The No Apologies Series
Choosing Yourself. Finding Love. No Apologies.
Riley’s spent her entire life living up to everyone else’s expectations—except her own.
When she breaks up with her boyfriend and accepts a promotion 3,000 miles across the country in Portland, Maine, she’s determined to start living life on her own terms.
A new city. A new job. A fresh start.
But on the plane flight east, she meets a stranger who may just be everything she never knew she needed—and at the most inconvenient time.
Axel is the complete opposite of the people who shaped Riley’s past and upbringing. He’s steady, supportive, and makes her needs a priority in a way no one else ever has. And that kind of love feels uncomfortable…and slightly terrifying.
When Riley’s promotion turns out to be a dead end, the new life she built for herself begins to unravel. Forced to confront her deepest fears, she must decide what she wants to fight for—balancing a life that feels true with a love that she craves, but doesn’t fully trust. Can she find an authentic path forward while stoking the fiery passion she feels for Axel? Or will the flames consume her sense of identity along with her heart?
Loving Axel is easy. Trusting herself is terrifying. Choosing herself is non-negotiable.
Can she build a life—and a love—that doesn’t ask her to disappear?
She built a sweet life from the ashes. Now the past is back to haunt her.
Ava is at the top of her game.
After placing second in a national baking competition, her business is thriving, investors are circling, and life is sweeter than she ever dared to imagine.
But five years ago, she barely escaped an abusive relationship with her life. Since then, she’s built herself back from scratch. Stronger. Smarter. Untouchable.
Until a single text tilts her world on its axis.
Her ex is being released from prison.
While she’s been busy rebuilding her life, he’s had five years to plan. As threats begin to escalate, Ava’s carefully crafted new life begins to fracture—pressured by business investors who demand more and an ex who won’t let her go.
Jay is a surly bar owner who keeps his world small and controlled. He likes his life simple and free of complications. But Ava—all sunshine and stubborn resiliency— sneaks past his defenses.
When Ava’s past comes back to haunt her, Jay steps between her and the storm without hesitation.
Protecting her could cost him everything. Trusting him means she’ll have to break down the barriers she’s built to survive.
She escaped once, but this time, she may not be so lucky. And if the past is determined to haunt her, she’ll have to decide whether to run, or stand her ground and face her ghosts.
Shara is a powerhouse.
As one of the top realtors at her brokerage, she’s built all the success she could ever need. When her father walked out on her and her mom at ten years old, she promised herself she’d never rely on anyone again, and structured her world accordingly.
She built her success from the ground up. Self-sufficient. Dazzling. Confident. And she makes it all look easy in five-inch stilettos.
When her broker offers her the chance at a seven-million-dollar listing of a lifetime—the biggest of her career—she jumps at it. The only problem? She’ll have to list it with her rival top agent at the firm—Cade.
Cade is the opposite of Shara in every way. He’s the suave, smooth, golden boy with a smart mouth where she’s all meticulous preparation and sharp edges. He comes from a rich, politically connected family while Shara’s had to fight for every scrap of success she’s earned with a chip on her shoulder.
When the two are forced to work together, the tension crackles as Cade endlessly pushes her every trigger point.
As complications arise with the listing and Shara’s personal life, her carefully crafted sense of control will be tested.
She’ll have to decide whether to risk opening her heart and drop her curated mask of perfection—or fall back into the patterns that taught her to survive alone.
She has everything she needs—but can she let herself have everything she wants?
