First published 2026
Maria arrives at her best friend Ellie's Honeycrisp Orchard Inn expecting a quick visit. A massive snowstorm traps her there for the holidays. The inn sparkles with holiday decorations, crackling fires, and twinkling lights, but Maria misses her boisterous Italian family back home. Jesse runs the local brewery and helps keep the inn festive during the busy season. He finds Maria's city attitude both irritating and intriguing. Maria thinks Jesse takes too much pleasure in annoying her with his small town charm. The snow keeps falling and forces them together repeatedly. Jesse shows Maria how to appreciate quiet moments and holiday traditions. Their banter turns into stolen glances beneath mistletoe and intimate conversations by the fireplace. Maria discovers the magic of slowing down while Jesse falls for her sharp wit and energy. The attraction between them grows from antagonistic to romantic as the storm continues. When the roads finally clear, Maria must decide whether to return to her fast paced city life or follow her heart toward something deeper with Jesse.
Genres: fiction, romance, adult, contemporary-romance
Vibes: cozy, festive, heartwarming, intimate, romantic
Tropes: city-girl-meets-small-town-guy, enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity, mistletoe-romance, slow-burn
Setting: Honeycrisp Orchard Inn, small town
Period: holiday season
295 pages · Paperback · Avon a