Title: Vermont Paradise

Author: Natalie Monteiro

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 01/06/2026

Heat Level: 2 – Fade to Black Sex

Pairing: Female/Female

Length: 71200

Genre: Contemporary YA, Romance, contemporary, young adult, family-drama, lesbian, family vacation, campsite, vanlife, dogs, sisters

Add to Goodreads

Description

A camping trip with her family is what Maria was expecting. Long walks with her dog, Maggie, the usual banter with her sister, Tanya, receiving unsolicited survival lessons from her dad, and pep talks of positivity from her mom. But her predictions were only half correct. Never would she expect to spend so much time with anyone else. Especially not a total stranger. A stranger with such a pretty smile and beautiful green eyes. Because that’s the thing about people who you don’t know. They can teach you things that you never knew about yourself.

Vermont Paradise
Natalie Monteiro © 2026
All Rights Reserved

Today was the big day, apparently. The day we’d hike Mount Pickata. To see the breathtaking views Dad promised were there. But first, if there was one thing I’d learned about camping, it was that there were even more chores here than there were back at home.

Dad and Tanya went to the bathroom area to clean our dishes and throw away our trash. Mom was going to the water spigot to fill up our bottles, and some extras, with water. That way we’d have plenty for each person. Just in case.

Maggie was gone too. Mom had taken her reins, wanting some quality time with her. But it also gave me a chance to better focus on my task at hand: making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. A hearty lunch for on the go.

I made the best ones in the family. The perfect ratio of peanut butter to jelly to bread. My secret was putting each condiment onto a separate slice of bread, then smashing the two together so that ooze started to come out. I swore that made them taste better. Then, I finished them off with a diagonal cut.

I licked my thumb, cleaning up the ooze that had gone too far.

“Hi there.”

I jumped at the sound of an unfamiliar voice from behind me. A rush of cold ran through my body as I quickly turned around to face it.

“Sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you!” a girl, who looked to be about my age, said.

“It’s not your fault,” I said with a laugh, noting that my words came out too quickly to register them. “I scare easily.”

There was silence between us as we stared into each other’s eyes. Hers were vibrant green, and it was like she could see directly into my soul. My heart raced again. This time, for a completely different reason.

“I hate to ask this,” she said, inching closer. “But I saw your fire, and I was hoping you could help me out.”

Damn. My heart sank. She’s come to the wrong place.

“I’m sorry.” I was reluctant to let her down but saw no other choice. “I didn’t start that fire. I don’t know how.”

A beautiful smile appeared on her face as she let out a small laugh. “Well, that’s okay. I was just going to ask if you have any wood to spare. It’s silly of me, really, but the wood I have is too damp to get a fire going.”

Did I just make a complete fool out of myself?

It was too soon to tell. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I stared into those arresting eyes of hers. I grew more and more nervous with each passing second as I stood there without an answer.

Do we have wood to spare?

I thought about it deeper. I didn’t know, but this girl clearly needed some. She wouldn’t be here asking me if she didn’t. My mind ran in circles.

But what about Dad? He’ll surely notice if some is missing.

But it didn’t seem to matter anymore.

Say something. Anything, Maria! I yelled internally, as the seconds continued to tick by.

“How much wood do you need?” I sputtered in a nervous frenzy.

“As much as you are willing to give.”

She continued to look at me with those eyes. With that smile.

I’d forgotten what my name was.

“We have some extra in the car,” I said and led her over to it, knowing that it probably wasn’t extra, but we could always go back to the Visitors’ Center to grab some more.

“That’s a good place to keep it. That way it won’t get wet,” she said with a laugh.

I had never thought about it like that.

I could feel her close to me as we walked toward the Subaru. I smiled at her for a moment before opening the car door. She smiled back.

“Here you go,” I said, handing her the remainder of the wood from the bundle that was already opened.

“Oh wow, all of this? You’re the best! Thanks so much.” Her grin was of such sincerity that it only invited me closer.

 

Purchase

NineStar Press | Books2Read

Amazon

Natalie Monteiro lives in Central Massachusetts where she enjoys embracing her creativity in whatever form it takes. From writing, to singing, to painting. Natalie also works as a biological research scientist in her daily life. She achieved a Master of Science in Pharmacology from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of New Hampshire. Throughout her years of schooling, her creative roots never stopped calling to her, which ultimately resulted in her debut novel Vermont Paradise. It is her hope that Vermont Paradise can serve as a reminder for all to follow their passions. May the process bring much happiness.

Website | Facebook | Instagram