BETWEEN NEVER AND FOREVER: a dark romance from the Tiktok sensation and #1 bestselling author (Hardy Billionaires series)

Shain Rose's book is a hot, dark romance about her best friend's brother, Dex Hardy, who is older, forbidden, and completely irresistible. When he betrays their privacy, she has to leave him, but he returns as the owner of the casino where she works. He offers her a deal to leave the man she's with and be with him instead, but she starts to believe in forever and neither of them can afford to.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 26 March 2024
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

His voice was deep, full of grit, and it sent shivers down my spine in a way it shouldn't. I forgot how intense the electric shock was between us, how the air shifted, how the world seemed to stop.

My best friend's brother, Dex Hardy, was my downfall - older, forbidden, and completely irresistible. Our relationship was a secret - and he knew it had to stay one. But when Dex betrayed our privacy, I had to leave him - breaking both our hearts. Now, he's back in my life, as the owner of the casino where I work. He's become a cold, ruthless billionaire, and he wants revenge. When he finds out I'm engaged, he offers me a deal. Leave the man I'm with and be with him instead. Or else. Six months of calling Dex my fiance... even as he stares at me with hardened eyes. Six months of ignoring his electrifying touches and pretending I don't love him... when I still do. The problem with faking this engagement is I'm starting to believe in forever. And neither of us can afford to.

I knew I was in trouble when I saw him standing at the door of my apartment. Dex Hardy, my ex-boyfriend, had returned after three years of being gone. He was taller, leaner, and more dangerous than ever before. His eyes were dark and stormy, and his jaw was set in a determined expression.

"I'm here to collect what's mine," he said, his voice low and menacing.

I tried to stand my ground, but I could feel the fear coursing through my veins. Dex had always been a possessive and controlling man, and I knew he wouldn't hesitate to hurt me if he had to.

"What do you want?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"I want you," he said, his eyes fixed on me. "I want you back."

I shook my head, tears welling up in my eyes. "You don't have the right to demand anything from me," I said. "We broke up three years ago, and I've moved on."

Dex stepped forward, his hand reaching out to touch me. I tried to pull away, but he was too strong. He grabbed me by the arm and pushed me against the wall, pinning me there with his body.

"You don't have a choice," he said, his voice growing louder. "You belong to me, and I'm not going to let you go."

I struggled against his hold, but it was useless. Dex was too strong, and he was determined to have me. He kissed me forcefully, his tongue probing into my mouth, and I fought back, trying to push him away.

But he was too determined. He held me down, his hands exploring my body, and I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. I tried to scream, but he covered my mouth with his own, silencing me.

For what felt like an eternity, Dex continued to hold me against the wall, his body pressed up against mine. I could feel his breath on my face, his hot skin against mine, and I knew that I was in danger.

But then, something inside of me snapped. I realized that I couldn't let him control me like this. I had to fight back. I kicked him in the groin, and he let out a loud gasp of pain. I then punched him in the face, and he stumbled back, holding his nose.

I took the opportunity to run out of the apartment, and I didn't stop running until I was far away from him. I called the police, and they arrived quickly to arrest Dex.

After that, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I knew that I had escaped from a dangerous situation, and that I was safe. But I also knew that I couldn't let Dex get away with what he had done. I had to make sure that he was punished for his actions.

I filed a restraining order against him, and he was forced to stay away from me. I also reported him to the police, and he was charged with assault and battery.

Despite the trauma that I had experienced, I knew that I had to move on. I couldn't let Dex's actions define me or control my life. I had to be strong and resilient, and I had to keep fighting for what I believed in.

In the end, I was able to rebuild my life, and I found happiness again. I realized that I was stronger than I had ever thought possible, and that I could overcome anything that life threw my way.

Dex, on the other hand, was never able to find peace. He was haunted by his actions, and he knew that he had done something wrong. He spent the rest of his life trying to make amends for what he had done, but he never could.

In the end, I was grateful for the experience that I had gone through. It had taught me to be strong and resilient, and it had shown me that I could overcome anything that life threw my way. I knew that I would never let anyone control me like that again, and I was determined to live my life on my terms.

Weight: 290g
Dimension: 128 x 197 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399736695