Adriana Locke – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read

Adriana Locke – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.ilovenovels.com Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:51:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 http://www.ilovenovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/favicon.png Adriana Locke – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.ilovenovels.com 32 32 Make Me – Play Me Read Online Adriana Locke http://www.ilovenovels.com/make-me-play-me-read-online-adriana-locke Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:51:01 +0000 https://www.ilovenovels.com/make-me-play-me-read-online-adriana-locke Genre: Alpha Male, Angst, Contemporary Authors: Adriana Locke Advertisement

Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >82

I’ve always hated being told what to do.

Imagine my surprise when my grandmother calls me back to Sugar Creek and casually informs me that she’s leaving me the farmhouse I grew up in and a sizable inheritance.

There’s just one tiny little catch.

I must prove I understand our family’s legacy, and that I can stop chasing whims and put down roots … by marrying Hartley Adler

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Cast of Characters

Hartley Adler

Mira St. James

Audrey Van

Brooks Dempsey

Gianna Bardot

Drake Bennett

Gray Adler

Markie St. James

PLAYLIST

Playlist

“Just In Case” by Morgan Wallen

“Worst Way” by Riley Green

“Don’t Mind If I Do” by Riley Green and Ella Langley

“The Good Ones” by Gabby Barrett

“Love Somebody” by Morgan Wallen

“Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone

Go to Spotify for the full playlist.

CHAPTER

ONE

Mira

“Oh no. You will not bully me!”

My voice echoes through the empty car, loud enough for the red light glowing on my dashboard to hear. But it heeds me about as much as I heed it—which is to say, not at all.

“I need you to pull through for me one more time,” I say, patting the console. “Get me to Blackbird Ranch, and I promise I’ll start listening to you more.” I reach for the visor, tugging it down so I’m not blinded by the midmorning sun. “I mean, you know me, and the odds that you’re going to get regular oil changes aren’t great. But I’ll try my hardest to hit the gas station before you start screaming again if you can just hang in there for me. Okay?”

Bang!

“Ah!” I cringe as the passenger’s side of the car slams into a pothole that I didn’t notice until it was too late. Holding my breath, I listen closely for any sounds that would mean something broke. But after a solid minute of nothingness, I exhale. “I’m choosing to believe that isn’t an omen,” I mutter.

I glance down at my navigation screen and spot three little service bars. Finally. The service on the backroads surrounding Sugar Creek is hit or miss, and I always seem to forget that until it’s super inconvenient. But my elation over having contact with the rest of the world is diminished as soon as I glance at my phone.

No returned texts. No missed calls. No voicemails.

Dammit.

I bite my lip and press Hartley’s name for the twentieth time this morning. And for the twentieth time this morning, it rings until an automated voice tells me his mailbox is full.

“Come on, Hart,” I groan. “Answer your freaking phone.”

My fingers bite into the steering wheel as I glance at the clock. Practically speaking, I still have time. There’s not much wiggle room to spare, but I should be able to beat Oscar to Blackbird Ranch.

Chaos engulfs me—loud, urgent, and spiraling. Its tendrils wrap around every organ and nerve from head to toe. Because, yes, the delivery from Oscar will likely be … a situation. But the real situation wears a cowboy hat and mustache, and he probably won’t be smiling beneath it.

Before I can hit full-out panic mode, my phone rings. I accept the incoming call before I check the caller ID.

“Hey,” I say hurriedly, hoping like heck it’s Hartley’s voice on the other end.

“Why do you sound out of breath?”

I slump in my seat as I make a right onto Shoals Road. “Hey, Markie.”

My sister laughs. “Why do I feel like you’re on an epic side quest without me?”

“Because you know me. But trust me, this is one side quest you’re probably better off avoiding. Pleading ignorance will come in handy, I fear.”

“Oooh. Sounds juicy. Do tell.”

A smile slips across my lips until it splits my cheeks.

If anyone will understand this side quest, as she called it, it’s my sister. We’re alike in so many ways. We share thick, chestnut-colored hair, either big boobs or a short torso—it’s up for debate—and a propensity for finding ourselves in the middle of sticky situations that we should’ve seen coming. And this one is definitely sticky.

“I was headed to Patsy’s last night,” I say.

“Did you see Jasper there?”

I grin. “I thought you didn’t give a shit about Jasper anymore.”

She scoffs in disgust. I’m just not sure whether it’s at herself for asking about her ex-boyfriend, at me for calling her out, or at the failed relationship itself. Either way, a shit she does clearly give. “He can do whatever he wants. But that doesn’t mean that I’m not curious.”

I sigh, knowing all too well what she’s going through. It sucks to have broken up with a guy, regardless of the reason, and being desperate not to care. Yet you still find yourself wanting to know what he’s up to, even if it’s going to feel like a stab right to the heart.

Lucky for her, I have nothing to share. And that might be the only good thing about last night.

“Well, I don’t know what he was doing because I didn’t end up at Patsy’s,” I say. “I wound up at Oscar’s Auction House, where Patsy had an alcoholic pop-up, so I still got my beer—too many of them, it seems.” I pause to listen. Did the car just sputter? “After the auction, a bunch of us wound up convincing Oscar to let us hang out and play music. One thing led to another, and by the time I got back to your house, it was well after three this morning, and you were in bed.”

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >82

Advertisement
Show Me – Play Me Read Online Adriana Locke http://www.ilovenovels.com/show-me-play-me-read-online-adriana-locke Fri, 03 Apr 2026 23:15:36 +0000 http://www.ilovenovels.com/show-me-play-me-read-online-adriana-locke Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary, Sports Authors: Adriana Locke Advertisement

Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >92

He’s showing me a lot more than he should.

The one time I choose to be unpredictable, I find myself practically naked in a dark cabin on a ranch, face-to-face with a smirking man barely wearing a towel.

Despite his chiseled body and a wicked smile that makes following the rules feel optional, nothing happens. Why? Because I, Audrey Van, don’t know how to have fun.

I came to my friend’s cabin with my whimsy list in hand, determined to fix that. I’ve earned my doctorate and built a career with zero parking tickets and even fewer hangovers. I’ve been so good … and so boring.

This isn’t who I want to be anymore.

Brooks Dempsey is the last person who should be helping me find myself. The ridiculously hot mixed martial artist—and my brother’s nemesis—is a walking bad decision gift wrapped in broad shoulders and trouble. But who better to teach me how to flirt, defend myself, and explore other things than the man who does it best?

Soon, I want more. Not just from life, but from him.

