Contemporary Literary : top book in the genre

Daring and self-assured, cold and fiercely independent. The only authority she acknowledges is her father, despite their strained relationship. She has broken countless hearts and remains utterly indifferent. Her free life is abruptly threatened when the question of marriage arises. Her father has chosen a suitable fiancé, but that prospect is far from her plans. An escape to a masked ball is meant to be a simple distraction, but there she encounters a mysterious stranger—the only person to ever touch her soul. Yet, he vanishes just as quickly as he appeared. Now, what is she to do, when her unwanted future husband is already waiting for her at home?

A rootless orphan, a true misfit, I never managed to be a proper husband or father. Why was I merely shaken, not destroyed? While others leave a trail of achievements and errors, my past is a vast wasteland. Everyone receives a second chance, and fate presented one to me. It made a home with me, brazenly insisting on being loved, teaching me to accept what's given and offered. She's a restless tumbleweed, settling not only in my kitchen but much, much deeper within me.

After ten years working as a photographer in London, Maryna returns to Ukraine. She runs into Anton, her school-years crush. He has just gone through a difficult divorce, but is quite willing to reminisce about their shared past and create a sequel for it. However, Maryna is in no hurry to do so. Her fifteen-year-old niece, Sonya, introduces her to her young and elegant Ukrainian language teacher, Mykhailo, hoping they will make a good couple. The girl herself also has something romantic brewing.

Free of charge! The story is entirely fictional and has no real-life prototypes. ‘I’m listening closely,’ I try to say without a tremble in my voice. But he just sits there in silence. Probably lost the gift of speech. His face looks worried and stunned. Poor guy doesn’t know how to approach me. No, I’m not vindictive — I just have a good memory and a bad temper. And him? Nothing. Not my type… but when the light from the window hits him just right, he looks quite nice. I mentally slap myself. God, what am I thinking? Just yesterday he called me a brainless hen, this morning he grabbed my butt, and now he’s drilling a hole in my skull with that stare. Alright, time to end this little staring contest.

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.

Amelia, a lonely teacher in a small town, finds a mysterious letter at her school on a rainy day. The note, unsigned and without a return address, asks her to take care of a boy named Liam —who soon appears at the school’s doorstep, soaked and alone. The child has an uncanny calmness and claims that the stars told him he would find her. Despite her doubts and the lack of any official explanation, Amelia decides to take him home. Though every part of her says it’s madness, there’s something about Liam —and his mysterious connection to the universe— that makes her feel his arrival was no coincidence.

She is absent-minded and inattentive, works in a veterinary clinic. He is a purposeful and responsible captain of the criminal police. What can unite such different people? An ordinary day, during which fate brings them together repeatedly. And what can come of it? Perhaps a new love.

I planned to go to the capital, find a good job, and build a career. Falling in love was absolutely not part of my intentions. But meeting a charming stranger ruined all my plans. At first, I was intrigued, then captivated, and in the end, I completely lost my head over him. But it turned out he wasn’t at all who he claimed to be. And worse, he’s accusing my father of theft.

For the sake of love, Oleksandr crossed the line of friendship — and was ready to give up his dream of becoming a hockey star. One mistake cost him the girl he loved, but brought him everything he’d ever worked for. Hockey gave him it all: a comfortable life, recognition, fame. It became his everything — and life itself turned into a game. He thought he’d learned to live without Alevtyna. But returning to his hometown after seven years awakens the feelings he thought were long buried. Everything begins to repeat: the love, the rivalry with his former friend... And once again, he must choose — between his heart and the game. Or keep skating on thin ice.

Favorite job, respect from colleagues—a young doctor Yana Synychka seems to have it all. But like all young women, she dreams of romance and has been secretly in love with her classmate for a long time. By accident, her friend finds out about her infatuation and starts her own game. Will any of them get a coveted prize—especially now, when other men enter their lives? Yana’s friend considers herself charming, independent, and safe from falling in love. But at one point, her past catches up with her in the form of her ex-lover. Will he remain in her life?

