Ashful

They had been the best of friends since childhood. She knew that he secretly wore spectacles.He knew that she had once stolen all the wine for the Eucharist from the parish church and blamed it on the town drunkard. There was very little that Amy Griffiths did not know about Lord Oliver Hollingsworth, the only friend she had ever had growing up in a tiny village where everybody knew everything about anybody. She was quite happy to rush headlong into spinsterhood while she tended to her mother and worked the small bookshop, and Lord Hollingsworth did not seem inclined to wed anytime soon having ensured no mother in her right mind would allow her daughter to consort with the likes of him after the whole debacle with his once intended, Miss Augusta Fleetwood, a few seasons ago. When Amy is convinced to visit London, little did the both of them realise how meddling some of his friends would be, and how adept at matchmaking the troublesome lot are. Soon, the delicate line between friendship and true love become harder to distinguish.Bit of a slow burn, sweet romance with MATURE content and a lot of humour.…

Ashful

Lord Marshall Sutherland wanted a wife.He had also known exactly who he wanted as his wife for precisely a year. Unfortunately, Miss I.P. Bright was a pseudonym and locating the woman of his dreams had taken a considerable amount of time, effort and money on his part. He had spent the better part of his time last year at the blasted London Season only to discover that it was apparent Miss I.P. Bright - whoever she was- did not run in the same circles as him. It had been an irksome and trying experience because now every débutante and her mama thought that he sought a wife, any wife. But that wasn't the case. He was hunting for a particular woman and no other woman would do. Marshall was a man of definable tastes and once he knew what he wanted, he generally got it.Miss Imogen Brightmore did not want a husband, especially one the likes of Lord Marshall Sutherland, who boorishly and chauvinistically opposed her anonymously published articles. So when a handsome, intelligent and agreeable country gentleman comes to town, Imogen finds herself surprisingly attracted to him and little does she suspect that he harbors a secret that could ruin their blossoming courtship.…

Ashful

Independent Braylee Mitchells faces the prospect of falling in love with her new roomie: self-proclaimed player and long-time friend, Dominick Mulder, when a damaged apartment and old vows force them together... and make them possibly confront and deny something that has been in front of them all this time.***Braylee Mitchells remembers what it was like to live with Dominick Mulder in university- as well as all her other friends. Now, ten years later, and despite a vow taken by all of them never to live together again, Dominick may just very well save the day (and her savings) when he takes on the task of becoming her roommate once again. With her apartment in need of costly repairs and her freelance career as a copywriter and editor struggling to cover the bills, Braylee's options seem limited. That is until she stumbles upon a charming country bungalow that seems like the answer to her prayers. The only catch? The rent is far beyond her means.Desperate to make ends meet and reluctant to burden her loved ones with her troubles, Braylee turns to Dominick for support. As they navigate the complexities of adulthood and the challenges of chasing their dreams, their friendship deepens into something more profound.But as Braylee and Dominick grow closer, they must confront their own fears and insecurities, navigating the blurred lines between friendship and something deeper. Will their bond withstand the tests of time, circumstance, and untold secrets, or will the weight of their individual struggles tear them apart?WARNING: This story contains depictions of narcissistic abuse (off-page), mature language and adult themes that may be upsetting to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.…

Ashful

Tiffany Cotton was not who she said she was. The peculiar woman had shown up in Ravensfield one night, wielding a pistol with a familiarity that odd, run-of-the-mill spinsters shouldn't know how to do. She was bizarrely intelligent, wore gowns that were two sizes too big for her, and a smile that transformed her face.Kaede C'Lainn had a difficult time noticing anything anymore since he drank of a liquor that had been tainted with an enchantment, forcing his hand in an act that riddled him with guilt. But he noticed Miss Cotton. Particularly how she had the penchant to show up in places that she shouldn't be. There was something about her that spiked his intrigue... and suspicions. And after the last bout of recklessness on his part, he was not about the make the same mistake twice. He believed Miss Cotton to be part of a syndicate to end his brethren's life, and Kaede wouldn't allow that to happen again. Even if it meant apprehending the one woman whose kiss put all his broken pieces back together again in a world that rejected his kind. This is a fantasy-historical-romance with a lot of steam and a lot of romance! FMC is motivated to do some serious butt-kicking and MMC has a tail... :)…

