First published 2026
Braedyn Winslow swore she would never come back to Starlight Grove. The town stripped away everything she cared about, including her best friend who disappeared after making tremendous sacrifices for her. Now Brae has a young son and nowhere else to turn. She moves back with one mission: discover what happened to the friend who vanished without explanation. Her new neighbor complicates everything. Dex Archer lives alone on the mountain, carrying the reputation of his violent father and brothers. Locals speak of the Archer family in hushed tones. Brae looks past the rumors and sees something different. Dex shows unexpected kindness beneath his rough exterior and fierce loyalty that draws her closer. When someone tries to scare Brae away from her investigation, Dex becomes her protector. The deeper she digs into her friend's disappearance, the more dangerous her search becomes. Someone wants the truth buried and will use any means to stop her. Dex faces his own demons as he decides how far he will go to keep Brae safe. Both must confront their past to build something new together.
Genres: romance, suspense, mystery, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Starlight Grove
432 pages · Paperback · Bloom Books
Content warnings: violence