Heartbroken after the death of his beloved Nana, Hannes, the family outsider, finally allows himself to grieve. The legal battle over Nana’s quirky old house -- the only place he’s ever felt accepted and loved -- is over, and he moves in and finds a sense of peace. ... And a rabbit. An adorable bunny with a huge personality moves in, too, and refuses to leave. Hannes instantly falls in love with the sweet animal who helps heal his heart. But one morning, Hannes’ view of the world changes when the rabbit transforms into a man. A man named Mattis. After the initial shock, Hannes and Mattis discover a connection between them that runs deeper than it seems. Will their newfound feelings survive unraveling secrets and meddling families, and grow into something real? Something deep and everlasting?

9 Willow Street

Not that I expected the family to be thieves and take what isn’t theirs. But on the other hand, I didn’t think they’d behave the way they did when Nana’s will was read and we found out she’d left me the house.


“Did you know she planned to do this, Hannes?” Father asked.


My only reply was a silent shake of my head; I was as stunned as the rest of them. The room had exploded in outrage. “That house was supposed to be mine.” My grandfather. “This is so unfair to Dad.” My two uncles. “How come yougot the house, what’s so special about you?” My cousins. My mother joined in the chorus of outrage, but my father was blessedly quiet.


The family contested the will to no avail, but Nana and her lawyer had made sure it was watertight. My parents haven’t spoken to me since they lost the case. Not that we’d had a cordial relationship before Nana passed away, but now it’s pretty much arctic. Or even worse. Outer-space cold.


Chapter 6