Nadiya had long dreamed of visiting the mountains. But how could she have foreseen that something terrible might happen during her vacation at a mountain resort? And the idea that misfortune could bring her closer to the arrogant and cocky Davyd would never have crossed her mind.

Lika: Three years ago I had a resort romance. It didn't last long. Later I met a wonderful guy and married him, and the hot brunette from the resort remained for me only a memory of my turbulent youth. Now I am a model wife. However, one day the past returns and appears with a box of chocolates on the threshold of my house... Sashko: When my wife cheated on me, I went to the sea to think about my life. Then I met an amazing girl. She became my sip of nourishing water and a fireworks display of emotions. However, I told her that I was married and returned to my wife. We tried to save the marriage. Recently it turned out that all attempts were in vain. Now old friends have come to console me. But did I know that by accepting the invitation, I would meet her? The one I still can't forget.

— This is a game with human lives! I scream, turning toward the cameras. — Do you even realize what you're doing?! But they don’t care. To them, we’re just pawns. They crush human lives without a second thought, watching our suffering like it’s entertainment. And even those I once considered close... They’re on the other side too.

— I'm not interested in your opinion. This is a fact! My son will be with me. I'm his biological father. These words shatter something inside me. I struggle to hold on to the last thread of self-control. My heart is drowning in hurt and the fear of losing MY son. What if no one had found him back then? The mere thought makes me sick. I won’t let anyone hurt him. I won’t give him up! He’s a child, not an object. He’s a living, breathing person with his own emotions and feelings. Where was this so-called father back then?! My sanity decides to walk away. And now, with absolute certainty and no brakes, I’m ready to surrender to the all-consuming explosion.

He’s young, bold, and handsome. A rebellious student—the son of the university’s very own rector. She’s a lecturer who knows the value of rules. She’s 27, hiding her past behind a professional mask; he’s 21, too young to be safe, yet too dangerous to ignore. But she’s already broken one rule... Every encounter between them is a dangerous game on the edge of an abyss. He plays hard—relentless, maddening—and she’s fighting against herself and feelings she shouldn’t have. He has his demons, she has a painful past. And when the truth comes to light, it becomes clear: this game has long been out of control. And someone is definitely going to lose...

— Igor is not your match at all, — Vlad met her gaze and became very serious. — You need a completely different man. Persistent, to overcome your stubbornness. Confident, so that he can protect. Cheerful, so that it is not boring. And most importantly — he must love you. Otherwise there will be no happiness. — Do men believe in love? — Lera was surprised. — Men may not believe. And I do. True love is one for a lifetime. Everything else is just poor copies. — And how do you understand that love is real? — Everyone has their own way, — Vlad's gray eyes lit up with gentle warmth. — Sometimes the realization comes immediately. And sometimes you live next to a person for many years, consider them just a friend and only then do you realize that…

Their acquaintance was very unexpected. Neither Denis nor Karina expected to find their love right in the middle of a supermarket, but it happened. According to the rules of subordination, they cannot be together. In addition, Denis is in love with another woman who is ready to do anything to destroy her rival. But will all these obstacles be able to hold back true love?

What if your ex is the only way to reach your goal? Kira was sure she could keep her feelings under control. But a foolish game of new love turns into something much deeper when every meeting reopens what she tried so hard to forget. What if a fake romance with your ex is the only chance to get what you want? Yan thought he could handle it easily. But every day spent by her side brings back memories of what they once had. What was supposed to be just a game becomes a desperate attempt to win her love back.

Just when I think things are about to calm down, my brother pulls me back into his world. A world where gunshots ring out more often than words of love. A world where every step is a risk to life. Where the truth must be hidden even from those closest to you. And just when it seems to me that everything is slowly changing for the better, those whom I so carefully left in the past reappear. The man who once broke my heart, and my brother, who tries to protect me without realizing that he himself is my greatest threat.

She is being forced to marry a stranger, a man seventeen years her senior. No one cares about her opinion. Her life has not belonged to her for a long time. She fought. She lost. But this is just the beginning. Who is he? What does he truly want? And can she preserve her identity in this marriage where every step is a game of survival? A story of submission and rebellion, fear and passion, and of a girl who did not want to love. But fate had other plans.