Never fall in love with your best friend... I met Hal on the first day of high school. I also fell in love with Hal on the first day of high school. But although we were good friends from the start, I knew he’d never be mine. He’s gorgeous, confident, sexy, and he’s also incredibly rich. I’m scarred – physically and emotionally – quiet, and my family has always been poor. The two of us are poles apart. So I’ve trained myself not to think of him in that way. Not to think of kissing him, undressing him slowly. Of sliding beneath the bedclothes. Of having his hands on my skin. I ...

Never fall in love with your knight in shining armor… Even though he can’t step foot out of his house, Noah King’s sole purpose in life is to help people. He created the Ark as a sanctuary for animals and people alike, and it’s not surprising that when I’m at my lowest ebb, he’s the one who rides in on his white horse and rescues me. But now I’m in a terrible dilemma. Since his wife died giving birth to their baby – who also died – Noah’s been a recluse. The last thing he needs in his life is a woman who’s eight months pregnant, alone, and homeless. Of course he’s ...

Never fall in love when it's supposed to be just for fun… It’s the day before my brother’s wedding in Dunedin, in the South Island of New Zealand. It’s also the last day of my studies before I qualify as a veterinarian. At last, I can put aside my ditzy image and be the sophisticated career woman I’ve always wanted to be. Except I don’t notice my watch has stopped, and I miss my flight. Luckily, Ryan misses the plane too. He suggests we take a road trip to Dunedin, and I jump at the chance to spend a cozy couple of days with him. I’ve had a crush on him for years. When I ...

Never fall in love when you’re full of Christmas spirit… Stefan is the only guy I’ve ever really wanted. But on the night that I finally plucked up courage to ask him back to my room, he turned me down. Okay, he didn't just turn me down; he crushed my very soul. That was a month ago, and now, at Christmastime, I’m traveling with my family to the Arctic Circle to celebrate Noah’s wedding. Because Stefan and I are the only two singletons left, I just know we’re going to end up sitting together on the plane and in restaurants. I can’t bear to be near him. It hurts too much. And ...

Never fall in love with a wounded hero… Since I turned thirty, all I can think about is having a baby. Someone of my own I can love. Someone who won’t break my heart. But I don’t want another relationship ever again. I thought about going to a clinic. But I like the idea of knowing the identity of the father of my child, even if we’re not an item. So I pick Marc. Or Fitz, as everyone else calls him. He’s tall, handsome, healthy – apart from his injured back – hardworking, kind, and loyal. I’d be happy if my child were to grow up like him. So I ask him if he’d agree to be a...