Bound to the Warlock: A Cozy Smalltown Paranormal Romance (Hillcrest Hollow Shifters #05) by Vala Stone

He tells me to leave town. I can’t seem to stay away. Maggie I come to Hillcrest Hollow with a broken career, a bruised heart, and every intention of hiding out with my best friend until my life stops falling apart. Instead, I find her broody coworker, a magical town full of secrets, and a stubborn little bobcat kitten determined to adopt me. Thorne is filthy rich, dangerously powerful, and makes it painfully clear he wants nothing to do with me. Too bad his actions keep betraying him. Every cold warning comes with quiet protection. Every sharp insult only makes me more determined to uncover his secrets. Then my dreams start calling me into the woods... and something ancient starts calling me by name. Thorne I’ve sworn off obsession. Sunshine like Maggie has no place near a warlock like me. Fate disagrees. Now the woman I keep trying to push away is tangled in the magic threatening Hillcrest Hollow. She finds the family she’s always deserved, a troublesome little companion determined to throw us together, and me. She thinks I’m trying to keep her safe. She has no idea I’m willing to burn the world down to do it. This is Book Five in the Hillcrest Hollow Shifter series, but each book can be read as a standalone. Bound to the Warlock delivers a secretive grumpy warlock billionaire, an always cheerful, artist with a temper, a cute bobcat kitten with romance plans, and a sizzling HEA that will leave you breathless. Fun tropes: Down-on-her-luck heroine Small town Best friend’s coworker Grumpy/sunshine Mysterious billionaire warlock Animal companion Dreams Ancient magic Found family Possessive/protective MMC “Burn the world down for her” energy

Adult • Fantasy/Cozy, Low, Mundane, and Slice of Life • Fantasy/Contemporary • Romance/Paranormal • Romance/Fantasy • Fantasy/Magical Realism