Tess Hughes thought she’d traded in small-town gossip for the bright lights of Los Angeles. But when her estranged uncle leaves her a gift shop in Danville Falls, she’s forced back to the town she couldn’t wait to escape, and into the heart of everything she left behind.
Moving home at forty-five isn’t exactly a dream come true. Sharing her old bedroom with memories of her teenage years is hard enough, and running into Will Sampson makes it harder still. The boy who once overlooked her is now a divorced contractor with a steady business, a quick smile, and an undeniable pull she never expected.
When Tess hires Will to renovate her shop, their working relationship sparks into something neither of them can ignore. Late-night talks turn into stolen kisses, and soon Tess begins to wonder if home might be more than a place she left behind. But Will has no plans to leave Danville Falls, and Tess still believes her life is waiting in California.
As family tensions rise, an old rivalry stirs up trouble, and her new business comes under threat, Tess must choose between the future she always imagined and the love that could change everything.
About The Author
My Review
This book marks a charming start to Campbell Linden’s new series and introduces readers to Tess and Will’s heartfelt journey. Tess, now 45, thought she’d left her small hometown—and its endless gossip—behind for good when she moved to Los Angeles. But life takes an unexpected turn when her estranged uncle leaves her a local gift shop, drawing her back to the very place she once fled. Determined to give the shop new life, she hires Will and his friends, who run a contracting business in town. What begins as a professional arrangement soon blossoms into a slow-burning connection filled with warmth, tension, and humor.
Linden beautifully captures the push and pull of returning home, the vulnerability of starting over, and the tender hope of finding love again later in life. With witty banter, relatable characters, and a perfect blend of emotion and charm, this small-town romance celebrates resilience, second chances, and rediscovering where you truly belong. A delightful and uplifting read that leaves you eager for the next in the series.
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