26 Contemporary Books That Should Be Taught In High School

At seventeen, Seraphina Cole lost more than her innocence. A medical betrayal stole her future, her womb, and her belief in forever. Years later, she is successful, self-made, and emotionally guarded, determined never to let another man define her worth or control her destiny. Then she meets Aurelius Kingsley. A billionaire CEO with quiet power, iron discipline, and scars that mirror her own. Unlike every man before him, Aurelius doesn’t try to save Seraphina or break her defences. He respects her boundaries. He sees her strength. Instead of demanding her heart, he offers something rare, patience. As attraction deepens into devotion, Seraphina begins to believe that love doesn’t have to hurt to be real. But when her past resurfaces, a devastating secret, explodes into the public eye, and a pregnancy doctors said was impossible puts her life at risk, everything she’s rebuilt begins to unravel. Under ruthless media scrutiny, corporate enemies, and medical danger, Aurelius must prove that love isn’t possession, protection isn’t control, and commitment isn’t fear. Because this time, survival isn’t enough. The Heart That Wouldn’t Surrender is a powerful billionaire romance about trauma, healing, and a woman who learns that even after everything is taken from you, the heart can still choose forever.

Who knew a single lie could ruin a life this much? Natalie Rossi, a scholarship student from a poor background pretends to be rich to survive among Italy's elites. But when she names Leonardo Moretti as her boyfriend during a party game, the lie escalates into something more dangerous. Because Leonardo is real, and isn't a man whose name can be used easily without consequences. Overnight, Natalie becomes a target meant to be cleared off. Hunted, shamed and stripped of everything she has worked for, Natalie watches her world crumble until an unseen hand begins to shield her from chaos. Will Natalie pay the full price of her lies, or accept the hand reaching for her… and everything that comes with it?

Shayla Hale learned young that love is the cruelest lie of all. When her father brought home his secret family, her world shattered. When college was supposed to be her fresh start, Grayson Cross destroyed that too...with his charming smile, his devastating lies, and a bet that would break her completely. Seven years later, she's rebuilt her life far from the ruins he left behind. She has her son, her best friend, and walls so high no one can hurt her again. She survived the worst betrayal of her life and built a new world far from the wreckage. A world where she's safe. Where her secrets stay buried. Where the man who destroyed her can never find her. Until the day she accepts a job as a personal assistant to a powerful CEO, and discovers her new boss is the last person she ever wanted to see again. Grayson Cross. Cold. Ruthless. Unforgiving. He doesn't know why she disappeared seven years ago. He doesn't know what he took from her. And he has no idea about the little boy with his eyes waiting at home. Some bets have consequences that last forever. Some lies can never be forgiven. And some men will destroy everything to get back what they lost. He ruined her once. But this time, she might just ruin him back.

During the mandatory freshman orientation camp, my skin had flared up with a severe allergic reaction, so I didn't use the plastic washbasin the school handed out. Instead, I opened my suitcase and took out the custom silver basin I had brought from home. My roommate, Louisa Carter, immediately made a snide remark, drawling, "You're really something, huh? Kids from broke families like us are lucky to have any basin at all." I didn't bother responding. I simply pulled out my facial essence to do a cold compress, but she immediately rushed over, slapped the bottle out of my hand, and jabbed a finger at my face. "Bet you get tens of thousands a month for living expenses. You have a sugar daddy, don't you? Don't you feel guilty making your folks work their fingers to the bone back on the farm? People like you don't deserve to be at our school. I'm reporting you to the student counselor." I laughed in disbelief and slapped her. … The next morning, the family photo I'd left on my desk had been slashed to ribbons. Across the back, carved in ink, were the words: 'Daughter of a homewrecker. Go to hell.' I went straight to the police. While officers pulled the dorm security footage, our student counselor and the university president rushed in. The moment the president saw the man whose face had been cut apart in my photo, his legs nearly buckled. He almost dropped to his knees.

CONFUSED by her sexual orientation and trapped by her fear of rejection, Rhoegene isolated herself from the pack and hid for five years hoping to never meet her other half. But after getting tired of running away and realizing that she has been wasting the best times of her youth, Rhoegene started to open her heart again and decided to teach as a PE teacher in the pack's best academy. She encountered a lot of ups and downs which she fought bravely including the jerk handsome Alpha and his four minions.

Fate can be a funny thing. One minute, you are the beloved daughter of a powerful alpha, and the next, you're nothing more than a tool used to join forces with another strong pack. And if you don't go along with what is expected of you, the one who is using you for personal gain will make your life a living hell and destroy anything that is precious to you.Because of this, Denali Ozera finds herself married to the cold and ruthless Rosco Torres, alpha of the Crystal Fang pack and enemy not only to her, but her entire family. But by some weird twist of fate, Rosco isn't what others say he is, and he is even willing to help Denali get back everything that was meant to be hers.Together, Denali and Rosco devise a plan to destroy Denali's father and her stepmother and sister. All Rosco asks for in return is Denali's mind, body, and soul.

"How much did Ashley pay you for that night?" "Who's Ashley?" William asked. "I... I mean... the woman who paid you and asked you to sleep with me that night." William turned his head and looked at Valeria emotionless, "I don't get it. What the hell are you thinking about?" William was speechless. How could there be such a handsome and rich pimp like him in the world? ****************************** "Valeria Brown was the only daughter of the Brown family, which was rather rich. But her bestie Ashley and Ashley's mom planned to take everything from her. Also, Mason, who had been dated with Valeria for four years, cheated on her. Valeria caught Mason making out with Ashley in the car! But Ashley never felt ashamed, instead, she drugged Valeria and asked a pimp to take her virginity. A stranger saw through all of this and chased the pimp away. Valeria woke up and found this hot stranger lying next to her. She was annoyed when Ashley told her that man was the pimp. But actually, this stranger who got rid of the pimp and slept with Valeria was the richest CEO..."

Samantha is a beautiful young lady with lots of dreams. She was from an average family that’s why she study really hard to become successful. Charles is a businessman who manages the largest bus company at a very young age. They first met in the bus station owned by Charles. After getting to know each other, they became lovers. One year has passed when Charles decided to propose to Sam. Unfortunately, Sam ran away after he proposed. Sam was only 21 years old at that time. She was not ready yet. After that incident, Charles left the country. They met again after three years and got back together. However, Charles has a new lover who will do anything just to separate them. Will their love conquer everything?

A Lesbi girl who completely turned herself to something she didn't expected to, because of the one person who committed his life to her. Are they having a happy ending? Or he's her one that got away?

Maxello was her best friend, the one she loved in silence for years Rolex was his twin. Darker and deadly tempting. One bet changed everything. Now Mia must choose between the brother she’s always wanted… and the one she can’t resist.