He wasn't part of my plans...

Twelve years ago, my mom picked her volatile boyfriend over me, and I was gifted with an unwanted stay in a London children's home. But in six weeks, I'll be eighteen...and free!

Unfortunately, one ridiculously pilfered sweater—I swear, it practically leapt into my hands—puts me in front of a judge. And, oh surprise! My absentee mother decides to make an appearance, too. I wish she would drop dead!

And then somebody whispers that she has cancer... Oh boy.

The Judge sentences me to spend some 'quality time' in France with her before the grim reaper comes calling, and so I'm stuck laboring in the vineyards of some unknown relatives now. Yeah, right. They must be crazy if they think I'll stay just one more day in this godforsaken place!

My escape from France, however, isn't quite as easy as I thought. Because of him. Julian.

The young man caring for my mother lives with us and has a way of getting under my skin unlike anyone else. His beauty is almost too profound for this world, and he never skips an opportunity to prod at my deepest emotions with his provocative comments. Moreover, he has a knack for predicting my every move.

But then, he slips up...for my sake. And suddenly, I'm smacked with a secret that makes my blood run cold.