Shameful Secrets Series by K. Webster

He’s a mysterious recluse with an unhealthy obsession with his therapist.He doesn’t want help... He just wants him. Love is for those who deserve it. I certainly don’t. The person I loved most in this world died in my arms decades ago and I am to blame. I’ll forever be tormented by what-ifs where I was Mom’s hero instead of this repulsive, mask-wearing beast I’ve ultimately become. All that’s left of my heart is black smoke—suffocating and toxic... moreHe’s a mysterious recluse with an unhealthy obsession with his therapist.He doesn’t want help... He just wants him. Love is for those who deserve it. I certainly don’t. The person I loved most in this world died in my arms decades ago and I am to blame. I’ll forever be tormented by what-ifs where I was Mom’s hero instead of this repulsive, mask-wearing beast I’ve ultimately become. All that’s left of my heart is black smoke—suffocating and toxic. I’m nothing but a shadow of a man, locked in my dark fortress of a home, away from people and hidden in my carefully walled-up world. My family is all I have to live for. Somehow, they look past the fact I survived when Mom didn’t. Like it’s not my fault. It’s also why I’ll protect them with every single fiber of my being. Even from him. Tate Prince has been paid by my father to infiltrate our family. Invited not just into our homes, but into our past, our heartaches, and even our minds. Dad thinks this young man—a therapist with a captivating grin—is the key to repairing all the damage we’ve sustained over the years. But I know better. I can see through Tate’s friendly disposition and easygoing nature. In his eyes are dark secrets that haunt him like ghosts from another life. He’s not as perfect as he seems. Underneath his mask of smiles are ugly truths I’m desperate to uncover. And I will uncover them. If that means keeping him under lock and key where I can watch his every move, I will. It’s not captivity if he’s being paid, right? However, when I start unraveling his life, I learn there’s a lot more to Tate than meets the eye. The more I discover, the more obsessed I become. My heart, the dusty, charred, still-smoking useless organ sparks to life making me come to a startling realization. I want him. I’m not the only one who feels this way, though. Tate’s biggest secret is he already has a monster in his life. A terrible, spiteful monster—one who’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants. But I’m uglier, nastier, and a hell of a lot more vicious. I may have failed to save my mother, but I will not fail this time. Tate is mine. *** This is a complete mm standalone novel with a happily ever after. *** less

He’s a rebellious young man with a lifelong obsession with his mom’s best friend. He always assumed she’d be nothing more than a fantasy, but he’s not the only one with forbidden feelings… I’ve loved her for as long as I can remember. She’s my mom’s best friend and a cop. Two reasons why I should stay far, far away from Sloane Thurman. It’s nearly impossible to keep my distance, though. The ache for her rare smiles and her sweet scent is more than I can bear. I’m more than her friend’s son... moreHe’s a rebellious young man with a lifelong obsession with his mom’s best friend. He always assumed she’d be nothing more than a fantasy, but he’s not the only one with forbidden feelings… I’ve loved her for as long as I can remember. She’s my mom’s best friend and a cop. Two reasons why I should stay far, far away from Sloane Thurman. It’s nearly impossible to keep my distance, though. The ache for her rare smiles and her sweet scent is more than I can bear. I’m more than her friend’s son. I want to show her I’m a man now and that I could be her man. My wish becomes a reality when Sloane takes in her nephew. She needs help and I’m just the man to step up. Hikes, coffee dates, and game nights are just the beginning for us. Entertaining the kid in an effort to get closer to her is no hardship. Being near her is the only reward I need. As we spend more time together, I manage to break down her rigid walls. When she’s not worried about her morals and being a good cop, she’s realizing the two of us can have a lot of fun. A good time isn’t all I’m after. If it were up to me, I’d haul her down to the courthouse and make her mine forever. Unfortunately, neither life nor love is that easy. There’s no way my family would understand our relationship. A secret romance will have to do…for now. We may be able to deceive everyone we care about, but one day our shameful secrets will come to light. For Sloane’s sake, I just hope I’m worth the fight… *** This is a complete M/F standalone novel with a happily ever after. Tropes for this book older woman/younger man age-gap romance, opposites attract, he falls first, coffee lovers, mom’s best friend, romantic suspense, secret romance, and found family. *** less

She craves freedom from her overbearing family, and being a student at Park Mountain University is exactly that for her. Until she’s partnered up for an entire semester with a surly, difficult man who despises her immediately for no reason at all. So much for an escape…At PMU, I can finally be free to be my own person away from the Park family name.This semester, though, my happiness is threatened when I meet him... moreShe craves freedom from her overbearing family, and being a student at Park Mountain University is exactly that for her. Until she’s partnered up for an entire semester with a surly, difficult man who despises her immediately for no reason at all. So much for an escape…At PMU, I can finally be free to be my own person away from the Park family name.This semester, though, my happiness is threatened when I meet him.Tristan “Two” Sheridan is a grumpy jerk who nearly runs me over with his hunk of junk car and then has the audacity to blame me.Our dislike for one another is instantaneous.Imagine my horror when not only is he in one of my new “blow-off” classes, but I’ve also been partnered up with him for a labor-intensive class project for a huge portion of my grade.His distaste for me is mild at first, but the second he learns my name, it turns to utter contempt.Why does he hate me so much?What did I ever do to earn such nastiness from a man I don’t even know?Beneath Two’s crankiness are secrets—secrets I plan to uncover. With each encounter, I peel back more of the mysterious layers of the handsome man with the pale gray eyes and find there’s someone likeable deep down beneath. And, despite his grudge against me and my family, I think he can’t help but like me too.As we spend more time together on our project, and just when I think I’ve got a handle on Two, I start getting harassed by someone else. This person stalks me at every turn, leaving me anonymous creepy notes and promises of a future together.The stalker is the least of my problems, though. When Two reveals the true reason for hating me—the crushing secret that has tormented him his entire life—my own world is suddenly turned upside down. I feel inadvertently responsible and want to somehow make it all better.A budding romance burns hot between us as our walls come down, but we have to keep it a secret. My parents will vehemently disprove of our coupling, and his will be utterly destroyed. Under the guise of our project, we’re able to spend stolen moments together, stoking the flames of our growing feelings for one another, keeping the bitter truth from our families.But my stalker has other nefarious plans that keep escalating in nature.In order to get help from my father and my brother’s cop fiancée, I will have to come clean. My life may depend on it. Ugly truths will be brought to light and Two’s family will no doubt suffer the consequences. I dread the day I’ll be forced to spill the truth.Is this thing between me and Two worth all the heartache and pain destined for our future?Only time will tell… less