But this recklessly electrifying thing between us was never meant to last. The bad boy never settles with the good girl, and a girl like me should know better. So, when life throws us into the ring, gloves on, will we fight together? Or will one of us throw in the towel?

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

PLAYLIST

Playlist

“Am I Okay?” By Megan Moroney

“I Wanna Be Bad” by Willa Ford

“Before You” by Bailey Zimmerman

“Chasin’ You” by Morgan Wallen

“You Should Probably Leave” by Chris Stapleton

“All The Way” by BigXthaPlug ft Bailey Zimmerman

“What’s Your Fantasy” by Ludacris and Shawnna

For the full playlist, go here.

CHAPTER

ONE

Audrey

“Oh, rats.”

“What’s wrong?” Astrid asks, her voice barely audible through the speakers. Sleet pounds the windshield so fast and hard that my wipers can’t keep up. “Do you see the driveway?”

I lean forward, squinting through the blowing snowflakes assaulting my Jeep and into the thin strip of visibility created by my headlights. This situation has all the hallmarks of a horror movie—specifically the scene that’s so ridiculous the viewer shakes their head and thinks, “Who really puts themselves in that predicament?”

Answer? Me, apparently.

My knuckles turn white from gripping the steering wheel. “I think I missed it. Everything is just so … dark.”

“Keep going,” Astrid says. “Unless you drive into the creek, you can’t go too far.”

My foot lifts off the accelerator. “Now is a fabulous time for you to mention that I could drive headfirst into a body of water.”

“There’s a ramp. You’ll notice and have time to stop.”

Great.

A knot tightens in my belly, reminding me that it’s not too late. I can still turn around and go home, where it’s dry, bright, and familiar. I’ve considered this more than a hundred times since I decided this afternoon, for the first time in my life, to say to heck with it all and be spontaneous. I left a whole day early and made the hour-and-a-half-long trek to Sugar Creek tonight.

In the dark.

During a winter storm.

The reevaluation of my decision is to be expected, and not just because of the weather. Impulsive, fun adventures aren’t Audrey Van coded at all. Overthinking and staying in my comfort zone? That’s where I’ve lived the past twenty-seven years, and it’s also why I push the accelerator again … carefully, of course.

“Hey,” I say, somehow managing to sit even taller in my seat. “I think that’s it! There’s a fence with a bird sculpture thingy on it.”

“Yes. Take a left there, and you’ve made it.”

Thank God. My shoulders drop in relief as I pilot the car from the gravel road onto the driveway.

“Service can be spotty out there,” Astrid warns for the third time today. “If our call drops, that’s why. Once you get inside the cabin, it should work just fine. If not, text Hartley. Texts usually work even if calls drop, and he’ll come over and get you all fixed up.”

I smile. “Sounds good.”

Hartley Adler, Astrid’s boyfriend’s brother and the owner of Blackbird Ranch, is an absolute sweetheart. We’ve met a few times over the past year, and every time, I walk away thinking he’s amazing. He’s kind and smart—a real salt-of-the-earth kind of guy.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine,” I say. “Did you remember to tell him that I’m coming tonight and not tomorrow like we originally planned?”

“Gray left him a message. A fence line went down in the storm this afternoon, so Hartley and some of the guys were out there trying to get it fixed.”

I balk. “He’s out there in this?”

She laughs. “That’s life on the ranch, Auddie. It doesn’t stop for anything, least of all the weather.”

The sleet turns into tiny balls of ice, flinging themselves against the windshield. I whisper a prayer of gratitude as I roll to a stop in front of Astrid and Gray’s cabin. Just in time.

“I’m officially here and parked,” I say, surveying as much of my surroundings as possible. I’ve been to the cabin once since Astrid moved to the ranch for the rugby offseason with Gray. But it was a quick afternoon trip with our friend Gianna, and unfortunately for me, everything looks different at eight o’clock at night in January.

“Finally.” She sighs heavily. “I can relax now.”

“You and me both.” I lean forward, noticing a glow from inside the house. “Hey, there’s a light on. Is that normal?”

“Yeah. I always leave a small lamp on in the kitchen, and Gray hasn’t turned a light off in his life. It gets so dark that you’ll break your neck trying to get a drink in the middle of the night. Ask me how I know.”

I smile. “Okay. Just wanted to make sure I wasn’t walking into a robbery or something.”

“Out there?” She laughs. “I hate to say never, but that’s never going to happen. The only way to the cabin requires you to pass Hartley’s house, and he doesn’t miss much.”

Except for when he’s not there … like tonight.

My instincts grow louder, warning me to reassess the potential for danger. Run. Flee. Save yourself, Audrey! But instead of listening to my gut, I take a breath and shove the logic out of my brain. It’s counterintuitive, and it feels irresponsible, but you have to crack some eggs to make an omelet. And I’m here to whip up something delicious.

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >92

Advertisement
Try Me Read Online Adriana Locke http://www.ilovenovels.com/try-me-read-online-adriana-locke Wed, 07 Jan 2026 10:41:08 +0000 http://www.ilovenovels.com/try-me-read-online-adriana-locke Genre: Alpha Male, Funny, Sports Authors: Adriana Locke Advertisement

Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93785 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >97

“Try me.”

That’s what Drake Bennett said when I declared on my live podcast that no man could make me fall in love. The former pro football star turned sportscaster didn’t just laugh—he challenged my entire brand.

Gianna Knows Best is built on the idea that love is a choice. Drake says it’s a feeling—a magical, uncontrollable, world-shifting experience.

I call BS. He says I’m scared.

The audacity.

So, we make a bet. Six weeks of dating … in front of millions of listeners. If I don’t fall for him, I win. If I do … don’t worry. Not going to happen.

I expected spicy nights and viral ratings. What I didn’t expect was thoughtful surprises, spontaneous affection, and moments that make my heart do strange things.

Drake isn’t who I thought he was, and I can’t tell what scares me that he’s been playing me all along or that I’m wrong about love. Either way, someone’s about to get hurt—and I bet it’ll be me

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

PLAYLIST

Playlist

“Touch Me Like a Gangster” by Jessie Murph

“Actually Romantic” by Taylor Swift

“Worst Way” by Riley Green

“Hard” by Hayley Williams

“I Think I’m In Love” by Kat Dahlia

For full playlist, go here.

SYNOPSIS

“Try me.”

That’s what Drake Bennett said when I declared on my live podcast that no man could make me fall in love. The former pro football star turned sportscaster didn’t just laugh—he challenged my entire brand.

Gianna Knows Things is built on the idea that love is a choice. Drake says it’s a feeling—a magical, uncontrollable, world-shifting experience.

