In Provence’s golden heat, even guarded hearts surrender.
Tilly is an expert in love—just not her own. As the owner of A Promise in Provence, she creates exquisite marriage proposals for clients chasing happily-ever-afters in sun-drenched Provence. And along the way allows herself one dangerous indulgence: imagining what it might feel like to be loved that way herself.
But when Tilly arrives to meet her latest client, intensely private businessman Angus, it’s already a disaster. Angus is alone. There is no fiancée and no longer a proposal to plan. Instead of wasting the trip, Angus asks Tilly to show him the sights. With one strict condition: no mention of romance.
But Provence has other plans. Between vineyard lunches, sunlit chaos, and Tilly’s relentless optimism clashing with Angus’s careful restraint, attraction becomes impossible to ignore. As the lines between client and companion blur, they begin to wonder if love is easiest to find in the last place either of them expected.
Jenna Greene just ended things with her boyfriend . . . which also ended her career. (That’s the risk a girl takes when her boyfriend doubles as her boss.) With no income and no job prospects in sight, Jenna is forced to return to her mother’s house on Chincoteague Island, Virginia, to figure out what’s next. And the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Jenna’s widowed mother has just returned from a cruise–with a brand-new boyfriend in tow. But there’s something off about the guy. His story doesn’t quite add up, and he keeps sneaking off to make suspicious phone calls and borrowing money from her too-trusting mother.
In search of some investigative help, Jenna turns to her childhood BFF, Tyson Parker, who lives and works in town. Still reeling from his wife’s infidelity, Tyson is doing his best to heal from the pain of divorce. He’s made a name for himself on the island as a volunteer firefighter and one of the much-admired saltwater cowboys who looks after Chincoteague’s wild ponies. Oh, and he turned out to be more than a tiny bit attractive–besides being almost-too-good-to-be-true sweet and caring.
Growing up, the uber-competitive Jenna was always accepted as one of the guys. But things have changed between her and Tyson, and he’s now looking at her through new eyes. Jenna suddenly feels like a leading lady on a movie set–only with way less composure.
But Jenna also has old wounds that make these new feelings seem fraught with peril. Is she willing to open her heart and see where love might lead? Or will she let her hesitant heart hold her back?
This book is about lifelong friends Jenna and Tyson, whose deep bond begins to shift as they slowly realize their feelings may be more than platonic. In More Than Friends by Denise Hunter, the transition from friendship to romance is handled with warmth, patience, and heartfelt sincerity.
The story shines through its gentle pacing and emotionally grounded characters. Jenna and Tyson’s connection feels authentic, shaped by years of shared memories, trust, and unspoken affection. Their hesitation to risk their friendship adds believable tension, making the slow-burn romance especially satisfying. Watching them navigate vulnerability, fear, and hope gives the relationship a tender realism that feels comforting and genuine.
The supporting cast adds depth and charm, particularly the strong, loving family dynamics that surround both protagonists. The book also explores themes of self-discovery as Jenna and Tyson reflect on their careers and future goals, giving the romance a relatable, real-life backdrop.
A light mystery involving Jenna’s mother’s new boyfriend introduces a touch of intrigue, while smaller subplots keep the narrative engaging without overshadowing the central love story. Overall, the novel delivers a cozy, uplifting reading experience perfect for fans of sweet, friends-to-lovers romance.
My Sanctuary 