Caffeinated Coffee Lover: Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills (Sneak Peak)

Available: February 2, 2020

Dear Ava, an all-new enemies-to-lovers standalone romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills, is coming February 2nd and we have the FIRST sneak peek!

The rich and popular Sharks rule at prestigious, ivy-covered Camden Prep. Once upon a time, I wanted to be part of their world—until one of them destroyed me.

The last thing I expected was an anonymous love letter from one of them.

Please. I hate every one of those rich jerks for what they did to me. The question is, which Shark is my secret admirer: Knox, the scarred quarterback and their leader, Dane, his twin brother, or Chance, the ex who dumped me...

Dear Ava,

Your eyes are the colour of the Caribbean Sea.

That’s stupid. What I really mean is, you look at me and I feel something REAL.

It’s been ten months since you were here, but I can’t forget you.

I’ve missed seeing you walk down the hall.

I’ve missed you cheering at my football games.

I’ve missed the smell of your hair.

The truth is, I wanted you back then—but you had him.

And then everything fell apart that night.

Don’t hate me because I’m a Shark.

I just want to make you mine.

Still.

Sneak Peak

Clarity and realization take over the cloudy memories, cutting like a sharp knife. I don’t remember details, most of it totally blank, but a monster was with me in these woods.

I hear Piper’s voice in my head. Don’t trust them, Ava. You might be a cheerleader today, but no one gets inside their group.

But…I’d just wanted to be close enough to be with Chance.

I wanted to live in his world.

Where is he now?

I drift, and I don’t know how long I sit in the grass, grappling with what happened one second then wailing again the next as the reality of it settles around me.

Clinging to the tree, I try to stand but slide back to the ground.

Long minutes pass, and I’m aware of the moon as it moves through the trees. Just a little more time and I can walk.

I can.

I have to.

Someone needs me out there. I brush my fingers over the cheap, gold-plated locket around my neck, touching the flimsy chain. He’s small and tiny and if he doesn’t have me and if I don’t get up, what will happen then?

I can never desert him…

And that gives me strength, just enough to crawl away from the trees and across the open meadow. Past that meadow is that old road and beyond that is a real highway where I can flag someone down—

I hear the soft rumble of a vehicle, and headlights flash in front of me, a car swinging into the field. A brief elation rises in me, then crashes and burns. What if it’s him?

My anxiety ratchets up, panic beating at me, and my muscles burn as I attempt to crawl back the way I came.

Wait til morning. My head’s not right, but I can wait it out.

I’m good at hiding.

Always have been.

The bright glow of the lights blinds me, and my head swings wildly around, looking for somewhere to go.

Run, run, run…

Shuffling sounds break the stillness, a car door slamming, a voice calling out. Fear courses over me and I cover my face, ashamed to be so defenceless. Me. ME. Broad shoulders stand over me, and he speaks, and I blink up. I can’t see him, the beams of light from his car blinding me. More talk from him. I can’t respond. I retch instead.

He walks to me. Bends down. Strong arms come down and sweep me up. Shifting around in his embrace, I try to fight, but it’s nothing but a flinch, no struggle, no girl from the inner city who knows how to fight. I’m empty, my body unable to resist him putting me in his car, snapping the seat belt around me. He speaks, maybe my name, asking me questions, but I can’t think straight. I can’t do…anything.

He pulls away from the field, the car moving fast, so fast, and my head lolls to the side on the seat, staring at my captor.

Who is he?

Do I know him? I squint, catching a glint of the chiseled jawline and furrowed brow. His head turns and his steely gaze locks with mine. I think I see anger—and just when I think I know him, just when it’s on the tip of my tongue, there’s nothing but darkness as I slip away and sink back into oblivion.

Dear Ava Excerpt: http://bit.ly/38tmsco