Love in Maplewood Series by Ana Ashley, Rhys Everly, Amy Aislin, Chantal Mer, Bix Barrow, Jeff Adams, Riley Long, Beck Grey, Susan Scott Shelley, Lee Blair

In the heart of Maplewood, love is just a wish—and a kiss—away.An anonymous one-night stand was just what I needed before moving to Vermont, to open my very own coffee shop, Special Blend. Happy new year to me!I've lost the only family I had. So when the locals welcome me with open arms and empty cups, I know Maplewood is truly home. But it’s my neighbor, Nate—the tall, rugged lumberjack-type next door—who really gets my heart racing... moreIn the heart of Maplewood, love is just a wish—and a kiss—away.An anonymous one-night stand was just what I needed before moving to Vermont, to open my very own coffee shop, Special Blend. Happy new year to me!I've lost the only family I had. So when the locals welcome me with open arms and empty cups, I know Maplewood is truly home. But it’s my neighbor, Nate—the tall, rugged lumberjack-type next door—who really gets my heart racing.Have we met somewhere before?He’s a little grumpy, but that’s just froth on the cappuccino, right? My muffins, ice cream, and coffee can melt any heart, so I'm sure they'll work on him too.As things heat up, strangers arrive with a revelation about my past– one that Nate seems to know, leaving me torn between my growing feelings for him and the fear of being hurt again.With the Winter Wishes Festival in full flow, I must can I trust Nate to be the love I’ve wished for, or will this brew the end of us before we even begin?With the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents in Vermont, Maplewood is a town where everyone belongs. And with festivals year round, there’s always something fun happening! This multi-author, low-angst queer series features ten standalone romances—each set against the backdrop of a different festival. Come for the celebrations, stay for the happily-ever-afters! less

It was all pretend... until it wasn’t.I don’t have time for dating. I'm too busy making Maplewood my home after everything I've been through. But when my daughters decide I need a boyfriend, I do only thing a desperate single dad can do… I lie.Enter professional dating expert, Jack Hayworth.He's a cynic. He's emotionally unavailable and he doesn't believe in love. He's even got a club whose entire purpose is to sabotage the Season of Love festival. But he agrees to play along... moreIt was all pretend... until it wasn’t.I don’t have time for dating. I'm too busy making Maplewood my home after everything I've been through. But when my daughters decide I need a boyfriend, I do only thing a desperate single dad can do… I lie.Enter professional dating expert, Jack Hayworth.He's a cynic. He's emotionally unavailable and he doesn't believe in love. He's even got a club whose entire purpose is to sabotage the Season of Love festival. But he agrees to play along.Turns out pretending to love Hayworth is way too easy. The real problem? Sleeping with him feels even easier. And once I get a taste, I can’t stop.I swore I wouldn't fall. I swore I would keep this casual.Too bad my heart doesn't listen.Love Me Like It's Real is a low-angst spicy MM romance with a love cynic who loves a good time, a single trans dad who no longer believes in love, fake dating and two little girls determined to give their dad a happily-ever after.With the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents in Vermont, Maplewood is a town where everyone belongs. And with festivals year round, there’s always something fun happening! This multi-author, low-angst queer series features ten standalone romances—each set against the backdrop of a different festival. Come for the celebrations, stay for the happily-ever-afters! less

After being traded numerous times over the course of his pro hockey career, all Bellamy Jordan wants is a place where he belongs. Burlington, Vermont, home of the Vermont Trailblazers, his newest team, might just be that place. The bonus: he’s within spitting distance of the grandparents who raised him. The drawback: his long-time rival’s gorgeous brother—who he can’t get out of his mind—also lives nearby.And he hates Bellamy on sight... moreAfter being traded numerous times over the course of his pro hockey career, all Bellamy Jordan wants is a place where he belongs. Burlington, Vermont, home of the Vermont Trailblazers, his newest team, might just be that place. The bonus: he’s within spitting distance of the grandparents who raised him. The drawback: his long-time rival’s gorgeous brother—who he can’t get out of his mind—also lives nearby.And he hates Bellamy on sight.Jason Zervudachi is busy enough trying to diversify his family’s maple syrup farm while completing his master’s degree. Adding in an attractive complication like Bellamy? Hard pass. Even so, there’s something more behind Bellamy’s eyes that draws Jason in, but Bellamy is his brother’s rival. There’s a sibling rule against that, right? There must be.Except Bellamy isn’t at all what Jason expects—and neither is the connection between them. less

