Blurb:

~The Grumpy Billionaire Next Door~

A Grumpy Billionaire Hacker next door, A Sassy PI out for justice – what could go wrong?

I’m Brooklyn’s most tenacious PI.

My newest case—and maybe love—is living next door.

The rumors about Ethan swirl through our small town like wildfire.

He's a billionaire recluse, and I can't resist the mystery.

After a stormy night and a suspicious crash from his mansion, my curiosity gets the best of me.

Sneaking in, I find chaos and a man desperate for help.

We form a grudging alliance, each wary of the other's motives.

As we work together, our initial distrust turns into something deeper and undeniably romantic.

He needs my help, and I can't ignore the danger—especially when the stakes are higher than either of us imagined.

If we can't expose the real villains, we both risk losing everything, including the unexpected and growing love between us.

~Nanny for the Billionaire Next Door~

A bohemian beauty next door. A billionaire single dad with secrets. And one little boy who’s about to change everything.

My life is all about control, and I’ve built walls to keep everything – and everyone- out.

Then Clara Michaels crashes into my life – vibrant, free-spirited, and completely unexpected.

She’s nothing like me. Where I’m reserved, she’s spontaneous; where I’m guarded, she’s an open book.

My son, Ben, lights up around her, and for the first time in years, I feel something more than grief.

Then there’s a kiss—a single, perfect moment that turns my world upside down.

Then a ghost from my past threatens to destroy the fragile peace we’ve found.

Clara’s presence is both a blessing and a curse – her laughter and warmth are the only things keeping me grounded, but I fear that letting her in could tear us all apart.

Can I protect my son and keep my heart intact?

Or will I lose everything just as I’m beginning to realize what truly matters?

~Baking for the Billionaire Next Door~

"Small town, big heart: Falling for a billionaire dad and his twins."

Moving to Darling was supposed to be a temporary escape, not a place where I'd fall for a brooding billionaire with adorable twins.

I'm Lillian, a city girl who traded skyscrapers for small-town charm—and got more than I bargained for. 

I came to Darling for a fresh start, taking up a baking job and trying to find peace, but then I meet Bas—the brooding man next door with twins who steal my heart the moment they smile.

I offer to help with the kids, thinking it'd be temporary.

Yet, every day spent baking cookies, sharing stories, and watching those kids light up when I walk in the room, I feel myself sinking deeper into something I wasn’t prepared for.

Bas is still healing from losing his wife, but there’s a spark between us that’s impossible to ignore. 

Late nights by the fire, his hand brushing mine, the warmth in his eyes when he looks at me—leaving was never supposed to be this hard.

But just as I’m ready to stay, the city calls with a job offer I’ve always dreamed of, and Bas’s past stirs up complications. 

Suddenly everything we've built feels fragile.

Now, I'm standing at a crossroads trying to figure out where I truly belong.

Story Summaries:

~The Grumpy Billionaire Next Door~

Rain lashed against the window panes, the wind howling like a banshee outside. Clara, a petite whirlwind herself, slammed a manila folder on her kitchen counter. Inside, grainy photos showed a sprawling mansion, a stark contrast to her cozy Brooklyn apartment. "Ugh, Ethan Thorne," she muttered, "billionaire recluse or mastermind criminal?"

Ethan Thorne, the infamous hacker who vanished after a major financial scandal, had just bought the house next door. Now, whispers of hidden accounts and suspicious activity plagued the quiet neighborhood. Clara, a fiercely independent PI with a nose for trouble, couldn't resist a good mystery, especially one with a billionaire neighbor.

As days turned into weeks, Clara's investigation stalled. The mansion was a fortress, Ethan a recluse behind its walls. Then, one stormy night, the power flickered, plunging the neighborhood into darkness. Clara heard a crash from next door. Curiosity overriding caution, she snuck into the Thorne mansion.

Inside, chaos reigned. Papers scattered across the floor, a laptop screen glowed ominously. But before Clara could take a closer look, a figure emerged from the shadows. Tall, dark, and undeniably handsome, it was Ethan. He wasn't what she expected – not a cunning criminal, but a man with worry etched on his face.

The initial shock gave way to suspicion. "What are you doing here?" Clara demanded. Ethan, his voice laced with urgency, explained. Hackers had targeted him, trying to steal something far more valuable than money - a groundbreaking encryption program he created. Now, they were after him, and Clara, caught in the crossfire, was in danger.

The mansion's silence was shattered as the unmistakable shriek of sirens pierced the night. Someone had called the police. Clara glanced at Ethan, a question hanging in the air. Were these the bad guys they were waiting for? Or was the truth far more complex, with the stakes much higher than either of them could have imagined?

