At UC Wisteria, I'm supposed to be chasing my future: books, scholarship, and a life I've fought tooth and nail to earn. But instead, I'm being chased by Branwen Atthill, the campus hockey star with sharp edges, hidden scars, and ice-blue eyes that track my every move like I belong to him. When his obsession transforms into something that looks like love, I fall headfirst into the dark fairytale I always craved—until I start losing myself in its twisted pages.

Branwen is dangerous. Possessive. Beautiful in ways that make me forget to breathe. When the violence starts, I convince myself I can fix him. That if I love him hard enough, my light will chase away his darkness. But as secrets unravel and the campus grows more dangerous, I'm forced to confront the question I've been too terrified to ask: if I survive loving him, will I still recognize the girl I was before he consumed me?

He's everything I was warned about, and the only boy I've ever wanted to burn for.

FICTION / Romance / Hockey

FICTION / Romance / Dark Academia

FICTION / Romance / Mystery

Dark Romance, Hockey Romance, Dark Academia, Ivy League College, Trigger Warnings, Murder, Stalker, Suspense, erotica

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"Florez warmly captures the struggle many face when trying to belong—”

"humorous"

"—story that’s easy to relate to."

M.L. Florez’s THE HEROIC MISADVENTURES OF MACI AND ROLAND is a familiar but enlightening story about finding a way to fit in.

—Gabriella Harrison for IndieReader

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Trade Review

"sweet, funny middle-grade novel"

"story's setting is gently, humorously improbable, providing a safe backdrop for Maci's intense emotions, and lovely black-and-grey illustrations help underscore the disconnect between Maci and her community."

"The Heroic Misadventures of Maci and Roland is funny, sweet, and instructive. It gently guides readers to think about what it really means to fit in and find acceptance."

—The Children's Book Review

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Reviews!

This is a wonderful book full of humor showing that outsider Maci and her lovable dog Roland can work together and feel like the belong.

(See review source)

This delightful and heartwarming tale blends humor, adventure, and self-discovery. Maci, a brooding outsider in the pastel-colored world of Whimsyville, is an endearing contrast to her town’s relentless cheerfulness. Alongside her shaggy, lovable, and hilariously stubborn Komondor, Roland, she embarks on a quest to win the Hero of Whimsyville contest, not just for the title but for the chance to feel accepted finally. .... Roland’s comedic antics and Maci’s reluctant optimism make for an irresistible duo, ensuring readers cheer them on until the very last page. ... (See full review source)

David A.

★★★★★

Excellent!

★★★★★

The Whimsical Triumphs of an Unlikely Hero

Meet M. L. Florez, the creative mind behind the delightful children's book, The Heroic Misadventures of Maci and Roland. With a passion for storytelling, Florez crafts enchanting tales that whisk young readers away into realms filled with laughter, adventure, and heartwarming connections. Currently pursuing her English degree, Florez lives with her daughter and husband in Carlsbad, California.

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The Whimsical Triumphs of an Unlikely Hero

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