I had a lot of plans for my freshman year of college.

Falling for my roommate’s older brother was definitely not one of them.

Not like I had a choice in the matter.

The second he walked in with that crooked smile and dark green eyes, I was a goner.

But River Parker doesn’t exactly make it easy on me.

One minute he’s acting like he’s just as interested in me as I am in him, the next he’s detached and indifferent.

And to make matters worse, the only person who could give me insight into the man who has completely consumed my every waking thought for months, is the one person he doesn’t want me to tell. His sister—who happens to be one of my closest friends.

I’m stuck in this constant push and pull—unsure of where he truly stands—which only serves to complicate things further. Given that he lives in completely different state and that we’ve only ever actually been in the same room together once in the entire time we’ve been talking, I’d say things are already complicated enough.

But then his sister invites me to visit over summer break and even though I know it’s a bad idea the instant she suggests it, I also know there isn’t a chance in hell I could turn down the opportunity to see River again.

I thought I knew what I was getting myself into when I showed up at his parents’ house without telling him, but nothing could have prepared me for his reaction when he walks in and sees me sitting at the table with his family—or for anything that happens after.

When you stand too close to the fire, you’re bound to get burned. The only question that remains is, will it have been worth it? I guess sometimes, you simply have to endure the pain to find out.

Cinder & Secrets is the second book in the Ink & Ashes series, a three-part standalone series.

Each book has a different MMC & FMC and can be listened to as part of the series or completely on its own.