Review & Giveaway - - Take Me Home to You

Take Me Home to You

by Miranda Liasson

The Amazing Doctors of Oak Bluff - Book 3

Publisher: Miranda Liasson LLC

Release Date: February 27, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

 

A grumpy ER boss and a sunshine doctor think they’ve sworn off romance—until one tiny baby decides to play matchmaker.

When Dr. Ani Green drags herself onto the plane after her wedding-that-never-was, she’s a self-described mess who has sworn off all relationships for good. But her "honeymoon for one" has a silver lining: Adam. He’s the kind, charming stranger who takes her trip from unbearable to almost fun.

What happens in Turks and Caicos stays there.

She left the island thinking she’d never see him again—only to walk into her new ER shift and realize that her vacation fling is her new boss. And he’s not the man she remembers.

Dr. Adam Lowenstein doesn’t do "fun." He does rules, schedules, and whatever it takes to shield his heart from any more grief. His time in Turks and Caicos was a temporary lapse in judgment. Now that he’s the Head of Emergency Medicine, he needs to be the stoic leader—not the man who fell for a whirlwind of a woman under a tropical sun. If that means denying his connection with Ani, so be it.

Until a patient surrenders a baby with a desperate plea for help.

As their professional boundaries crumble, Adam and Ani are forced to bridge the gap between who they were on the island and who they are now. Now, they must work together to protect a tiny life—and find out if the family they never thought they’d have is the one they can’t live without.

PJ's Thoughts:

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series from Miranda Liasson, with each new book feeling like a visit with good friends. I'm invested in their personal lives, in their careers, in their ride-or-die friendships, and in their sometimes tumultuous journeys to finding the right person to trust with their hearts. 

Adam and Ani certainly haven't had an easy path to travel. She's just called off her wedding at the last minute (in book two, Take Me to the Wedding) while he's still mired in grief following the death of his wife two years earlier but there's an inexplicable connection when they end up seated together on a flight neither is excited to be on. I love the ease between them when they decide to spend the week together exploring the island. The friendship they form feels organic, as does the slow building attraction, but neither is ready for a new relationship. I appreciate the author not forcing it at that point. Bringing them back together months later feels more authentic to the emotional upheaval both are dealing with when they first meet and incorporates the "real life" challenges that add humor, chaos, and emotional complexity to their journey. 

This is another heart-tugging, hopeful, and ultimately healing journey from Liasson, something at which she excels. While deeply emotional topics are tackled, there's also no lack of humor and joy along the way, keeping the tone of the book from becoming too heavy. There's also substantial growth on the parts of both Ani and Adam, leading to compromise, understanding, and, finally, a deep, enduring love. I do love happy endings. 

If you enjoy heartwarming, small-town, grumpy-sunshine romance with humor, character growth, emotional healing, an adorable baby, a dog who steals every scene he's in, friends and co-workers who add texture to the story, a few surprising twists, and a hard-won, heartfelt happily ever after, I recommend picking up a copy of Take Me Home to You. It, along with books one and two of this series, Take Me Home for Christmas and Take Me to the Wedding, have my enthusiastic recommendation. 

Take Me Home to You can be enjoyed as a standalone but if you enjoy knowing the backstory of a character's journey, you might want to read Take Me to the Wedding first. 

Have you read any of Miranda Liasson's books yet?

Are you reading The Amazing Doctors of Oak Bluff series?

What's the last book that made you both laugh out loud and shed a few tears?

One randomly chosen reader who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, March 14 will receive a paperback copy of Take Me Home to You. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review & Giveaway - - Take Me to the Wedding

Take Me to the Wedding

by Miranda Liasson

The Amazing Doctors of Oak Bluff - Book 2

Publisher: Hawthorne House

Release Date: May 9, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

How do you know who is the right one for you?

Dr. Samantha Bashar has made a terrible mistake—she let her rocky professional relationship with Dr. Caleb D’Angelo become personal – and accidentally ruined his chances to win back his first true love.

Coming from a proud line of matchmakers, she can’t let that happen, no matter how much she dislikes him. Or the fact that she doesn’t believe in true love for herself. Plus, Caleb is her best friend’s brother. And they’re in the same wedding at the end of the summer – oh, yay.

Dr. Caleb D’Angelo isn’t trying to make enemies…call him a romantic, but he’s just trying to take his chance to see if The One Who Got Away is the right one for him. While avoiding the woman who is T for Trouble at every turn—even though she “feels bad” and is determined to “help him” no matter what he says.

Except the more Samantha helps Caleb, the more his sworn enemy turns into something completely unexpected—she’s funny and kind and very kissable—and Caleb must decide if the One for him isn’t from his past at all—but is the person who’s been right in front of him all along.

