The Blackwells Series by Lola Gray

Cyrus Blackwell is, in his own words, too rough around the edges for polite society. He of the perpetual scowl and surly growl. I’ve been in love with him half my life, it seems, much good it did me. A big, bearded, filthy mountain of a man who always faintly smells like motor oil and peppermint candy.The Blackwells were my closest neighbors, growing up, and the only real family I had left after my dad died and my mom lost her marbles. I spent more time with them than I did at my own house... moreCyrus Blackwell is, in his own words, too rough around the edges for polite society. He of the perpetual scowl and surly growl. I’ve been in love with him half my life, it seems, much good it did me. A big, bearded, filthy mountain of a man who always faintly smells like motor oil and peppermint candy.The Blackwells were my closest neighbors, growing up, and the only real family I had left after my dad died and my mom lost her marbles. I spent more time with them than I did at my own house. Long, lazy summers gathering wild blackberries with Gram and following the boys to the fishing hole. The fall was the best time, though. The boys gathered firewood in the fall, and I’d grown to anticipate the moment when Cyrus would overheat, and the flannel would come off. Nearly chopped my own leg off more than once while I was drooling over the oldest Blackwell brother.And while Cyrus was always patient with me, always ready to teach me anything I asked, he couldn't wait to pack me off to college, and send me on my way. It's been months since I've seen him. He didn't even come to check on me. Couldn't be bothered to take my calls, either. If I wasn't in love with the man, I'd hate him.I got tired of waiting around for him to take my not-so-subtle hints and decided to come back home and take the bull by the horns, so to speak. Everything would've been fine, too, except his snippy attitude set off my own fine temper and I ended up blurting out that I came home for him to take my virginity.Cyrus didn't take it quite as well as I imagined, but there is still a happy-ever-after in our future if his stubborn ass will just cooperate. less

been watching my best friend’s sister. Closely. Is it illegal? Probably. Morally wrong? I would argue not, since I’m doing it for her own good. I mean, someone has to look out for Emery, and I’m here for her, no matter what she needs. No. Matter. What. If that includes a timely rescue from a not-so-harmless prank that thrusts her right into my waiting arms, then so be it. If a snake ends up in the bed of the little witch who pulled the prank, well… these things happen... morebeen watching my best friend’s sister. Closely. Is it illegal? Probably. Morally wrong? I would argue not, since I’m doing it for her own good. I mean, someone has to look out for Emery, and I’m here for her, no matter what she needs. No. Matter. What. If that includes a timely rescue from a not-so-harmless prank that thrusts her right into my waiting arms, then so be it. If a snake ends up in the bed of the little witch who pulled the prank, well… these things happen. And if finding the snake forces the girl to break her half of the lease, leaving my sweet Emery in need of a new roommate, well, wouldn’t you know it? I happen to need a new place to stay. Crazy right?If you aren’t willing to go the extra mile for the love of your life, can you really say you’re in love in the first place?This novella is book 2 in the Blackwell universe but can be read as a stand-alone. Be aware some characters make cameo appearances and may contain minor spoilers for the other books.It contains the following friend's sisterEnemies to loversForced proximityAs always, it is a safe read, meaning there is no cheating, no sharing, no om/ow drama. It comes with a sticky sweet happy ever after guaranteed. less

LukeJune stares up at me, messy bun askew, glasses clinging to the tip of her nose, and I want to cuddle her so hard, but I can't. Friends don't cuddle. Once you start cuddling your friends, the next thing you know, you're dragging them into dark corners for a quickie, and you aren't friends anymore.So, what’s got my bestie’s panties in a knot? Bad book reviews.June's been writing stories since we were kids. A few months ago, she decided to take the plunge and publish one of them... moreLukeJune stares up at me, messy bun askew, glasses clinging to the tip of her nose, and I want to cuddle her so hard, but I can't. Friends don't cuddle. Once you start cuddling your friends, the next thing you know, you're dragging them into dark corners for a quickie, and you aren't friends anymore.So, what’s got my bestie’s panties in a knot? Bad book reviews.June's been writing stories since we were kids. A few months ago, she decided to take the plunge and publish one of them. Unfortunately, the reviews are in, and they’re not good. The main complaint is that the sexy parts lack ‘steam’ and 'realism'. Mainly because June not only lacks real world experience, but she also blushes a sunset at the mention of naughty words.Which is where I come in. I've been fixing stuff for June since we were eleven years old, and I can fix this, too. She just needs some practical experience with someone who won’t take advantage of her.I can take her out on a date, teach her to talk dirty, and it should all be fine. Things won’t get weird between us. As long as I can keep my hands off the sexy little nerd of my dreams.*This is a best friends, small town romance. There is no sharing, no cheating, no other man, or other woman drama. It comes with a sticky-sweet, guaranteed happily ever after.*Tropes include, but are not limited *Cinnamon roll hero*Adorkable heroine*Friends to lovers*Fake dating*Mutual, clueless pining less

I thought my heart would stop when I saw Josie fall while she was waiting tables. Finding out it was a wasp that caused all the commotion didn’t help matters. I had a cousin die of anaphylactic shock when I was a kid. Instead of putting her hand in cold water and dabbing on aloe like old Mrs. Tennyson insisted, I panicked and scooped her up, then barked at my partner to watch the bar... moreI thought my heart would stop when I saw Josie fall while she was waiting tables. Finding out it was a wasp that caused all the commotion didn’t help matters. I had a cousin die of anaphylactic shock when I was a kid. Instead of putting her hand in cold water and dabbing on aloe like old Mrs. Tennyson insisted, I panicked and scooped her up, then barked at my partner to watch the bar. We were halfway to the hospital, blowing through every stop sign in town, before I realized that's where I was headed.Can’t say I’m proud of it, but I’ve learned a few things about myself in the last few hours. The most important one being I’m way more attached to Josie than I should be. I’m not an idiot. I’ve known for a year or two that I shouldn’t be looking at her as more than my best friend’s daughter, but it doesn’t seem to be something I can stop. Looking is bad, but I didn’t touch her. And I thought I could live with things the way they were. Be her friend, and her boss, and if my eyes strayed a moment too long, who was I hurting? Just myself.Then she told the doctor I was her husband so I could stay with her.I’m a bad, bad man because I like the way she blushes when I call her Wifey. Love it, in fact. I’m not sure what possessed the girl to make such a claim, but hell if I’m not gonna run with it. Now that I’ve touched her, it’s all I want to do.*This story is set in the Blackwell universe but can be read as a standalone novel. It is a safe read, meaning there is no cheating, no sharing, no cliffhanger, and no other man/woman drama. It comes with a sticky-sweet guaranteed happily ever after. * less