Alex Volkov is all ice and ruthlessness on the outside, but when he's suddenly responsible for looking after his best friend's sister, something inside him starts to crack—and it's terrifying. Ava Chen is a sunshine soul with her own shadowy past, and she sees something in Alex that no one else does: the man beneath the walls. What starts as proximity and duty ignites into a connection neither of them saw coming, especially not with her brother standing in the way. This is a swoon-worthy grumpy-sunshine romance that balances scorching chemistry with genuine emotional depth, perfect if you love billionaire heroes with soft hearts and heroines who refuse to let them stay broken.

Reading soundtrack

Listen while you read

Spotify

smolderingdangerousvulnerableintoxicatingmagnetic

Dark, slow-burn intensity with sensual R&B and moody indie. Think sultry vocals over heavy beats—dangerous attraction wrapped in vulnerability. Artists like The Weeknd, SZA, and Cigarettes After Sex. Tension that simmers beneath the surface, passion that breaks through ice.