Contemporary Literary : top book in the genre

Mark is a boxer whose reputation makes opponents tremble with fear. After the death of his best friends, he was left alone. The only thing keeping him afloat is his two-year-old godson Leo. But the state won’t give the child to a single man with an explosive temper. Moreover, the boy is already set to be adopted abroad. His only chance to keep fighting for him is to create a family that meets legal requirements. Emma is a girl who dreams of starting life with a clean slate. She sought refuge in a charity organization, but the shadows of her past continue to haunt her. When the flamboyant boxer offers her a fake marriage, Emma realizes: this is not just a deal — it’s her only chance for protection.

She had long since learned to live without hoping for personal happiness and tried not to dwell on the past. Until one morning, he appeared at the small-town hospital where she worked — the new head of the department. The man she had once loved so deeply that it frightened her, and the very man she had lost but never managed to forget. The years had changed them both, yet they hadn’t erased what once existed between them. But she still carried something from those days — a secret she had kept all these years.

Eva has a ton of debt and a talent for multiplying her problems while trying to solve them. All her relatives are convinced she’s a successful businesswoman, but in reality, this poor thing works as a hotel maid, rents a tiny dorm room, and gets by on bread and water. Eventually, her situation gets so bad that she decides to earn money at any cost. To do that, she uses her unbearable boss — Amir. Eva is convinced he’s a filthy rich Turk, and getting pregnant by a man like that is a goldmine. But, as always, nothing goes according to plan.

Little Sara has a very special Christmas wish: she wants her father to give her a mom. > “For this Christmas, I want you to get me a mother!” the girl shouted right in his face, leaving him speechless at such a bold request. But since her father has no idea how to make that wish come true, Sara takes matters into her own hands —especially when the new neighbor moves in next door.

A miracle? No — Olesia stopped believing in those long ago. Her husband left her, her savings are gone, and she has no choice but to raise her son on her own. But one day, she gets lucky enough to land a job as a cook at a new restaurant. From that moment on, her life begins to change completely. Maryna is expected to marry a wealthy and handsome man, yet her heart resists the match. What should she do? Follow her parents’ wishes — or listen to the call of her own heart? Dmytryk has got one dearest wish. On his birthday, he makes it with all his heart, believing that one day it will surely come true.

The life of orphan Adele Marton changes in an instant when Caspian Darrow, a reserved and wealthy man, offers her a job as a housekeeper with accommodation. Despite her fears and doubts, she agrees and within hours finds herself in his luxurious apartments. Soon Adele enters the university of her dreams - and learns that her teacher and supervisor is Caspian himself. Their lives unexpectedly intertwine, and daily clashes of character turn their life together into a test.

As soon as you let go — the person instantly comes back. As if they feel it: they are no longer a resident of your heart. I had just decided that he was my past. A mistake. Pain. A lesson. But Bohdan Saveliev decided otherwise. The man who, time after time, pushed me away like an unwanted girl, burst into my life again — swiftly, persistently, without the right to refuse. For a second, it seemed like there would be no more pain. But it seems he simply doesn’t know any other way. Or maybe our story is an endless swing between “go” and “stay,” between pride and love, between fear and the madness of feelings. Because no matter how much I resist — in his eyes now there is only one thing to read: “You’re mine…”

"So — a single mother," Tarnavskyi says, looking at her with open mockery, with unmistakable condescension. "I don't recall you mentioning that particular detail." "Sorry, but people don't usually show up to speed dating carrying placards. Next time, though, I'll be sure to make one." She wants to run to the ends of the earth from a man who sees a woman with a child as damaged goods. And at the same time, to beg him to give her a chance — because she needs this job like she needs air. "And on top of that, an incompetent doctor. Give me one reason why I should keep you in my department. This is not a charity."

"You said you'd lost your job, had no roof over your head, and Child Protective Services took your kid…" "I'll manage." Her snub nose tilts higher, pure defiance. "Don't make me laugh. You know exactly how the game is played. I can make the whole mess go away — a roof, money, a job." "And what's the catch?" "You are." "So you want me as your kept woman?" "Call it what you like. I prefer something more diplomatic: a mutually beneficial arrangement." "You won't even pretend otherwise?" "I deal in straight talk and honesty." "Then here's mine: no."

After a brutal divorce, I returned to my homeland and landed the role of Chief Architect at a prestigious development firm. But the branch director turned out to be my ex — the very man who once betrayed me without a second thought. Now he's determined to force me out and destroy everything I've built. Can I hold on to the position I fought so hard to win — and what will our bitter clash cost me?

