by Marie Force
Part of Gansett Island, book 23
First published 2022
Cindy Lawry desperately needs a roommate after her sister Julia moves out to live with her fiancé Deacon. Working as a hair stylist at the Curl Up and Dye salon, Cindy posts flyers around town but gets few responses. Summer season is ending and she cannot afford living alone. She refuses to move back with her mother and stepfather. Her childhood in an abusive home makes her nervous about sharing space with strangers. Jace Carson also needs new housing. The employee quarters at the Beachcomber resort remind him of a fraternity house, which no longer appeals to him. He works there as a bartender between visits with his young sons who live on the island. When Jace texts the roommate number a friend gave him, he discovers it belongs to Cindy. She visits his bar regularly, ordering only water due to her migraines and always apologizing for occupying a seat. He enjoys her presence and sweet smile but worries about living together since he constantly thinks about kissing her. As autumn arrives on Gansett Island, both must confront their past trauma to find love.
Genres: romance, contemporary-romance, new-adult, new-adult-romance
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: forced-proximity, friends-to-lovers, second-chance
Setting: Gansett Island, Curl Up and Dye, Beachcomber
Period: Autumn
300 pages · Kindle Edition · HTJB, Inc.
Content warnings: abuse