Modern Library's 100 Best Novels Novels & Stories

Synopsis: “Some mistakes ruin you. Others reveal who you really are.” Ava has always played it safe, witty, observant, and content staying in the shadow of her bold, magnetic best friend, Sophia. But all of that changes the night she crosses a line she can never uncross with Sophia’s twin brother, Mason. Mason is everything Ava shouldn’t want: arrogant, reckless, devastatingly charming and completely off-limits. Known for breaking hearts without remorse, Mason lives for the thrill, never the aftermath. But when a stolen kiss turns into a secret affair, Ava is pulled into a dangerous game of love, lust, and lies that threatens to shatter the only relationships she’s ever trusted. As Ava falls deeper, she uncovers a side of Mason no one else sees haunted, vulnerable, desperate to feel something real. But when an unplanned pregnancy sends her spiraling, Ava makes a devastating choice… one that will come back to haunt her. Now, with secrets unraveling and emotions running raw, Ava must face the wrath of betrayal not just from Mason, but from Sophia too. Can love survive when trust is shattered? Or will the truth destroy them all? In a story filled with temptation, betrayal, and heart-stopping twists, Ava must decide: is forbidden love worth the scars it leaves behind?

The golden boy and the heir to the billion-dollar empire, Bash Hughes has been the love of Trinity’s life even if he’s a bully. He has everything the world can offer, but she’s only his best friend—nothing more, and it eventually ended badly. They went separate ways then. Years later, their worlds collide, but they’re two different people—Trinity transforms into a gorgeous redhead. Well, Bash always has the looks, money, and now power. What happened when their first glance reignites something hard to shake off? Is there still a friendship to catch up, or they want something more?

Cade Jennings was always there for me when I needed him—until he wasn’t. I’d spent my entire life loving my best friend’s older brother. Every single one of my birthday wishes was spent hoping Cade would finally notice me. And then one day, he did. But not all love stories have happy endings. It's been years since I left the small town of Sutten Mountain devastated and heartbroken. I’d used the pain to fuel a bestselling novel that solidified I’d never have to return. Until tragedy struck, forcing me to face the man who shattered my heart. I thought I’d be strong enough to see him again. I didn’t expect the angry, broken man staring back at me. But the more time we spend around each other, the more I see glimpses of the man I fell in love with. His touch still owns me. His kiss still brands me. And even after all this time, the feelings I have for him still consume me. Cade and I are unfinished business, and this time, he’s not letting me leave until we rewrite our story.

After being exiled from her pack, Pearl seeks refuge in her friend’s pack. However, Pearl catches the attention of the Alpha, Harold. "We shouldn't be doing this..." She tried to resist... "Why? Because you're friends with my daughter?" But he wouldn't stop... Will she give in to her temptations? Will their secret remain a secret for ever? Find out in this tale of a forbidden relationship.

They threw me away like I was nothing. Divorced me for my younger, prettier, fertile sister. I signed divorce papers while I suspected I was finally pregnant. Smiled while they handed me five thousand dollars and told me to disappear. I disappeared, alright. Off a cliff, Into freezing water. Nearly drowned carrying his twins. Someone wanted me dead. His family buried the investigation before my body was even cold, except there was no body. Because I survived. Ten years later, I walk back into their world as Dr. Scarlett Fox. The surgeon they're begging to save his dying mother. He doesn't recognize me until it's too late. Untill he sees my face and his entire world crumbles. Then he sees my kids, his kids. With his eyes and my fury. Now Nicholas's on his knees. Saying he spent a decade in hell thinking he killed me. Saying he's changed. But someone in his family is guilty, and as I dig deeper, people start watching. The man who saved me, Spencer, wants me to stop. He says it's too dangerous. That I should choose him, let the past stay buried. But I didn't survive murder just to run back scared. I'm Dr. Scarlett Fox now. Elite surgeon. Single mother. And I'm about to perform the most important operation of my life. Cutting out the cancer in the Cruz family. Even if it kills me this time.

Kiara Black and Trey Thompson have a one night stand after meeting each other at a bar, attempting to find solace from their personal problems. Days later, Kiara attends a welcome home party for her best friend’s brother that she’s never met before. After finding out that she accidentally slept with Candice’s brother, she makes it her mission to avoid Trey at all cost, but he’s determined to make her fall in love with him.

