Midsummer By Manuel Arguilla Summary

📖 Full Synopsis (Professional, 30-Chapter Summary) In a realm where the abyss bleeds whispers into men’s hearts, Aria, a gifted warrior bound to light, finds herself tethered to Lucien, a man scarred by an ancient mark. Their alliance begins in unease but quickly deepens into fragile trust, even as shadows stir within him. As armies clash and kingdoms fracture, Rowan, the enigmatic elder, and Kael, a fierce commander, fight to keep their ranks united. Yet Lucien’s mark grows restless, seeding betrayal, suspicion, and fear. Aria stands at his side, convinced that his humanity can be preserved, while others believe the abyss has already claimed him. The march to war spirals. Battles scar the land, alliances fray, and Lucien’s struggle becomes the fulcrum of fate. In the Breaking Storm, shadow and flame engulf the battlefield. Lucien teeters on the edge of becoming a weapon of the abyss. Aria refuses to yield, her voice anchoring him even as his blade rises against her. Kael’s blood is spilled in defiance, Rowan binds the storm in desperate runes, and Aria steps into the abyss itself, whispering her vow. In the climax, Lucien shatters his own blade, breaking free from the darkness—but not without scars. The storm collapses, leaving silence in its wake. In the aftermath, enemies bury their dead side by side. Kael rebuilds broken ranks, Rowan warns that the abyss never releases its scars, and Aria tends to Lucien’s healing—both body and soul. Though the mark lingers faintly beneath his skin, her vow holds stronger: never again will the abyss take him. The book closes on dawn: the storm passed, the stars returned, and two hands held fast against the dark.

When Sarah takes a job at an upscale hotel, she expects to deal with difficult guests, but nothing could have prepared her for the anger and aggression of one particular guest. Just as she's about to break down under the pressure, a mysterious and strikingly handsome man steps in and comes to her rescue. As the owner of the hotel, the man is used to dealing with difficult guests, but there's something different about Sarah that draws him to her. Despite his wealth and power, he finds himself captivated by her beauty and vulnerability. As they navigate their growing attraction, Sarah begins to uncover secrets about the hotel and its owner that make her question everything she thought she knew. Will their connection survive the secrets and danger that lurk in the shadows of the hotel? Or will their encounter be nothing more than a fleeting memory?

“Where is she?” “Where is Marianna Clarkson!” “Has anyone seen her!” The entire populace of the Crimson Moon Pack got thrown into confusion once the ruthless, unforgiving and callous Alpha Nickolas Cambridge began searching frantically for a mere wolfless, dirty, unwanted and disgusting commoner. Her name was Marianna - the only dirt in the Pack. Why? What prompted him into going on a desperate search for her? Where did Marianna run off too? She had endured the cruelty of the Pack for years, what could have made her run away? What could fate possibly have done to entwine the Alpha with a peasant?

"I want to be completely yours." I whispered and his lips parted slightly. "You sure-" he cleared his throat. " I mean, are you aware that I'm-" "Would you forgive me then?" I asked and a few seconds later, his gaze met mine which was softened than earlier and nodded his head. "Then take me right away." I whispered and his brows shot up in a bit surprise at my statement but quickly his expression replaced into a faint smile. "B-But I don't want to take advantage of this situation." he muttered. "But I want to." _____________ Isabella White is a talented girl who brought up from a wealthy family. She chose to be a babysitter as she's fond of kids. But she never thought that her dream job would change her life into upside down until she meets him. Christian Roberts is one of the youngest billionaires in the world and he's the guy every girl wanted and every guy wanted to be. Eventhough he's an arrogant beast to the people around him, he's the best dad her daughter could ever ask for. What would happen if the opposite attracts? What would be the consequences when they find out their past lives? ****** Trust me, this story takes you to an emotional rollercoaster ride if you read until the end.

In the final second before the elevator crashed down, my husband finally picked up my desperate call for help. I begged him, who was in charge of elevator maintenance, to save me. "That elevator was just serviced. What game are you playing?" he snapped. "Wasn't your silent treatment so strong? Keep going and stop bothering me. It's Marina's birthday today." I never reached out to him again. I died. Later, he'd have given anything just to see me one more time.

