First published 2025
Prudence Welch works at her father's gas station in Baysville, a tourist town in Northern Ontario. She writes poetry and cares for her mother, who has Early Onset Alzheimer's. Prue once wanted to leave town but now stays close to home. Her world feels increasingly out of control as her mother's illness progresses. Then Milo Kablukov drives into town in his bumper sticker covered van. He's a wanderer with many stories who came to help his brother. Prue strikes up a friendship with the enigmatic newcomer. She asks him to teach her about casual sex. Their arrangement grows more intense as they spend time together. Milo doesn't usually settle down, but Prue gives him reasons to stay. As their temporary deal develops into deeper feelings, both must decide whether to take risks together or remain in their separate comfort zones.
Genres: romance, literary-fiction, contemporary, contemporary-romance, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, friends-to-lovers
Setting: Baysville, Northern Ontario
Period: 21st-century
352 pages · Paperback · Dell
Content warnings: mental-illness