Little Hope Series Series by Ariana Cane

Sometimes looks can fool you. But sometimes, they can’t.The only thing Alex ever wanted was to be left alone in his secluded cabin, away from people who judge him for the scars he wears as a badge of dishonor. He got used to living with it along with severe PTSD from his years in the Navy. And he likes it just like that: alone and quiet.The only thing Freya wants is to get her car fixed and get the hell away from Little Hope, where she got stuck thanks to a popped tire and “helpful” locals... moreSometimes looks can fool you. But sometimes, they can’t.The only thing Alex ever wanted was to be left alone in his secluded cabin, away from people who judge him for the scars he wears as a badge of dishonor. He got used to living with it along with severe PTSD from his years in the Navy. And he likes it just like that: alone and quiet.The only thing Freya wants is to get her car fixed and get the hell away from Little Hope, where she got stuck thanks to a popped tire and “helpful” locals. Unfortunately, those friendly citizens of said town and fate have other plans for her: they like to stick their noses where the sun doesn’t shine. As a result, Freya becomes well acquainted (a little too well) with Alex, who is rude, messed up, and hot as hell with his huge, damaged body and hidden under the ever-present cap eyes.After just a few days, this weird little town in Maine begins to feel like home, and Alex starts to feel more like a man and not a growly bear people constantly warn her about. But everywhere she goes, her troublesome past follows.Will she stay at Little Hope, where bears are seemingly everywhere? No pun toward Alex intended…I think.They say All Roads Lead to Maine. But to they end there?...This slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers, contemporary romance is standalone, featuring an ex-military guy/jerk with a severe case of PTSD and anger issues and a woman on the run from her troublesome past. The steam level is boiling (eventually). Their life isn't easy, so some profanity is present. Has triggers (see above). It can be read as it is, but better if enjoyed as part of the series. Each book contains a story about a different couple. less

“I want to get you out of my head the only way I know how.” The only thing Kayla’s ever wanted has been to get the hell out of Little Hope. She’s never fit in with the traditionalism of the small town and its judgmental citizens, and her family’s bad reputation continues to precede her. All she’s ever wanted has been to leave… and maybe—just maybe—for Justin Attleborough to notice her... more“I want to get you out of my head the only way I know how.” The only thing Kayla’s ever wanted has been to get the hell out of Little Hope. She’s never fit in with the traditionalism of the small town and its judgmental citizens, and her family’s bad reputation continues to precede her. All she’s ever wanted has been to leave… and maybe—just maybe—for Justin Attleborough to notice her. But—unfortunately for her—the only time he ever acknowledges her is to call her trailer trash and never let her forget her status as the town pariah. All Justin wants is to wipe that night from his memory. The night that changed so many lives. But that’s easier said than done, especially when one of the biggest reminders of that night is always shamelessly walking her leather-clad legs around Little Hope. But—unfortunately for him—the one thing he wants more than to erase it from his mind is her. A seemingly good boy and a seemingly bad girl. What do they have in common? Well… that night.They say the truth will set you free. But what about the ugly truth? The one that reveals pretty as damaging, and ugly as redeeming?...This slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers, contemporary romance is a standalone filled with angst and a little bit of bullying. Guilty Minds is about a perfect man who hated an unperfect girl with a bad reputation and a tired girl who loved the said even more tired man. The steam level is boiling (eventually) and has more spice than the previous book. TW includes SA (mentioning), mild bullying. It can be read as it is, but better if enjoyed as a part of the series. Each book contains a story about a different couple-no cliffhangers. less