I call BS. He says I’m scared.

The audacity.

So we make a bet. Six weeks of dating … in front of millions of listeners. If I don’t fall for him, I win. If I do … don’t worry. Not going to happen.

I expected spicy nights and viral ratings. What I didn’t expect was thoughtful surprises, spontaneous affection, and moments that make my heart do strange things.

Drake isn’t who I thought he was, and I can’t tell what scares me more: that he’s been playing me all along or that I’m wrong about love. Either way, someone’s about to get hurt—and I hope it’s not me.

CHAPTER

ONE

Gianna

“My sweet friend Audrey likes to say that revenge isn’t necessary,” I say, adjusting my headphones. “Whoever hurt you has to live with their rotten self, and that’s punishment enough.”

Roxie, a name I’m positive she chose just before calling into my live-streamed podcast, sighs in abject disappointment.

I smirk. “I wholeheartedly disagree with Audrey.”

“You do?”

“Of course, I do.” I lean toward my bright pink microphone, wondering if Roxie has ever listened to my advice before today. “Sometimes revenge is necessary. Imagine if you take the option of revenge off the table. What happens then? What discourages assholes from being assholes? It’s not like they’re going to suddenly turn empathetic.”

“This is what I’ve been telling my friends, but they keep telling me that I have to move on. To let it go—to forget what my ex did to me.”

“Well, that probably is the healthier option. But if you aren’t there emotionally and need to check this chump, and the only way for you to take your power back is to toss those cheese slices wrapped in thin plastic on his windshield on a particularly hot day, then do it.” I bite my bottom lip, grinning. “Or, depending on your definition of revenge, you could find out if his dad is hot and then do with that information what you will.”

Roxie’s laughter is quick, singing through the recording studio in satisfied, if not amused, notes.

I’m always curious about how seriously my callers take my opinions. I’m even more interested in whether any of them follow through with my controversial suggestions, as the head of Canoodle Media calls them. But, as my producer, Francine, always reminds me, I’m probably better off not knowing if they do or don’t—plausible deniability and all.

Francine holds up a finger and twirls it from the sound booth, indicating one more caller, and then we’ll wrap up the episode.

“Now is a good time to remind everyone that the opinions expressed on Gianna Knows Things are my own and not necessarily shared by Canoodle Media or its sponsors,” I say, reading the script off the screen in front of me. “The information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should, in no way, be considered professional advice. We recommend consulting a professional regarding your specific situation. Now that’s out of the way, we have time for one more caller.” I scan the screen and find their name. “Hi, Hannah. What do you need to know?”

“I’d love to know why I apparently hate myself,” Hannah says with a tight laugh. “Can you answer that?”

We gotta find a way to put notes next to the caller’s name so I know what I’m getting into. “No, but I can refer you to a great therapist.”

“I’m just kidding. Thanks for taking my call, Gianna. I’m a huge fan.”

Francine rolls her eyes, making me laugh.

“Here’s what I really need to know,” Hannah says. “How do I know if the guy I’ve been seeing is serious or if I’m just a friend giving him benefits that he doesn’t deserve?”

Here we go …

I managed to answer nine questions—seven call-ins and two online submissions—in this episode without coming across one like this. These are my least favorite situations for a litany of reasons. These inquiries seem crystal clear to me, but my answers always seem to portray me as the bad guy. One thing I’ve learned in this role is that not everyone who asks a question wants the truth. Or my version of it, anyway.

“Before I answer, I want you to be sure you really want the answer,” I say.

“Yeah, of course, I do.”

“Okay,” I say, gritting my teeth. Something in her voice—the hope in her tone—kills me. I’m about to break this poor girl’s heart. Hell, maybe I am the bad guy, after all. “Hannah, I’m sorry to have to tell you this. He’s not serious about you.”

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >97

Advertisement
Tempt (Peachwood Falls #1) Read Online Adriana Locke http://www.ilovenovels.com/tempt-peachwood-falls-1-read-online-adriana-locke Sun, 12 Oct 2025 20:52:00 +0000 http://www.ilovenovels.com/tempt-peachwood-falls-1-read-online-adriana-locke Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary Authors: Adriana Locke Series: Peachwood Falls Series by Adriana Locke
Advertisement

Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 94760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >94

It was a simple job—keeping his teenage daughter out of trouble for thirty days. But I didn’t realize how my grumpy, gorgeous, blue collar, single dad boss would tempt me in all the wrong ways.

Chase Marshall is the bane of my existence. He’s moody, gruff, and impossible to read. Sure, he’s an incredible father, but with me? He’s colder than a February night in this small Indiana town.

And now, because of a favor, I’m stuck living under his roof for the next thirty days.

He claims I’m the most infuriating woman he’s ever met. But then come the lingering glances, the accidental touches that don’t feel so accidental, and a smirk that I want to kiss off his annoyingly handsome face.

The longer we’re together, the hotter it gets—until the tension finally snaps.

Now, nothing is simple. The job. Our boundaries. My feelings.

Will Chase watch me walk away when my time is up? Or will he be tempted to ask me to stay?

Note: This title was originally published as More Than I Could

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

CHAPTER 1

Chase

“Why does this always happen to me?”

My middle brother, Luke, sighs through the phone. His question, overly dramatic per usual, is rhetorical—or should be. We both know the answer. But he’ll wait for a response because he likes to wallow in self-pity and because I’m a fool for answering his call in the first place.

Damn him.

“Oh, I don’t know,” I say, returning his exasperation. “Ever think that maybe you’re just an asshole?”

“No.”

“Well, maybe start there and work backward.”

My windshield wipers squeak, working overtime to clear the rain from my view. Unfortunately, the precipitation hasn’t let up all day. I’m soaked to the core, my bones ache, and the intense pain in my shoulder exacerbates my frustration—the frustration my brother compounds.

I want to get home.

“That’s pretty rich coming from you.” Luke laughs.

“Hey, you called me.”

“And you answered.”

I remove one hand from the steering wheel and stretch my arm to the side, desperate for relief. “Do you want anything? Or did you call to remind me not to have an odd number of children?”

“Huh?”

I sigh. “Never mind.”

“So back to this thing with Alyssa,” he says, not missing a beat. “I don’t think she’s coming back.”

She won’t if she’s smart.

I instantly regret that thought because it’s not fair. I’m cold and exhausted and have a fourteen-year-old girl waiting at home for our weekly pizza-and-movie night. Luke might be a pain in the ass—and more of a diva than my daughter—but he’s a solid guy.

I still don’t want to do this with him.