PJ's Thoughts:

I love a best friend's brother romance trope. Make them co-workers and adversaries who are the last to realize all that friction between them signals something far different from aggravation simmering beneath the surface and I am well and truly hooked. Liasson uses all of the above in her newest novel, Take Me to the Wedding. 

I am loving this series. Split between the small town of Oak Bluff and the city children's hospital where Sam and Caleb work, this second book in the series is filled with the humor, heartwarming charm, and emotional depth I've come to expect from a Miranda Liasson novel. I love the family dynamics (Caleb's mom is a favorite), the strong friendships, the sweet romance, the snappy banter, and the heart tugs that come from the kids the docs work with at the hospital. It makes me even more invested in these characters.

The ensemble cast adds rich texture to the story, catching readers up with characters from book one and introducing new characters I hope we'll be seeing in future books. I feel like these characters have become friends and I'm eager to see all of them (or at least the ones I like) happily snuggled up with their soulmates. 

You don't have to have read book one, Take Me Home for Christmas (read my review) first in order to enjoy book two though there are crossover characters. I enthusiastically recommend both. 

Have you read any of Miranda Liasson's books?

Do you enjoy medical romances?

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, May 16 will receive a signed print copy of Take Me Home for Christmas.

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, May 16 will receive a signed print copy of Take Me to the Wedding. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

 

Review - - Take Me Home for Christmas

Take Me Home for Christmas

by Miranda Liasson

The Amazing Doctors of Oak Bluff - Book 1

Publisher: Hawthorne House

Release Date: October 4, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

She invented Mr. Right...just in time for the holidays.

Every tangled web starts with one tiny white lie. The kind you spin when you're desperate.

One day I, Mia D'Angelo, third-year pediatric resident, was telling my mom that I'd finally met the perfect guy. Gushing about how amazing he was. And how happy I was.

It was all true. Until my "perfect guy," Dr. Braxton Hughes, turned out to be my co-worker and my only competitor for a spot in the best practice in town...and then suddenly I was dumped...again. But I kept going with the stories, to get her through a very tough time.

My mom's health crisis ended, and just when I thought things had settled down, my family wanted to meet my wonderful boyfriend for Christmas.

So I asked (okay, begged) just about every male I knew under forty, except of course for Brax.

Don't get me wrong. I could always count on him in a pinch. At work, that is.

Brax is an amazing pediatrician, but he would never fit the bill as a boyfriend. Maybe in looks. And charm. And his big heart. The problem is that he's the biggest commitment-phobe this side of the Mississippi.

He's the kind of guy I would definitely never take home for Christmas. There'd be no kissin' under the mistletoe, no canoodling under the tree—because my heart could not survive falling for him again.

My car is packed and I'm down to no one, when magically, there he is, duffle in hand, melt-me smile on his face.

Oh, joy.

Keeping it professional is going to be a whole lot harder than I thought. Especially when he charms my parents, my whole family, and even my dog.

And Dr. Wrong...well, he's suddenly looking awfully right.

PJ's Thoughts:

So. Many. Feelings. Miranda Liasson is an author who always takes me on an emotional journey but even in the midst of many keepers, this book stands out. It has so much heart, so many tender moments. I laughed out loud, shed  tears (both kinds), and fell head over heels in love with…well, pretty much the entire cast of characters. Okay, there are a few exceptions but everyone else. 

I want to hang out with Brax, Mia, Sam, Gage, and the rest of their hospital friends. I want to spend Christmas with Mia’s fun-loving family, join in all of their traditions, make cookies with her mom at daybreak, read The Night Before Christmas with her adorable niece, and tackle the scream-inducing sledding hill behind their house. I love the way Liasson portrays the love, support, teasing, and complications within this close-knit family that has suffered a grievous loss. I wanted to gather them all in and give them huge hugs, including Brax, who has never experienced a Christmas - or family - like the one gifted him by D’Angelos. 

Liasson tackles some tough topics in this book - including sick kids, grief, and cancer - handling them with thoughtful, hopeful, but also realistic care. It adds additional emotional layers to an already heart-tugging story and extra depth to the characters. I especially enjoyed the look forward six years into the future in the Epilogue. 

Take Me Home for Christmas launches Miranda Liasson’s The Amazing Doctors of Oak Bluff series and sets a high bar for the rest of the books. I feel like these characters have become my friends and am eagerly anticipating (hopefully) catching up with them again in book two. 