Ashful

Travel writer Stella comes face-to-face with ex-boyfriend Killian when she's forced to give him a ride to her best friend's wedding in South Africa, pushing her to confront their past-and maybe even consider a future. Season 1 of Against All Odds***Twenty-something free-spirit Stella Huxley is used to going solo, opting for a life of impulsive adventure and often ending up in less than savory situations she only just manages to get herself out of. She has a dream life and a dream job, even if it's come at the cost of past sacrifices that still haunt her. When she returns to South Africa for her best friend's wedding, she plans to breeze in and out, but then she sees Killian Beckett-the only man she's ever loved...and the man she left behind six years ago. When unfortunate circumstances contrive to fling Stella and Killian together, they share a journey, a car, and a room across the country. At first, their reunion is rocky, but with the gauntlet of wedding preparations keeping them close and old memories bubbling to the surface, the fire between them soon threatens to reignite. Killian might be everything Stella's ever wanted, but can they overcome all the reasons they didn't work out for a second chance at love? And as the universe conspires to unite them in the most unexpected ways, can Stella's heart withstand the pressure from the man Killian has become?WARNING: This story contains depictions of mental health crisis such as grief, topics of substance abuse, strong language, and sibling abuse, which may be upsetting to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.…

Ashful

She did not want to match with one of his kind; he did not want to match at all. Lillian Adams was set to inherit her father's dukedom- once she had made a suitable match, one that was not of the fae, and certainly not one that was Aëghan Dranora- the unpredictable and darkly attractive male that was lingering around her family's estate. Having spent four long years in their world, she was no stranger to the cruelness of the fae. But why was it only in his presence that she felt calmer than she had in years, that made her stir with yearnings of desire she had never felt before? Knowing all that she did about him, she should resist the pull that she feels for him...Aëghan had one purpose in this world- to find a way out of it. It was the only thing he lived for, the only thing guiding his every action. Until her. He could not allow himself to nurture the attraction he had for Lillian Adams, he couldn't allow anything, especially not a human woman that made his soul come alive, to come between him and his ultimate goal- to leave this world and return to his own. And Lillian was just that- a distraction, a hindrance. But the desire of his mind went against the desire of his heart as even the Gods urged their union. Aëghan was not convinced he would be able to make the choice should the time arrive when he had to- her, or his world and people.…

Ashful

Mrs. Addilyn's Anxious Hearts Society- For a mere two shillings per annum, a selection of human and supernatural species are at your fingertips for perusal- simply choose your desired partner and we'll do the rest! Fine print: all participating clientele need be of sentient capabilities and payment made upfront.Millie Adams was angry with her lot in life- everything had been taken away from her, leaving her in the hands of a relative who endured her simply to have access to her wealth and inheritance. When her cousin realises that Millie is no meek lady willing to do his bidding, he decides to utilize any means necessary to silence his niece, including magic.Knowing that she had to take matters into her own hands, and fast, an advertisement in the societal papers provides Millie with one last avenue of hope: Mrs. Addilyn's Anxious Hearts Society Matchmaking Service.Blayne Leowyn's human name was James Woode according to the documentation this world had provided him, though he was anything but. He lived a solitary existence in the forests skirting around the capital city. The beasts and creatures that dwelled in the area were under his care, tempered and appeased by his tenuous administrations to prevent discord between human and fae. He has little interest in the human way, though when his path crosses with a human woman thanks to Mrs. Addilyn's interfering services, he could not ignore the allure he felt kindling within him. But his unwitting match, Miss Adams, became furious and aloof, and his need for companionship would surely lack considering the woman was mute. However, he could not deny there was something about her... This is a historical fantasy romance novel, heavy focus on the romance.…

