Lauren Paul never expected her holidays to turn into a whirlwind of fake romance, unexpected sparks, and heart-wrenching choices. Struggling to escape her family's relentless questions about her single status, Lauren does what any modern woman would do: she turns to the internet. Her quirky plea for a fake boyfriend catches the attention of Ken, an online gamer with charm and wit to spare. What starts as a harmless arrangement quickly spirals into something far more complicated when they meet in person. Ken is everything Lauren didn't know she needed: funny, confident, and surprisingly considerate. With his sharp sense of humor and unexpected warmth, he fits perfectly into her family's holiday celebrations. Their fake relationship feels natural, almost real. But just as Lauren starts to think Ken might be more than just her pretend boyfriend, a new complication arrives in the form of John, her brother's maddeningly attractive roommate. John is the opposite of K n quiet, steady, and effortlessly magnetic. From the moment he steps through the door, Lauren can't ignore the way he makes her pulse race. As the holidays unfold, John's gentle charm and lingering glances stir feelings Lauren never expected. Suddenly, the lines between her carefully constructed fake relationship and her real emotions begin to blur. Caught between Ken's fiery energy and John's quiet allure, Lauren finds herself in a love triangle that's as hilarious as it is heart-wrenching. Her family's meddling, her brother's overprotective nature, and her own spiraling emotions only add to the chaos. To make matters worse, both men have secrets of their own, and Lauren begins to wonder if she knows either of them as well as she thought. As Christmas approaches, Lauren is forced to confront her fears and insecurities. Can she let go of her need to please everyone and follow her heart? Or will her holiday charade leave her lonelier than ever? Holiday Hearts: A Love Game Gone Wrong is a heartwarming and laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about finding love where you least expect it. Packed with witty banter, steamy chemistry, and moments that will tug at your heartstrings, this story explores the messy, beautiful reality of love in all its forms. Perfect for fans of fake dating tropes, slow-burn romance, and a touch of holiday magic, Lauren's journey will have readers rooting for her to find her happy ending. Will she choose the man who swept her into a pretend romance or the one who quietly stole her heart? One thing's for sure: this holiday season, Lauren Paul is in for the ride of her life.
I hated Christmas. Or, more accurately, I hated Christmas dinner. The food was great, sure, but it came with the inevitable conversation about my lack of a love life.
"Lauren, darling, you're not getting any younger," my mother would say, her eyebrows furrowed in that "concerned" way that somehow managed to feel more judgmental than caring. "Why don't you let us set you up with someone? There are so many nice boys out there."
Nice boys. Ugh. No, thank you.
I wasn't some hopeless romantic, and I didn't need to be paired up just to please my mom. I had a fairly successful career in digital marketing, a decent group of friends, and a cat who didn't judge me when I ate an entire pizza by myself. What I didn't have, though, was a boyfriend. Not for lack of trying, but... it was complicated. And by complicated, I mean that I was starting to believe I had an uncanny ability to choose the absolute worst men. The ones who either ghosted me after three dates or, worse, turned out to be complete psychos.
But with the holidays rolling in, the pressure was on. Family dinners, Christmas Eve parties, and New Year's Eve drinks, all events I knew would be peppered with the same questions:
"So, when are you bringing someone home?"
"Still single, huh?"
"Don't worry, sweetie. He's out there somewhere."
I'd had enough.
So, as I sat on my couch sipping my third cup of hot cocoa, trying not to cry over another failed online date, I got a wild idea. I logged into the gaming forum I frequented for stress relief, and with the desperation of someone drowning, I posted an unusual request:
Need a fake boyfriend for family events. Must be funny, decent at video games, and not a serial killer. DM me if interested."
I stared at the message for a while, wondering if I was going to regret it. Maybe I could just spend the holidays alone in my cozy apartment, binge-watching Christmas movies while eating way too much chocolate. But no, I needed a solution. If I could fake it until I made it, then that was what I'd do.
I hit send.