After walking away from a career with the orchestra he’s played in for the last decade of his life, Dmitri Fairchild has spent a year figuring out his next steps. And he hasn’t come up with much. Burned out or midlife crisis, either way, he wants to find his love for music again.Ever King returned to Maplewood ten years ago and hasn’t looked back. Between his apiary services, his shop, and playing his cello, the beekeeper is perfectly content... moreAfter walking away from a career with the orchestra he’s played in for the last decade of his life, Dmitri Fairchild has spent a year figuring out his next steps. And he hasn’t come up with much. Burned out or midlife crisis, either way, he wants to find his love for music again.Ever King returned to Maplewood ten years ago and hasn’t looked back. Between his apiary services, his shop, and playing his cello, the beekeeper is perfectly content. But his satisfying life feels a little less fulfilling when he meets the visiting violinist. The only problem, Ever doesn’t date tourists.When Dmitri and Ever submit to their instant attraction, sparks fly. A fling may be what they both need to step outside of their comfort zones. As they explore new opportunities in life and in love, can they find a way to make music together and reignite lost passion?Bee-tween the Music is a low-angst, small town, contemporary MM romance with instant attraction, a sexy violinist, a cello-playing beekeeper, and a town of nosey–um, I mean invested–neighbors.With the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents in Vermont, Maplewood is a town where everyone belongs. And with festivals year round, there’s always something fun happening! This multi-author, low-angst queer series features ten standalone romances—each set against the backdrop of a different festival. Come for the celebrations, stay for the happily-ever-afters! less

Catching feelings for my friend with benefits? Surely there’s a song about that...When my musical mentor asked me to help his old buddy put on a music festival in Vermont, I thought it’d be a nice break from my regular life. Not that my life has been regular lately. My twin left to go be an actor, and I’m not on tour for the first time since I was a kid. Working on a project like this is just what I needed... moreCatching feelings for my friend with benefits? Surely there’s a song about that...When my musical mentor asked me to help his old buddy put on a music festival in Vermont, I thought it’d be a nice break from my regular life. Not that my life has been regular lately. My twin left to go be an actor, and I’m not on tour for the first time since I was a kid. Working on a project like this is just what I needed.But I’d barely arrived in Maplewood when I almost ran over a teenager, heard about a local cryptid, and got shouted at by a fanny-pack wearing, floppy-haired, thirty-something veterinarian named Finn. Who was adorable. When he wasn’t yelling, of course.This being a small town, I keep running into Finn no matter how I try to avoid him. Only, as much as he rubs me the wrong way, I wouldn’t mind him rubbing me the right way if you know what I mean.Turns out he feels the same, so we agree to stop bickering and start lick...er-ing. Whatever. You get my drift. It’s all just casual, friends-with-benefits fun, a physical release. And that’s all it can be, because I’m only in town until the festival is over. Then it’s back to my regular life.But someone should’ve warned me that Finn’s actually sweet. He’s always doing thoughtful little things for me, and he’s so supportive of his teenager. How can I keep things casual in the face of all that? But it’s way too soon for either of us to be having “feelings”. Maybe I can find an excuse to stick around a little longer....Can You Feel the Maple Tonight is a low-angst, small town contemporary MM romance with an age gap, a single parent, musical interludes, something strange in the woods, a giant tortoise, hats for every occasion, and a murder chicken.With the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents in Vermont, Maplewood is a town where everyone belongs. And with festivals year round, there’s always something fun happening! This multi-author, low-angst queer series features ten standalone romances—each set against the backdrop of a different festival. Come for the celebrations, stay for the happily-ever-afters! less

