Collision Series by Kristen Granata

Merritt Adams was used to taking care of herself. With her mother's selfish abandonment, and her father's shocking suicide, she is convinced that nobody will ever stick around for long. However, after she is mysteriously rescued from a fiery crash, Merritt needs to learn how to accept help, and love - even when it comes from an unexpected source. Trying to create a new life for herself will be difficult, and so will resisting the charms of someone she swore she would never show interest in... moreMerritt Adams was used to taking care of herself. With her mother's selfish abandonment, and her father's shocking suicide, she is convinced that nobody will ever stick around for long. However, after she is mysteriously rescued from a fiery crash, Merritt needs to learn how to accept help, and love - even when it comes from an unexpected source. Trying to create a new life for herself will be difficult, and so will resisting the charms of someone she swore she would never show interest in. In addition to the buzz surrounding Merritt's tragic headlines, everyone is talking about the charismatic Chase Brooks' return home after spending two years in California aspiring to become a rock star. What people don't know is the real reason why he had to leave his dreams behind. Saddened by his return, Chase is even more saddened to see how broken and alone his childhood classmate, Merritt, is. Two sad souls could be good for each other, couldn't they? Merritt isn't so sure... and after she finds out who pulled her from the mangled car that night, her life will be changed forever. less

After the shocking return of her mother, Merritt Adams is faced with emotions that she had buried deep inside of herself for almost a decade. While the love of her life is busy fulfilling his dreams, Merritt is left to her own devices. Searching for solace in all the wrong places, her avoidant behaviors spiral out of control. If she doesn’t learn how to take responsibility for her actions, she could end up on rock bottom – alone. T.J... moreAfter the shocking return of her mother, Merritt Adams is faced with emotions that she had buried deep inside of herself for almost a decade. While the love of her life is busy fulfilling his dreams, Merritt is left to her own devices. Searching for solace in all the wrong places, her avoidant behaviors spiral out of control. If she doesn’t learn how to take responsibility for her actions, she could end up on rock bottom – alone. T.J. Cutler is an MMA fighter who knows all too well what happens when one tries to run away from his problems. He may be the only person who can get through to Merritt, having lived through his own nightmarish childhood. T.J. can teach Merritt how to fight against her demons, but she needs to prove that she is committed to following his rules. Life is full of choices, and Merritt needs to start making the right ones. It could mean the difference between life and death. Avoidance is the continuation of Merritt's story from Collision. Topics include family, love, romance, loss, death, tragedy, depression, anxiety, suicide, alcoholism, fighting, tattoos, and overcoming struggle. less

Every choice has a consequence. Charlotte Thompson knows it all too well. On the run from her past, she hopes to start over in her new home. To keep her secret safe, she must avoid getting close to anyone. The last thing she wants is to get involved with the town’s notorious bad boy. Tanner Brooks is forever doomed to live in the shadow of his older sibling. Regarded as troubled and brooding, he’s seen as nothing more than the other brother... moreEvery choice has a consequence. Charlotte Thompson knows it all too well. On the run from her past, she hopes to start over in her new home. To keep her secret safe, she must avoid getting close to anyone. The last thing she wants is to get involved with the town’s notorious bad boy. Tanner Brooks is forever doomed to live in the shadow of his older sibling. Regarded as troubled and brooding, he’s seen as nothing more than the other brother. That all changes when a striking new girl captures Tanner’s attention. Charlotte gives him something to feel other than heartache and rage. Determined to prove himself, he will do anything for her … even if it means putting his life on the line. Between Tanner’s unwavering pursuit and Charlotte’s wavering defenses, sparks fly. But when Charlotte’s past catches up to her, she is forced to face the consequences of her actions. What’s worse, Tanner is taken along for the ride. Charlotte needs to save Tanner from her mess and keep them both alive. This is an opposites attract, standalone romance about first love, finding your strength, and learning how to forgive not only others, but yourself. less

I’d prepared myself for a life without love. Lost my parents and anyone else I got close to. Nothing good ever stays for long. I’m a statistic after all. Former foster kid. Former drug addict, alcoholic. Always thought I was destined to be alone. Always felt like I wasn’t worth a damn. Then Carla Evans walked into my life. One look at her in that uptight, buttoned-up outfit and I knew I had to have her... moreI’d prepared myself for a life without love. Lost my parents and anyone else I got close to. Nothing good ever stays for long. I’m a statistic after all. Former foster kid. Former drug addict, alcoholic. Always thought I was destined to be alone. Always felt like I wasn’t worth a damn. Then Carla Evans walked into my life. One look at her in that uptight, buttoned-up outfit and I knew I had to have her. For a night, I’d indulge myself in the fantasy of a girl like her actually wanting a guy like me. Then she moved here with no job and that ridiculous bucket list. I knew she needed my help. I just didn’t expect to need hers. I spent a long time letting myself believe I didn’t deserve happiness. It took me a while (and a whole lot of therapy) to realize I’d had it all wrong. Now I know. And now I have to tell her. *Fighting the Odds deals with sensitive topics like drug addiction, death, foster care, homelessness, and miscarriage. But it is also an inspirational story of love, friendship, hope, and finding your inner warrior. less