Avalon Falls Series by Penelope Black

Jasper Devereaux: The Reapers’ golden boy, my ex-boyfriend, and the first man to truly break my heart.Oh, and now he’s my fake boyfriend.He insists a fake relationship is the best solution to our problems. My persistent ex will back off, and his mom will stop trying to set him up on blind dates. The rules are straightforward: act like we’re in love in public only, don’t let the lines blur, and whatever we do, don’t fall for each other. Again... moreJasper Devereaux: The Reapers’ golden boy, my ex-boyfriend, and the first man to truly break my heart.Oh, and now he’s my fake boyfriend.He insists a fake relationship is the best solution to our problems. My persistent ex will back off, and his mom will stop trying to set him up on blind dates. The rules are straightforward: act like we’re in love in public only, don’t let the lines blur, and whatever we do, don’t fall for each other. Again. Every touch feels too real, every kiss reminds me of what we once had, and sticking to our rules becomes nearly impossible.Our little charade is the hottest gossip in Avalon Falls, but as the sparks between us reignite, a chilling string of murders rocks our town, adding danger to the mix. Pretending to date Jasper was supposed to be a temporary fix. But as the danger closes in, I realize my heart—and maybe even my life—might be on the line.tropes:fake datingsmall townforced proximityblack cat & golden retrieverwho hurt you?one mf bed less

Beau Carter: kingpin, blue-eyed playboy from across town, and the only man I’ve ever shared my secrets with. And now, my fiercest competition. I never planned on racing in the Gauntlet, but with my sisters depending on me, winning this tournament is the only way to keep our heads above water. I work for a crew that trades in secrets, and Beau runs the underground races that keep this town alive... moreBeau Carter: kingpin, blue-eyed playboy from across town, and the only man I’ve ever shared my secrets with. And now, my fiercest competition. I never planned on racing in the Gauntlet, but with my sisters depending on me, winning this tournament is the only way to keep our heads above water. I work for a crew that trades in secrets, and Beau runs the underground races that keep this town alive. We both play on the edge of the law, but getting involved with him? It’s more than dangerous—it’s forbidden. Five races. Five chances to cross the finish line before him. Five steps closer to the money that could change our lives. But with each race, the stakes get higher and so does the danger. Sabotage, threats, and accidents are piling up, and it’s clear someone doesn’t want me to cross that finish line. Every race brings me closer to victory—and closer to Beau. But as the final race closes in, I realize not only is my life on the line, but so is my heart. tropes: small town romance rivals to lovers grumpy x sunshine romantic suspense less

Graham Carter: ethical hacker, resident grump of Avalon Falls, and the man who’s about to make me his wife.For convenience, of course.I need an escape plan—fast. My family expects me to marry a man I can’t stand, and Graham needs a wife to secure his inheritance. A simple deal, no emotions involved. Just one year of marriage, and we both walk away with exactly what we want.But living with Graham isn’t easy... moreGraham Carter: ethical hacker, resident grump of Avalon Falls, and the man who’s about to make me his wife.For convenience, of course.I need an escape plan—fast. My family expects me to marry a man I can’t stand, and Graham needs a wife to secure his inheritance. A simple deal, no emotions involved. Just one year of marriage, and we both walk away with exactly what we want.But living with Graham isn’t easy. He’s infuriatingly perceptive, impossible to ignore, and fiercely protective in ways I never expected. Every touch feels too real. Every glance lingers too long. And every threat from the man I left behind pulls me closer to the one I secretly wished for all along.This was never supposed to be more than a transaction. But the longer we pretend, the harder it is to remember what’s real. And the most dangerous thing about Graham Carter?I think he might want me, too.tropes:small townmarriage of conveniencegrumpy x sunshinemutual piningMY WIFE less

Mason Porter: Avalon Falls' hottest single dad, my brother's best friend, and the only man who’s ever broken my heart.Oh, and now he's my neighbor.I came back to town without telling anyone—just me, a half-forgotten cabin I inherited, and the quiet hope that a few stolen weeks might be enough to outrun the pressure closing in from all sides.I didn’t expect to run into Mason and his son by the creek. I didn’t expect him to keep my secret... moreMason Porter: Avalon Falls' hottest single dad, my brother's best friend, and the only man who’s ever broken my heart.Oh, and now he's my neighbor.I came back to town without telling anyone—just me, a half-forgotten cabin I inherited, and the quiet hope that a few stolen weeks might be enough to outrun the pressure closing in from all sides.I didn’t expect to run into Mason and his son by the creek. I didn’t expect him to keep my secret. And I definitely didn’t expect the way it would feel to slip into his life like I’d always belonged there.Now I’m living next door, falling into a rhythm that feels dangerously close to peace. I watch his son while he works, cook dinner more nights than not, and for the first time in years, I don’t feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.For a little while, it works.Until it doesn’t.Because this town has secrets, and I’m not the only one running from something.Someone is watching me.And the danger I thought I left behind might be closer than I ever imagined.He was never mine to begin with.But loving him now might cost me everything.tropes:brother's best friendsmall townsingle dadforced proximitywho hurt you?one MF bed less