What we're reading in TLS this week:

We hope you have been enjoying our reading recommendations and are finding plenty of new things to read and review. Here’s the latest round of TLS approved recs just for you. Don't forget to let the authors know where you saw them recommended and leave them some love. Enjoy! Stay safe out there.

♥ Six Dlbfive

Bored by xXTailoredDreamsXx

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13690625/1/Bored

For months, Bella's life has been stuck on repeat while she's sheltered in place with her parents. Being bored out of her mind during a global pandemic has become her new normal. She's sure her older brother's decision to move back home will only make a numbing situation worse, but when he brings along his green-eyed best friend how much will his existence change her entire world? Rated M

Getting Blitzed by Nolebucgrl

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10676370/1/Getting-Blitzed

The continuing adventures of Cockyback and Reed Girl. College is over and real life awaits. How will they handle the ups and downs thrown their way as Edward enters the NFL and Bella approaches graduation? Rated R for Rainbow. Sequel to Sideline Collision. Rated M

High Fidelity by IReen Weiss

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7771737/1/High-Fidelity

Damaged Edward, damaged Bella. Two sides of the same scarred coin. When one side is up, the other is down. Language and lots of it. Lemons eventually. It's a slow burn, slow and painful. Mature. Lots of random pop culture references. Rated M

My Blessing by likewhitesmoke

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12888500/1/My-Blessing

Despite having her dream job and her life together, she still feels like something is missing. At least, until she meets Edward Cullen. A single dad who looks just as dangerous as he does attractive. His tattoos and rough exterior might have caught her attention, but it’s his giving heart which causes her to fall head over heels for him. Rated M

Secrets and Spies by Michaelmas54

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13697397/1/Secrets-and-Spies

Following a family tragedy, Edward receives a message warning him not to trust anyone new who has entered his life. The only person who fits this category is Bella Swan, who maybe isn't who she claims to be. Is she keeping a secret and who else can't he trust. An exciting tale including touches of angst and romance. A/H: Rated M for language, minimal violence and loving moments. Rated M

Ships in the Night by anhanninen

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13684721/1/Ships-in-the-Night

“So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another, only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. A decade had passed since Edward left that biology classroom, cowardly deciding to run instead seeing what lies ahead. 10 years, a different man, and a girl who has become a woman. Edward has plans, but fate has different ones. Rated M 

The Devil’s Plan by ruinedbyrob

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12154644/1/The-Devil-s-Plan

Banned from Heaven for thinking himself above God, Lucifer bides his time searching for a way to gain his reentry into Heaven and taking the throne of God for himself. He has waited centuries for the one he needs to be born. The lives of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen are about to be changed forever, if they are not strong enough for the fight ahead, mankind will pay the price. Rated M

The Family Quarantine by Knicnort3

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13566865/1/The-Family-Quarantine

It was just supposed to be a quick trip home, but now nine adults are stuck quarantined together. Can this dysfunctional family survive, or will their forced time together break them beyond repair? All Human. Rated M

The Freshmen by LayAtHomeMom

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13639280/1/The-Freshmen

"It's something I live with every single day." Rated M

Thief of Hearts by Patty Rosa

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13545206/7/Thief-of-Hearts

FBI Agent, Edward Cullen, knows the assignment: infiltrate the ring and bring them down. He doesn't count on the jewel thief who'll make his job that much harder - nor on the very real danger it'll put them both in when he falls for her. REPOSTING AND UPDATED FOR 2020. E&B. AH. Rated M

Total Eclipse of the Heart by ashel-13

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/4405987/1/Total-Eclipse-of-the-Heart

Actress Bella Swan has been getting mysterious letters making her enlist the aide of body guard, Edward Cullen. But will he do more than protect her body? She finds there’s more to the SWAT officer than meets the eye, and wants him all the more. Rated M

(w)riteofpassion by PearlyFox

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13341104/1/w-riteofpassion

Boy meets girl, sexy snapshots and heated conversations. They met on a game, but how do they cope with reality?  Rated M

TLS Special SNEAK PEEK Feature

 

The Lemonade Stand has spent so many years bringing you the best the Twilight fandom has to offer, and we are very excited to have the chance to offer you even MORE. We've watched stories grow and develop from first post through COMPLETE, and now we're lucky enough to share previews of the stories that will soon be your new addiction.

