award winning books 2023

"You are my treasure, and anyone who touches you is stealing," he said, his possessiveness deep in his bones. That's why, in her past life, Lu Fengxuan ran away desperately until, on her deathbed, she came to a sudden realization. Reborn, she clung tightly to her husband's golden thigh, simultaneously tormenting scumbags and lovey-dovey couples without any delay. Dared they call her stupid, unruly, selfish, and greedy? The lord waved his hand dismissively: "Throw them all into the sea to feed the sharks!" Did they say she disrespected her elders and bullied the younger ones? The lord picked up his child, a smile of utter indulgence on his face, "I've spoiled them. Any objections?"

Reeling from the shame, anger, embarrassment of his break up with the love of his life publicly, Kieran White had gotten involved with a common waitress at the pub he visited. They had hit it off and soon had a one night stand that led to them signing a contract marriage of five years so Kieran could head his family's business. What Edwina Hall had thought was a dream come true soon came shattering with a reality so blindly forced into her face when her husband asked her to sign the divorce papers he presented to her. Devastated, she had signed the papers and had left her cold-hearted ex-husband alone only to realize that she was pregnant with his son. Five years later, the duo crossed part in the most unlikely places and this time, the tables had turned as Kieran would do anything to get Edwina to notice him and most importantly, be with him again. Would Edwina continue to feign indifference to the man who had her heart and the father of her son or would she ignore him and move on with someone else?

Yi Anguo was reborn to the time when his wife ran off with another man, leaving him with a three-year-old daughter. Luckily, his daughter casually picked up a scratch-off lottery ticket from the ground and, to his surprise, won a million dollars. He bought a thousand houses and didn't spend a dime; and there's 38 million extra Yuan in his bank account. How did he do that?

After sacrificing everything to protect her younger sister, Isla is betrayed and sold to a ruthless mafia don to settle a debt. But before the deal is sealed, she is kidnapped by an even deadlier man—Dante Morelli, the most feared mafia boss in the country. To keep her safe from the man who claimed her, Dante forces her into marriage, thrusting her into a world of power, deception, and violence. Just as Isla starts to understand her new husband, she uncovers a devastating truth—he is the man who murdered her parents. Heartbroken and enraged, she flees, only to discover she is pregnant with his child. While she struggles with her emotions, another shocking betrayal surfaces—her sister was never innocent; she sold Isla for money. Now, with enemies closing in and war erupting in the underworld, Isla faces an impossible choice: Protect the sister who betrayed her or embrace the dark love of the man she swore to hate. But in a world ruled by blood and power, love might be the most dangerous gamble of all.

Who a- are you? How have you been here?" Kim's lips stuttered with fright as she immediately pulled the blanket to cover her breast. "Are you scared!? Eh?" The man sniffled, taking small steps towards her, making her drag her back. In a moment of passion, Kim's life is shattered when a drunken stranger mistakes her for his lover. The price she pays is steep, as she loses everything she holds dear and must forge a new path in life. Enter a mysterious doctor, whose charming presence is a balm to her wounded soul. But he too carries a heavy burden - an incurable disease that threatens to consume him. As they navigate their own emotional turmoil, they find themselves drawn to each other, despite their reservations. Can they unlock the key to each other's hearts and find love amidst their pain? Or will their kiss remain forever locked? This poignant and captivating story will keep you turning the pages until the very end.

Widowed mother Natalie Hanover has three kids, a mountain of bills, and zero patience for know-it-all men—especially the infuriatingly handsome Dr. Garrett Hart, the new small-town vet (and secret billionaire ... shhh). When Natalie and Garrett's fiery debate on local TV goes viral, the host (supposed BFF of Natalie ... hah!) creates a bet that Dr. Hottie ... er, Hart can “train” Natalie's children (like they're dogs? ... oh, Dr. Hart, you sweet summer child). But Dr. Hart doesn't want to win the bet. He wants to win Natalie's heart. But his dark past and deep fears might build an unbreakable wall between himself and the white moonlight he's adored since he was sixteen-years-old...

