Kristie Price

*Trigger Warnings: Narcissistic abuse, alcohol addiction, depression, divorce, cheating, age gap, sexual content.*​

 

Unbeknownst to nearly everyone around her, Cora Mitchell has been living in a nightmare for the past two years. Night after night, her parents’ arguments escalate into heated screaming matches, leaving seventeen-year-old Cora to handle damage control—and forcing her to become the only adult in the house. As her parents’ rage intensifies, so does her longing to shun her mom and dad, forget about their emotional and mental abuse, and leave her godforsaken hometown of Portland, Maine, behind.

That is, until one fateful night during an impulsive moment at a local gig, where she meets Jeremiah Novak. Jeremiah is the alluring bass player that Cora can’t seem to get out of her head. But there’s one catch: Jeremiah is older than Cora . . . like, lie-to-your-parents older.

Their attraction to each other is undeniable, but are they just too different to make it work?
Will her friends and family approve?
Will this be what tears apart Cora’s family beyond repair?

Although Jeremiah is Cora’s first love, he helps her on the path of self-discovery, giving Cora the strength and courage to set herself free from the restrictions her selfish parents have placed upon her. Their attraction to each other is undeniable, but it might not be enough to overcome high school drama and mean-girl jealousy.

Who said being a teenager was easy?

 

*Trigger Warnings: This novel contains domestic (emotional and physical) abuse, violence, grief, loss, and mental illness, and may be graphic at times.*

 

Unlucky me. That’s what I’ve believed ever since I lost my mom at age thirteen. From then on, my life has spiraled. My two siblings, however, have managed to pick themselves up from the ruins and carry on—but I could never seem to do that. While my brother and sister inherited all my mom’s creative, loving, and charismatic genes, I didn’t get any of that. Just my dad’s bitterness. I know I’ve let everyone down, including myself, but I have gotten really good at running from my problems.

 

That’s why I never thought I would come crawling back to Portland, Maine, again—let alone as a pregnant, broke college dropout. By leaving California, I’m walking away from the life I built for myself—though it was never on a solid foundation to begin with—to escape a terrible relationship . . . only to be sleeping in my childhood bedroom without a plan for my future. Now at rock bottom, I’m forced to face the mistakes I’ve made, the relationships I’ve abandoned, and the people I’ve hurt.

 

Slowly—begrudgingly—I’m learning that I don’t have to do it alone. Even when I’m at this new low in my life, in walks the sweetest man to ever exist: Harvey Brindle. Through all the chaos, unknowns, and milestones, Harvey sticks by me when he could easily discard me like every other man I know.

 

But I have sworn off love—and men in general. Harvey is just a friend. A best friend. Our talks over steaming mugs of tea soothe the broken parts of me. And the way he helped me assemble a stroller, with his brilliant smile and gentle words of encouragement . . . he’s the first person to truly see me. As much as I could see myself falling for Harvey (and I have imagined it many times), it’s simply not happening. Who could possibly love a damaged, self-destructive woman pregnant with another man’s child?

*Trigger Warnings: Violence, talk of sexual assault, and death.*​

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Louella’s life has never been her own. Surprisingly, it’s never really bothered her before. On Kapu Island, she has everything she needs: her family, her dragon, her secret (and totally illegal) all-female militia, and as much pineapple cake as she can possibly eat. But with her arranged marriage fast approaching, the traditions she’s expected to uphold are starting to feel a little suffocating.

Then one night, on what is likely her last-ever flight with her dragon, Shea, something bizarre happens. Louella crash lands in a strange world, having somehow realm jumped without even trying. Wanting nothing more than to go home, Louella is forced to seek help from two strangers who discover her in the woods with her dragon.

Lloyd and Knox offer to keep Louella and Shea safe and do whatever they can to return her to her family and waiting fiancé. Unfortunately, everything’s taking a bit longer than Louella would like. Stuck on Gemcove Island, she slowly realizes that here, she can enjoy true freedom unlike anything she’s ever experienced. And while Lloyd teaches her about this unfamiliar realm, every interaction with Knox leaves her annoyed, confused . . . and even more drawn to him.

Bound by a duty to her village and family, but tempted by a handsome, grumpy stranger, Louella struggles to know what she truly wants for herself. Now, for the first time in her life, she must make real decisions with real consequences—and pray to the goddesses she chooses correctly.