“Are you listening to me?” Luke asks. “I’m having a crisis over here, and you’re acting like it’s no big deal.”

“Do you want to know what happened to me today?”

“Well, I⁠—”

“I was fifty feet in the air fixing a power line when an old lady came around the corner. She doesn’t see the cones, plows ahead, and clips the back of the truck. Jason jumped out of the way, or else he’d be dead. I fucked up my shoulder on the corner of the bucket.” Thank God that was all that happened. My jaw pulses as the memory of thinking I would meet my maker passes through my brain. “So excuse me for not classifying your pussy problem as a crisis.”

Gravel crunches beneath my tires as I turn onto the old country road that leads to my house.

Luke’s silent. He’s unsure whether to press forward or retreat from the conversation. Wise. Although there are a few things that I’d rather be doing less than acting as my brother’s sounding board, I have ten minutes to go until I get home.

I can suck it up that long.

“Why did Alyssa leave in the first place?” I ask with as much give-a-shitness as I can muster.

“She said she was sick, and I told her I had all the vitamin D she needs.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re twenty-seven years old. Grow up.”

“I was joking. What do you know about women, anyway? When’s the last time you had one around?”

“If I don’t know anything about women, why in the hell are you calling me for advice?”

“Simple. You’re the only sibling who will answer.”

When will I ever learn?

“Gavin is avoiding me for reasons we won’t discuss,” he says. “I talked to Mallet last week, and he said his trainer was taking his phone. He’s been having a hard time concentrating for his fight, so Oscar was removing all distractions. And I’m not about to call Kate.”

I grin. “Aw, Kate’s your baby sister. I’m sure she has great advice.”

“She’s your sister too. Have you ever called her for advice?”

We laugh at the same time. Kate’s a firecracker. You risk setting your problems on fire if you ask Kate for help.

“Eh, maybe I’m better off without Alyssa, anyway,” Luke says. “Fucking the same person is a dead-end sport.”

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >94

Advertisement
Truly (Peachwood Falls #2) Read Online Adriana Locke http://www.ilovenovels.com/truly-peachwood-falls-2-read-online-adriana-locke Sun, 12 Oct 2025 20:51:58 +0000 http://www.ilovenovels.com/truly-peachwood-falls-2-read-online-adriana-locke Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary Authors: Adriana Locke Series: Peachwood Falls Series by Adriana Locke
Advertisement

Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 60231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >61

It was the happiest day of my life, until I realized I was marrying the wrong man. So, I ran straight from the church to the only place that’s ever felt like home.

Luke Marshall’s farm.

It’s safe to say my broody, infuriatingly handsome ex-boyfriend didn’t expect to find me sobbing on his sofa in a pile of tulle. And I’m sure there are a million other things he’d like to be doing other than listening to my panic-induced plea for help. But Luke hears me out … and takes pity on me.

I can stay with him until the media moves on from my runaway bride headline, as long as I pull my weight around the barn.

The only thing that makes being elbow-deep in horse manure worth it is seeing Luke shirtless. Farm life has definitely done his body well. He’s fit, tanned, and moves with an easy strength that makes it impossible to look away.

The more time we spend together, the more sparks reignite. But with old secrets and wounds just below the surface, nothing stays buried for long.

Before I know it, I’m faced with the hardest choice of my life: return to the glittery world where millions pretend to love me, or walk away for the one man who truly might?

Note: This title was previously published as This Much Is True

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

CHAPTER 1

Laina

“What do you mean you’re on the run?”

Stephanie’s question is valid, as is her curious but mostly nonchalant way of asking it. After all, it’s me we’re talking about. But she should’ve been more prepared.

“Do I really need to break it down for you—darn it!” I pry my heel out of a slit in the asphalt. “Besides, when your best friend calls and says she’s on the run and needs your help, the only question you should ask is whose car are we taking?”

“You’re so funny.”

I glance to my right, then to my left. A trail of sweat trickles between my shoulder blades. Aside from two men in fitted suits and sunglasses from the security team, I’m in the clear.

“There’s nothing funny about this,” I say, darting across the parking lot as gracefully as possible despite the layers of tulle.

“The last time I saw you—which was approximately fifteen minutes ago, give or take—you were in your wedding dress, looking stunning, I might add, waiting for your father to show up to walk you down the aisle.”

Fifteen minutes? Man, I work quick.

The crowd roars from the other side of the safety barrier Landry Security erected three days ago to keep fans and paparazzi—mostly paparazzi—away from the church. Brickfield has been teeming all week with spectators eager to see what the media has deemed the wedding of the century. Former classmates were interviewed. My kindergarten teacher was on the front page of Exposé magazine this week. Alleged encounters with the “men in my life” since I became famous have been dissected and analyzed to death. If only half of what was printed were real, my life would be far more entertaining.

I would’ve felt bad for Sheriff Jones in his plight to organize a response to this level of anarchy in a town of five thousand people if he hadn’t used my wedding as the launch of his re-election campaign.

“What’s going on, Laina? Are you joking around, or is something really the matter?”

“Considering I’m currently hiding between two sheds and hoping no one is flying drones overhead, I’d say something is the matter.”

“Why are you between two sheds?”

I spit a piece of my veil out of my face. “I can’t marry him, Steph.”

My best friend goes silent. I imagine her face—mouth agape, brows arched higher than the lamination treatment should allow, and a wrinkled forehead defying her Botox. She wore the same expression when I told her I was marrying Hollywood heartthrob Tom Waverly a year ago—complete and utter shock.

“I should’ve listened to you,” I say, taking a steadying breath. “I never should’ve accepted his proposal at all, let alone plan a wedding and invite one hundred fifty people to the church and another two hundred to a reception that cost more than …” Dread rolls through the pit of my stomach. “Let’s not even go there.”

“Okay.” Her voice is cool and tempered. “What do you need?”

“Ironically enough, I need you to ask whose car we’re taking because the answer is I don’t know. I didn’t think this through. I excused myself from the room, shut the door, and left.”

“We’re throwing a plot twist at the last second, but that’s okay. I think quick on my feet, so don’t panic.”

“Strangely, I’m not. I don’t know whether that’s because I’m blocking out the ramifications of this wholly impulsive decision or if this is my gut’s way of thanking me for following it.” I peer around the side of one of the sheds, nearly getting busted by the best man. “I’ll take it either way.”

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >61

Advertisement
Play Me Read Online Adriana Locke http://www.ilovenovels.com/play-me-read-online-adriana-locke Sat, 30 Aug 2025 08:42:43 +0000 http://www.ilovenovels.com/play-me-read-online-adriana-locke Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary, Erotic, Sports Authors: Adriana Locke Advertisement

Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 106774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >110

He’s supposed to be playing rugby—not playing me.