Elise is just a humble maid who never imagined her life would change after working for Reiner, the heir of a wealthy family—cold, enigmatic, and untouchable. As she carries out her duties, Elise begins to feel a spark of emotion she knows she shouldn’t have. But their growing closeness stirs conflict, sharp warnings, and secrets threatening to unravel. Can Elise withstand the pressure, or will she have to let go of everything to keep her heart intact?

There I was, totally perplexed by the color of his eyes and his intense and expressionless gaze, I felt the heat rise to my cheeks and for some strange reason I looked away, which surprised me even more, he turned his face in another direction and went on his way... Who was this man whose presence overwhelmed me, whose eyes mesmerized me? I could only be a kind of God on earth because it was impossible for a simple mortal to be so perfect, so beautiful, so incredible... What I didn't know is that this being would quickly become the center of all my problems and all my pleasures. "Because when seduction not only overrides your sanity but your whole being, you know you're lost"

Dahil sa matinding pangangailangan, napilitan si Raine Almiro na ibenta ang katawan niya kay Marcus Laurent, ang estrangherong nakilala niya sa bar. Desperada na siyang makalikom ng pera na ipambabayad sa tuition fee niya kaya nagsinungaling siya sa lalaki—sinabing kaya niyang ibigay ang kaligayahang hinahanap nito nang gabing ‘yon. Pero ang totoo, virgin pa siya. Iyon ang unang beses niya at handa siyang ibigay iyon, ganun siya kadesperada. Pagkatapos ng mainit na tagpong ‘yon, hindi na muling nagpakita ang lalaki. Pero may iniwan itong pabaon sa kanya... Nabuntis siya nito. Four years later, hindi niya inaasahang muling magtatagpo ang mga landas nila. Marcus is now her new boss—at mukhang tuluyan na siyang nakalimutan nito. And what’s worse? Her first job is to find the woman he met four years ago. Kailangan ni Marcus ang anak niya para makuha nito ang mana. At kapag hindi nahanap ni Raine ang babaeng iyon sa loob ng isang buwan ay matatanggal siya sa trabaho. Pero nang malaman niya kung bakit pinapahanap siya ng lalaki, pinanghinaan siya ng loob. Gusto na lang niyang tumakbo at muling magtago. But she also needs her job—ayaw na niyang bumalik sa pagpa-part time para lang maitaguyod ang anak niya. Now, she’s torn between losing her job and keeping her peace.

"Don't ever leave me, Jae," he slowly met Jaesung's eyes, and gently inched his face forward, observing his beautiful confused profile. "You're the only thing keeping me alive." All he could see was Jaesung as he took in a low deep breath and released a shaky minty breath on Jaesung's lips. "Only thing." ♡ Jaesung has a secret, one he has held on to for years. Many in his position would've probably let it go but he can't. Even if it's been over 10 years, he would still be in love with his boss's only son. Yihai is an angry child and he hates the fact that his father got custody of him, moving him an entirely different country. For a second time. However when Yihai meets Jaesung, the orange haired boy whose smile makes his insides go warm, Yihai doesn't dislike the idea anymore. Just the way he doesn't dislike the feelings arising for the older male.

Raline dan Rana adalah dua insan Tuhan yang pernah mengalami kepahitan dalam mencintai seseorang. Trauma batin yang membawa mereka pada ketidakpastian dalam menghadapi orang-orang yang ingin mencintai mereka. Keduanya terseret arus kehidupan yang begitu pahit. Hingga membuat mereka terpaksa berikrar untuk tidak memulai kehidupan dengan mahligai pernikahan. Cinta adalah bagian yang keduanya letakan diakhir hidup. Namun bagaimana jika Tuhan justru menuliskan takdir yang membuat mereka bersatu? Dengan berlandaskan insiden kedua adik mereka, Rana dan Raline terpaksa harus melanggar ikrar batin yang telah mereka pegang selama ini. Tonggat tersebut akhirnya rapuh juga. Keduanya terpaksa menjalankan sebuah pernikahan yang telah disusun demi bisa menyelamatkan aib kedua adik mereka.