Born of Alpha bloodline, Twilight is destined to succeed her father in ruling the Sliver Dragon Pack. The young, free-spirited alpha female is the strongest warrior in the pack, surpassing even her own father, and never cared about whether or not she would find her mate. Until the day she found him, the young Alpha-to-be of a neighbouring pack. Only to have him reject her for his bed buddy. Enraged and broken-hearted, she ran away and got severely injured along the way. Suddenly, she woke up in an unfamiliar place, only to find that her second-chance mate, Takumi, saved her. But her now cold-hearted self refuses to accept another mate but he won't give up that easily. Can Takumi win the Alpha's heart? Here’s a little sneak peek: “Imagine the one person who was literally made for you, supposed to be your other half and complete you in a way that no one else can and yet wants nothing to do with you. I’m over it, but I still feel like a monster for how I reacted to it. I know it happened a long time ago, but I still hate myself for it. His dad said it was ok, but I think he only said it to make me feel less guilty and deep down he hates me. And I'm pretty sure everyone else feels the same way.” It was then that she felt a little wetness on her face; she didn't realize that tears were streaming down her cheeks the whole time. That's when she broke down into more tears. Takumi pulled her into a hug. “I'm sure no one hates you.” “You don't hate me?” She asked between sobs. “How can I hate the girl I love? Especially when she's like this.” “You love me?” “Wasn't it obvious?” “Not really. I mean, you flirt and then joke about it. You make suggestive and sexual moves on me and then act as if they don't mean anything and you always use the terms ‘friends’ and ‘roommates’ whenever you refer to our relationship, so I went with it. If anything, you've been sending me mixed messages and it's very confusing.” “Sorry if I've been confusing and I'll make it clear this time. I love you.”

Shelly has been struggling to support herself and her special needs little brother, Toren, after their parents' death, scraping by with a grueling job at a rundown diner. The meager wages and tips barely cover rent, and her efforts are constantly undermined by leering, grabby customers who turn her shifts into a nightmare. However, when she has had enough, she storms out. Without a job, she starts to regret her decision. That is, until she finds out she and her brother are heirs to a three-billion dollar fortune. But all good things come with a catch– Shelly and Toren must move in with the rest of the Veyron de Luthaine family– a clan of greedy schemers and possible murderers– and live with them for an entire two years. Will the two make it? Or will they lose their fortune to their awful relatives?

Ether Online was a VRMMORPG that captivated players with its expansive world and fantastic creatures like vampires, angels, demons, and elves. Willow was just another player... well, actually, he was among the unlucky few stuck with the Explorer class—great for support, but pitiful in combat. Luckily, that all changed when he discovered the Grimoire of Eros in the Cave of Greed, allowing him to switch to the Divine Seducer class. But this transformation happened on the same day that Ether Online’s servers shut down for good. Still, Willow went to bed feeling content, as though he had finally closed a chapter. Until... [THE TUTORIAL ENDED.] He awoke under a blue sky, lying on lush green grass. It didn’t take long to realize that he was somehow in the world of Ether Online itself—and this time, there was no logout option! [You have unlocked the Unique Skill “Transparent Lasso.”] "Hm! So now I can measure my relationships with hearts? What's this—an eroge?!" [You have unlocked the Unique Skill “Vision of Eros.”] "WHAT?! Does this mean I can sense people's intentions, feelings, and essence? It’s basically like reading their character files!" [You have unlocked the Unique Skill “Carnal Bond.”] "The description says: 'When you reach a high emotional bond with someone and become intimate, all your attributes will permanently increase'... THAT’S AMAZING!"

The Rising Star follows Yuto Nakamura, a young Japanese boy who dreams of becoming a professional football player but struggles with his self-confidence and skills. During a critical school tournament match, Yuto unexpectedly receives a mysterious "system" that grants him quests, challenges, and rewards to help him improve his football abilities. With the system guiding him, Yuto embarks on a long journey from school football to professional clubs, rising through the ranks of Japan’s youth teams and eventually joining foreign clubs like Barcelona and Manchester United. As Yuto navigates the pressures of competition, the system's rewards push him beyond his limits, but not without consequences. Mental strain, overreliance on the system, and conflicts with teammates begin to challenge Yuto as he learns that football is not a one-man game. Alongside his best friend Kenji and a cast of rivals and allies, Yuto battles his insecurities, grows into a leader, and sets his sights on helping Japan win the FIFA World Cup. Filled with thrilling football action, character development, and moments of personal growth, The Rising Star explores the journey of a boy becoming a national hero in the world of football.