I didn’t think it was possible to hate someone. Like utterly despise another human. Then I was hired to babysit the Royals’ newest star and found out just how wrong I was.

My job should’ve been easy. Keep the hotshot on time and out of trouble. But that’s hard to do when I dream of smothering him with his jersey.

Every day delivers a new reason to detest Gray Adler. His truck is the size of a whale, and he uses the horn like a weapon. And, no, that’s not a euphemism. He can’t manage a sentence without being rude. And the universe, in its cruelest joke, gave that tattooed, walking red flag the body of a Greek god.

Just when I finally get used to hating him, things take a turn.

A scalding-hot, mind-blowing I can’t do this with a man I work with sort of turn.

Suddenly, those rough hands make my skin sizzle. His sinful smirks fade into grins just for me. And our banter shifts into something much more profound than it should.

But Gray Adler is hiding something. And when those secrets collide with my vulnerable heart, I ask myself an important question. Is he finally telling me the truth, or am I still getting played?

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

PLAYLIST

Why Won’t You Love Me - 5 Seconds of Summer

Complicated - Olivia O’Brien

Enemies - The Score

Breaking Me - Topic, A7S

Truth Hurts - Lizzo

Jack & Diane - John Mellencamp

Full playlist on Spotify

CHAPTER

ONE

Astrid

“Can you still track me?”

“That doesn’t make me sound creepy at all,” I say, watching dollar bills flow from my bank account into my gas tank. My compact car may not be flashy, but what it lacks in style, it makes up for in gas mileage. Thank God. “But, yes, I can see where you are unless you removed yourself from our friend circle in the app. Why?”

Gianna sighs. “Because I’m about to meet a guy in front of a defunct carpet store, and all I can think about is a scene in a horror movie where the killer asks the girl to help him load a rug. You can guess how that ends.”

“I’d rather not.” I release the trigger, let the residual drips of gas fall into my tank—gotta get every penny’s worth in this economy—and return the dispenser to the pump.

The late morning is unseasonably warm for spring. Birds perch along the power lines, forming neat little rows overhead. The sky is cloudless, allowing the sun’s bright rays to heat my face as I duck back into my car.

“Okay,” I say, giving my friend all my attention once I’m settled in my seat. “Do you know this guy you’re meeting?”

“Nope. Met him on Social last night.”

“And why are you meeting him?”

She groans. “To buy a urinal.”

“As one does.”

“Don’t be a smart-ass, Astrid.”

I laugh. “I just wish this surprised me a little more. That’s all.”

I start the engine and wait for my phone to reconnect to Bluetooth.

Gianna and I have been friends since we were kids. A classmate put gum in her hair in first grade, so I dumped my juice on his crotch and made it look like he peed his pants. Turns out that juice on your pants is a much bigger travesty than gum in your hair in elementary school.

It also creates the best friendships, even if her dreamy Pisces tendencies occasionally drive my goal-oriented brain bananas.

“Finding a urinal has been on my bucket list for a long time,” she says. “You’d be surprised how hard they are to find. And they’re not cheap.”

“At least tell me it’s a new one.” My response is met with silence. I rest my head against the seat and take a long breath. “Let me get this straight. You’re meeting a stranger in an abandoned parking lot to buy a used urinal you found on the black market?”

“Don’t say it like that.”

“Why? Because it sounds utterly ridiculous?” I sigh, fastening my seat belt. “I love your love for art, but I really need you to implement more stranger-danger protocols—like not meeting strange men in strange places for strange items.” I glance at the clock. “If you can wait an hour, I can go with you. I just have to take care of a few returns for my boss’s wife, and then I can get away for a little while.”

“Can’t. I’m meeting him in fifteen minutes.”

Oh, for the love of Pete.

I stare out my windshield and wonder if this is what parenting feels like. You watch someone you love toddle into the world, hoping they don’t kill themselves. Over a urinal.

It’s amazing humans still exist, especially ones like Gianna Bardot. That she’s survived for the last twenty-seven years amazes me.

I grab my phone and find the app our friend group uses to share our locations.

“You’re logged in,” I say, watching her designated car emoji travel south out of the city. “I’m watching you now.”

“Good. Okay. If you don’t hear from me in twenty minutes, I’ve probably been stuffed in the back of a van. Literally, not figuratively, unfortunately.”

I snort, glancing in the rearview mirror as a large black truck pulls in behind me. The engine rumbles, creating a low vibration that I feel in my bones. I narrow my eyes to see who’s sitting in the driver’s seat, but the window tint’s too dark.

“What are you doing for dinner?” Gianna asks, pulling my attention back to our conversation.

I drop my phone in the cup holder. “No clue. I just finished breakfast.”

“Just now? I’ve been up working since six thirty.”

“I didn’t say I just woke up.” I’ve already done a load of laundry, loaded the dishwasher, and cleaned out two closets today. “Not only have I finished my chores a d completed nearly all my tasks for Renn and Blakely for the day but I’ve also spent a couple of hours looking for a new side hustle.”

“Your last side hustle just ended. Can’t you take a few weeks off and relax for once?”

I wish. “No. If I have time on my hands, I need to pay down this debt faster. The interest is killing me.”

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >110

Advertisement
The Situation – Brewer Family Read Online Adriana Locke http://www.ilovenovels.com/the-situation-brewer-family-read-online-adriana-locke Thu, 12 Jun 2025 17:28:20 +0000 http://www.ilovenovels.com/the-situation-brewer-family-read-online-adriana-locke Genre: Alpha Male, Billionaire, Contemporary, Forbidden, Sports Authors: Adriana Locke Advertisement

Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 78164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >78

Someone should tell Tate Brewer that one-night stands aren’t supposed to come with a sequel.

I’ve learned the hard way—don’t be reckless with anything, least of all my heart. But after one too many vodka sodas, saying yes to a much younger, devastatingly smooth stranger for one wild night seems like the perfect way to forget my brutal divorce. I even gave him a fake name. What could go wrong?

You’d be surprised.

Because instead of being my spicy little secret, Tate is now the chief marketing officer at my new job. He’s determined to prove our night together was only the beginning—and he has the tools to do it.

Chiseled jaw. Washboard abs. Effortless charm. He knows exactly how to get under my skin, melt my defenses, and keep me coming back for more.

I wanted a one-night stand. Instead, I got a full-blown situation. I should run and protect myself. But when he looks at me like I’m his whole world, I’m not sure I remember how.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

Aurora

“I’m doing it.” The strap of my bag bites into my shoulder as I step forward. “By the time I’m back in this airport tomorrow night, it’ll be done.”

