Book One: Where We Began [The Crossroads Trilogy] [mature themes]

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Book One in The Crossroads Trilogy Series.

Sometimes First Love Is The Hardest To Forget.

Elena Hart has always followed the rules, living in a world of privilege, expectations, and carefully curated safety. But when a chance encounter with the mysterious and captivating Luca Reyes changes everything, her carefully ordered life begins to unravel.

Luca is everything Elena shouldn't be drawn to-dangerous, secretive, and tied to a past she doesn't understand. Yet, beneath his guarded exterior lies a boy struggling to protect his family, pay off debts, and navigate a world that has never been kind to him.

Their connection sparks instantly, beginning as a friendship forged in shared adrenaline and late-night drives. As Elena and Luca spend time together, laughter and small confessions give way to late-night whispers, stolen touches, and the first taste of a love neither can ignore. But every moment together carries risk: rumors swirl of Luca's street racing, Elena's father warns her to stay away, and the shadow of a dark past links their families in ways they cannot yet comprehend.

When tragedy strikes, and Luca's mother suffers a sudden health crisis, the two are forced to confront their feelings head-on. Their bond deepens in the quiet, vulnerable moments that follow-but just as their hearts begin to align, Luca makes the ultimate sacrifice, leaving Elena with nothing but a note:

"Don't look into my past. I'm trying to protect you. I'm so sorry. I love you."

Heartbroken and furious, Elena watches the boy she loves disappear into the night, unaware that danger and secrets surround them both. "Where We Began" is a contemporary romance full of slow-burn tension, emotional vulnerability, and the heartbreak that comes when love and duty collide.

The story ends with a bittersweet promise: love has begun-but the past is far from finished.