11 Books Every Man Should Read (@mantalks)

All Alessandro ‘Sandro’ Kennedy De Rossi ever wanted was to marry the woman of his dreams and Selena Salvatore was everything he could ever ask for. Beautiful, kind, and smart, her innocence drew him to her like a moon to water. They were inseparable and when their wedding day arrives, he knew that his life would be complete until tragedy strikes both of them and leave the lover separated. Losing Selena almost destroys Sandro until he finds out the truth of their accident which later reveals she was alive after all. Though Selena loses her memory and remembers nothing about the man she had married months ago, Sandro decides to use drastic measures by kidnap his wife. Convincing her about their love wasn’t easy but it was a challenge he was willing to take if it means getting her back and facing his enemies. He had lost her once, he won’t lose her again.

Before our wedding, my fiancé, Carlo Vitale—the youngest Don on the East Coast—held a church ceremony with my stepsister. He said, "According to Mafia rules, only the woman who completes the wedding ceremony with me and receives the blessing of all the family is my true wife. "So even if your sister Elena is carrying my child, she's nothing more than a mistress." After the priest's blessing, they exchanged rings. I stood outside the church, watching through a curtain of rain as he kissed another woman. My face was white. I had loved Carlo for twelve years, from the ages of sixteen to twenty-eight. However, he had only ever had my stepsister, Sophia, not me, in his heart. I chose to let him go. Later, I left for Europe. All I left Carlo was a notice of our broken engagement and a parting gift. For some reason, the man who had always treated me with indifference seemed to have aged ten years overnight.

Life was like a long thread, and the knot in it was a new beginning. Three lives. Three stories. But one shared fate. Ethan Lopez's life unraveled when he was accused of murdering Kaylee Anderson. On the day he was inaugurated as the CEO of Lopez Food Company, the murder occurred in Dylan Gabriel's penthouse, The Opulent Height. As the police continued their investigation, Ethan found himself targeted again, this time for kidnapping. This marked the beginning of the downfall of Lopez Food Company, benefiting their rival, Delish Delight Company. All evidence and leads pointed to Ethan until a new name emerged in the case: Blair Anderson, a seemingly ordinary baker at Lopez Food Company. Disclamer: R18+ This story may contain strong language, expletives, and mature content for adult readers, including themes of violence. It is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real persons, businesses, places, or events is coincidental. This story is not intended to offend or defame any individual, entity, caste, community, race, religion, or to denigrate any institution or person, living or dead. Readers discretion is advised.

In a world where wolf hierarchy ruled, power could either be given to you by birth or you take it with rough, unyielding fists. Jax was an Omega by birth. Of course no one knew. He hid the documents. Got totally rid of them and thought no one would ever find out. Not until he came. Cipher Hart. His biggest rival. With a cocky attitude and a perfect way of getting under anyone's flesh, it didn't take him long to realize the highly revered hockey god, Jax, had a secret beneath his golden boy facade. To everyone, he had a perfect life with an alpha status, great grades, a great hockey future. When Cipher placed his hands of his bottle of suppressants, they stumbled on an even bigger realization. They were mates. Now with a reality-shattering bond they must hide, and a league watching their every move, Jax and Cipher are trapped in a game no one prepared them for. A game where the only rule left is: Don’t fall for your enemy.

My whole family only ever loved my younger sister, Carrie Brooks. Carrie had a crush on my fiancé, Josh Beaumont. On my wedding day, my mother pressed a knife to her throat, forcing me to give Josh to Carrie. "The fortune teller said Carrie's illness will get better if she gets married," Mom pleaded. "You're healthy. You'll find someone else." My brother, Nick Jansen chimed in. "Grace, don't be so selfish. Hurry up and take off the dress. Carrie's thinner than you. Make sure you don't stretch it out." Even Josh said, "Carrie doesn't have much time left. But Grace… we still have our whole lives ahead of us." They didn't know. The one who was truly dying… was me.

