Critical Review Brown University Novels & Stories

Born from tragedy, Nova grew up Born from tragedy, Nova grew up in the shadow of her mother’s death and her father’s cruelty. Neglected by blood, despised by her stepmother, and tormented by her stepsister, she learned early that silence could be both her shield and her prison. In high school, the only light in her darkness was Daniel — the boy she loved but who shattered her heart in the cruelest way possible. What began as innocent affection turned into a public humiliation that left her broken and alone. Years later, when her grandmother—the only person who ever truly loved her—falls ill, Nova’s world begins to collapse again. Desperate for help, she faces her father one last time, only to be offered a deal that would destroy what little pride she has left. But fate intervenes the night she meets Frederick Lawson — the cold, mysterious billionaire with eyes like winter and secrets of his own. From that night onward, Nova’s life takes a turn she never expected — one of redemption, hidden passion, and powerful revenge. As love blooms in unexpected places and old wounds are ripped open, Nova must decide whether to remain the quiet girl everyone once pitied… or rise as the woman no one ever saw coming. whether to remain the quiet girl everyone once pitied… or rise as the woman no one ever saw coming.

Jayda Marlowe gave up the only thing she ever loved—racing—for a man she believed would choose her forever. But he didn’t. When Antonio Moretti asked for a divorce, she didn’t beg. She didn’t fight. She just walked away… and never told him she was already running out of time. Now, with only months left, Jayda returns to the track and the boardroom, determined to build something that will outlive her. Strong. Untouchable. Unreachable. Or so she makes the world believe. Antonio thought losing her would be easy. But it wasn’t. Because the woman he let go is no longer the one who loved him quietly—she’s colder, sharper, and completely out of his reach. Now he wants her back. But how do you win back a woman who is already preparing to disappear?

Anna Valerian's life takes an unexpected turn when a single moment of betrayal pulls her into the arms of Jace Lysander, a man as enigmatic as he is dangerous. Their rushed union is shrouded in secrets, their connection electric yet fragile. But as Anna steps into Jace’s world, she realizes her own past is far darker and more twisted than she ever imagined. In a house filled with whispers of deceit and a family bound by treachery, Anna must navigate the delicate line between loyalty and survival. Jace’s gaze promises both salvation and ruin, and every step forward uncovers another devastating truth. As the walls close in, trust becomes a deadly gamble, and Anna finds herself questioning not just her husband’s motive but her own place in a game she never agreed to play. In a tale of love, revenge, and shattered illusions, one question looms above all others: how far would you go to uncover the truth?

Sophia never expected her investigative work to lead to the altar. When her stepsister vanishes under suspicious circumstances, Sophia is thrust into an arranged marriage with Ricci Russo—a billionaire, as ruthless as he is mysterious. Ironically, he also happens to be the subject of her next exposé. Ricci, a cold and calculating investor, demands Gerald Williams's daughter as collateral for a high-stakes deal. But when the intended bride disappears, he is given Sophia instead. What he doesn't know is that she's not just an unwilling bride—she's also a journalist determined to uncover his secrets. Trapped in a marriage built on deception and ulterior motives, Sophia and Ricci are drawn into a dangerous game of power, secrets, and unexpected desires. As tension brews and the lines between truth and lies blur, one question remains: Will their forced union spark a love undying or will the weight of their secrets be their own destruction?

"Are you cheating on me with him?" Ramon glowered. "Says the man who paraded his mistress everywhere and even brought her into our home." Married for protection. Trapped by silence. With no memory of who she was, Kelsey Morgan entered a loveless marriage and endured everything without question—neglect, coldness, and a family that treated her like she didn’t belong. Until her memories returned. And with them… her power. The quiet, obedient wife disappeared overnight. In her place stood a woman who knew exactly who she was—and what she deserved. Her first move? “Divorce.” His answer? “No.” So she did something worse. She stayed… But walked out of his life completely. Now, the husband who never cared is the one losing control. Because the woman he ignored is no longer his to keep.

