Los Angeles Review Of Books

Yasmin has survived five years of Cole Martinez’s cruelty—his icy contempt, his mother’s vicious words, and the humiliation of watching him parade his mistress around town. She’s learned to stay quiet, stay small, and never fight back. But two pink lines on a pregnancy test change everything. Cole made it clear he never wants children. If he finds out about the baby, Yasmin knows exactly what he’ll demand. Yet for the first time in years, she feels something stirring inside her that’s stronger than fear—a fierce, desperate love for the tiny life growing within her. Now she faces an impossible choice: stay silent and risk everything when her secret shows, or find the courage to run from the only life she’s known. In Cole’s world, defiance comes with a price. But some things are worth fighting for, even if it means losing everything else. Can Yasmin break free before it’s too late, or will her secret become the final chain that binds her forever?

My boyfriend's childhood friend, Cassandra Lindth, performs one of the forbidden spells, trading 30 years of her own life just to steal the top spot on the civil service exam from me. She pulls off a 30-day miracle and becomes an internet sensation, her comeback going viral. Meanwhile, I take the fall, get reported for cheating, and am banned from ever taking the exam again. I turn to my boyfriend, Derrick Hayes, for help, but the look he gives me spells pure disbelief. "Have you completely lost it? You couldn't pass on your own, and now you're trying to drag Cassandra's name through the mud? I never imagined you'd stoop this low!" I am speechless, with no way to prove my innocence. Cassandra sues me for defamation, and Derrick shows up in court to testify against me. I have studied for three years straight, and it ends with a three-year prison sentence. My parents are disappointed with me. They go so far as to publish their statement in the newspapers, publicly shaming me. Derrick and Cassandra announce their wedding online and are set to dive into their new jobs as soon as the honeymoon wraps up. With no way to clear my name, I spiral into despair. Disoriented and numb, I fall into the river and drown. When I open my eyes again, I am back to the week before the civil service exam. I toss my exam ticket in the trash and sign up for a three-month temp gig instead. If Cassandra is dumb enough to trade 30 years of her life for my spot, she can have it and choke on it!

"Asawa niya ako, pero hindi kailanman minahal." Sa loob ng isang taon, tiniis ni Anessa ang malamig na pagtrato ni Bart Divinagracia—ang CEO na asawa niyang itinuring siyang wala. Isang kasal na itinali ng obligasyon, hindi ng pag-ibig. Isang pusong tahimik na nasasaktan, umaasang mamahalin din siya balang araw. Pero hanggang kailan siya maghihintay? Nang siya’y tuluyang iwan, doon lang napagtanto ni Bart ang halaga ng babaing dati’y hindi niya pinansin. Ngayon, handa siyang bawiin ang pusong sinayang niya—pero may babalikan pa ba kaya siya? O huli na ang lahat?

“Hmm... Rhea, is it? Nice name.” I froze as I heard the husky voice, and I felt tremors running down my spine. I slowly raised my head and met the bluest eyes I had ever seen... Bluer than the ocean… So blue that they seemed to twinkle like twin pools of sapphire. I ran my eyes over his entire figure. He was wearing a suit but didn’t look like the typical businessmen. For one thing, he was not clean shaved, and had a five o’clock shadow on his face. And I couldn’t figure out if his hair was stylishly messed up, or he just didn’t bother to do anything with it at all. Either way, it looked good. Too good! And those lips.. I was brought out of my fantasies when those oh so kissable lips turned up into a smirk. Uh huh! I bit my lips, trying to bring myself out of the lust-filled haze I was falling into. There was just something about him, something so magnetic that I was losing all control of my thoughts. There seemed to be an aura of power and danger surrounding him. If I didn’t know any better, the one word I would say was ‘otherworldly’... but I knew better and just stopped myself in time from uttering the words ‘What are you?’. ------------------- From the day she woke up without memories two years ago, Rhea had always thought she was a normal human girl. What happens when she realises she was never a human, but a goddess? Suddenly her once boring life becomes all too exciting when she finds herself in the middle of Gods, demons, and a mysterious wolf protector. Add a handsome stranger whom she can’t seem to get her mind away from, Rhea is in for a lot more than she bargained for...

“Seb pleasee" Zara pleaded her voice shaking into a whimper "ahh…fuck!” Sebastian thrust his long veiny hard dick into her tight pussy with force, his hips moving without pause. "This belongs to me alone Zara.” “Oh god..Seb…ahh!" she cried out gripping him tightly as she reached her climax. Zara was abducted as a newborn and separated from her relatives. Her parents looked for her tirelessly. Meanwhile, a woman who had never had children discovered her cradle in a lonely alley and decided to care for her. As she grew up, she suffered abuse from her family but remained strong and resilient. She receives a scholarship to Columbia University, one of the elite institutions in New York. She hurries home to deliver the news only to discover her parents being brutally attacked by a group of men. Sebastian Knight is attractive, influential, and threatening. He stares at her father and asserts, "Zara must wed him to settle his debt.” Living with Sebastian was absolute torment. She cared for him and loved him but he despised her. He mistreated her. Even shared their marital bed with his first love. Ultimately she throws down the divorce documents and leaves the marriage. Three men: a business magnate, an exceptional attorney, and a globally renowned celebrity come forward and disclose a truth that deeply unsettles her: they are her brothers. Furthermore, she is not merely a girl; she is the heiress to the Sterlings’ empire, the wealthiest family in New York. Zara’s existence is on the verge of a transformation. Can she finally claim the life that was stolen from her at birth, or will she forever drown in the misery Sebastian put her in?

