The Collective Series by Gwen Martin

I know you've been living in survival mode, but maybe it's time to accept that you deserve to be loved.Duncan Maxwell’s days revolve around helping others, so when his best friend needs Duncan to drive his younger brother around, he doesn’t hesitate to say yes. A little less sleep is an easy price to pay to improve someone else’s life, and many of Chance’s appointments are at The Collective, where he volunteers. It also doesn’t hurt that Chance is charming, funny, and . . . attractive... moreI know you've been living in survival mode, but maybe it's time to accept that you deserve to be loved.Duncan Maxwell’s days revolve around helping others, so when his best friend needs Duncan to drive his younger brother around, he doesn’t hesitate to say yes. A little less sleep is an easy price to pay to improve someone else’s life, and many of Chance’s appointments are at The Collective, where he volunteers. It also doesn’t hurt that Chance is charming, funny, and . . . attractive.Chance’s world spirals into a blur of adjusted medications and support groups and therapy appointments after his recent bipolar diagnosis. He can’t complain, though, because most people don’t have the support that his brother affords him. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, he focuses on not being a burden and searches for life beyond his diagnosis—maybe even a life with Duncan.But while Chance struggles to tame the wildness within himself, he watches Duncan silently push himself past the brink of exhaustion. In his desperate attempts to help find balance, has Chance caused Duncan to destroy his own? Trigger Warning: The Wild Within explores the aftermath of a suicide attempt and life after a bipolar diagnosis. There are also discussions of grief, and mild suicidal ideation, of a side character's drug abuse. Please proceed with caution. less

They must learn to accept that carrying the weight within doesn’t have to be done alone.Tristan Edwards is clean cut, determined, and organized on the outside, but on the inside he’s falling apart. After years of nonstop travel for work, he’s assigned to open a new branch that could keep him close to home with more job security... moreThey must learn to accept that carrying the weight within doesn’t have to be done alone.Tristan Edwards is clean cut, determined, and organized on the outside, but on the inside he’s falling apart. After years of nonstop travel for work, he’s assigned to open a new branch that could keep him close to home with more job security. But when he learns this coveted position is also up for grabs by another eligible candidate and if Tristan can’t prove his executive position, his dream job may fall into the hands of his dream man.Kurt Holden is newly divorced, without a home, and in need of a change. When a new position springs up, Kurt jumps at the chance to start over in a new city as a new person. What he isn’t interested in is falling into another relationship, but the more time he spends with Tristan, it becomes impossible to ignore his attraction.As both men face the decision to choose professional gain or personal desire, Tristan and Kurt must learn to accept that carrying the weight within doesn’t have to be done alone. The only question is if they’re willing to take the risk or stay alone.Trigger Warning: While the event is not on screen, this book contains conversations about late-term miscarriage and the dissolution of a marriage. There is also on screen panic attacks, and talks about past characters who’ve dealt with suicidal ideation and drug abuse. Please proceed with caution.
The Weight Within is the second novel in The Collective Series. It is an enemies-to-lovers bisexual office romance, that is full of hurt and leans in on the comfort. This slow burn, opposites attract story can be read as a standalone. less