The excitement has been building for weeks as Belladonna and TheFictionFreak have been pic teasing us images for their next co-writing adventure. Today, they have graciously agreed to share an excerpt from their upcoming new fic Clean Sneek.  Be sure and put them on alert so you don't miss out!

banner by LizziePaige

Clean Sneak

 by Belladonna and TheFictionFreak

Summary: Bad guys. Good girls. Black-market booze. Love at first sight. New York is on the cusp of something big in 1927. So are Edward Cullen and Isabella Swan.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

MARIE: Are you ready to do this again, sweets?

JO: Ready as I’ll ever be, doll. 

MARIE: This fic’s gonna be different from Body of Christ. A lot less church. A lot more crime. About the same amount of booze.

JO: Right. But still no foxes. 

MARIE: When we make a promise we keep it.

JO: Thanks, God. 

MARIE: With Body of Christ we gave Fleabag a HEA. Now we’re doing, what? Giving Romeo and Juliet a HEA? Who do we think we are, Jo?

JO: We’re righting all the historical wrongs, Marie. We’re doing a service here, one FanFic at a time. 

MARIE: I’m also writing as a shout-out to Gus and Pauline. My grandparents inspired me a little with this one. 

JO: My inspiration is drawn from never having to Google Catholic Mass, ever again. 

MARIE: *cackles as she writes in a Catholic Mass*

JO: At least I know if this guy attends, he won’t be paying attention to the priest.

MARIE: Right. He’ll be watching Kitten. 

JO: Like a fuckin’ hawk. 

MARIE: Ain’t it a crime when the one person you love most in the world is the one person you shouldn’t be with? 

JO: Love conquers all, though. Right? 

MARIE: Let’s hope.

JO: As long as we don’t have to pray, I’m in (okay, but maybe we’ll have some silent talks… with Him).

MARIE: You want to share a teaser from our new fic, Clean Sneak, or are you too busy praying?

JO: *whips out teaser for TLS* I’m ready. Let’s do this. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I set the crate of liquor down onto a bar stool next to Esme and peek over her shoulder. 

“Carry the five,” I tease. She don’t need my help though. Esme’s smart as a whip.

Her head snaps up. “Edward.” She checks her watch and breathes easy. “Thanks so much for doing this.” 

“No worries. Got a new guy, wanted to show him the ropes anyway.” 

She sets her pencil down. “New guy, huh?” 

“Yeah.” I glance around at the crowd. “Yorkie was skimming off the top from Marcus, so...”

Esme steps around to the other side of the bar and pulls out a steel box from underneath all casual, like I didn't just tell her the guy got clipped. “You trust this new guy?” 

“Time’ll tell. For now he’s good at what I need him to do.” 

She pulls a wad of money out then locks the box up and shoves it back underneath the counter. She slips the cash into the front pocket of my pants, smooth as silk, as she joins me on this side of the bar again. 

I don’t need to count it. I know it’s all there.

I bend down and kiss her cheek. “I’ll see ya in three days.”

Esme gives me a wary look all of a sudden, like she wants to tell me to be careful out there, or maybe remind me I’m better than what I am. But she knows I’m too old for that shit now. She knows I’m in too deep.

“Don’t worry, Es. I got this,” I tell her as I back my way across the room. 

She waves me off and goes back to her paperwork. 

I spin around to head for the exit when I’m practically knocked off my feet. At first, all I see is sequins, silk and the face of a fuckin’ angel. 

I catch her by the waist and her hands fly to my shoulders. We end up chest to chest with her hanging onto me, and me clutching her like my life depends on it.

And she’s no angel. All dame. 

I don’t wanna let her go. 

“Jesus H. Chri…” the words die in her mouth as she looks up into my eyes. 

“My thoughts exactly.”

We’re like that for a minute, frozen like we’re ending a dance we never even started. 

She peeks up at me through long lashes. Her eyes are bright with excitement, holding my stare like she’s not gonna look away even if I paid her to. They’re big and brown but lamplights bring out little flecks of gold in ‘em. 

Her lips turn up in the smallest hint of a smile, full and beautiful. The kind of lips I wanna fall against. The kind I wanna feel everywhere. She blushes a little, but she’s not ashamed. It’s like she wants me to see. I don’t mind. It brings out the red in her lipstick and it matches her dress. What there is of it anyway. It’s more like a scrap of cloth. Not that I’m complaining. 

From the feel of her against me, there’s not much underneath it either. 

“Where’d you come from, fella’?”

“I could ask you the same, doll.” 

I stand the two of us upright, but instinct has me holding on to her like she might disappear if I let her go. Truth is, I don’t want her going anywhere. Not unless I’m headed there too.

