First published 2013
Layton Morris learned survival early. He and his brother Mike grew up without electricity or running water, without parents who cared. They had only each other until a tragic accident killed Mike. When the one other person Layton loved walked away, he poured himself into the ranch he and Mike had dreamed of building. He swore off love entirely. Whitley Reynolds had everything money could buy in upstate New York. She dated the star quarterback, followed him to New York City, and planned their perfect life together. Then Roger hit her. She forgave him the first time. As the violence escalated, Whitley pulled away from friends and family. One day Roger goes too far. Whitley finds the courage to run. She flees to Llano, Texas with her best friend Courtney, determined to bury her past completely. In this small town, Layton tends his ranch while Whitley tries to rebuild. Both carry wounds that resist healing. The question becomes whether two broken people can learn to trust again, or whether their histories will trap them in isolation forever.
Genres: fiction, romance, adult-fiction, contemporary-romance
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, second-chance
Setting: Llano, Texas, Upstate New York, New York City
338 pages · Paperback · Kelly Elliott
Content warnings: abuse, domestic-violence, physical-abuse