Ashful

Captain Cole Stanley was a man bound to the sea and lands beyond the stifling industry of London. There was no space in his busy lifestyle for a woman, especially not a prim little miss like Oriana Brightmore. Yet despite her shyness, there appeared to be an underlying wit and spirit to her personality that Cole begins to find irresistible. Oriana always thought that her future-husband should be charming and even-tempered; none of which belonged to Captain Stanley- the odious guest residing with the Ashcroft's for a short spell. Although the obnoxious man vexed her beyond reason, he also may just be her only solution to finding a man who will want her- one that was currently on his way to the Americas.…

Ashful

Nicola Eversley never intended for him to receive the love letters. It had been a mistake, a cruel twist of fate, that all her ardent and thankfully anonymous confessions were now in his possession and Nicola must work tirelessly to keep her identity a mystery from the handsome Marquis of Northwick, Jason Blackwood, who is considerably inappropriate and someone she certainly shouldn't be in love with. Not only is he her best friend's older brother, he is also a renowned flirt and libertine, someone Nicola definitely should not entertain feelings for. However, when Jason reveals his intentions to unmask the identity of his admirer, Nicola is forced to conspire with him during three events of the London season and put her wits, and resistance, to the test to lead him off her scent. But the marquis has other plans...Contains mature content.…

Ashful

Emily Weatherly was no gently-bred London debutante. In fact, she had thrived on the streets of London, a pickpocket and urchin, until Fate threw her lot in with the Weatherly's, a prestigious family who unselfishly raised her as their own and protect her from a heinous secret that could destroy her life. Despite this, she is never truly accepted as a proper lady, always scorned and ridiculed, and she vows to do her adopted family proud by making a respectable match with a gentleman of some rank and notoriety.Sebastian Weatherly harbors a secret that could thwart his carefully constructed bachelorhood. Indiscriminate rake, scoundrel and downright rogue, he has had to endure Emily Weatherly's presence for as long as he could remember. Now that she intends to make a respectable match, which he knows cannot ever be him as he is not respectable, he can hardly ignore the bitter jealousy residing in his heart as he is forced to watch Emily courted by various beaus.…

Ashful

Wild and willful Victoria Colton had only one desire: to go to Africa and travel the world in search of adventure. Disrupting her plans comes an ultimatum from her guardians, weary of Victoria's hoydenish ways. By the end of the London Season, Victoria must find a husband or her inheritance will be withheld. Finding himself in the same boat as Victoria, Gabriel Sinclair must find a wife or the Hawthorne title is passed to incapable relatives. Having spent half their lives detesting each other, they are now suddenly united with one common goal in mind: to remain unwed, even to each other.…

Ashful

Blanche Blackwood, youngest sister to the Marquis of Northwick, thought she would never find a gentleman that could catch her attention, or her heart. Until she met Nathaniel Southill. So vastly different from any man she had ever met before, he intrigued her from the beginning, but Nathaniel was determined to prove that he was not a suitable match. When he succeeds, events contrive to bind them together, as well as a secret that has the potential to hurt those dearest to Blanche, and even though she has vowed to hate him for eternity, she can't deny that she still wants him. Tainted with a dark past, Nathaniel knew he was not the right man for Blanche and he would do anything to prove that to her. He vowed to stay away from her but that became impossible when he was set with a task to help protect her by his best friend and Blanche's brother. Unable to refuse, Nathaniel has to steel his desire and his heart against a woman he does not deserve.TW: Both Nate and Blanche deal with issues relating to trauma, death and abuse which may be triggering to some readers.…

Ashful

An adaptation to the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast", Rhys Ashcroft is vain and arrogant until a near-fatal accident brutally maims his features. Presumed dead, Rhys resides alone in Falmouth Castle, away from society which was just the way he preferred. Enter Danielle Carmichael: a curious country miss who is drawn to the hostile, cloaked stranger for reasons unknown to her.…