The airline check-in officer lifts a brow, pinning me to the spot with the scrutiny of someone paid to catch people doing inconspicuous things in airports.

“Oh no. It’s not like that,” I say hurriedly, gesturing to my earbuds. “I’m talking to a friend.”

Jamie’s snort pierces my eardrums. “Lying to a friend is more like it.”

“I’m a model citizen,” I say, ignoring her. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m harmless.”

“Only criminals say that,” Jamie says.

I fight the urge to roll my eyes, not wanting the officer to think I’m getting snarky with her. The last thing I need is to get apprehended by the marshals and miss my flight. That would be a great way to start the weekend.

The agent doesn’t respond. Instead, she dismisses me with a flick of her gaze toward the jetway.

“Thank you. Have a great day.” I scurry to catch up with the other people waiting to board the flight.

Raindrops splatter against the tunnel, carried by a howling wind that began minutes ago. The jetway trembles from the onslaught, and the other passengers exchange worried glances. I chew on my bottom lip in frustration. This flight better not get delayed.

“What is that sound?” Jamie asks as my line begins to move.

“The wind. Is it storming at the salon?”

“No, although it looks like it could start at any moment. Maybe it’ll knock the power out, and I’ll have to cancel this afternoon’s appointments. Maddie Spriggs is supposed to be here in an hour. I’d be beside myself if I had to postpone her cut and color.”

I laugh and step onto the plane. “Sure, you would.”

“Welcome aboard,” a smiling flight attendant says.

I nod, grip my bag tightly, and fight the urge to ask if she’s concerned about potential delays. Slowly, the bodies in front of me find their seats, and I reach mine—seat 4A.

First class and a window seat? Score!

“At least if I die, I’ll know what first class feels like.” I sink into the roomy blue pleather. “You should see how wide these seats are. I can put my arms down and not elbow whoever sits next to me.”

“Don’t talk about dying,” Jamie says. “What am I supposed to do if you die?”

I plop my bag at my feet and appreciate the extra space. “Oh, sure. Make my theoretical death about you.”

“Who else would it be about? I’d be here to deal with the salon and your customers, who would naturally be devastated. They’d expect me to console them, but—I don’t know whether you know this about me—I’m not the consoling kind.”

I laugh again, imagining my best friend trying to handle other people’s emotions. It would not end well.

Jamie Ralston is known for many things. She’s one of the best hairstylists in Nashville and owns one of the most popular salons, The Luxe. Her sense of humor is unmatched. She has an unbelievable shoe collection, knows every lyric to every country song written in the past thirty years, and has perfected the pouty red lip. But she’s the last person I’d go to for emotional support unless I’m ready to hear the raw, ugly truth.

“How long is your flight?” she asks.

“It’s just over an hour. I brought my earbuds and a book. I can’t think of the last time I got to sit quietly on a plane and read.”

“After the past year and a half, that’s the least you deserve.”

I couldn’t agree more.

The past eighteen months have been nothing short of brutal. My ex-husband, Kent, made it his mission to make my life a living hell. Although he took a job in Japan and moved across the world, he fought me tooth and nail over everything. The house. The car. Our frequent flier miles and bank accounts were a biggie. But the bastard even fought me over the damn blender our friends gave us as a housewarming gift and the jewelry box I bought on our honeymoon.

“I miss you around here,” Jamie says. “The Luxe isn’t the same without you.”

“I’ll be back in town tomorrow night.”

“You know what I mean.” She huffs. “I know your new job is what you wanted, and I’m so happy for you.” The way she says it, as if a gun is pointed at her head, makes me laugh. “I haven’t even tried to fill your chair. I don’t want to think about working alongside someone else.”

“If I hate this new gig, I’ll return to the salon full-time. You know that.”

“And we both know you won’t. You’re going to be so damn good that they’ll promote you within a week, and you’ll be running the damn place.”

“I love how supportive you are about this. Did you get that whole thing out without rolling your eyes?”

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >78

Advertisement
The Merger – Brewer Family Read Online Adriana Locke http://www.ilovenovels.com/the-merger-brewer-family-read-online-adriana-locke Mon, 10 Mar 2025 19:24:14 +0000 http://www.ilovenovels.com/the-merger-brewer-family-read-online-adriana-locke Genre: Alpha Male, Billionaire, Contemporary Authors: Adriana Locke Advertisement

Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 83070 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >83

Crushes are harmless—unless they involve your best friend’s grumpy, off-limits brother.

Gannon Brewer is the epitome of my type. He’s at least ten years older than me, emotionally unavailable, and highly disagreeable—a walking red flag in a tailored suit. But do I listen to that? No. In fact, when his office plants start dying, I convince myself that I can ignore the pheromones and save the philodendron.

Now I’m in his office every week, dodging sinful smirks and heated stares, reminding myself to reach for the watering can—not him. But one late-night “ivy incident” changes everything. Suddenly, we’re sneaking around, indulging in a steamy, forbidden fling that’s supposed to be nothing more than (a lot of) fun.

After all, he swears he’ll never fall in love. I assure him that I only want one thing, and it’s not his heart. But the closer we get, the more lines we blur, and the harder it becomes to keep our promises …

Especially when the secret I’m keeping threatens to shatter everything

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

Carys

“I can’t just get over it. It was limp!”

Tate Brewer eyes me with skepticism as if my emphatic declaration in the middle of the Brewer Group lobby is overly dramatic.

“It’s downright embarrassing,” I continue, holding his gaze. “I can’t believe you aren’t humiliated. Soft and shriveled is not a good look.”

He sighs as Amanda, the executive level receptionist, giggles behind him.

“No one wants to do business with someone with a flaccid shaft, Tate,” I say, fighting a grin.

He looks over his shoulder at Amanda. “For the record, she isn’t talking about me.”

“Of course, I’m not talking about you.” I wrinkle my nose. “Don’t be gross.”

“You two kill me,” Amanda says, outright laughing.

“Don’t encourage her.” Tate shakes his head as he passes the desk. “Carys, follow me before you corrupt our entire staff.”

I follow my best friend down the long hallway toward his office. “It was nice to see you again, Amanda.”

“It was great to see you, too,” she says, her words echoing down the corridor after me.

The Brewer Group office building never fails to dazzle me. Rich, tobacco-colored walls, elegant brass accents, and showroom-worthy furniture create an ambience of understated luxury. Even the air is scented like a five-star hotel. Light pours in from tall windows, offering unobstructed views of Nashville. It brings liveliness to the space, helping to offset the sadness created by the dying plants in the downstairs lobby.