Review & Giveaway - - The Sweetheart Crush

The Sweetheart Crush

by Miranda Liasson

Blossom Glen - Book 3

Publisher: Entangled:Amara

Release Date: October 3, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

 

Photographer Viv Montgomery’s dreams were bigger than her small hometown of Blossom Glen. Following them meant leaving everything and everyone behind—including her sweet and funny best friend, Logan Matthews. Now, twelve years later, the town’s “sweetheart” is back, broke, and…well, working in the town’s famous Christmas store until she figures out her next move.

Enter her former best friend who she hasn’t seen or talked to in years. Only the cute, funny guy she remembers is gone—replaced by a famous, bestselling author who seems aloof, jaded, and is much, much hotter than any book nerd she’s ever seen. Seeing him in the news is one thing, but up close and person? Whewf, it’s warm in here.

Now he’s offered her a job she desperately needs (blissfully free of Santas), and suddenly it’s like no time has passed at all. Their friendship is just like it was…with one very unexpected difference. Because somewhere between the blossom festival and snuggling in front of a crackling fire, their friendship is definitely turning into some more. Only, Logan’s been hiding the secret of his enormous success…and the sweetheart of Blossom Glen is about to read all about it.

PJ's Thoughts:

Miranda Liasson has taken two of my favorite tropes - second chance romance and friends to lovers - and molded them into a charming, heart-tugging journey to love for youngest Montgomery sister, Vivienne and her former best friend, Logan. 

It's hard to say which of the books in this trilogy I've enjoyed the most. Each brings its own special flavor to the page but what they all have in common is the strength, support, and love of family. In this one, it's both families - Viv's and Logan's - who play roles in the evolution of both characters as well as their romantic relationship.

Another facet of their story that I enjoyed is the friendship upon which their love is built. Yes, they've been estranged for twelve years but that foundation that was carefully built from childhood through high school still exists, lending critical support to the deepening feelings between them. There may be cracks here and there but love, growth, and communication go a long way in repairing them and moving their relationship forward. 

The sense of community is strong in all three books with the author evoking a spirit that is easily relatable, whether you've lived in a small Midwest town or not. Secondary characters bring additional texture, conflict, humor, and emotion to the page, blending seamlessly with Viv's and Logan's journey without detracting from it. 

If you're looking for a low-steam contemporary romance with plenty of feel-good charm and emotional depth, I recommend giving The Sweetheart Crush a go. It stands well on its own (Logan isn't introduced until this book). It's my opinion that you'll have a greater appreciation for the nuances of the Montgomery family dynamics as well as the growth of the Montgomery women and their partners if you read the three Blossom Glen books in order, however, wherever you choose to begin you'll find a heartwarming journey worth taking. The Blossom Glen books, in order, are: The Sweetheart Deal, The Sweetheart Fix, and The Sweetheart Crush. All three are available for purchase or to download from Kindle Unlimited if you're a subscriber. I loved them all. 

Have you read Miranda Liasson yet? Any favorites?

Are you happy jumping into a series at any point or are you a "must read in order" person?

What's your favorite romance trope?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, October 25 will receive a print copy of The Sweetheart Crush.

*U.S only

*Must be 18

Review & Giveaway - - The Summer of Second Chances

The Summer of Second Chances

by Miranda Liasson

Seashell Harbor -  Book 3

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: July 11, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

In this heartwarming romance, summertime in a small seaside town brings one woman an unexpected second chance with the first man to melt her heart.
 
After spending the last few years beating cancer, author Darla Manning is ready for a fresh start—she’s already got a new teaching position in California for the fall. But first, she has some loose ends to tie up over the summer, like finishing her latest novel and selling her oceanfront home. Darla doesn’t expect her ex-husband, contractor Nick Cammareri, to top her list of unfinished business. He was only supposed to do a few quick renovation jobs around the house, not temporarily move in and stir up feelings she thought were long gone.

​While Darla tries to focus on making the most of her last Seashell Harbor summer, she can’t help noticing how much Nick has changed. Her immature-but-seriously-cute high school sweetheart is now a motivated-and-seriously-sexy man who’s earning his MBA and running the family business. Plus, he seems determined to make her remember how—and why—they first fell in love. Darla believed moving on meant moving away, but could her hometown hold the key to a new beginning for her . . . with Nick?

PJ's Thoughts:

Sometimes, couples who marry young go the distance. Other times, life's challenges send them in opposite directions. But occasionally, if they're lucky, they get a second chance with the one who never left their heart. 

I've been waiting for this final chapter of Miranda Liasson's Seashell Harbor series since first meeting Nick and Darla in book one and it did not disappoint. I love when a couple gets a second chance to make better decisions. It's been ten years since Nick and Darla divorced. They've each moved on but as hard as they try the love that first flickered in grade school and matured in high school still simmers. They can't - really, they shouldn't - go back but Liasson gives them the chance to move forward, to create something new, something better. 

