"The storyline was really captivating, reading about this young boy, trapped by his manipulative father, broken by all the lies about his family. What about for once searching for the light instead of the dark? How to finally let someone love you, to give and take? To feel like you belong to someone, not being used like a means to an end?" - Aaly, Goodreads
Release Date: June 27th, 2017
Football hero by day and thief by night, Charles “Cugs” McConnely leads a double life in the small town of Newbark, Florida. At sundown, the seventeen-year-old turns burglar, forced into the business by the man who should be teaching him the difference between right and wrong: his father.
Cugs is a pro at both games, but only one can secure him a college scholarship. It should be an easy decision, a no-brainer—if Newbark hadn’t proffered the only life he knows.
After run-ins with Nadine Paganelli, his accidental victim and the sole person to have caught him in the act, Cugs starts to realize that hearts can be stolen too.
When his long-lost sister makes contact, lies are uncovered and truths revealed. Suddenly, Cugs finds himself questioning both plans and loyalties. Because sometimes the only way to move forward is by pulling the bottom out of the past.
EXCERPT
“I can’t.”
“But please, Cugs.”
Is this what all boyfriends go through? Either way, I feel like my reasons to evade Nadine’s house are damn valid compared to most. For me, it’s not just about meeting the parents. It’s about returning to the scene of the crime. Not any old crime either, but a pivotal one, because I pulled Nadine down with me.
She could’ve returned to her law-abiding puppy-love guy with an awesome future if it weren’t for me being “it” to her. Yes, I feel bad sometimes. And no, I don’t always feel bad. Because most of the time I’m an asshole who thinks that I’m a lucky bastard for meeting her.
“Just come,” she says now, on the phone. “I get that you don’t want to meet my parents. But they’re nice and you’re nice too, and you guys would totally hit it off.”
“I shopped from them.”
“Stole. You didn’t shop.”
“Right.” Same difference.
“But that’s over and done with. We’ve got great insurance, and you actually made them a few bucks.”
“Wow. That makes shopping better in your world?”
“It’s not shopping, Cugs. And nope, it’s messed up, but you always bottle stuff up, and I need you to at least let this go.”
I thump to the mattress of my bed.
“Cugs? You there?”
“Uh-huh. How about fight night instead?”
She huffs. “I want to show you something. I wanted it to be a surprise too, until you could see it in person, but you’re making it freaking hard.”
I groan and press two fingers against my forehead. “When were you thinking?”
“You’re free tomorrow during the day, right?”
I hesitate.
“Cugs.”
“Hmm. Not sure.”
“You said you were.”
“Fine! I’m free tomorrow. Happy?”
I get no reply. Crap, I should have Face-timed her. “Cute” expressions go a long way when it comes to appeasing girlfriends. “Nadine.”
She exhales into the phone.
“Come on. Talk to me.”
Damn silence.
“I’m sorry, okay? It’s just—I love you, and I hate it when we don’t agree.”
Her breath hits the receiver first. “Come tomorrow at lunch, then. No one’ll be at home. Can you do that? For me?”
About the author:
Between studies, teaching, and advising, Sunniva has spent her entire adult life in a college environment. Most of her novels are new adult romance geared toward smart, passionate readers with a love for eclectic language and engaging their brain as well as their heart while reading.
Born in the Land of the Midnight Sun, the author spent her early twenties making the world her playground. Southern Europe: Spain, Italy, Greece--Argentina: Buenos Aires, in particular. The United States finally kept her interest, and after half a decade in Los Angeles, she now lounges in the beautiful city of Savannah.
Sometimes, Sunniva writes with a paranormal twist (Shattering Halos, Stargazer, and Cat Love). At other times, it's contemporary (Pandora Wild Child, Leon's Way, Adrenaline Crush, Walking Heartbreak, and Dodging Trains, coming in late March 2016).
This author is the happiest when her characters let their emotions run off with them, shaping her stories in ways she never foresaw. She loves bad-boys and good-boys run amok, and like in real life, her goal is to keep the reader on her toes until the end of each story.
Author's Giveaway
Thank you so much for posting! <3
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