Norton Critical Editions Novels & Stories

Sophia Carter, a struggling teenager, in a quest to save her mother's life, faced a life-altering pregnancy after having a passionate one-night stand with a billionaire by the name of Damien Knight. Her mother later died, and she was devastated, having to deal with the loss of her mother and the pregnancy she was carrying. Damien Knight left the state before she could tell him about the pregnancy. Tragedy strikes as she walks into her miserable life alone. With the help of her friend Kattie, she was able to give birth, raise her son, Ethan, rebuild her life, and become a successful career woman. Years later, she married Lucas Knight, Damien's younger brother. Lucas accepted Ethan as his son, unaware that Ethan's biological father wasn't  Damien, his elder brother. The truth about her past crashes down when Damien hosts a school contest where Ethan gives an excellent performance. Damien demanded the identity of Ethan's parents. They were called for accolades for their son's performance. Damien was shocked to see Sophia and Lucas as Ethan's parents. Secrets, lies, and emotions unfold as both Damien and Lucas demand the true identity of Ethan from Sophia. Lucas got furious at Sophia for deceiving him. Damien stood with nothing to gain the hearts of Sophia and Ethan back.  Sophia was facing a choice: Fight for Ethan—face the real father or lose the boy she nearly died for.  What decision will she make, fighting for Lucas's love or accepting Damien back? Find out in this intriguing story.

Ethan Fani, a rising star in the business world, finds his heart shattered after a betrayal by his partner. Desperate to see his son happy again and protect their family's legacy, his father devises a plan: pay someone to date Ethan and restore his confidence. Enter Anna Hobbs, a young woman thrust into adulthood by family tragedy. Struggling to provide for her father and sister, she's drawn to the promise of quick cash when she stumbles upon an intriguing job opportunity. But as she delves deeper into the charade, Anna realises that the price of easy money may be higher than she ever imagined. Can Anna keep her secret from Ethan, or will their burgeoning connection unravel everything? In a world where love and deception collide, Ethan must navigate the thin line between truth and fiction, risking her heart in the process.

Their marriage was nothing but a bargain. Their love became a battlefield. When fallen heiress Layla Carter is forced into a marriage with Lucian Hilton, the cold and ruthless illegitimate heir of the Hilton empire, all she wants is to save her daughter’s life. Love was never part of the deal. But fate has a cruel sense of humor. The man who once abandoned her that night; the father of her child turns out to be her husband. The woman he thought he could control becomes the one who can destroy him. As old wounds reopen and buried secrets rise to the surface, their fake marriage turns into a dangerous game of passion, power, and revenge, where the line between love and hate blurs, and redemption might come too late.

Mira De Vera only wants one thing: to get her eight-year-old sister into a hospital bed before it’s too late. But in a world of “no cash, no admit,” mercy comes with strings. When Mira crosses paths with Adrian Valezco—the cold, untouchable heir behind the foundation banners—he offers a way out: he’ll cover Eli’s admission and move her to the front of the line. The price? A one-year marriage contract. Quiet. Legal. Controlled. Now Mira faces an impossible choice: sign a deal that could save her sister… or protect her freedom and scholarship as rumors explode, an investigation closes in, and anonymous warnings hit her phone: Bianca doesn’t lose. Neither does Darius. Because if Mira steps into Adrian’s world, she won’t just become his wife in public. She’ll become a target.

Falling in love with Adrian Sterling was never part of Katherine's plan. Not when he was younger. Not when he was her boss. And certainly not when he belonged to someone else. But love doesn't follow logic. From stolen moments in the office to whispered confessions in the dark, their connection grows stronger-until it becomes impossible to ignore. But with betrayal waiting at every corner, an ex-husband who won't let go, a daughter who loathes her, and a world that refuses to accept them, they have only one choice: Walk away or risk everything. I guess you'll just have to read the story to find out the one they chose! P.S. If you enjoyed this book, you won't want to miss my other story(A NANNY FOR HIS KIDS AND HEART), which is a crossover with this one! The two books share connections-characters, mysteries, and hidden clues that link their worlds together. Reading both will give you the full experience and reveal secrets you won't find anywhere else!