Both Nick and Darla have significant emotional baggage to conquer before they can claim their second chance. The author guides them carefully through a series of emotional obstacles in their journey of growth. Nick, in particular, has evolved a great deal over the past decade. I enjoyed watching the "new and improved" man show through his actions - rather than words - how much he's matured. Darla, on the other hand, still has work to do. Her journey is one of fear, vulnerability, forgiveness, and acceptance. I can't begin to imagine what it must be like to move forward in life knowing the cancer you defeated has the ability to return at any time. There are many layers within Darla (broken family, trust issues, obsessive independence, fear) that are addressed with realistic and relatable compassion that drew me into her journey, cheering her on and feeling every emotion right alongside her. 

Friendship is once again a key facet of this third Seashell Harbor book with both couples from books one and two front and center, lending support, offering unsolicited - but wise - advice, and showing, again, the importance of solid and unwavering friendship/family. While emotional topics are central to this book, rest assured you will find plenty of humor, endearing characters, poignant moments, hope, happiness, and romantic chemistry to keep it from becoming too heavy. Darla's young nieces and nephew, in particular, had me laughing out loud more than once. And, the sigh-worthy happy ending is a fitting farewell to a group of friends who captured my heart. You could enjoy The Summer of Second Chances as a standalone but I believe you'll have a much better understanding of the characters and deeper appreciation for their journeys if you read the three books in order.

Have you read any of the Seashell Harbor books yet?

Darla and Nick pinch hit for another couple at their pre-wedding cake tasting. What's your favorite cake flavor? Cheesecake totally counts, by the way. 

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, July 12 will receive a print copy of The Summer of Second Chances. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Tour Review & Giveaway - - The Sweetheart Fix

The Sweetheart Fix

by Miranda Liasson

Blossom Glen - Book 2

Publisher: Entangled Amara

Release Date: November 29, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

Juliet Montgomery absolutely loves her small town of Blossom Glen, Indiana, and everyone loves her. Except for the fact that she’s a couples counselor who suffered a very public breakup that no one can forget. And now her boss asks her to take a step back…which is exactly when the town’s good-lookin’ and unusually gruff mayor offers her an unexpected job.

Jack Monroe absolutely loves being the mayor of his small town. Except when he actually has to talk to people. Can’t he just fix the community problems in peace? Like right now, he’s mediating the silliest dispute two neighbors could possibly have. When the town sweetheart steps up and solves everyone’s problems in five minutes flat, Jack realizes what this town really needs…is a therapist.

Juliet is able to soothe anyone—other than the surly mayor, it seems. But there’s a reason they say opposites attract, because all of their verbal sparring leads to some serious attraction. Only, just like with fireworks, the view might appear beautiful—but she’s already had one public explosion that’s nearly ruined everything…how can she risk her heart again? 

PJ's Thoughts:

When I pick up a book by Miranda Liasson, I always feel like I'm about to make new friends, in a place I'd be happy to visit. Her fictional communities are warm and welcoming but also realistic. I grew up in a small town. There are pros and cons to everyone knowing your business and Liasson explores both. But it's her characters that shine. Whether it's the lead couple, their friends and families, two neighbors feuding over a tree on their property line, or a lonely old man who has forgotten what it feels like to be a part of the community, Liasson give each of them the care and attention they deserve. And, in doing so, she makes me care about all of them. 

I wouldn't call Jack and Juliet enemies but they certainly start out as adversaries. I love how they challenge each other. The banter between them is terrific. Each of them has reasons for being wary of relationships but that doesn't stop the attraction between them from growing, especially as they spend time together at City Hall and start peeling back those layers that hide the hurts and vulnerabilities acquired over the years. I enjoy how their friendship evolves and solidifies before they take that next step into romantic feelings, though the zing of attraction is there from the start. I also appreciate that the author takes her time with them, leading them to fully confront the emotional baggage they carry before allowing them to claim their happy ending. They're so good together. I laughed, cried, and sighed with happiness with them every step of the way.

It was fun to see all the characters from book one again in this book as well as meet a few new ones. There are no secrets in Blossom Glen as Jack and Juliet are quick to discover. Everyone has a stake in their relationship and isn't above offering advice...in the most loving and helpful way, of course. I enjoyed watching Leo and Tessa (The Sweetheart Deal) preparing for parenthood, as well as catching up with other members of their families. And I am already eager to discover what the future will hold for youngest sister, Viv. Will she head overseas again or will love, family, and a new purpose in life hold her closer to Blossom Glen? Only time will tell.