“You are bad for my sanity.” Alicia: The only thing I’ve ever wanted was to forget what happened that night so I could move on with my life. An impossible feat, considering the demons of the past refuse to let me go. Jumping head-first into the unknown seems like a good place to start. So I move out of my childhood home and away from the pain lurking around every corner. It would have been a great start if not for my new next-door neighbor, who slightly resembles a Yeti... more“You are bad for my sanity.” Alicia: The only thing I’ve ever wanted was to forget what happened that night so I could move on with my life. An impossible feat, considering the demons of the past refuse to let me go. Jumping head-first into the unknown seems like a good place to start. So I move out of my childhood home and away from the pain lurking around every corner. It would have been a great start if not for my new next-door neighbor, who slightly resembles a Yeti. His attitude does little to convince me he’s not. Mark: The only thing I’ve ever wanted was to help those unable to help themselves. Something I’ve had a lot of experience doing ever since childhood. A simple life without drama is all I yearn for. And I almost had it… That is, until my new neighbor moves in next door. The one that screams in the night, hides bodies in her backyard, and bewitches my beastly dog. Ignoring her is the best option. So how come I find myself saving her every single night? A firefighter who dedicates his life to saving lives with no one around to save his, and a writer desperate to create worlds where her demons can’t touch her. What’s common between them? The pain they hide. They say you shouldn’t let the past define you. But when the past becomes all you are, sometimes you just need a blank page....This slow-burn, strangers-to-enemies-to-lovers, contemporary romance is a standalone filled with angst, yearning, and finding peace. Each book contains a story about a different couple. No cheating. No cliffhangers. HEA.TW: SA in the past (not from MMC). Strong language. less

“You’re the only thing holding me together. And they all know that.” LeilaI was born in this small town, and I knew one day, no matter what I did to prevent it, I’d die here, alone. What I didn’t account for was my brother’s mysterious, dark, damaged friend coming to town and making his way into everyone’s hearts. But his years serving in the Navy seem to cause him a different level of damage that no one else sees: one that hides on the inside and scars deeper.He’s older. He’s a mess... more“You’re the only thing holding me together. And they all know that.” LeilaI was born in this small town, and I knew one day, no matter what I did to prevent it, I’d die here, alone. What I didn’t account for was my brother’s mysterious, dark, damaged friend coming to town and making his way into everyone’s hearts. But his years serving in the Navy seem to cause him a different level of damage that no one else sees: one that hides on the inside and scars deeper.He’s older. He’s a mess.Hiding his pain behind a wicked smile, ridden by the guilt of someone else’s mistakes, he refuses to play by the rules.ArchieI found this little town because I was looking for closure in my miserable life. But what I really found is something entirely different—someone, who saw me at my lowest. The only one who sees the real me.She’s younger. She’s pure. She’s my friend’s sister.She’s smart. Smart enough to know she should run from me, leaving me in the dust.But I find myself chasing her, scared she’ll reveal my dirty secrets. Scared she’ll leave me alone with them. “I would give everything to keep you, but I got nothing left to give.” ...This slow-burn, strangers-to-enemies-to-lovers, contemporary romance is a standalone filled with angst, pain, and finding peace. Each book contains a story about a different couple. No cheating. No cliffhangers. HEA.TW: severe depression, alcohol abuse, mention of su1cide. Strong language. 18+. less

“I hate you. But I still f*ckin’ want you.”Olivia:I never wanted to come back to Little Hope. But I’m here. Trying to build a life for my son and myself. He and my bakery are all I want to focus on.Until the Bad Boy of Little Hope shows up on my doorstep. Multiple times.He’s hated by almost everyone, feared by the rest. But not by me.He’s different with me and my son. I just wish the town would see him this way too.Jake:I could easily take the cake for being the most hated man in town... more“I hate you. But I still f*ckin’ want you.”Olivia:I never wanted to come back to Little Hope. But I’m here. Trying to build a life for my son and myself. He and my bakery are all I want to focus on.Until the Bad Boy of Little Hope shows up on my doorstep. Multiple times.He’s hated by almost everyone, feared by the rest. But not by me.He’s different with me and my son. I just wish the town would see him this way too.Jake:I could easily take the cake for being the most hated man in town. And deservingly so.My own family thinks of me as a lost cause, disregarding me on holidays and family gatherings.They all think I’m a villain. And I might be. But none of them know what made me this way. That is, until she comes to town and crawls under my skin.She’s the sister of the man who hates my guts, and yet she might be the only person who doesn’t hate me. She claws me out of the darkness I’ve created for myself.Until everything changes…A bad guy whose secrets have their own secrets. A single mom who has a few of her own. What do they share? The dark past they both hide. They say villains are irredeemable. But what if there’s someone who can read between the lines?..This book is part of a series of interconnected standalones. This slow-burn, single mom-bad guy, enemies-to-lovers, contemporary romance is filled with angst, secrets, and finding peace. Each book contains a story about a different couple. No cheating. No cliffhangers. HEA.Author's the drama and tears are back.TW: there are quite a few. Please refer to the author’s note for the full list. less