Riley

Life is beyond our control. It can bring joy, laughter, and happiness, then turn around and rip your heart out of your chest without warning. Abel Matheson received a cold dose of life's reality six months ago when the man he loved most lost his fight against cancer. Easy-going Abel doesn't know how to cope with the rotting, festering grief growing inside him. What was once an easy life has become a struggle to put one foot in front of the other. His grades are slipping, his job is suffering, money is tight, and the nightmares plaguing his sleep are relentless. Something has to give.

Life makes no promises, and sometimes, you draw the short straw. Landon Johnston's life came to a grinding halt seven months ago when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. With the encouragement of his grandmother, Landon worked his way out of his slump and tried to live life while he still could. Deciding he didn't want to drag anyone else down his morbid path, Landon gave up all friendships and denied himself love.

I’ve been desperately looking forward to Christmas in my family’s snowy alpine chalet. Two blissful weeks of skiing, eating, and sneaking off for 'naps' to listen to my favourite audio erotica star. Yes, the man who warms my bed each night may have no idea I exist, but that doesn't stop me fantasising that his spicy stories and filthy words are for my ears only. It's set to be the most relaxing Christmas ever. Until my brother shows up… with an unexpected guest.

When I meet Ford, something about him just… clicks. I have no idea why. He's big and mean and clearly hates me, but something in my brain lights up and decides that he is exactly what I've been missing in my life. I'll turn everything upside down to get to know him better.

I always thought of Silas Rush as my biggest rival on the track and a stuck-up loner off of it. He and his fancy pro career left our crappy hometown in the dust before high school even finished, and then I didn't think of him much at all. I was too busy trying to keep my little sisters from turning into addicts like our mom, and myself from turning into a rage-junkie like our dad. All while keeping food on the table. Now he's back, reminding me of all the things I don't have, just like he always did.

Lex is chaos personified. He’s strange and alluring, unpredictable and unique. He drives me wild in a way I’ve never experienced. I’ve never felt desire like this, and now I find myself craving his touch and wanting him more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. I know I shouldn’t trust him, though. Lex wants something from me, and my family. He watches me through hidden cameras, stalking me like prey. But his voyeurism excites me. I want him to watch me, catch me, consume me.

In my defense, I was left alone with a bottle of single-malt and a lifelong penchant for protecting my baby sister. Still, that's no excuse to send 10 drunk-texts on why her hasty marriage would be a mistake. If only I had just texted my sister. But nope. I accidentally sent the message to her, her groom, and his super hot wingman. I also used the phrase “super hot wingman”, so I’d like to die now.

There's no one worse for me to want in my bed than Jake Tully. He's hot and grumpy and literally a terrible idea. Terrible. Worse, no one has ever made me feel the way he does—valued. But here I am, thinking about him again. Falling for my sponsor is not my worst idea yet, but it's damn close.

A chance reunion with his brother’s childhood best friend leaves Arden hungry for attention. He’s always loved Iggy, despite their vast age difference, but he didn’t know Iggy was gay until now. His family wouldn’t approve. His brother wouldn’t approve. Plus, Arden isn’t in a position to have a relationship.

Leo Ware may be young, but he knows what he wants. And what he wants is Will Highland. Snarky, sophisticated, fiercely opinionated Will Highland, who burst into Leo's unremarkable life like a supernova...and then was gone just as quickly. For the past miserable year, Leo hasn't been able to stop thinking about the powerful connection he and Will shared. So, when Leo moves to New York for college, he sweeps back into Will's life, hopeful that they can pick up where they left off.