Novel & Cerita The Next Best Book Club

“Come on, don’t say that, James. Maybe my sister-in-law here– Oh, right, ex–sister-in-law, was just hungry.” The event manager hurried over, taking one look at my plain outfit. His tone was polite but firm. “Ma’am, tonight’s event is a private banquet welcoming Mr. Daniel Howard, the wealthiest man in Alcatraz, along with his family. We can’t allow any unrelated guests. Please show your invitation.” Before I could speak, James raised a hand like he was being magnanimous and gave me a pitying look. “Seven years… I thought you’d at least be living better by now.”

“Yeah, even the idea freaks me out.” Aiden nodded. “Glad we’re on the same page.” Nova crossed her arms but smiled at Eli. “Well, we’re on the same page too.” “Exactly,” Eli said softly. “It’ll be fine as long as you guys are with us.” That almost cracked me. Almost. “Still a no,” Aiden said firmly. “Let’s keep clubbing aside until college,” I added. “Suggest something less… clubby.” I raised a brow. “Maybe a book club?”

“There’s one around the corner. We can check it out tomorrow if you want.” “Oh my God,” she breathed. “There’s a book club? I’ve always wanted to go to one. Talk about books with real people and all that. Thank you so much, Nolan.” The smile in her voice made my chest ache in the best way. “But,” she added, “the book club is tomorrow. I’m talking about tonight. Like, I can’t close my eyes right now. I keep seeing that image. It’s just... messed up.” “I know,” I sighed. “But it’s too late for me to come over, and you can’t come here either. Not tonight. We’ll talk tomorrow, alright?”

I didn't get home until evening. Brenda's book club's tea party was only a few days away, and I had to meet with the ladies for some last minute adjustments to the menu. I'd never wanted to impress anyone like I wanted to impress these women. They were some high caliber people, and this was my chance to win them over before the business opened.

I’m trying to be patient, but it’s harder than I’d like to admit. Two months ago, I opened my bookstore, and it’s been incredible. Twice a week, we host book clubs, and I’ve made it a point to bring one of the guys with me to each session. It’s hilarious watching their faces as we dive into the discussions. The women seem to enjoy it too—something about discussing steamy romance scenes with a bit of eye candy in the room. The door finally creaks open, and I sit up straighter as they walk in.

Xander asked. “Not really.” Thalia replied. “Well you should get the book the next time you go to the library. You will enjoy it.” He assured her. “What's the title?” She asked. ‘Clan vs Clans.’ I replied in my head, I have already read that book a trillion times. I just read the latest edition some weeks ago. “Clan vs Clans by Sable Stormbringer.” He replied. “So Thalia, if I am permitted to call your name?” He asked and Thalia nodded her head in response. “Okay then, I will be taking my leave. I have something important to handle. You should get back to your room.”

Gwen's Pov I couldn’t stay in that apartment another minute. The package on the coffee table stared at me like a living accusation. Every time I glanced at it, fresh waves of humiliation crashed over me. I needed out. My Book club meeting was today. Right. It was my one safe, normal thing this week, a quiet gathering at a cute café a few blocks away where we talked about romance novels and drank overpriced lattes. No ex-husbands. No lecturers. No drama.

Following the trail of Silvercrest Capital, I found the location of the underground casino. It was in the basement of an industrial park on the outskirts of the city. I didn’t go in. It was too dangerous. But online, I found a few people who had been scammed there before. They had formed a group to try and get their money back. I joined. There were more than thirty people in the group, all of them cheated by Silvercrest Capital. Some had lost tens of thousands. Others had lost hundreds of thousands.

I was relieved to see there were no men here, at least if there was going to be a man he should be gay and we all agreed to that. We were six. Cindy Bellman, Aisha Mohammed, Drew Finch, Jessica Boston, Lexi Hale, and me. We were just six beautiful ladies who loved to talk about our favorite books and rant about how JK Rowling is a bitch for her transphobic tweets. Sometimes we'd just go out to have some fun. We weren't just a book club we were a sisterhood. Lexi's mystery thriller novel will be out next month and I'm so happy for her, there's no room for jealousy or spite because as women who moan over hot fictional characters like Christian Grey we can not bash each other all we have is lov

He says through gritted teeth. "That. Was. The. Best.Sandwich, yet you guys." I say breathlessly as I'm squashed between them. "Fucking Chad and his cheap furniture," Russell says sighing as he does his best to get up without hurting us. "Same time next month?" I giggle.