~Nanny for the Billionaire Next Door~

When Clara Michaels loses her apartment to a fire, she finds herself moving to the quaint town of Maplewood, where her childhood friend offers her a temporary place to stay. Little does she know that her new neighbor is none other than James Thornton, a reclusive billionaire and single father grieving the loss of his wife. James has retreated from the world, choosing Maplewood's serene environment to raise his son, Ben, away from prying eyes. Managing his successful investment firm from a distance, he remains a mystery to the townsfolk. Clara’s vibrant personality and unfiltered humor, however, catch him off guard and slowly begin to thaw his icy exterior. When Clara's friend moves away, Clara accepts a position as Ben’s nanny. She quickly becomes a ray of sunshine in the Thornton household, bringing laughter and warmth back into their lives. Despite their stark differences—Clara’s bohemian spirit versus James's orderly world—they find themselves spending more time together, united in their shared love for Ben. As their friendship blossoms into a deep, unexpected romance, James’s past begins to intrude. A former business rival uncovers scandals that threaten to unearth old wounds and shatter their burgeoning happiness. Clara stands by James, offering solace and support, but fears her presence might only bring more turmoil. In a heartfelt climax, James must confront his past to protect his future with Clara and Ben. Their love story proves that sometimes, being a heartbeat away from losing everything can bring you closer to finding what truly matters.

~Baking for the Billionaire Next Door~

Lillian Carter never imagined that taking up a small-town baking job would change her life so drastically. Leaving behind her high-paced corporate job in the city, she moves to the quiet town of Darling to start fresh. Bas, a wealthy widower and single father to seven-year-old twins, Emma and Ethan, is immediately intrigued when Lillian takes up residence in the quaint cottage next to his sprawling estate. Overwhelmed by the demands of his business and parenthood, Bas finds himself in desperate need of a nanny. Upon learning about Bas's plight, Lillian volunteers to help with the twins temporarily. Her empathy and creativity become a beacon of new light in their lives. As Lillian starts to bake her way into the hearts of the townspeople and the twins, she sees the walls Bas had built around his heart begin to crumble. Despite their different worlds, their shared love for Emma and Ethan helps bridge the gap. As Darling slowly works its charm on Lillian, her initial intent to stay for just a few months wavers. One crisp autumn evening, while making cookies with the twins, she realizes that perhaps this small town and its inhabitants have a more permanent place in her heart. Bas, seeing the joy Lillian brings to his kids and himself, struggles with his feelings. He fears the pain of loss again but cannot resist the pull of Lillian's warmth and strength. During the town's annual fair, as Lillian wins first prize in the baking contest, Bas gathers the courage to open his heart fully. He proposes, presenting Lillian not just with a ring, but an apron embroidered with the words "Welcome Home." With Emma and Ethan joyfully joining in the embrace, Lillian accepts, understanding that sometimes, love finds us in the most unexpected places and transforms us entirely.

Characters:

~The Grumpy Billionaire Next Door~

Ethan: Tall and handsome with a rugged edge, has dark hair and piercing eyes that hint at his intelligence and troubled past. He is a complex person who is a recluse, guarded and initially mistrustful of others due to his past betrayals. He is highly intelligent, particularly with technology, and carries a burden of guilt and worry related to his inventions and the people after him. Despite his aloof demeanor, he has a deep sense of responsibility and a protective instinct, especially toward Clara, as they grow closer.

Clara: She is petite, energetic, and has sharp, observant eyes and an athletic build, reflecting her active lifestyle as a private investigator. Her hair is usually tied back. She is practical yet stylish, with a no-nonsense attitude mirrored in her wardrobe of functional but fashionable clothes. She is fiercely independent and resourceful, thrives on solving mysteries and is driven by a strong sense of justice. She is curious, persistent, and has a keen intuition that often leads her to the truth. Despite her tough exterior, she has a compassionate side, particularly towards those unjustly wronged. Her background as a private investigator has equipped her with a wide range of skills, from surveillance and interrogation to technology and self-defense.

~Nanny for the Billionaire Next Door~

Clara Michaels (FMC): Clara is a vibrant, free-spirited woman in her early 30s, with a bohemian flair that reflects her creative and spontaneous nature. She has curly auburn hair that frames her expressive green eyes, always full of warmth and curiosity. After losing her apartment to a fire, she relocates to Maplewood, where her childhood friend offers her temporary shelter. Despite the tragedy that brought her to the town, Clara exudes an unfiltered humor and an infectious optimism that quickly endears her to those around her. Her empathetic and nurturing personality naturally draws people in, particularly James Thornton and his son, Ben, who come to rely on her presence as a source of light and warmth in their lives. Clara’s journey in Maplewood challenges her to balance her spontaneous nature with the structured life of the Thornton household, all while navigating the complex emotions of falling in love with a man still haunted by his past.

