In 1934, life in Brookburn, Indiana, is quiet, simple, and peaceful, but young dreamer Levi Beckerman yearns for more. When the carnival shows up for the Fourth of July, he’s entranced by its many temptations. None is more seductive than the charismatic barker, Sebastian Gustineau.<br><br>Seb’s been a part of the carnival for almost a decade. Once, it provided him the escape he needed from a life he thought he didn’t want, but now, he craves things it can never offer. Flitting from dusty town to dusty town, he loses himself in pretty dalliances. Levi seems like the perfect distraction, until a single conversation convinces him that preserving Levi’s innocence and way of life is more important than his momentary satisfaction.<br><br>However, his plan to discourage Levi goes horribly wrong. When Levi’s family is threatened, Levi fights to protect them, doing what he can to hide the secrets he’s sheltered his entire life. The only person he trusts is Seb. He just isn’t sure if the growing bond between them is enough to save them all.

A Simple Charm

His body swung wide for a split second before his feet collided with his target, steadying him as it bore his weight. He was still ten feet above the ground, but out of view from any window in the house, granting him time to sidle along the narrow path to a safer angle. Sweat glued his hair to his forehead when he was finally down, and he squeezed his eyes shut to ease untethering the tree from his magic.


One obstacle overcome. Too bad it was the easiest of the night.


Levi skirted the back of the houses to approach the street corner out of sight from any of his neighbors. He spotted Seb first, lounging against the streetlamp, his hands shoved deep in his pockets as he gazed down Main Street. Now that Levi had the time to drink him in, he did so gladly, parched for details.


Chapter 21