Ann became a widow at thirty-four. To the world, she had everything. A rich husband, a beautiful life, and a name that opened doors. But the truth: she was never a wife; she was owned. On the night she was about to be handed over to another man like property, Ann ran with no plan or safety. Just fear pushing her forward. Then she crashed into him, Duke Carter, twenty-seven, Hockey superstar. The kind of man who doesn’t stop for strangers. But he stopped for her. What started as one night of help turns into something neither of them expected. Because Ann isn’t just running from her past… she’s carrying it. And Duke isn’t supposed to fall for a woman like her. She is older and a widow, bringing secrets that could destroy everything. When Duke’s family turns against her, and the man she escaped comes back with a vengeance, Ann is forced to fight again… this time not just for her freedom, but for the only love she’s ever known. Duke was never meant to choose her. But he did, and this time… he’s not letting her go.

Hiding your fantasies is hard, especially when your best friend features in every one. I'm the good, innocent girl with a guilty obsession for erotic books. And the man who fuels all those fantasies? My best friend. Those veiny hands set my thighs on fire, and his deep voice twists my insides with desire. But he never knew. And I could never tell him– not when he flirts with everyone and only sees me as his baby sister. Until one reckless night of drinks and games lands me in his bed. Now I’m not sure I ever want to leave. But best friends shouldn't touch you like this. Best friends shouldn't make you squirt this good. But when a sudden arranged marriage threatens to tear us apart, our secret is exposed in a blaze of scandal, turning stolen moments into a bitter need for revenge. So how do I explain this to my parents? Since they still think I'm a virgin?

On the anniversary of my mother’s death, my girlfriend told me she had to work overtime. However, her first love later posted something on social media: [Thanks to Camelia for coming to celebrate my birthday with me!] My chest tightened and my hands shook as I called her to demand an explanation. She replied calmly, “It’s Grayson’s 25th birthday today. It’s important. I didn’t want to miss it.” That was it. I let out a bitter laugh and looked down at the cancer diagnosis report in my hand. It was alright. I would be dead soon anyway.

Two years into my marriage with Don Dante, my ex came back. Julian, the man who shattered my heart five years ago. He announced he was getting engaged. And he wanted me as his mistress. "I know I hurt you," he said. "My family looks down on mob ties. It was never going to work. But now? I'm marrying Tiffany. I'm taking over the family empire. I can finally afford to keep you." I just sneered at him. "Did it ever occur to you that I might be married?" He scoffed. "What decent family would have you? The daughter of a mob underboss? Don't be ridiculous." His arrogance made me sick. When I refused, he slapped a black card on the table. Told me to buy whatever I wanted. He said he'd pick me up next week. That we could spend every weekend tangled up in his bed. I spat on the floor at his feet. "Get him out," I told my guard. "And take his trash with him." He didn't get it. Not then. But he would. The moment he found out who I married. I didn't just marry anyone. I married the king of the Chicago underworld. A man he could never touch. And when he finally figured it out, he lost his goddamn mind.

Alpha Damon was an exiled monster, feared for his cruelty. He chose Selena—an omega from a worthless pack—as his mate. There was just one problem. Our Mating Ceremony, mine and my fated mate Alpha Ethan's, was set for the same day. When Ethan found out, he vanished for three days. I found him just in time to overhear his plan. "At the Mating Ceremony, I'll fake a sign from the Moon Goddess. I'll make it look like she rejected Elara." "Pack law will force her onto that pathetic excuse for a brother, Damon. Then Selena won't have to mate with him." "An outcast like Damon doesn't deserve a true Alpha's fated mate. Once Selena is safe, I’ll just take Elara back." My heart turned to stone. He was throwing me to a monster to save another woman. And he thought he could just take me back? Fine. I would play along with his little scheme. But once his little show was over, I'd be gone for good. Except when Ethan came to "rescue" me, he found Damon's mark burned into my neck. That's when he finally broke.