Within minutes, I had a response. It was from someone called Ken_Gamer420. I smirked at the name. Typical gamer handle.
"I'm your guy. I can pretend to be the perfect boyfriend. Bonus points if you like strategy games, and I can still get you through the awkward family dinners. Let's make it happen!"
I blinked. He was eager. And while it could have been some random guy trolling, something about his confidence made me hesitate. Maybe he wasn't a serial killer.
I read his message a second time, debating. Then, I typed back, cautiously:
"You sure you're up for the job? This is going to be a long weekend of pretending. Family, friends, all the usual stuff."
"I'm down for whatever. Let's meet up beforehand to plan it out."
Before I could change my mind, I agreed. This couldn't be any worse than the alternative, right? And hey, if he turned out to be as much of a disaster as my last boyfriend, I could always bail.
The plan was set.
The next day, I was pacing outside the coffee shop where Ken and I had agreed to meet. I had no idea what he looked like, and I was suddenly regretting my rash decision. Was I really about to meet a guy I knew nothing about and introduce him as my fake boyfriend? I almost turned around and left until I saw him.
Ken was leaning against the door of the coffee shop, his eyes hidden behind a pair of sleek sunglasses, looking like he had just stepped out of a video game. He wore a leather jacket and jeans, a look that screamed "I'm too cool for this." He was tall, with messy brown hair and a grin that made him look like he knew exactly how attractive he was. And, of course, the smug air about him didn't help.
I almost turned around and walked away.
But then he saw me, and that grin widened. "Lauren, right? I'm Ken. Your fake boyfriend for the next week."
I froze for a moment, stunned by his directness. "Uh, yes. That's me."
He chuckled. "No need to be nervous, I'm a professional at pretending."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "You're sure you can handle this? My family is... relentless."
Ken gave me a mock salute, his smirk not fading. "You got this, babe. Just follow my lead, and we'll make them think we're the perfect couple."
I wasn't convinced. But, at that moment, I didn't have any other choice. "Okay," I said, the words escaping my mouth before I could think them through. "Let's do it."
As I followed him inside the coffee shop, the beginning of what I hoped would be the most harmless fake relationship of my life began. Little did I know, things were about to get a lot more complicated than I'd ever imagined.
I thought I could leave the past behind and avoid the packs, especially the ruthless Shadow-claws. But when I accidentally cross their borders one night, I find myself face-to-face with Damon, the one person I swore to despise forever. Damon's not just any alpha; he's powerful, relentless, and dangerously possessive. Our shared history is stained with rivalry and resentment, yet I can't deny the intensity that crackles between us now. There's something darker in his gaze, something that tells me he won't let me go this time. But I can't ignore the strange pull Damon has over me, even as I try to fight it. His obsession with me runs deeper than I understand, and each encounter only strengthens his hold. As his enemies circle closer, I realize that Damon's need for me is no longer just about rivalry; it's a craving, a hunger that threatens to consume us both. I know I should escape, but every time I'm near him, I find myself drawn deeper into his world, into his obsession. Now, I have to make a choice: resist Damon's dangerous addiction or risk everything for a bond that might be my undoing.
I never imagined my life would lead here-a world where power, fear, and loyalty rule. I was an orphan, lost in the system until I was sold to the most feared and powerful man in the underworld: Zane Stormborn. They told me he was ruthless, a man who controlled cities and commanded armies of loyal followers. But to me, he was just my new master, a man I'd have to serve in the shadows of his mansion. Yet, as I moved through the dark hallways of the Stormborn estate, I saw a side of Zane no one else knew. He wasn't just a feared crime lord; he was a man shaped by pain, haunted by secrets, and drawn to me in ways I couldn't understand. Against all odds, I went from the lowest servant in his home to the only woman he trusted by his side. But life with Zane isn't a fairytale. His enemies lurk in every corner, waiting to use me against him. They tried to break me, to tear us apart, but I won't give up so easily. I've come too far to lose him now, and I'll fight anyone who dares to stand in our way. This is my story-a journey from darkness to love, and a fight to hold on to the one man who changed my life forever.
