The Circle

“Rest assured, when I finally get my hands on you... you will know for certain that I am no saint.”

A dark romantic comedy set inside an exclusive New York City kink society, perfect for fans of Butcher and Blackbird, Fifty Shades of Grey, and HBO's White Lotus and Search Party.

What's worse than your best friend moving out mid-lease to shack up with her newest toxic boyfriend? Probably discovering she also joined a freaky cult for obnoxious rich people, crypto bros, and tradwife spiritual gurus nestled inside a deconsecrated Gothic church. If Nova Harding had enough money for therapy, she might’ve let go of Lorelei’s mess to focus on writing. Instead, guided by mysterious social media ads, Nova is drawn inside The Circle to save her friend.

While Nova has spent the last seven years in New York City chasing success as an indie romance author, Lorelei has spent them trapped in their shared dark past. Nova refuses to abandon Lorelei, even as The Circle forces her to confront her greatest shames—and deepest desires.

But Nova isn’t the only concerned citizen infiltrating The Circle. Wes is ten years older than her. He’s tattooed, complicated, witty, and thoughtful. And he’s impossible to read. He is everything Nova should hate, another reminder of the taboo fantasies she can’t indulge. Wes says he wants to protect her in this den of snakes—that they can help each other and then part ways as friends.

But the way Wes looks at Nova is anything but friendly.

Caught in a New York City dreamworld of sex, glamor, power, and social media algorithms, Nova struggles to know who to trust. Is Wes really like her?

Or is Wes one of them?

Tropes: Gen Z x Millennial age gap / slow burn / Dom/sub / possessiveness & obsession / secret masked society / BDSM / found family / banter / love letter to NYC

Content Warnings can be found on the author’s website. The Circle is a standalone in a series of interconnected standalones.