“We're planning on meeting with Sarah and her parents next week. How would you like that?"

"That sounds...brilliant." Will plastered on a fake smile and tried to sound excited. It was difficult when he'd just discovered where his feelings truly lay. Not with a total stranger, but with someone he'd known for years. 

Life in Restoration England isn't easy for William Garnett, especially when he realizes he's falling in love with a boy—his best friend, Augustus.

After London's Great Plague claims Augustus's youngest sister, their parents turn to trusted friends. Augustus and his other sister are sent to safely live with Will's rich family in the English countryside. 

Will is anxious as he hides his feelings from the object of his affection and his domineering parents. But he lets go when their feelings become mutual. Will and Augustus brazenly defy society and Will's parents by secretly pursuing their romance. 

Will's strait-laced parents have already planned his future: an arranged courtship and marriage to Sarah, the daughter of another wealthy family. 

They're also pushing him into an accounting position in the family business. His gifted sister Lily would be perfect for the job, but her priority is to start looking for a husband—even at age thirteen. 

Yet there might be hope for Will and his sister! Their free-spirited uncle believes they should follow their own path.

But just when things seem to be looking up, everything goes wrong. Through a cruel twist of Fate, the boys are left to fend for themselves while in grave danger.

As the repercussions of deviating from their rigid society stare them down, they are faced with a daunting choice that could destroy their lives: Will they follow the rules, or follow their hearts?

Cover Art by Jordan Mislang Samera, 2021

Book 1: Burnt Bliss

By that night, Will was completely hopeless. It was nearly over, and as far as he could imagine, they were done for. 


He felt like it was entirely his fault. He did all he could to not let Augustus take the fall, including taking all the blame himself. He hadn't meant to burst out in front of everyone yesterday. And if he hadn't done that, Augustus wouldn't have just offered up his life to save him! 


That damn lawyer was torturing him yesterday. It was a clear indication of how he deserved to be treated now. No one objected to him reading something so personal aloud. 


As he thought about their mistreatment, this reminded him that he presently had no idea why his parents let him come back with them. He thought he'd heard them mumble something about 'getting his things in order'. 


The house was dark and quite as the Garnetts approached. Mary had left with her parents from the courthouse and Elizabeth had been asleep at home for hours. 


Chapter 33: Last Chances st