Tate holds his office door open as I step inside.

“I’m glad one of us benefits from the free slot in my afternoon schedule,” I say, sliding Tate’s driver’s license across his desk before plopping into an overstuffed chair. I place my iced matcha latte on the table next to me.

“I thought you were booked up again?”

“Nope.” I watch Tate drop into his office chair. “I met with a woman last week who asked me to start Monday. But she called this morning and canceled.” I make a sour face. “I guess she’s fine with committing planticide because I’ve seen her ficus. It won’t survive, and she’ll have its chlorophyll on her hands.”

Tate snorts. “Planticide?”

“Humans taking the life of plants.”

“What if it was unintentional? Maybe it’s just plantslaughter?”

I narrow my eyes at him, making him laugh.

“I don’t find this funny,” I say. “I’m one rent payment away from returning to work for my mother. And while I love the woman dearly, I want to make my little business successful, dammit.”

“Just putting this out there—this is why you think through ideas before you jump balls deep into things.”

“I don’t have balls, for one. And for two, I know, asshole. But it’s too late now.”

I huff, reminding myself why I abruptly quit my sales job and started a mobile plant care business on a random Wednesday six months ago.

I’m not sure who told me that a business degree would get me far in life, but they lied. I graduated from college with a piece of paper that seems pretty worthless at this point. It certainly didn’t open any doors. My only choice was to work for minimum wage as a glorified receptionist or take a sales job with my mother, and neither choice was attractive. So I went to work with Mom until I couldn’t possibly take it any longer.

“You’ll figure it out,” Tate says, picking up his license. “I know you will. And if you need help, I’m here.”

“I know, and I appreciate that. But I don’t want to run to my billionaire bestie to save my ass. I want to save it myself.”

He runs his fingers through his hair, returning my smile. A lock of hair falls across his forehead in a casually cool kind of way. On anyone else, it would simply look unkempt. But him? It exudes an easy confidence. Then there’s his blue-green eyes, boyish smirk, and admittedly great body. But it’s his air of self-assurance that causes women to lose their minds around him.

Except me.

Tate and I are more like brother and sister than anything. I love him as much as I hate him sometimes. He’s my partner in crime and the person I’d call if I had to bury a body, but the thought of anything remotely romantic with Tate makes me want to gag.

When we first met in college, I thought something would bloom between us. We were both young, good-looking, and available. He’s charming, and I’m a barrel of fun, so it felt inevitable. But the more time we spent together, the more we realized we weren’t a match—not like that.

He likes tall, thin brunettes. I’m five six, curvy, and strawberry blond. I like broody, emotionally unavailable older men. Tate is a golden retriever who falls in love fast and hard. He runs toward relationships while I check out when things get serious.

We’d be a match made in hell.

“Thanks for bringing this by,” he says, flashing his license at me before returning it to his wallet. “Where did you find it?”

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >83

Advertisement
Between Now and Forever Read Online Adriana Locke http://www.ilovenovels.com/between-now-and-forever-read-online-adriana-locke Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:51:34 +0000 http://www.ilovenovels.com/between-now-and-forever-read-online-adriana-locke Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary, Funny Authors: Adriana Locke Advertisement

Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >84

Neighbors to lovers can be a risky proposition in this funny, sexy, and swoony romantic comedy between a single mother and the grumpy man next door by USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke.

When Gabrielle Solomon falls, she falls hard. Even if that means literally toppling over a porch railing in nothing but a flimsy towel—right in front of her sexy new neighbor.

Jay Stetson is 100 percent hero material with those arms, that chest, and his deliciously oh-so-sexy smirk. The chiseled hunk in flannel has an irresistible off-limits attitude while plucking Gabrielle out of the bushes and saving her from a snake. Unfortunately, he’s not indulging in what Gabrielle is offering—not with his emotional train wreck of a past.

Just neighbors. Just friends. Or so he says.

Secretly, he’s smitten with the single, fierce mama bear of two who plays Miss Fix-It at the house next door. He doesn’t even really mind the noise or the chaos her young sons cause. What he does mind is how his lonely heart races when looking into her emerald-colored eyes.

Can Jay let his painful memories go, or will he let the woman of his dreams slip between his fingers?

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

CHAPTER ONE

GABRIELLE

Be careful. You never know which way that pickle’s gonna squirt, Gabs.”

My laughter fills the small kitchen. The sound cuts through the dust particles dancing in the sunlight, adding another layer of magic to the room. As much as my cousin Cricket tries to remain steadfast, the corners of her lips lift.

“Get your mind out of the gutter,” she says, removing her latex gloves. The rubber squeaks as it slides off her fingertips. “Why do you have to make everything so dirty?”

“Oh, come on. You’re the one talking about phallic-shaped items squirting. You went there. Not me.”

Cricket huffs, her perfect bright-red curls bouncing at her shoulders. “Fine. I’ll put it another, more straightforward way: you can’t always predict the outcome of home improvement projects, Gabby. It may look like a simple drywall patch. But the next thing you know, you find termites and have to call a contractor to rebuild the walls.” She lifts a brow, eyeing me carefully, like her mother, my aunt Diane, used to do when I was a little girl. “Just . . . go slowly. Don’t jump into a bunch of projects at once.”

I wipe my forehead with the back of my hand. She’s probably thinking about the grid incident.

“Yes,” she says. “This has everything to do with you single-handedly bringing down the electric grid for half a city block.”

“That’s so unfair. How was I to know you can’t hook outside lights to the main electric line coming into your house? Doesn’t that seem, I don’t know, like the point?”

She tosses the gloves into the trash bin. “What about when you hooked water pipes to the drainpipes under the sink in some half-cocked plumbing project?”

“Forgive me for not knowing that not all those pipes . . . piped.”

“Only you, Gabs. Only you.”

“Don’t you have better things to do than catalog all my do-it-yourself adventures?” I ask, putting a hand on my hip.

Cricket laughs. “Yes, actually, I do. But when you choose to call me every time you’re standing next to an emergency vehicle, the EMT tending to the results of your do-it-yourself adventures, it makes them hard to forget.”

“I don’t recall hearing you complain when the fire chief asked if you were single.”

Her cheeks flush as she waves a hand through the air. “Oh, don’t start with that. He only saw me through FaceTime. Besides, the man was nothing short of a baby. His idea of a night out probably came with a curfew.”

I lean against the cabinets and smile, watching her collect what’s left of the cardboard boxes scattered around the room.

