The Esplanade Series by Ava St. James

Apparently, the guy I’ve been crushing on for months is my new plumber.Yes, a plumber.But when I need him to fix the water in my hair salon, he doesn’t show up. Hair salons need water.So I track him down to give him a piece of my mind.I find him hit by the flu, adorably confused to see me.Once I make sure he isn’t going to die—his words, not mine—I should probably leave. I should definitely leave.Except I don’t.I stay and make him soup... moreApparently, the guy I’ve been crushing on for months is my new plumber.Yes, a plumber.But when I need him to fix the water in my hair salon, he doesn’t show up. Hair salons need water.So I track him down to give him a piece of my mind.I find him hit by the flu, adorably confused to see me.Once I make sure he isn’t going to die—his words, not mine—I should probably leave. I should definitely leave.Except I don’t.I stay and make him soup.Starlight Salon is a short and steamy, low-angst novella about a hair salon owner who takes matters into her own hands.Each book is completely standalone, but occasionally characters from the rest of the series pop in to visit! less

When I opened my nail salon across the street from Dom’s bar, I jokingly offered to paint his nails to ‘practice’ my craft. Not that I needed to.I wasn’t expecting him to agree.Three years later, I’m in the friend zone and have given up on him falling in love with me. But I get to see him for our monthly nail appointment and girls’ night at the bar.I’ll take what I can get.When there’s an incident at the bar that leaves me shaken, he takes matters into his own hands and takes me home... moreWhen I opened my nail salon across the street from Dom’s bar, I jokingly offered to paint his nails to ‘practice’ my craft. Not that I needed to.I wasn’t expecting him to agree.Three years later, I’m in the friend zone and have given up on him falling in love with me. But I get to see him for our monthly nail appointment and girls’ night at the bar.I’ll take what I can get.When there’s an incident at the bar that leaves me shaken, he takes matters into his own hands and takes me home.To his place. Why would he do that?Is this my opportunity to get out of the friend zone?Velvet Varnish is a short and steamy, low-angst, friends to lovers novella with a whole ton of pining. Each book is completely standalone, but occasionally characters from the rest of the series pop in to visit! less

LilySomeone’s stalking me.When I head to work in the mornings, someone’s behind me. I can feel their presence. Always.And I don’t hate it.My friend says I should call the police, but he’s never hurt me.Besides, he makes me feel safe.Trouble is, I have a crush on my delivery driver. How am I supposed to date someone when I know I have a stalker?LeoA year ago, I was assigned Lily’s café on my delivery route.Then I started stalking her.I prefer to think of it as protecting... moreLilySomeone’s stalking me.When I head to work in the mornings, someone’s behind me. I can feel their presence. Always.And I don’t hate it.My friend says I should call the police, but he’s never hurt me.Besides, he makes me feel safe.Trouble is, I have a crush on my delivery driver. How am I supposed to date someone when I know I have a stalker?LeoA year ago, I was assigned Lily’s café on my delivery route.Then I started stalking her.I prefer to think of it as protecting.Really, she shouldn’t walk to work in the dark so early unless she’s asking to be stalked—protected.It’s all going well, and I only became slightly obsessed…But then she asked me out.Deja Brew is a short and steamy, low-angst novella about stalking—protecting your crush.Each book is completely standalone, but occasionally characters from the rest of the series pop in to visit! less

Oliver shows up at my store every year and adds to his piercing collection.And every year I pierce him down there. For four years.I know I shouldn’t want him, but I can’t help it.I definitely shouldn’t find him sexy, or daydream about when he’ll come in next.Especially since he’s older.But I do.When he finally shows up this year, he leaves his wallet behind. And when I go to return it, I realise how far out of my league he is.There’s no way he could ever want me... moreOliver shows up at my store every year and adds to his piercing collection.And every year I pierce him down there. For four years.I know I shouldn’t want him, but I can’t help it.I definitely shouldn’t find him sexy, or daydream about when he’ll come in next.Especially since he’s older.But I do.When he finally shows up this year, he leaves his wallet behind. And when I go to return it, I realise how far out of my league he is.There’s no way he could ever want me.Why would he want a girl who pierces people for a living?Chic Steel is a short and steamy, low-angst, age-gap novella with a possessive hero and heroine, featuring piercings down there. Each book is completely standalone, but occasionally characters from the rest of the series pop in to visit! less

A summer Christmas novella!I’m all set to keep my tattoo studio open during the holidays to avoid Christmas and my birthday, but then Daniel kidnaps me.Or forces me unwillingly to go on holiday with his family.Which would be fine, except his family thinks we’ve been dating for six months. Somehow, he convinces me to go along with it.To fake date him.I get a holiday, and he doesn’t have to own up to his family that he lied... moreA summer Christmas novella!I’m all set to keep my tattoo studio open during the holidays to avoid Christmas and my birthday, but then Daniel kidnaps me.Or forces me unwillingly to go on holiday with his family.Which would be fine, except his family thinks we’ve been dating for six months. Somehow, he convinces me to go along with it.To fake date him.I get a holiday, and he doesn’t have to own up to his family that he lied.But it’s hard not to blur lines when you’re already in love with him and now have permission to touch.How will I survive the holiday?Whimsical Ink is a short and steamy, low-angst, fake dating novella set during a summer Christmas.Each book is completely standalone, but occasionally characters from the rest of the series pop in to visit! less