Nelly Stone has known nothing but pain and servitude. Orphaned at a young age, she became a slave to cruel masters who saw her as nothing more than a commodity. When the day comes that they decide to sell her purity to the highest bidder, her life takes an unexpected turn. Dante Stormborn-the ruthless and enigmatic Russian mafia king-steps forward. Known as the most feared man on earth, Dante has everything: wealth, power, and an empire that answers to no one. Yet, the moment he lays eyes on Nelly, he knows she belongs to him. Declaring her his obsession, he whisks her away, determined to protect her at all costs. Terrified and vulnerable, Nelly struggles to adapt to her new life under Dante's control. But as the walls of fear begin to crumble, she discovers a strength within herself she never knew existed. Slowly, she transforms from a scared, pitiful girl into a fierce woman capable of standing beside the man who owns her heart. As their love deepens, a shocking revelation changes everything. Nelly is not an orphan after all-she is the long-lost daughter of the American Mafia bosses. When her true identity is revealed at a high-profile mafia party, her world is turned upside down. Now a target for those who seek to destroy Dante, Nelly faces relentless threats and attempts on her life. But every move the enemy makes is crushed under Dante's iron will. With Nelly by his side, Dante cements his reign as the most powerful mafia leader in the world, while her reunited family stands as his strongest allies. In a world of darkness, betrayal, and bloodshed, their love burns brighter than ever. Together, they will face every enemy, build an unbreakable legacy, and prove that nothing can come between the king and his obsession.
Grace Hunter, a quiet and unassuming omega, had always admired the powerful and charismatic Alpha Dante Nightshade. But on her 18th birthday, the bond she longed for was severed before it could even begin-Dante rejected her, dismissing her as too weak to stand by his side. Shattered but determined to endure, Grace sought to rebuild her life in the shadows of her heartbreak. Unexpectedly, fate delivered solace in the form of two captivating twins, Adrian and Caleb Storm. They were opposites-Adrian, a confident and brooding protector, and Caleb, a playful yet fiercely loyal soul. Both were drawn to Grace's quiet strength, vowing to show her a love she had never known. As the twins competed for her heart, Dante began to unravel. The omega he had rejected refused to fade into obscurity; instead, her resilience and allure only deepened his regret. Yet Grace's path was far from simple. Her father's demands threatened to force her into a union for the good of the pack, adding a new layer of conflict to her life. Torn between Adrian's intensity, Caleb's charm, and the lingering pull of Dante's presence, Grace faced an impossible decision. Would she embrace the love of the twins, forging a new future, or would she give in to the yearning for the alpha who had once broken her heart? In a tale of heartbreak, healing, and the power of second chances, Grace must navigate the tumultuous waters of love and loyalty while discovering her strength.
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
Her fiance and her best friend worked together and set her up. She lost everything and died in the street. However, she was reborn. The moment she opened her eyes, her husband was trying to strangle her. Luckily, she survived that. She signed the divorce agreement without hesitation and was ready for her miserable life. To her surprise, her mother in this life left her a great deal of money. She turned the tables and avenged herself. Everything went well in her career and love when her ex-husband came to her.
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
He told her to call him Daddy. Not because he earned it, but because he fucking owned her. The moment she signed that contract, she stopped being a woman with dignity and became his filthy little plaything. His holes to use. His mess to ruin. He didn't just fuck her, he rewired her. Stripped her clean of boundaries and filled her with sin. Every punishment made her scream. Every game dragged her deeper into his twisted world. And the way he praised her... Good girl. She should've run the first time he said it. But Daddy doesn't let his toys leave. He breaks them until they beg to stay. ** Mia's life changed the night she let a stranger ruin her. One night. She never expected to see him again. Until she walked into her new job... and her boss turned around. Ace.Her one-night sin in a thousand-dollar suit. Only this time, he wasn't asking her to be his assistant. She was to be his wife.