First published 2026
When her ex-boyfriend throws her out just weeks before a career breakthrough, a journalist desperately searches for housing. She finds salvation in a guest house rental that comes with an extensive rule list and one non-negotiable requirement: leave the owner completely alone. The landlord is Levi, a reclusive artist whose stern demeanor and striking looks make following his boundaries increasingly difficult. She pushes against his restrictions daily, drawn to glimpses of kindness beneath his protective exterior. Their rigid tenant-owner arrangement begins shifting as she uncovers the reasons behind his isolation. Her professional instincts clash with growing romantic feelings. The autumn setting of Cozy Creek provides the backdrop for their evolving relationship as deadline pressure mounts and attraction intensifies. This standalone romantic comedy explores whether a boundary-pushing journalist can respect the privacy of someone whose story she desperately wants to understand.
Genres: contemporary, adult, adult-fiction, comedy, contemporary-romance, romantic-comedy
Vibes: charming, intimate, romantic, warm, witty
Tropes: boundary-pushing, forced-proximity, grumpy-meets-sunshine, slow-burn
Setting: Cozy Creek
368 pages · Paperback · Piper Sheldon