One small-town Pride festival. Two enemies forced to work together. An unexpected chance to find their happily ever after.NHL star Ethan Gallagher faces his worst fear when he's named grand marshal of Maplewood's Pride festival: public speaking. The only thing more daunting? Working with Andre Thompson—the passionate librarian who made his high school years miserable... moreOne small-town Pride festival. Two enemies forced to work together. An unexpected chance to find their happily ever after.NHL star Ethan Gallagher faces his worst fear when he's named grand marshal of Maplewood's Pride festival: public speaking. The only thing more daunting? Working with Andre Thompson—the passionate librarian who made his high school years miserable.Andre has planned every detail of the festival except for the undeniable attraction he feels toward the man he once considered a nemesis. As they navigate festival chaos, enemies become lovers and misconceptions transform into desire.With careers pulling them in opposite directions and a small town eagerly watching their romance unfold, Ethan and Andre must decide if their summer flame can survive beyond the festival.Pride By the Book delivers an enemies-to-lovers, small-town romance where second chances lead to steamy encounters, heartfelt connections, and the transformative power of being truly seen by another person.----With the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents in Vermont, Maplewood is a town where everyone belongs. And with festivals year round, there’s always something fun happening! This multi-author, low-angst queer series features ten standalone romances—each set against the backdrop of a different festival. Come for the celebrations, stay for the happily-ever-afters! less

Falling for a straight guy is putting extra nuts in the rocky road to my life goals...I have two dreams: opening my own ice cream shop and falling in love. My fantasy? Falling in love with a guy who’ll help me run my future ice cream shop.But my teaching job doesn’t exactly have me rolling in dough, and my love life doesn’t exactly have sprinkles on top, so every year my dreams seem farther and farther away... moreFalling for a straight guy is putting extra nuts in the rocky road to my life goals...I have two dreams: opening my own ice cream shop and falling in love. My fantasy? Falling in love with a guy who’ll help me run my future ice cream shop.But my teaching job doesn’t exactly have me rolling in dough, and my love life doesn’t exactly have sprinkles on top, so every year my dreams seem farther and farther away.At least until this year, when I decide to compete in the Maplewood Scoopfest flavor competition. If I win, owning an ice cream shop would be within reach. But the love life thing? Well, it’s even sadder now, because I have a huge crush on Gabe, the ridiculously hot, straight single dad to one of my students. He’s only in town for the summer, and—what the heck was I thinking?—I offered to let him stay in my guest bedroom. Now I have to see him, talk to him, hear him. All the time. Even my favorite ice cream isn’t enough distraction when all that deliciousness is right under my nose. I’m resigned to pine in silence—to Gabe, that is. My friends are sick and tired of hearing about my pointless crush. Then, one night, he leans in for a kiss. But he’d been drinking and now I don’t know if that was just the whiskey talking, or if Gabe’s flavor preferences might just be changing.With the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents in Vermont, Maplewood is a town where everyone belongs. And with festivals year round, there’s always something fun happening! This multi-author, low-angst queer series features ten standalone romances—each set against the backdrop of a different festival. Come for the celebrations, stay for the happily-ever-afters! less

A small-town photographer who’s given up on love meets a smoking hot firefighter with a smile to melt hearts. Try as they might, some flames are impossible to resist.Alex:Maplewood is as wonderful and cliché as you’d imagine. Sure, the town gossips share everyone’s business, but neighbors look out for each other. Nowhere else would be as accepting of me as this queer-friendly small town I grew up in. The only problem? A lack of eligible bachelors... moreA small-town photographer who’s given up on love meets a smoking hot firefighter with a smile to melt hearts. Try as they might, some flames are impossible to resist.Alex:Maplewood is as wonderful and cliché as you’d imagine. Sure, the town gossips share everyone’s business, but neighbors look out for each other. Nowhere else would be as accepting of me as this queer-friendly small town I grew up in. The only problem? A lack of eligible bachelors. So, when a gorgeous new guy moves to town, the Maplewood grapevine is in full swing, and this time I’m paying attention. Though maybe not close enough, because Cody and I literally run into each other. I hit him with my body, he hits me with his boy-next-door smile, and poof, my heart’s gone. Too bad sexy, sweet guys like him aren’t really interested in guys like me. Once he gets to know me, he’ll change his mind.Cody:You’d think that moving to a small town named Maplewood means I’m prepared for maple-flavored everything. You’d be wrong. And the stuff is everywhere, so how do I tell my new neighbors that the taste makes me gag? That problem is solved when a misunderstanding has them believing I’m allergic. Sure it saves me from eating any more maple. It also feels like I’m lying. I try to explain, but there’s no stopping the Maplewood gossip mill. Especially when the adorable photographer I almost trample fans that flame. But I can’t even be mad about it. Alex has this sweetness to him that pulls me in like gravity. And little by little he’s letting me get close. Eventually I’ll convince him to trust me, to give us a real chance. When he does, will that mean I’ll owe ‘us’ to that annoying maple mistake?The Great Maple Mistake is a low-angst, small-town contemporary LGBTQ romance about a local cutie looking for love, a sexy firefighter with a maple aversion, baking show obsessions, fluffy kittens, rumor mills, and a connection that’s more than skin deep.With the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents in Vermont, Maplewood is a town where everyone belongs. And with festivals year round, there’s always something fun happening! This multi-author, low-angst queer series features ten standalone romances—each set against the backdrop of a different festival. Come for the celebrations, stay for the happily-ever-afters! less

