol consumption & overdose mentioned

Vicious by LJ Shen

Vicious by L.J. Shen

They say love and hate are the same feelings experienced under different circumstances, and it’s true. The man who comes to me in my dreams also haunts me in my nightmares. He is a brilliant lawyer. A skilled criminal. A bully. A saviour. Ten years ago, he made me run away from the small town where we lived. Now, he came for me, and he isn’t leaving until he takes me with him. She is a starving artist. Ten years ago, she barged into my life unannounced and turned everything upside down. She paid the price. Emilia LeBlanc is completely off-limits, my best friend’s… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Child abuse recounted
  • Alcohol consumption & drug use
  • Cancer mentioned
  • Chronic illness
  • Death of a parent
  • Murder
  • Bullying

Just for the Holidays by Adriana Herrera

Just for the Holidays… by Adriana Herrera

Casting director Perla Sambrano knows Gael Montez is the perfect actor for her new film project. As long as she forgets his oh-so-tempting allure and keeps her heart out of it. Because their chemistry’s no act and she needs to be careful…

The Montez men hurt the women they love. Or so Gael believes. Keeping things professional with Perla is the only way to protect her. Until a snowstorm strands them together, leading to an unplanned Christmas fling that lands them both on the naughty list!

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Parental abandonment recounted
  • Cheating mentioned
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Parent with serious physical illness
  • Death of a father recounted

One Week to Claim It All by Adriana Herrera

One Week to Claim It All by Adriana Herrera

She’s on track to be the new CEO. Her ex is the only one standing in the way.

When Esmeralda Sambrano-Peña unexpectedly inherits her father’s media empire, it ruffles more than a few feathers. And no one is more conflicted about it than Rodrigo Almanzar. Esmeralda knows her father’s longtime protégé—and her ex-lover—wants the executive job for himself. Making matters worse, their renewed passion grows undeniable with every late-night meeting. Will Rodrigo prove to be the perfect partner in business and pleasure…or her professional undoing?

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Parental abandonment
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Grief & loss depiction
  • Death of a father recounted
  • Death of a mother from cancer recounted

American Sweethearts by Various

He’s Come Undone: A Romance Anthology by Emma Barry, Olivia Dade, Adrianna Herrera, Ruby Lang, and Cat Sebastian

For him, control is everything…until it shatters, and now he’s come undone.

Collects Appasionata by Emma Barry, Unraveled by Olivia Dade, Caught Looking by Adrianna Herrera, Yes, and…. by Ruby Lang, and Tommy Cabot Was Here by Cat Sebastian.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Appassionata by Emma Barry– Workplace sexism mentioned
– Parental estrangement
– Anxiety
– Depression
Unraveled by Olivia Dade– Domestic violence recounted
Caught Looking by Adriana Herrera– Homomisia mentioned
Yes, And… by Ruby Lang– Parent with Early-Onset Dementia
– Panic attack, on-page
Tommy Cabot Was Here by Cat Sebastian– Homomisia
– Familial disownment
– Smoking

American Sweethearts by Adriana Herrera

American Sweethearts by Adriana Herrera 

Juan Pablo Campos doesn’t do regrets. He’s living the dream as a physical therapist with his beloved New York Yankees. He has the best friends and family in the world and simply no time to dwell on what could’ve been. Except when it comes to Priscilla, the childhood friend he’s loved for what seems like forever.

New York City police detective Priscilla Gutierrez has never been afraid to go after what she wants. Second guessing herself isn’t a thing she does. But lately, the once-clear vision she had for herself… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Misogyny
  • Racism
  • Child sexual abuse mentioned
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Miscarriage mentioned

Finding Joy by Adriana Herrera

Finding Joy by Adriana Herrera 

As his twenty-sixth birthday approaches, Desta Joy Walker finds himself in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the one place he’s been actively avoiding most of his life. For Desta, the East African capital encompasses some of the happiest and saddest parts of his life–his first home and the place where his father died. When an unavoidable work obligation lands him there for twelve weeks, he may finally have a chance for the closure he so desperately needs. What Desta never expected was to catch a glimpse of his future as he reconnects with the beautiful country and his family’s past… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Coming out themes
  • Cheating recounted
  • Anxiety & panic attacks, off-page
  • Parent hospitalised for heart disease
  • Grief & loss depiction
  • Death of a father recounted

Her Night With Santa by Adriana Herrera

Her Night With Santa by Adriana Herrera 

Being the favourite niece of one of the Kings of the Magi has its perks. For example, borrowing Santa’s secret beach villa for a solo getaway, even if it’s just for one night. And after the year she’s had, Farnaz Castillo is planning to enjoy every second she has in this gorgeous mansion. With a suitcase full of *ahem* all her favourite toys, she’s sure to have a very merry time before she has to join the rest of her family for their annual ski trip.

Being the first woman to command Santa’s sleigh is exhausting work. By the time Christmas Day comes along, Kristina Kringle is usually more than ready for some solitary R&R… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Death of a mother recounted

Here to Stay by Adriana Herrera

Here to Stay by Adriana Herrera 

Julia del Mar Ortiz is not having the best year. She moved to Dallas with her boyfriend, who ended up ditching her and running back to New York after only a few weeks. Left with a massive—by NYC standards, anyway—apartment and a car lease in the scorching Texas heat, Julia is struggling…except that’s not completely true. Running the charitable foundation of one of the most iconic high fashion department stores in the world is serious #lifegoals.

It’s more than enough to make her want to stick it out down South… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Verbal parental abuse, on-page
  • Alcoholism
  • Drug use

American Love Story by Adriana Herrera

American Love Story by Adriana Herrera 

Haitian-born professor and activist Patrice Denis is not here for anything that will veer him off the path he’s worked so hard for. One particularly dangerous distraction: Easton Archer. The Assistant District Attorney who last summer gave Patrice some of the most intense nights of his life, and still makes him all but forget they’re from two completely different worlds.

All-around golden boy Easton forged his own path to success, choosing public service over the comforts of his family’s wealth. With local law enforcement unfairly targeting young men of colour, and his career—and conscience—on the line… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Racism & racial profiling
  • Homomisia
  • Forced outing recounted
  • Parental abandonment
  • Cheating mentioned
  • Heart surgery mentioned
  • Police brutality
  • Immigration & political asylum