Rosa never imagined that her quiet, ordinary life would be turned upside down by colliding with a billionaire. Literally. After an unexpected incident, Alexander Wade, icy CEO and heir to a vast company, suggests a contract marriage to fulfill a clause in his grandfather’s will, she agrees reluctantly as it was the only hope she could find. To Alexander, it was simple: marry, inherit, move on. But nothing about Rosa is simple. With every stolen glance and every unexpected moment, the line between pretend and reality begins to blur. Suddenly, it’s not just about signatures and legalities. It’s about feelings he never intended to feel. But when his glamorous ex, Daphne, returns and his manipulative mother schemes to tear them apart, Rosa and Alexander's fragile connection is tested. Secrets resurface, betrayal cuts deep, and love is no longer enough on its own. Now, Alexander must make a choice; hold onto the past he's always known… or fight for the woman who unexpectedly stole his heart.

Natasha, daughter of a wealthy former mafia boss thought her life was going well until she caught her boyfriend cheating on her. Feeling angry and hurt, she went to a bar, drank herself to stupor and ended up spending the night with a stranger. She didn’t see his face—only a tattoo on his chest. She went back home and found out her father was in trouble. The only available option to help him was to marry Liam—the son of her father's former colleague. She didn’t know he was the same stranger from that night. He knew because he recognised her immediately, but he didn’t tell her. Later, she found out she was pregnant. She told her best friend, Ashley, who took her to a doctor to secretly end the pregnancy. But the doctor was Liam’s best friend. He later started blackmailing her with it for his own selfish gain, after he found out she was married to his friend. Ashley later turned against her. Natasha was sad and confused, but things changed when Ashley came back and confessed everything about how she was the one behind everything. Liam found out the truth, protected Natasha, and punished those who hurt her. In the end, they decided to forget the past and build a real marriage with trust and love.

North Kennedy never imagined she would find herself in a contract marriage with her ex, Finn. But when the bride vanishes on their wedding day, Finn offers her a deal: marry him for six months, and he’ll fund her business dreams. Despite their painful past, North agrees, but insists on keeping her heart out of it. As their fake marriage turns real, fiery arguments, jealousy, and hidden emotions come to the surface. Finn’s older brother, Liam, sparks new complications, while Finn’s manipulative ex-fiancée threatens to reclaim him. But when North discovers the truth behind Finn’s intentions, she’s left heartbroken and pushed away. With a baby on the way and a battle of wills brewing, can they survive the lies, the jealousy, and their own hearts? Or will their second chance at love crumble under the weight of their past? A marriage of convenience. A love rekindled. Secrets, jealousy, and passion collide in this irresistible enemies-to-lovers romance!

One night. Two strangers. Three lives changed forever. Elena Martinez never expected her celebration drink to end in the arms of a mysterious stranger. No names. No promises. Just one unforgettable night of passion that should have remained a beautiful secret. Until she walks into her dream job interview—and comes face-to-face with her one-night stand. Damien Blackwood, billionaire CEO, is now her boss. And he's determined to pretend that night never happened. When Elena discovers she's pregnant with twins, Damien's response shatters her: "Convenient timing. Looking for a payday?" Accused of gold-digging and threatened with destruction, Elena disappears, vowing to raise her children alone. Five years later, their worlds collide again. Her brilliant, mischievous twins accidentally wander into Daddy's office, and one look at their faces reveals the truth Damien can no longer deny. But claiming his children means confronting the woman he wronged—the only woman he's never been able to forget. Elena's not the naïve girl he dismissed. She's built a life without him, and forgiveness won't come easy. Especially when corporate conspiracies, family betrayals, and dangerous enemies threaten everything they hold dear. As passion reignites and secrets explode, Damien must prove he's worthy of a second chance. But can a love born from one reckless night survive the chaos of reality? Some mistakes can't be undone. Some loves refuse to die. And some families are worth fighting the world for. A steamy second-chance romance with scheming twins, corporate intrigue, and a love that defies the odds.

He didn't love her but she became his Mrs. Jack. She couldn't interfere with his personal behavior and couldn't tell others that she was his wife. When his ex-girlfriend returned as promised, she handed him the divorce agreement, saying, "She's back, and I'm returning your freedom." But he just laughed and said, "Mrs. Jack, you even have our child. Where else do you want to go?"