The Jaded Series by TOJ Publishing, Alex Grayson

Pain is something Bailey knows all too well, having endured it since she was a child from those who were supposed to protect her. Escaping one form of Hell, she finds another with the man she marries. After years of heinous abuse, tragedy strikes, and Bailey has no choice but to flee. Jaded Hollow was supposed to be a temporary stop. A place to take a deep breath after months on the run. What Bailey didn’t count on were the people welcoming her with open arms... morePain is something Bailey knows all too well, having endured it since she was a child from those who were supposed to protect her. Escaping one form of Hell, she finds another with the man she marries. After years of heinous abuse, tragedy strikes, and Bailey has no choice but to flee. Jaded Hollow was supposed to be a temporary stop. A place to take a deep breath after months on the run. What Bailey didn’t count on were the people welcoming her with open arms. Making her feel safe and protected for the first time in her life. Especially Jaxon Walker. The tattooed bar owner who’s determined to get under her skin and force her to reveal her deepest secrets. Even if it puts everyone she cares about in danger. Just when Bailey finds the love she’s been searching for her whole life, her past blazes its way into the dream world she’s been living in. Will Jaxon save Bailey before it’s too late? Or will the evil that is her husband finally finish her off? **Please check the author's website for content warnings.** less

The vow that Mac and Mia made as children, to save themselves for each other, was broken the night of Mia’s eighteen birthday. Betrayed by the man she never expected to hurt her, Mia’s no longer the sweet and innocent young girl she once was. She’s cold and hard, letting no one except family get close to her heart. In Jaded Hollow, things aren’t what they seem. When the truth finally comes out about that night, Mac is determined to win back the woman he never stopped loving... moreThe vow that Mac and Mia made as children, to save themselves for each other, was broken the night of Mia’s eighteen birthday. Betrayed by the man she never expected to hurt her, Mia’s no longer the sweet and innocent young girl she once was. She’s cold and hard, letting no one except family get close to her heart. In Jaded Hollow, things aren’t what they seem. When the truth finally comes out about that night, Mac is determined to win back the woman he never stopped loving. Will Mac get through to Mia and make her see he’ll never let her go? Or will the ones dead set on keeping them apart finally succeed? **Please check the author's website for content warnings.** less

Obsession. That’s the only word to use for what Andrew feels for the new man in town. The minute he sees Jase, he knew he found the person he would spend the rest of his life with. The flirtatious and outrageously goofy Andrew has a secret though. One even his closest friends know nothing about. One so painful, it’s slowly withering away the fun loving guy everyone loves. Jase has his own secrets. Dangerous ones... moreObsession. That’s the only word to use for what Andrew feels for the new man in town. The minute he sees Jase, he knew he found the person he would spend the rest of his life with. The flirtatious and outrageously goofy Andrew has a secret though. One even his closest friends know nothing about. One so painful, it’s slowly withering away the fun loving guy everyone loves. Jase has his own secrets. Dangerous ones. He’s a dead man walking, and it’s only a matter of time before his past shows its ugly face and threatens the ones he cares about. Will Andrew find the courage to reveal the secret he’s kept for years? And will he be strong enough to protect Jase when he needs him the most? Disclaimer: Please check the author's website for a list of content warnings. less

What do you do when you lose the single most important thing in your life? You grieve. You sink so deep in a hole, you can no longer see the top. All you see is dark. Your life becomes dull and dreary. You withdraw from your friends, lash out at the ones your closest to, and become so absorbed in your pain, you feel the only way out is to end it permanently. Your heart no longer pumps properly and you can never get enough air in your lungs... moreWhat do you do when you lose the single most important thing in your life? You grieve. You sink so deep in a hole, you can no longer see the top. All you see is dark. Your life becomes dull and dreary. You withdraw from your friends, lash out at the ones your closest to, and become so absorbed in your pain, you feel the only way out is to end it permanently. Your heart no longer pumps properly and you can never get enough air in your lungs. You drink, you neglect your health, and you rent dirty hotel rooms with the sole purpose of ending your pain in them. Guilt eats at you for not being at the one place you were needed the most. And you become angry because you were left behind. Or at least, that’s what I did. Until she came along… Chris, the bane of my existence. She’s always there in the background, watching me, trying to ‘be there’ for me. But I don’t want her help. I don’t need her to butt in where she’s not wanted. I just want to be left alone in my grief. But she not giving up, even when I throw insult after insult her way. Every time I turn around, there she is. And what’s worse, she’s starting to make me want things. Things I never thought I could have again. She’s making me forget the pain and bringing color back into my life with her fiery red hair, bright green eyes, and the silly faces she makes at herself in the mirror. But what happens if I let her in? Could I be brave enough to open myself up, knowing the possibility of having it snatched away again. Once I know the feeling of touching Chris, of having her heart and soul blend with mine, I would never survive losing that. Can I take the chance of her being my savior, even knowing that she could also be the one that could push me other the edge of self-destruction? less