Ann Patchett's "52 All-time Favorite Books From The Year I Turned 52"

"I'm a master at laundry and cooking, whether it's fast food, Japanese cuisine, or a French feast. What would you like to eat first? Marry me, and I guarantee you'll be blessed with delicious meals every day, Mr. Getson. So, will you marry me?""Sure!"After learning from the failure of her first marriage, Nancy only wanted an ordinary man to spend her life with during her second marriage. However, much to her surprise, her new husband, Yaacob, is revealed to be the primary heir to the country's most substantial fortune. When Nancy found out about this, her world turned upside down. Such wealth and privilege!After their marriage, Yaacob looked at the bland bowl of pasta before him and asked, "What happened to the French feast and Japanese cuisine you promised?"Hearing this, the woman in front of him swiftly untied her apron, raised one of her alluring legs, and casually sat on the table, "Would you prefer French cuisine, or me?"Yaacob, reminiscing about the previous night, replied, "You, of course!"

Three years—that's how long Braelyn has been hiding her true feelings for her best friend, Caesar. Yes, she has been secretly in love with her best friend for three years and intends to keep it that way for the rest of her life. She can't let him know, or she might lose him forever. But how long will she be able to suppress her true feelings? How long will she be able to hold back when all Caesar does is make her fall in love with him even more? Will she keep all the hurt and pain she feels whenever Caesar is with someone else? Will Braelyn still be able to keep her feelings a secret? Or will she finally confess and risk it all to finally be with Caesar?

Six years ago, Scarlett Langston kidnapped Jonathan Leonard to obtain the one thing she needed from him—a sperm donation. After that night, she vanished. Six years later, Scarlett is a world-renowned attorney. With her son, she returns to her motherland, but only to land in Jonathan’s crosshairs. She racks her brain for some way to escape, but he pursues her at all costs. Who will emerge the victor in this battle of love? And who the loser?

"Gue nyesel jatuh cinta sama lo," ucap Raissa dengan air mata yang menggenang di pelupuk matanya. "Lo, orang yang udah ngebunuh kakak gue." Laki laki yang berdiri tepat di hadapan Raissa terpaku, tenggorokannya tercekat, seolah ada sesuatu disana dan itu sangat menyakitkan. "Maaf," lirihnya.

All I wanted was a one-night stand with some random guy, just to get back at my boyfriend, who had insulted me for never being able to feel anything for him. I had left Brooklyn with my best friend, Ashley, to spend spring break in Cabo. The deal was to have fun like a normal young adult and have a one-night stand with any guy, just to prove a point. I ended up in the bed of a man with the most mesmerizing eyes I’d ever seen—a man I knew nothing about. He pleased me in ways I didn’t think were possible. Every touch, every kiss, every whisper of his hands against my skin ignited a hunger I hadn’t realized I had. But when I woke up the next day, the stranger was gone. I thought it was just a one-night fling and that I'd never see him again—only to find out he was my new statistics professor. "Do… do you remember me?" I asked nervously in his office. He glanced at me with those beautiful, icy eyes and replied, "No, I don’t… Am I supposed to know you?"

I should have never turned her away. So many years have passed, and she’s back in my life. But our parents dating for a while left me refusing her. And she left for the romantic city of Paris. My pretty girl becoming a ballerina. Forever gone. But life has a way of taking things full circle. Due to an injury, she’s back in our small town. My second chance to make things right stares me in the face. She’s all grown up, and still stealing my every thought. But I can’t compete with her dreams. Letting her go is what’s required of me, and I do it, but not without cost. Never in a million years did I expect her to take a gift with her. A secret. My baby.

Kaia loves to write stories, her best friend Xander told her an exciting news about a writing contest on her dream University, it gave Kaia the perfect opportunity because she was writing the same genre, romance and tragedy. She was so keen on making her story good, but all things will change when she accidentally went inside her story. She saw her characters come to life and became friends with them. Kaia was torn if she should continue writing the story and ending it with the tragic one where the main character would die, or will she give up the contest for the character to live a happy ending. Xander was supportive with her and had been always there for her from the very start, but what would happen if a guy named Jake would be the cause of them to break their friendship apart, and a new girl who came in the scene. They both like each other but they don't want to risk their friendship, little did they know that Kaia's story would bring them together.

Nova Scott is a 23 year old scientist. She's strong, beautiful and one of the best scientists you'll ever find. One mistake and she gets caught up in a time warp which takes her 5 centuries backwards. She's mistaken for the princess and forcefully betrothed to the most cold, ruthless and dangerous King in history. Will she fight back? Will she survive and get out of there before it's too late? Or will she follow her destiny?

Despite Mateo making Fayra feel that he could never love her, Fayra did not lose hope. Despite the pain he had caused, she remained by his side. She accepts every emotional pain caused by their marriage, but only until that day comes. Even in her dreams, she is not prepared for this scene. A painful truth, a painful scene. Fayra's marriage was best described as tragic, causing her to grant her husband's longing for so long. But before completely cutting off their ties, Fayra begged for him. Regardless of the consequences of her action, she did not hesitate to pursue what she wanted for the last time. Full of sadness but still content, Fayra leaves peacefully without saying goodbye. And, little did he know, he had granted a wish which would carry a memory of that night that his ex-wife decided not to tell anymore.

"Do you trust me, Hailey?” he asks as he looks deep into my eyes. Our eyes locked and the whole world fades away, it looks deep in my soul as if the answer to his question is there. Thinking about it my mind tries to come up with something not to trust him but nothing. “a little... maybe” is all I could say, while I take another sip of the wine still locked onto his gaze. “If I asked that you must submit to me with your whole body, will you?” his voice was husky. Again, I do not know what to answer. Can I give in just for one night? Would I give in for once, to feel for once how it would feel to be desired? To know how it would feel to be the only one he wants even if it was not real. Even if it was just for one evening. Not trusting my voice, I slowly nod. My Angel, will you break the spell? Are you my only true love? Lying next to her, I take her in my arms as she places her head on my chest. Soon I drifted off to sleep. What happens when myth and reality come together to find love?