Two best friends go on a trip of a lifetime. While one tries to get over her abusive relationship and the other is struggling to come to term his feelings, only to discover everything they ever wanted was beside them the whole time.

Trigger warnings:Minor mention of Emotional / Verbal Abuse, Mental Health Condition

I thought he just came to me naturally as if it was what I’ve been waiting for. Or so I thought. Have you ever felt such ecstasy as if it was just a dream?

Have you ever felt such euphoria that made you feel so afraid at the same time ‘coz it might come with thousands of tears?

And have you ever wished that it was all just a bad dream?

Have you ever?

What strikes the oyster shell, doesn't damage the pearl."

Helmi is not your average typical girl. A girl who likes to be in her messy yet comfy attire with grumpiness to top it off. If you are one among her circle you are lucky enough to experience one bundle of fun and joy tainted with sarcasm in human form.

She can be as angry as a tomato so red about to burst or the nicest human being on earth with the most genuine advices when it comes to decisions. At one point who knew Helmi  would be the fiftieth shade of red blushing.

When Helmi's life was as smooth as a butter with her family and friends, she finds out that a short span of time can flip over your entire life.

From being afraid of letting new people into her life and at the same time not being able to acknowledge her own emotions when she commit herself to open the door to let new people into her life to hoping the living nightmares were just one of her dreams and

finally waking up to everything just so normal.

She always knew life consisted of new challenges and had the mentality of accepting and ready to face. But once she encounters them she feels hopeless yet still manages to find hope and positivity like she had always been.

~~~

My life was on perfect track for a millenial-internship lined up at a top ad agency, wedding plans progessing, tiny flat secured in an almost gentrified part of London...

So how the hell did I find myself taking on a failing vineyard in a rundown Italian village with zero knowledge of wine, Italian or how to handle my less than welcoming co-owner?

"True Love is a myth, but True Friendship isn't."

A story set in India and London that revolves around the journey for love and friendship transcending borders, 1960 London Love, is an epic tragedy revolving around Meera Bhandarkar, who, six decades later, is asked to recount her saga of love, betrayal, and friendship that has made her the town's legendary figure. As the wounds are opened and secrets spilled, the listener and speaker find a connection and bond that they had overlooked.

What is this story? And who is this stranger that wants to know it?

Read this beautiful and poignant novella with immaculate description and cultural references that will pull at your heartstrings and make you smile as you feel the ups and downs of the relatable characters.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Rishabh looked down upon his empty hand and then at the old woman in front of him. "So", he finally opened his mouth." What do you have for me in exchange for this photograph?"

Meera looked at the young man and smiled. She then leaned forward and rested her chin on her hand which stood pensively on her lap. Staring at the pair of unsure eyes, she said, " Honestly, I would give you nothing in exchange for this photograph. I had rather, you take it with yourself and burn or throw it somewhere. But I am curious. What do you want in exchange for this shard of memorabilia?"

Rishabh hesitated at first, before forming a slurry of words, "I want the story."

Meera leaned back in surprise but quickly regained her composure. "Pardon?"

He took a deep breath and tried to gather his jittery confidence. " I want you to tell me the legend that revolves around you. The romantic saga that makes you, an unmarried woman, a widow."

Meera turned away and stared at the hills beyond the window. Her composure crumbled as a single tear flowed down her cheeks. She quickly wiped it off and sniffled.

"The story you are asking for", she said without turning her eyes from the lush greenery." Is not what you would call a romantic saga. It has no happy ending. Just pain and heartbreak. But then, that is what life is. More thorned than flowered."

"So", Rishabh asked the frail and sad lady. " Would you tell me the story?"

Meera nodded and turned to look at him. "Yes. Yes, I would, Rishabh. I would tell you the very tragedy that defines my life. But not for this snapshot but because I believe it's time for me to let go of that painful memory, that,  which I call, my 1960 London Love."

“Just because the main character in a film or in a book says ‘I love you’ doesn’t make it a romantic love story.”Avalon “Ave” Georgine Ainsley Lange, romantic-cynic

MEET AVE

Ave Michaels is a high school student and resident rebel by day.But secretly, she goes by  Lane Maxwell, aspiring writer and soon-to-be the youngest bestselling author of one of the country's biggest publishing house. That is, if she gets the job.

THE JOB: WRITING A ROMANCE NOVEL

If there was one thing Ave knows best, it's how to avoid heartbreaks and other relationship dramas. She even made a rule out of it - one that had saved her countless times. The DITCH rule.

Can a cynical commitment-phobe who had never fallen in love write a romance novel worthy of recognition?Who knows.But then again, inspiration comes in unexpected ways - including from three drop-dead gorgeous surprises!

All of a sudden, she finds herself questioning everything in her life, every decision she ever made so far – including her rule.

Could her DITCH rule really be as heartbreak-proof as she thought it was?  Or was it the thing keeping her from letting herself fall in love and getting the guy?

Warning: Slow updates. Occasional re-editing. Some profane language. Mature-ish scenes.

All characters in this book including their town are all works of fiction.

Disclaimer: The original image for the book cover belongs to a photographer named Brandon Woelfel. He is an amazing photographer and I consider myself a fan of his. Aside from that, the rest of the editing was made by me.

Copyright © 2018 by Andrea Cassandra Lei Meñosa

All rights reserved

For my loved ones.

He defined time. Every event in my life is now defined by the time we spent together - the Before and the After. I still remember the day we met, freshmen in college, all eagerness and anticipation. He changed me, broke me, and strengthened me. I will never be the same.

~~~~~

This story follows Rachel Evans in the before, during, and after of the boy who defined time. She was books, sarcasm, and hot tea. He was teasing, laughter, and the winter sky. When they collided, they would ever be the same again.