Audrey Hepburn is a plus-size woman who has spent her life being overlooked by everyone around her, including her own family, who constantly favor her “perfect” cousin, Kylie Mercer.. Married to Matteo Williams, her marriage becomes a cycle of neglect, ridicule, and public humiliation as he openly cheats and emotionally destroys her confidence. On the night she catches Matteo with Kylie in their home, her marriage collapses completely. Betrayed and discarded, Audrey runs away desperate to feel something other than pain. In a hotel elevator, she meets a stranger. In a moment of reckless desire, she has sex with him. Only to later discover he is not a stranger at all, but her brother-in-law. He is Logan Williams… Matteo’s older brother, presumed dead. Logan refuses to let her walk away. He offers her a contract marriage built on revenge and 365 days of unrestrained wild sex. Matteo loses control when he discovers that the woman he once treated as worthless is now his brother’s obsession. And for the first time, he wants her back.

"Come for daddy, little Ellie." Those words from my dad's best friend, were my undoing. I lusted over him for years and he never noticed me. To him, I was just the naive, annoying daughter of his best friend. I devised a perfect plan to get him to fuck me. Not long, the truth was revealed. Would it be the end of the fire between us? And what happens when my dad and the rest of the world finds out about us?

THOMPSON AMELIA,A single mom who is trying to live her life in peace and far away from trouble. After being ruined by a mafia gang at 16, vows to take revenge. A very slow and dangerous revenge. What happens when she meets Brown Noah, the CEO of brown company? What happens when she finds out that Brown Noah, the one her heart longs for is the one that ruined her?

On the week before Valentine's Day, I want to buy my husband, Grayson Strickland, who works as a university professor, an electronic toothbrush as a gift. That's when I see a review with over ten thousand likes on a particular online store. "I recommend buying from this store! This store's electronic toothbrush is super durable! I've never had to charge this toothbrush for half a year!" Three days later, an additional response is made to that comment. "I'm sorry for misleading everyone. It turns out that my husband has been charging this toothbrush this whole time. It's my fault for being such a doofus! I even pestered him for a long time before I finally found out that he has done a lot for me! "I never have to add toilet rolls to the bathroom. All I thought is that the same toilet roll is extremely thick. The membership that I have on the TV app is often paid for and extended, and yet I thought there was a bug in the app software somehow. Some time ago, the peeling dry skin on my lips miraculously healed. It turns out he was the one who kept applying lip balm onto my lip at night. "He's a university professor, you see. In the past, I often blamed him for not knowing what being romantic was like. But now, I finally realize that those who love you will have a way of showing you how it's done." The rest of the comment section is filled with wailing complaints. They all complain that Valentine's Day isn't even here, and yet they are already sick of the lovey-dovey atmosphere. Amid the Internet users' constant requests, the poster finally uploads the handsome side profile of her husband. Feeling rather envious, I tap on the photo, only for my smile to freeze on my face. That photo actually features Grayson! As I stare at my mother-in-law, who has been paralyzed in bed for the past six years, I recall the fact that Grayson lives on the university campus all around the year. That's when uneasiness begins plaguing me. As expected, when I bring my marriage certificate to the County Clerk’s office and ask about it, the clerk points at the stamp and says, "Your marriage certificate is fake. Mr. Grayson Strickland's spouse is another woman named Callista Whitman." My fingers go slack subconsciously, causing the fake marriage certificate to fall to the floor. A chuckle of despair escapes my lips. Everyone knows that Callista is Grayson's student. She's his most prized student as well as the person who knows him the best. As for me… I'm just a free caretaker whom he has "hired".

On my wedding day, Levi Robbins' "close friend" Gina Fields suddenly fainted. Without hesitation, he dropped everything and rushed to the hospital, leaving me at the altar. My mother, witnessing this humiliating scene from her seat, suffered a heart attack. Yet, none of the guests bothered to help as they were too busy gossiping and laughing at my misfortune. By the time I managed to get her to the hospital, we had missed the critical window for treatment. Just then, Levi finally called, his voice urgent and demanding. "Caitlyn, where are you? Gina's condition is critical, and she needs your bone marrow!" "Levi, we're done," I said firmly, hanging up and walking away. This time, I would not look back.