When her lips part, I don’t think twice. I gotta know what they taste like. I pull her tight and her breath catches. Her short hair swings into her face, and I brush it away from her eyes. It doesn’t look to me like she’s got any objections. So I slip a hand behind her head and lean in carefully, like I might break her or something. Her eyelids flutter as she tips her head.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Meet us at the joint account on fanfiction.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/12927018/

When are we posting? Monday 9.21.2020. 

What we're reading in TLS this week:

If you’re enjoying the long Labor Day weekend and need something new to read, we’ve got just the rec list for you. With familiar favorites, updates we’ve all been waiting for, and several new ones that leave us wanting more, there’s something for everyone!  Let the author know where you saw their fic featured when you leave them a review. Happy reading! Stay safe out there.

♥ Six Dlbfive

Cracking Cullen by Mylissa
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12942498/1/Cracking-Cullen
No one touches Cullen. They keep trying as if winning his affection is a game. No one gets a chance with him. At least, that’s what they think. Rated M

Destiny Unknown by ericastwilight
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12280169/1/Destiny-Unknown
Edward and his sister's best friend Bella hit it off, but what has him leaving so soon? Desperate to save his family, Edward must find Bella, and together they make their way through countless obstacles that want nothing more than a bite to eat. Armed with weapons, an annoyingly sarcastic but helpful talking box, and the knowledge to save the world, will they succeed? Rated M

Dichotomy by LyricalMarie
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13687349/1/Dichotomy
Edward left Forks to save Bella’s live, but fate is nothing if not a bitter harpy. The once innocent child has become the red-eyed monster she’d once threatened to make him. But even without her sweet blood to tempt him, she may yet be his undoing. Rated M

Divergence of Nature by Maplestyle
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13628194/1/Divergence-of-Nature
There is a long-standing debate over nature versus nurture. For the Cullens and the McCartys, it's one they discover changes their lives irrevocably. Rated M

Drawn To The Flame by Lozz.of.London
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13673722/1/Drawn-To-The-Flame
Bella Swan is privileged, sheltered and unknowingly naive. Edward Masen is tough, rugged and street-smart. Their worlds are so far apart, their experiences incomparable. But when there's a spark, it can become a flame; a flame a fire. Can they overcome their differences and learn from each other? Or are they destined to burn. AH. Rated M

Hereafter by RosieRathbone
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13502772/1/Hereafter
It has been three months since Isabella Swan was last seen. Police have been working around the clock following thousands of different leads, but to no avail. Until one night, when a scared young lady arrives at a strangers house. AH. Rated M

Hunted by knicnort3
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13527804/1/Hunted
When the virus spread, people were scared. When the virus mutated, people were Hunted. B/E, AU, Romance, Action/Adventure, SciFi, Horror, Zombie-vamps. Rated M

Reflections by LilJill4286
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13684477/1/The-Reflections
Sequel to The Rec. EPOV. In just a few hours, the grass I stand on will be littered with people, old and young, family and friends. They’ll watch two people make a promise to each other, to God, in front of loved ones. They’ll sit on browned benches made from a local in town beneath a canopy of green trees and twinkle lights. They’ll feel it. They’ll see it, too. The love. Rated M

Something Beautiful Remains by Bethesda Gray
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11092949/1/Something-Beautiful-Remains
When your child has died, your last task as their mother is to grieve them." Bella returns to Forks with empty arms and an aching heart. In her past is a lost child, a broken marriage, and a beloved parent gone. In her future is Edward Cullen and his strange family. What do they want from her? Can a heart thrice broken bear the risk of making a new start? Vampire AU. Rated M

Starry Eyed Inside by Rochelle Allison
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6268757/1/Starry-Eyed-Inside
High School Fictional. No one sends Bella into a tailspin quite like Edward Cullen... but can she make him hers? The ups and downs and all arounds. Rated M

The Last of the Real Ones by bicyclesarecool
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13389589/1/The-Last-of-the-Real-Ones
"The world today is content to call the Vigilante an alien, a cyborg, a military experiment gone wrong. But I know the truth." A superhuman avenger and an empty young woman meet in free fall. Nothing will ever be the same. Rated M

What’s Left of Me by anhanninen
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12860390/1/What-s-Left-of-Me
For 15 years Edward Cullen believed his wife and child died in a car accident on a snowy night. They said she couldn't have survived—that she'd been swept into the river. He was forced to live a life without her, to function and be the man she would have wanted. But now, a young girl proves everything he thought was a lie and he's faced with a truth he may not be prepared for. Rated M