The Beast of Briar Hall

No one in town dares step foot near Blackthorn Manor, the mysterious estate hidden deep within the forest. Rumors surround its only resident, Rowan, a lonely boy said to be cursed by ancient magic. When seventeen-year-old Eli accepts a job restoring the manor's artwork, he expects dusty halls and strange secrets. Instead, he finds Rowan, a kind but guarded boy trapped by fear, loneliness, and a curse that grows stronger with every passing day. As their friendship blossoms into something more, Eli uncovers the truth hidden within the manor's walls. With time running out, the two must face a powerful darkness that threatens to keep them apart forever. In a world of magic, secrets, and forbidden love, Eli learns that the real beast was never Rowan, but the fear that convinced him he could never be loved.