Trevor Casal loves Maplewood and will do anything for its residents, including host the town’s first Cryptid Night to kick off the month-long Halloween festivities. After all, Mabel, Maplewood’s own monster, is a tourist attraction, and this is an opportunity to increase business for his inn, his family legacy... moreTrevor Casal loves Maplewood and will do anything for its residents, including host the town’s first Cryptid Night to kick off the month-long Halloween festivities. After all, Mabel, Maplewood’s own monster, is a tourist attraction, and this is an opportunity to increase business for his inn, his family legacy. The event, and a rash of new sightings, brings his best friend Bram, a cryptid investigator, to town, and Trevor worries that spending so much time together will give away his secret… he's been in love with Bram for years.Bram Macleod’s fascination with cryptids began at the age of ten, and his first encounter with Maplewood’s resident monster. In the years since his pro football career ended, he’s devoted his time to documenting investigations and myths on his podcast. Returning to Maplewood after twenty-five years away, Bram is eager to dive into exploring cryptids old and new and to spend time with Trevor, but hesitant on how to handle the fact that, lately, he’s started seeing his best friend in a new light… one that feels a lot like love.As Bram and Trevor chase down cryptids and get immersed in the town's Halloween activities, their feelings for each other become impossible to ignore. Crossing that line threatens to change the friendship they depend on, but could give them everything they long for.Something Cryptid This Way Comes is a low-angst MM romance with matchmaking family, tricks and treats, a guard dog who likes everyone, so many plaid shirts, bedtime stories as a form of wooing, and a love forged from friendship… with the help of the “Maplewood Monster.”With the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents in Vermont, Maplewood is a town where everyone belongs. And with festivals year round, there’s always something fun happening! This multi-author, low-angst queer series features ten standalone romances—each set against the backdrop of a different festival. Come for the celebrations, stay for the happily ever afters! less

The world expects us to hate each other, but fate has other plans.As a member of a Maplewood founding family, I’ve always known what I’m supposed to do with my life:Take over Red’s, the diner that’s been in my family for generations.Support the community, which usually means helping out with the town’s almost-monthly festivals.Hate everything about, and everyone involved with, Sparky’s Diner.For the most part, it’s been an easy destiny to fulfill, even if sometimes I wish for something else... moreThe world expects us to hate each other, but fate has other plans.As a member of a Maplewood founding family, I’ve always known what I’m supposed to do with my life:Take over Red’s, the diner that’s been in my family for generations.Support the community, which usually means helping out with the town’s almost-monthly festivals.Hate everything about, and everyone involved with, Sparky’s Diner.For the most part, it’s been an easy destiny to fulfill, even if sometimes I wish for something else. Something more. Maybe that’s why I take a chance on Halloween with a costumed guy who shouldn’t look so good in a mullet wig.I’m stunned when his costume comes off and I see the one man I can’t have anything to do with. The man who’s temporarily back in town and working at his family’s diner. The man I can’t get off my mind.No worries. It’ll be easy to avoid Amos—I’ve been doing it my entire life. Except Amos and I are voluntold to plan an event for the big Christmas festival. Together.When others on the planning committee say we couldn’t possibly pull it off, we decide to prove them wrong. It turns out stubbornness is just the beginning of a long list of things we have in common.The more time we spend together, the more I realize my life is sweeter with Amos in it. I begin to wonder how deep this rivalry goes, how long Amos plans to stay in Maplewood, and what matters more: my destiny or my freedom.Don’t Clause a Scene is a low-angst, small-town story about an introvert and extrovert finding a groove, secrets—so many secrets—and a well-meaning town that cares maybe a little too much.With the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents in Vermont, Maplewood is a town where everyone belongs. And with festivals year round, there’s always something fun happening! This multi-author, low-angst queer series features ten standalone romances—each set against the backdrop of a different festival. Come for the celebrations, stay for the happily-ever-afters! less