Loveless Brothers

Eli Loveless and Violet Tulane never did learn to coexist peacefully. From the first day of kindergarten until high school graduation, they argued, fought, and competed over anything and everything. They only managed to stop when Eli left their small town, and Violet heaved a sigh of relief. Now he’s back, infuriating as ever, running the kitchen at the high-end wedding venue where Violet works, and competing with her for a life-changing bonus.

My life has room for exactly two women: my daughter Rusty and my best friend Charlotte - known to everyone as Charlie. One is a feisty, tomboyish firecracker. The other is my seven-year-old. I can’t imagine life without either. So when my ex springs a custody hearing on me, I find myself telling the judge that I’m engaged to Charlie. The only problem? I’m not. Time to fake an engagement. Pretending we’re a couple will be no big deal.

As a forest ranger, I believe in the simple life. I prefer cabins to apartments, trails over freeways, and trees to people. My life is orderly, predictable, and quiet. Until it’s hit by a woman I never saw coming—Hurricane June. She has a laugh like the first day of spring, and she’s so pretty that I can’t breathe when I look at her. June will only be in town for a few months. How can I resist? Except I have to. She’s my best, oldest, and most loyal friend’s baby sister. Betraying him would be the worst thing I’ve ever done. Not betraying him might be the hardest.

My whole life, I’ve been a good girl. I follow rules like nobody’s business. I obey guidelines like I was born to it. Show me a line, and I’ll toe it. I’m even a twenty-two-year-old virgin. Good is my middle name. And then, I break one tiny little rule. Miniscule. Inconsequential. Next thing I know, I’m trapped with an incredibly handsome stranger. He’s got eyes like cut emeralds, biceps that makes my head spin, and a smile that has me rethinking all my life choices.

Delilah Radcliffe and Seth Loveless have been breaking each other’s hearts for ten years now. Ever since she moved away to get married—and then divorced, in near-record time—they’ve practically got it down to a science, every time she comes to visit. They decide not to sleep together. They do it anyway. They fool themselves into thinking that this time, it’ll work. It never does.