The Third Thing: A Novel

Love. Friendship. Weird Birds.
A socially-awkward artist and a shy photographer shadowed by a mysterious virus must face their fears to find what they need...

Xiomara (Xo for short) relaunches her artistic career with a bang--or rather, a crash--when she moves to small-town Lingen to paint birds. She's determined to get her life back on track by pursuing what she loves, which she's sure can be accomplished with a practical approach. But while Xo readily understands her avian acquaintances, humans have always been a bit of a conundrum.

Elliot is an unassuming photographer who is smitten when Xo disrupts his quiet existence. His penchant for attracting disaster has left him scarred by his past and tongue-tied when it comes to revealing his growing feelings for her. But this shy, unlikely hero can't help trying to protect her from anything that could harm her--including his closest friend.

Can Xo and Elliot find love in spite of themselves? Or will Elliot's past destroy their chances?

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A slow-burn, old-fashioned love story set in the modern day, with quirky characters, a dash of suspense and adventure in the mountains, and a unique perspective on romance, friendship, and sacrifice.