Salma Gascon falls in love with her best friend on the day he saves her at a frat party. On graduation night, Salma confesses her feelings and Brandon McLean admits he feels the same. By morning, he is gone and has erased her from his life. Weeks later, Salma learns she is pregnant. When she goes to him, she finds him with the woman who once hurt her. He rejects her and the child. At home, Salma hears plans to force her into aborting her child. She runs away without looking back. Years later, Salma returns as a successful surgeon and a daughter that looks just like Brandon. Brandon finds himself in need of her help but when they finally see each other, old feelings of lust, desire and also hate rise up. They become locked in a custody battle for their daughter, Leona. But Leona unexpectedly falls sick and they are left with a choice. To keep fighting their attraction for each other or to fight to stay together.

Evonne Shannon was a poor student mother sponsored. She was also the crush I had been courting for a long time. Wanting to allow her to shine, I gave up my place in the piano competition for her. However, she glared at me with disdain for deciding this on my own. She then instantly turned around and handed the registration form to her boyfriend, Angelo Zambrano, and said, "Ange, only you deserve this competition." Evonne liked sports cars, so I begged my mother to buy her a limited-edition McLaren supercar. But in return, Evonne mocked me and called me shallow. "Don't think I'll accept you just because I'm accepting the car, Chase Shannon. You've never understood me." With my help, Evonne got to put on a facade of a mysterious billionaire's daughter. But the moment she got money from me, she turned around and went on a romantic getaway with Angelo. I thought of Evonne as my everything and even asked my mother to arrange for her to join the family company. Within half a year, she was promoted to a core team member. She then conspired with Angelo to drain the company dry and even forced me to my death. "What else can you do besides insult me with money and a materialistic lifestyle, Chase? You're the most disgusting obstacle on my path to success. Only when you're dead can I marry Ange," she declared. I was heartbroken when I heard this, and that was when Evonne pushed me off the sidewalk and into traffic. Immediately after that incident, I was reincarnated to the day I bought Evonne a piano. She was glaring at me with disdain. "If you don't want to buy it, just say so. There's no need to humiliate me like this." I let out a dismissive scoff. "Am I the one who's humiliating you, or are you the shameless one? You beg for food but complain that it's cold. You're worse than those stray dogs on the streets. At least they show gratitude after getting scraps."

"I'm not yours!" I snap, my eyes narrowing into slits as I glare at him. A wicked grin curls on his lips. "Oh, but you are, little deer. How can you even begin to deny it?" He leans in closer, his breath hot against my neck as he drags his nose along my skin, inhaling deeply. "You let me touch you. Now, you. Are. Mine." I shake my head vigorously, my voice trembling as I stammer, "I... I wasn't awake. I didn't know it was you. I thought it was him!" The words spill out, more an attempt to convince myself than to sway him. His dark, sinister laugh reverberates as he presses closer, pinning me against the wall, his body a cage around mine. "Yet your eyes were fixed on his face, weren't they, little deer? Even as you came so hard around my fingers." He's right. My heart pounds as I recall the moment, my gaze locked on Justin, terrified he would wake and discover us. Luna thought she had everything she wanted—a loving relationship with her boyfriend, Justin, and a life that felt secure. But everything changed in a single, haunting night. For years, Luna had been living under the shadow of a mysterious stalker, someone who invaded her apartment, left unsettlingly sweet gifts, and even stole her clothing. She never imagined that the danger was closer than she could have ever suspected. After a night of partying, Luna drifts off to sleep between Justin and his best friend, Dante. But what she doesn't know is that Dante, the man she trusted, is the very stalker who has been obsessing over her for years. And now, with her so close, his twisted desires are becoming impossible to resist.

Moving in with your best friend’s brother is already a bad idea. Moving in with the one who hates you? Even worse. Kassidy had nowhere else to go, so she ended up living in the same house as Eli Deering, the man who blamed her for the worst thing that ever happened to his sister and never once pretended otherwise. Cold, distant, and completely unforgiving, Eli made it clear she didn’t belong there. She knew better than to want him. She had always known better. One reckless night at a party blurred every boundary between them, turning years of hatred and tension into something dangerous, messy, and intimate. They spent the night together. Eli is looking at her differently now and Kassidy is running out of reasons to pretend she doesn't notice and must decide if he is the one person she should stay away from or the one she was never meant to resist?