Despite travel fatigue, strongly scented cleaning supplies, and a lack of appropriate caffeine levels, it feels good to be home.

Waking up the last two mornings in the small, sleepy town where I grew up has been a balm to my soul. Pine trees scent the air. The sun is brighter—warmer—on my face each morning. Having family and neighbors stop by to say hello has been wonderful.

It’s everything I hoped it would be. Everything I needed it to be.

“There,” Cricket says, surveying our handiwork with satisfaction. “I think that’s the last box. Is there anything else in the garage?”

“Nope. Your micromanaging talents ensured that my new house was cleaned from top to bottom, and all our possessions were put away.”

“In just three days, despite your insistence that it would take at least fourteen.” She rests her hip against the wooden table I’ve had longer than my children. “How does it feel to be settled in and ready for your new life in Alden?”

The sun chooses this moment to peek out from behind the clouds and shine into the kitchen.

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >84

Advertisement
The Invitation – Brewer Family Read Online Adriana Locke http://www.ilovenovels.com/the-invitation-brewer-family-read-online-adriana-locke Wed, 30 Oct 2024 13:05:19 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/the-invitation-brewer-family-read-online-adriana-locke Genre: Alpha Male, Billionaire, Contemporary, Forbidden, Insta-Love Authors: Adriana Locke Advertisement

Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >88

I hate Ripley Brewer.

So why am I cuddling on his lap, peering into his ocean-blue eyes while cameras record our every move?

My best friend needs my help to save her career, and I would do anything for her. Besides, filming a reality show sounds fun … until Ripley shows up to play the role of my fake boyfriend.

As always, we nearly come to blows within minutes of seeing each other. The playboy billionaire accuses me of a setup, but I insist I’d rather live in a world without carbs than spend a minute with him.

At some point during the melee, we sign contracts. I can’t stand the look of his six feet two inches of chiseled abs and broad shoulders. And I loathe his arrogance. But now that he’s my pretend beau, I’m stuck acting like I’m falling in love with my biggest enemy.

It turns out that Ripley’s a good actor, too. Every soft touch on the small of my back makes my heart thump faster. His sultry smirk feels like it’s only for me. I should detest every word that passes his kissable lips.

Is this all a ruse, or does Ripley want to end this episode of The Invitation going from enemies to lovers? Because now? I’m not convinced I can despise him anymore.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

Georgia

“How did the date go?” Sutton asks, lifting her martini. Despite the low lighting in the bar, the rock on her left hand—on the important finger on her left hand—twinkles. God, that’s a stunning ring.

The Swill, Sutton’s favorite establishment in her new, swanky Nashville neighborhood, isn’t what I expected. She insisted it was a dive bar where we could hang out and catch up after two weeks of being so busy that one-word texts constituted our friendship. With that vibe in mind, I wore cutoff jean shorts, an off-the-shoulder top, and my favorite cowboy boots. Purple, of course.

I was met with valet parking and a three-page wine menu.

Make it make sense.

It’s no wonder I have trust issues.

“The date last night?” I ask, plucking a toasted ravioli from the plate between us. “I canceled.”

“You did not.”

“Yes, I did.” I pop the appetizer into my mouth. “When I realized I’d rather wash my hair and pluck my eyebrows than meet him for dinner and drinks, I bailed.”

Sutton sighs, shaking her head. “I can’t believe you canceled on Bennet Copeland. What’s wrong with you?”

“Currently? Unemployment, the price of wine, and the fact that you let me walk in here dressed like this.”

She grins. “Well, if I had your legs, I’d live in those shorts. All heads turned when you walked in.”

“Yeah, probably because compared to the rest of you, I look like I charge hourly and spend a lot of time on my knees.”

“Shut up,” she says, laughing.

I shrug, swiping another ravioli.

Sutton McKenzie and I met on my first day at Waltham Prep. My parents divorced the summer before, and to suck as much money out of my father as she could, Mom finagled him into paying my tuition at a ritzy private high school that, financially speaking, I had no business attending. I wasn’t happy about leaving my friends for my senior year, and I really wasn’t happy about wearing a stuffy uniform and forgoing nail polish. But Sutton’s bright smile and offer to sit beside her at lunch eased my fish-out-of-water fears.

We’ve been best friends ever since.

“So what did Bennet do to earn the not-your-type label?” Sutton asks.

“I think it was his breathing that did it for me.” I chuckle at her eye roll. “Honestly? I don’t know that he did anything specifically. I just got tired of feigning interest in his portfolio. That man is pretty proud of himself.”

“Listen, I know you’re still in your rich-men-are-pricks era, but you need to reconsider. Trust me. It’s a lot easier working through your trauma while wearing a Siggy’s diamond and shopping at Halcyon than sitting at home in sweats eating ramen.”

“Sounds like you’ve had the wrong ramen.”

“You know what I mean, smart-ass.”

I laugh. “I do. I just disagree.”

“You are such a pessimist.”

“No, I’m a realist.”

“Your reality is what you make it.”

Sutton launches into a spiel about how life is like clay, and you must mold it to your liking. I tune her out, letting her voice blend in with the laughter from the tables surrounding us.

I’ve heard her speeches enough times that I can repeat them verbatim. It’s not that she gives awful advice or even that she’s wrong. I admire her perspective and how she wakes up in the morning with a clean slate. She doesn’t hold grudges. Her negative experiences aren’t allowed to taint her future, either. She truly believes that only good things are meant for her.

She might be right since she does live a charmed existence. My grandfather used to say people like her could roll around in pig shit and come out smelling like a rose.

That must be nice.

I’d love to be more like Sutton—a trusting, loving, positive individual who wears a smile and carries love in her heart. But when I try to slide on those rose-colored glasses, the ends poke me in the eyeballs, and I’m reminded that the best predictor of the future is the past.

And my past is filled with rich, manipulative pricks who wouldn’t even know what the word love means. Sometimes, I’m not even sure I know what it means, so I probably shouldn’t judge.

“Hey, what happened with your project at work?” I ask, eager to shift the focus away from my quasi-love life. “You lured me here with the promise of a huge update. So update me.”

Her eyes sparkle. “Remember the reality show idea I presented to my boss last year?”

“Of course I do. It was such a fun concept and totally original.”

“Well, he took it to the executives a while back. I’ve spent the past few months building out the concept and trying to attach names to a pilot, just in case.” She pauses, her smile growing as my anticipation inches higher. “And I did it, Georgia. I was notified a few days ago that it’s a go. The football player and beauty influencer we’ve been courting signed on, and the funding came through.”

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >88