Release date: August 31, 2021

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Piper Evans: elementary school teacher by day–avid romance reader and anonymous podcaster by night. She lives a quiet, reclusive life, taking care of her mother, who struggles with mental illness, avoiding her regrettable ex, who bartends in town, and trying to make inroads in the tight-knit island community that still sees her, five years in, as an outsider.

And she’s happy with how things are–really–until British royals rent the property next to hers and their brooding bodyguard decides she’s a security threat. Piper quickly realizes that one person’s fairy tale is an ordinary woman’s nightmare as a media frenzy takes over the island and each run-in with Harrison Cole is hotter and more confusing than the last. But beneath Harrison’s no-nonsense exterior lies a soft heart, one that could tempt a woman who’s sworn off attachments into believing in white knights.

But when Piper finds herself smack in the middle of a royal scandal that rocks the island she’ll need more than Harrison’s strong arms to shield her–she’ll have to do a little rescuing herself. With careers, hearts, and friendships on the line, Piper and Harrison will have to decide what they’re willing to give up for a chance at their own happily ever after.

Review:

From the minute that I was introduced to main character, Piper I was smitten. She’s an incredibly interesting and multifaceted character that felt so authentic. She was relatable too, she’s a huge romance reader and even has a romance podcast. Then there’s Harrison, who just made me swoon. Their relationship evolved in such a believable way too, it was a slow burn but they wait was way worth it in the end. They start off as enemies, then become friends before they hook up so you get a little dash of a few different tropes which was fun. Add in a small town that isn’t the usually depicted warm and welcoming kind of place and a Duke and Duchess living next door and I was completely enchanted.

Not only were the characters here complex the story itself was as well. There was wonderful mental health representation, which was so refreshing to see and it was the perfect balance of light and dark since some of the topics explored were heavy, but they were portrayed perfectly. Lots of humor, funny banter and steamy sex, overall this was charming and delightful and I can’t believe this was my first book from the author?!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.