New school. New rivals. One chance to prove herself.
Jessica Welling has spent her life playing by the rules—until one reckless decision shatters everything. Forced to leave her old life behind, Jessica transfers across the state to Arcana High, home to one of the best marching bands in the state. Determined to rebuild her future, she’s ready to prove herself to the only team that matters—if they’ll let her.
Christian Gutierrez has spent years building his legacy as Arcana’s drum major. With his title to defend and his family falling apart, he doesn’t have time for distractions—especially not Jessica Welling, the fiery new girl with secrets she’s determined to keep. From the moment she steps onto his field, their rivalry ignites—and so does something neither of them expected.
As competition season heats up, Jessica and Christian are forced to confront their assumptions about each other—and themselves. But when Jessica’s past comes back to haunt her, the choices she’s made threaten to unravel everything Arcana has worked for. Their connection deepens despite the odds, but one devastating betrayal could turn their story from triumphant to tragic.
Taking the Field is an electrifying tale of love, rivalry, and redemption set against the high-stakes world of competitive marching band. This book delivers heart-pounding twists, witty banter, and unforgettable characters in a compelling rivals-to-lovers romance.
Will Jessica and Christian rise to the challenge—or will the pressure of the season tear them apart?
Coming August 2026
After everything that happened last season, Jessica thought summer would be a reset.
Joining a nationally touring drum corps means long rehearsals, endless bus rides, and a level of pressure that leaves no room to hide. For Jessica, it was supposed to be a way forward. A chance to prove she could survive outside the band room that once felt like home. But the road has a way of amplifying what you carry with you, and the past doesn’t stay quiet for long.
Christian is on tour for different reasons. Marching was always the one place that made sense, even when everything else didn’t. What he didn’t expect was to find himself sharing the field with Jessica again, marching side by side while everything between them remains unresolved. As the season demands more discipline, more sacrifice, and more control, he’s forced to confront what he’s been avoiding and what he might still lose.
As performances blur together and the miles stack up, both Jessica and Christian must face the question they’ve been outrunning: who are you when the structure falls away and what happens when moving forward doesn’t mean moving on?
The Summer Tour is a contemporary coming-of-age sequel to Taking the Field about endurance, healing, and learning how to carry yourself, and each other, through the seasons that change you.
Read for free on Wattpad: Medium Latte for Ell-yot Hayul
Look, I didn't mean to embarrass myself the first time I walked into Brewing Grounds. Or the second. Or...every other time since. But something about the place-and the barista with the messy ponytail and the glasses that she pushes up her nose-makes me forget how to form actual sentences.
Bea. Her name's Bea. She spelled mine wrong on my cup the first day (Ell-yot Hayul), and now I'm kind of obsessed. Not with her. With medium lattes. With her handwriting. With the little hearts she scribbles on my cups. Okay... maybe a little bit with her.
The point is: I'm a walking disaster around her, and I'm pretty sure she knows it. And okay, maybe I started showing up every morning at exactly 7:30 just to see her. And maybe I've been reading up on how to flirt because I thought that might help (it hasn't). But honestly, what's the worst that could happen? I embarrass myself again? (Already done that.) Spill coffee on my tie? (Happened last week.) Accidentally fall in love with the barista who writes flirty notes on my coffee cups? Oh, wait...
[1 of 2: Slow Brew Series]
Dual POV | Romantic Comedy | Coffee Shop Romance | Slice of Life
18+ for suggestive dialogue, some steam (nothing too explicit)
🏆 1st Place - Pimp My Romance Awards 2025
🏆 1st Place - Pink Watty's pINKspire Awards 2025 "Best Dialogue"
🏆 The Nano Watt 2025 - Contemporary Romance Winner
🏆 Wattys 2025 Winner
🏆 Ambys 2025 Grand Favorite
Read for free on Wattpad: Americano For My Archnemesis
Bea's dream was always to open a cozy, charming little book cafe. My dream-me, Jules, it's my story now, bitches-was to avoid unnecessary stress, talking about my own feelings, and James Hale. So naturally, the universe decided to shove all three onto my lap.
Now I'm thrust into managing Beaumont's Books & Brews-aka Bea's pride and joy (aka the haunted mess of a coffee shop we're scrubbing, gutting, and dragging into existence from the afterlife). Which would be great... if she didn't have to share the title of "co-owner" with a walking migraine in designer loafers.
James Hale. My archnemesis. My best friend's boyfriend's brother. Also, somehow, my boss.
We made out once. It was a mistake. A moment of weakness. A tragedy for the history books. And now he's here. Every day. Breathing my air, drinking sugary, over-creamed monstrosities he dares to call coffee, and always-always smirking at me. I take my coffee black. No syrup. No foam art. No pulling out emotional baggage mid-espresso. The way coffee should be. Just pure, tasteful pleasure-with a bitter finish.
Welcome to Beaumont's. May the odds be ever in my favor.
[2 of 2: Slow Brew Series]
Dual POV | Romantic Comedy | Coffee Shop Romance
18+ for suggestive dialogue, some explicit scenes, language