James Thornton (MMC): James is a tall, handsome man in his late 30s or early 40s, with a chiseled jawline, piercing blue eyes, and dark hair that is usually neatly styled. Once a highly visible and successful billionaire, James retreated from the public eye after the tragic death of his wife. He now resides in Maplewood, a quiet town that offers him the solitude he craves to raise his young son, Ben, away from prying eyes and media scrutiny. James’s exterior is as cold and guarded as the steel walls he has built around his emotions, but beneath his stoic demeanor lies a man who deeply loves his son and is haunted by grief and guilt. The arrival of Clara, with her vibrant personality and disarming humor, begins to chip away at his defenses, making him question whether he is ready to embrace happiness and love again. James’s journey is one of healing, as he learns to confront his past and open his heart to the possibility of a future with Clara.

Ben Thornton: Ben is a sweet, shy boy of about seven or eight years old, with tousled brown hair and big blue eyes that mirror his father’s. Having lost his mother at a young age, Ben has grown up in the quiet, structured world that his father has created for him in Maplewood. He is intelligent and observant, often noticing the unspoken tensions and emotions around him. Initially reserved, Ben slowly opens up to Clara, whose warmth and playful nature help him rediscover the joy of childhood. He becomes deeply attached to her, viewing her not just as a nanny but as a maternal figure who brings laughter and love back into his life. Ben plays a crucial role in bringing Clara and James closer together, serving as a bridge between their two worlds.

~Baking for the Billionaire Next Door~

Lillian Carter (FMC) Early 30’s with soft, wavy blond hair, warm brown eyes, and a welcoming smile that reflects her gentle nature. She dresses in a casual yet stylish manner, often seen in aprons dusted with flour from her latest baking creation. She is a former corporate worker who leaves behind a high-paced city life to find peace in the small town of Darling. Empathetic, creative, nurturing, and determined. Lillian is warm and approachable, quickly endearing herself to the townspeople and Bas's family. She has a natural ability to connect with children and is deeply compassionate, always ready to help those in need. Though she is initially uncertain about her new life, Lillian’s adaptability and openness lead her to embrace the charm of Darling. Her baking skills and artistic touch bring joy to others, and she finds solace in the simplicity of small-town life. Lillian transitions from a life defined by ambition and stress to one rooted in love, family, and community. She finds herself and her true passions in Darling, leading her to embrace a future she never expected.

Sebastian “Bas” Montgomery (MMC): Mid-to-late 30s, tall, with a strong, athletic build. Bas has dark hair graying at the temples, sharp green eyes, and a rugged handsomeness that is softened when he is with his children. He typically dresses in tailored suits for work but adopts a more relaxed style at home. A wealthy widower and successful businessman, Bas is struggling to balance his demanding career with the responsibilities of raising his twin children after the loss of his wife. He is dedicated to his children but finds himself overwhelmed by the demands of single parenthood. Bas is initially reserved, guarded, and somewhat aloof, a man who keeps his emotions tightly controlled due to past pain. However, beneath his stoic exterior lies a deep well of love and devotion, particularly for his children. He is thoughtful, intelligent, and capable, but his fear of loss makes him hesitant to open up to others. As he gets to know Lillian, Bas begins to lower his defenses and allows himself to feel again. Bas’s journey is one of healing and rediscovering love. He learns to trust again and allows himself to be vulnerable with Lillian, ultimately embracing a future filled with hope and happiness.

Emma and Ethan Montgomery: 7 years old twin children of Bas, Emma and Ethan who are still coping with the loss of their mother, which has left them somewhat withdrawn and shy. They crave attention and affection, which they find increasingly in Lillian. Both Emma and Ethan have their father’s dark hair and eyes, with Emma’s hair typically styled in braids or a ponytail, while Ethan sports a more tousled look. They often dress in matching or complementary outfits that reflect their close bond as twins.

Tropes:

~The Grumpy Billionaire Next Door~

• Small Town Romance
• Grumpy / Sunshine
• Next Door Neighbor
• Opposites Attract
• Billionaire
• Smart / Sassy

~Nanny for the Billionaire Next Door~

• Small Town Romance
• Opposites Attract
• Next Door Neighbor
• Forced Proximity
• Single Dad
• Boss
• Billionaire
• Nanny
• Smart / Sassy

~Baking for the Billionaire Next Door~

• Small Town Romance
• Opposites Attract
• Next Door Neighbor
• Single Dad
  
• Billionaire
  
• Nanny
• Smart / Sassy

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