Drea Braddock

For as long as I can remember, I've had a thing for the girl next door, my best friend's sister.And for just as long, I've been invisible. I've tried getting over it, dating other women, but no one can compare.No one even comes close.I've kept my distance for years, knowing I could never be good enough for someone so intelligent, poised, beautiful, and successful. But now, it might finally be my time. My turn. My chance.Catherine's newest very high-profile clients are throwing an engagement celebration for her cheating ex and she can't get out of going. She needs a fake date to play emotional buffer, and maybe show she's better off too. And I need a chance to show I'm more to the only woman I've ever wanted.Catherine could finally truly see me as a man, as an option, an equal.ORI could be what she needs for a short window of time only to lose even the fantasy of ever being with her once the party's over.I don't know if I'm strong enough to take the risk. But something tells me it doesn't matter when weighed against the simple fact that she needs me. She needs me and she asked for my help.What can I do but agree?And what are the odds I'll get through this with my heart intact?

I'm back home on O'ahu after years away at school. I've got my best friend and my sister close by and my childhood dream job working for child welfare services All my hard work has paid off and I have everything I need right here. What I don't need is my childhood dream guy, the literal boy next door, my best friend's freaking brother, showing up as the lawyer I have to work with. Especially not looking as good as he does while suddenly looking at me like I'm a woman instead of some bratty kid Griffin may be all grown up, but at his core, he's still the careful, dutiful guy who never saw me, but felt our families expected him to pursue my older sister. What's the point of instant red-hot chemistry and shared passions if I'm always going to be the second choice? I'm woman enough to fight for what I want, but just once I'd like to be the one worth fighting for.What will it take to show him that I'm not the wrong sister?

I'm an Engineering Scientist with bad vision and...other issues, so being picked up by the fascinating, straight-forward brunette at the bar was not on my radar. But once I've had a taste of Bex, there's no going back. Except the closer we get, the more terrified I am that she'll run the other direction, like every other woman I've ever dated, as soon as she knows about that small piece of myself I'm holding back. I can't trust that she'll accept me, but I don't want to imagine life without her either.Our happily ever after? That would take a Hawaiian Christmas miracle.

I'm still not entirely sure how I got here. It's a little unreal that this real-life Ken doll with the melt-me-Southern-accent even wanted to talk to me, but now he's offering a way to take care of everything that's been stressing me out. What's a little fake marriage between new friends, right?It's not like I haven't been thinking about him for months, and our chemistry is off the charts All we have to do is convince everyone around us this relationship is real.I can act like a good wife. No big deal. But what about when it all starts to feel too real? Am I brave enough to risk falling for my husband?The author would like you to know: if you don't like swearingif sexy banter isn't your thingif you prefer angst and dark romanceif you want sex to fade to black, behind closed doorsif you don't like community and found familyif you're not into emotional growth and adult relationshipsThis book might not be for you.

She may hate to admit that she wants him, but he could be the one man she truly needs. Hawai'i may have lush green mountains and gorgeous beaches but I'm here for one thing and one thing only: my job. I plan on spending my time on O'ahu becoming the best Navy Surface Warfare Officer I can be. Not the best female officer, the best officer, full stop, thank you very much. Nothing is going to pull my focus, least of all the 6'5" wall of native Hawaiian muscle next door. Every look from his chocolatey eyes may set my body on fire, but he also pisses me off more than anyone I've ever met. I'm a driven, successful woman and I don't have time for the likes of Ka'eo Maheloha with his flirty smile and carefree vibe. I don't like to fail, and I sure as hell don't like to be vulnerable. Shouldn't the universe understand that someone so laid back and charming isn't a good match for me and stop pushing us together? Because love isn't something I want to get wrong, again. But if Ka'eo and I together are wrong, then why does every moment we're close feel so very right? All I know is I'm not sure how to be who I'm supposed to be and protect my heart at the same time.

He's a scruffy blond Adonis and I'm an awkward Naval Officer who would like to be anywhere but at karaoke in my friend's tiny black dress.But when he inexplicably. notices me and sparks fly, what's a girl to do?I'm not the one night stand type, but there's a first time for everything Besides, I'm only in Hawaii for 6 weeks.I'm sure I'll never see him again, even if I can't stop thinking about him...