"Asya, why are you deceiving me? What are you hoping to achieve?" A tense pause. "I have nothing against your daughter, but I can't stand lies — especially when they're utterly pointless." She rose abruptly and headed for the door. "Asya, wait!" She shook her head without looking back. Can two people spend a single day together and fall in love for a lifetime? Perhaps only in a girl's rosy dreams…

I walk down the hallway and stop dead at the door to the children's room. The girls are sitting on the floor, examining the toys I brought for little Hannusia. "Kostik says every child has a dad," the older one says, her tone businesslike as she stacks the blocks. "He's just lost for some of us. When my dad is found, he'll bring me pretty toys like these too. And I promise I'll share them with you. You share with me." The younger girl swats at the tower and the blocks scatter everywhere. "I wish he'd show up already," she sighs. "Otherwise I'll grow up before I even get to play with them." I turn back to Olena. "How old is Olya?" "Six — she starts school this year." I should ask the obvious question, but it feels like there's sand in my throat. No words will come out.

"But he doesn't love you!" "If I meant nothing to him, he wouldn't have married me. Maybe these months apart made him realise he can't live without me. I need him more than I can bear." "And what about me? How am I supposed to go on? I can't do it without you. I just can't." "Believe me, it tears me apart knowing I'm hurting you. You are so dear to me, and I will always be grateful. But I love Kyryl. Please… if you truly love me, then understand." "Yes… I understand. I understand everything." He rose and walked toward the door. In the doorway, he stopped and looked back. "But when we find each other in the next life, promise me you'll choose me then." "In the next life… yes. I will." He whispered "Goodbye" so softly it was nearly lost in the silence, then walked out of the room.

Bozhena’s ex-husband is vacationing in the mountains, preparing to attend a Christmas ball for the local elite with his new wife, while Bozhena and her daughter are left to spend the winter holidays at home. The way her former lover treats both their daughter and Bozhena herself deeply hurts her, but then an old friend offers her something unexpected…

When I was stabbed in the back, I decided that the best thing to do was to get drunk and forget. But I didn't know that after that night with a handsome man, the situation would come to a head. When I realized I was pregnant, I decided to find him. But when we met, I didn't recognize him as that handsome blond boy. And he was not very happy about the news of my impending fatherhood and called that night a mistake...

“You're playing with fire now, girl!” Yarosh grabs my arm above the elbow and pulls me towards him. “I can destroy you in a split second.” “No doubt about it! That's the only way people like you operate!” I scream at him. Then why didn't you, being so rich, take Zlata from me right away? Do you even know how hard it is for children to survive in orphanages? Daniel is silent, just looking at me with a murderous look. “This is not the time or place to discuss this,” he replies coldly, "My men will come here tomorrow morning and take Zlata away. I give you the right to go with her. You will stay with her until I prove my paternity, and then you will relinquish custody.

Our first meeting was unexpected. I decided to take a chance and let you touch my heart. It's a pity it didn't end well. I thought that was it. I would forget you like a bad dream, but one day I found out who you really are. Did it change anything in my attitude towards you? Not at all. In my eyes, you are still a bastard, and nothing more. But when fate gives me the opportunity to see you again, I will not refuse. Not because I care about you. But because I want to prove to myself that I can do anything. Even in spite of you.

Why do you need me?" I ask quietly and doubt whether the Emir heard me. - "Too much honor for a Tychy's litter. - “You're right, Snow White,” the Emir leans toward me, but this time he doesn't even try to touch me. - "I wouldn't run after a litter like that. But for the enemy's daughter... and an illegitimate one at that... I look up at him sharply and can't believe my ears. Does he know who I am? How is this possible?“ ”Where are you from..." my voice trembles, and I find it difficult to put the words together. - Are you surprised, Snow White?" His smile makes me break out in a sticky sweat. - I can see that you are. Now we're going to play a slightly different game. I'm sure you'll like it...

HE: Denys Tarnovskyi, a member of the capital’s elite, a successful businessman, and the owner of a booming IT company. He is handsome, a macho man, and a notorious womanizer—yet still one of the most eligible bachelors. ​SHE: Sofiia Iskrytska, a young single mother and a "gray mouse." An employee in the finance department and one of dozens of his subordinates, she carefully hides her vibrant and wealthy past. ​She is not his type, and he—like men in general—does not interest her at all! But someone has decided to turn these two into a couple.

He’s her target — the one she must gather intel on… and then vanish without a trace. Simple enough. Or it should have been. Until she accidentally became his fake fiancée. Until his brother started suspecting her of every mortal sin. And until their long-time rival took a sudden, dangerous interest in her. Falling in love was never part of the plan. But in a mission like this, keeping secrets is easy — keeping her heart out of it is the real challenge.