M. L. Stevens Books

Naima Okeke is trapped, her heart surrounded by chains.

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Her boyfriend, Callan is a monster who maps her brown skin with bruises, holding hostage the key. His stepbrother, Jaden longs to free her heart and help it beat again. Her parents and brother, Amari are terrified; her friends suspicious. But Naima loves them all enough to hide from them, no matter what the cost—even if that cost is forcing them to watch her waste away. 

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Can she balance surviving Callan on one hand and falling for Jaden on the other, or will her dangerous coping mechanisms destroy the fragile web of lies she's built to protect everyone who loves her?​