Samantha Carter has always fought hard, balancing university studies with caring for her sick mother while learning not to trust easily. When she meets Jake Dawson, a kind but troubled friend, she finally opens her heart. Their friendship blossoms into a deep love full of hope for the future. But everything changes when pressure from his family and Julia Blake's romantic obsession force Jake to leave Samantha, leaving her heartbroken and alone. In her deep pain, Samantha searches for healing and finds comfort with Gabriel, a gentle and caring man who seems to offer her a new beginning. For a while, she believes that love can mend her wounded heart. But when Gabriel suddenly pulls away with a harsh letter, she is left wondering if she is chasing love as an escape from her past or if it might lead to a better future. At the same time, a long-hidden secret is revealed that will change everything. Ronald William, a billionaire heir living in luxury, is Brandon Carter—Samantha’s long-lost brother, who was stolen from their family as a child. As his true identity comes to light, his decision to unite with his family becomes a threat to his possession. When love, loyalty, and deceit collide, the price is higher than anyone ever imagined.

I was just Clara - curvy, smart, invisible… until the day four men crashed my graduation and told me I’m not who I think I am. I’m the lost heiress of a billionaire werewolf pack, and suddenly, everyone wants a piece of me. Rival wolves, jealous heiresses, and greedy suitors think they can control me. They’re about to find out I bite back. My wolf is awake, my mind is sharp, and I’m done hiding. I’ll claim my fortune, my power, and maybe… finally find the mate who is destined to me.

"Then why do you look so relieved? Who checks work after hearing news like this?" He scoffed impatiently. “This is why you lost the baby—you’re always paranoid! It was work, Natalie. You’d know these things if you were a CEO like me.” **** After a heartbreaking miscarriage, Natalie discovers her fiancé, Lucas, is cheating on her—with her own sister. Betrayed and humiliated, she leaves, only to fall into the ruthless world of Malcolm Onyx, Lucas’ powerful billionaire uncle. Their paths collide in scandal, but when Lucas takes everything from her—her home, career, and dignity—Malcolm offers her a chilling proposition.

Labinlimang taon siyang nawala. Dinukot, tinanggalan ng pagkakakilanlan, at halos nakalimutan na ng lahat. Ngayon, bumalik si Luna Valencia, the only heir ng powerful Valencia family, dala ang tapang at ganda na parang sandata, handang harapin ang mundong minsang iniwan niya. Akala niya’y simpleng misyon lang ang pagbabalik, isang tungkuling sa wakas ay matatapos na. Ngunit nagbago ang lahat nang magtagpo ang mata nila ng lalaki sa kabilang kalye. That man was no other than Isaac Knight Fernandez. Ang malamig at mailap na pinuno ng pamilya Fernandez, na kilala bilang isang bituing hindi maabot. Subalit para kay Luna, siya ang perpektong paglalarawan ng lalaking gusto niya. In an instant, the lost heiress found her secret obsession. And when Luna wants something—she never lets go. “I saw you, Isaac Fernandez… and I won’t stop until you’re mine.” Sa likod ng kanyang mapanganib na plano, may isang tinig na nakikisali. Puno ng nakakakilabot na tawa at kasabikan, “You think you’re the only one obsessed, Luna? From the moment I saw you… I knew you were already mine.” Sa isang mundong puno ng tsismis, kapangyarihan, at kasinungalingan, magtatagumpay kaya ang lihim na obsesyon, o ito na ba ang magiging simula ng kaniyang pagbagsak?

Reia, 24, is heartbroken and struggling with student loans when she stumbles upon an audition for a new PPOP girl group. Taking a chance, she is unexpectedly accepted, becoming not only a member but the leader and main songwriter, pouring her personal heartbreak and experiences with her ex into every song. W4RI rises to fame quickly, culminating in a historic debut at the Philippine Arena, but Reia grows anxious when management proposes a documentary about the group’s formation, fearing it might reveal her past relationship to fans. As the documentary airs, Reia trends online, and her ex’s identity begins to surface through social media, forcing her to navigate the intersection of fame and privacy. Meanwhile, Ezra, a music platform reviewer from Poland, is assigned to evaluate W4RI’s tracks and promotion—unaware that it’s Reia. Their digital interactions gradually reconnect them, rekindling old feelings as they exchange memories, hopes, and regrets. When they unexpectedly meet at a public event in Manila, their reunion is bittersweet. They struggle with unresolved emotions, public scrutiny, and the challenges of balancing Reia’s idol career with their personal lives. After facing online harassment and fans discovering their connection, Reia and Ezra choose to be honest and support each other, ultimately emerging stronger and united. The story concludes with hope, healing, and the promise of a future where love and career coexist.