If you enjoy small-town romance with fully-developed, relatable characters, low steam but deep passion, humor, and heartwarming happy endings, give The Sweetheart Fix (and book one, The Sweetheart Deal) a try. They both have my enthusiastic recommendation. 

Have you read Miranda Liasson yet?

What do you enjoy about small-town romance?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, December 8 will receive a print copy of The Sweetheart Fix and The Sweetheart Deal.

U.S. only

Must be 18

Void where prohibited

Review & Giveaway - - Sea Glass Summer

Sea Glass Summer

by Miranda Liasson

Seashell Harbor - Book 2

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: June 28, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

Kit Blakemore is ready to live again. After her husband died while serving in the military, she was in a haze of grief. Now she wants to reclaim her former self—finish her degree and find a better career to provide for their sweet little boy, Oliver. To do that, she’ll need to sell her late husband’s dilapidated Victorian in Seashell Harbor. But first, Kit intends to give Ollie the kind of unforgettable seaside summer she had growing up, making lifelong memories and friendships.

Of course, nothing goes exactly as she planned. Ollie is struggling with his confidence, and frankly, so is Kit. But everything changes when her husband’s best friend, Alex de la Cruz, returns to town, offering to help her renovate. She doesn’t expect Alex to temporarily move in…or for him to bond with Ollie…or for her numb heart to begin thawing. Slowly he’s helping Kit and Ollie heal, and it scares her to death.

Kit swore she wouldn’t leave herself open to the pain of loss again. But if she’s going to teach her son to be brave and move forward, Kit must first face her own fears.

PJ's Thoughts:

Each time I've picked up a Miranda Liasson book, I've been taken to a community I'd like to visit where I've met people I'd like to befriend. Once again, that's the case with the second book in Liasson's Seashell Harbor series: Sea Glass Summer.

One of the things I'm most enjoying about this series is the three women at its core. Kit, Hadley, and Darla are friendship goals. Childhood friends who have returned to their hometown and solidified their bonds as adults, I love how they support one another, challenge each other, and don't hesitate to tell the hard truths when necessary. Their scenes together are some of my favorites in the series.

Then there's the romance. Liasson aims straight for the heart in this book and does not miss. There's so much depth of emotion, so many layers for both Kit and Alex to navigate. I enjoyed the slow burn of their journey, the time that is taken to steer them gradually through the murky waters of grief, and guilt, to understanding, self-forgiveness, and love. I enjoyed the journey each of them took individually as well as the one they took together. These two are so realistic, so relatable, and very endearing. It wasn't difficult to be come emotionally engaged with them both, to be their sideline cheerleader as their hearts slowly heal and the friendship that grows between them deepens into something more. I shed tears with them, laughed with them, and happily celebrated their hard-won love. 

Another highlight for me is Ollie, Kit's young son. Such an adorable character and so very realistic. His evolving relationship with Alex is one of my favorite threads in the book. 

If you're a fan of the Seashell Harbor series, you will undoubtedly enjoy catching up with Hadley and Tony (Coming Home to Seashell Harbor) and will mostly likely be as curious as I about where the tenuous relationship between divorced couple, Darla and Nick is headed next. I don't know when their book will be published but I am already eager to read it. 

Have you read Miranda Liasson?

Do you have childhood girlfriends with whom you are still close?

What books have you read recently that both touched your heart and tickled your funny bone?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, July 2 will receive a print copy of Sea Glass Summer. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

*Void where prohibited

Tour Review, Excerpt and Giveaway - - The Sweetheart Deal

The Sweetheart Deal

By Miranda Liasson

Blossom Glen - Book 1

Publisher: Entangled: Amara

Release Date: January 25, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

Pastry chef Tessa Montgomery knows what everyone in the teeny town of Blossom Glen says about her. Spinster. Ice Queen. Such a shame. It's enough to make a woman bake her troubles away, dreaming of Parisian delicacies while she makes bread at her mother's struggling boulangerie. That is until Tessa's mortal enemy - deliciously handsome (if arrogant) chef Leo Castorini, who owns the restaurant next door - proposes a business plan...to get married.

Leo knows that the Castorinis and the Montgomerys hate each other, but a marriage might just force these stubborn families to work together and blend their businesses for success. The deal is simple: Tessa and Leo marry, live together for six months, and then go their separate ways. Easy peasy.

It's a sweetheart deal where everyone gets what they want - until feelings between the faux newlyweds start seriously complicating the mix. Have they discovered the perfect recipe for success...or is disaster on the way.

PJ's Thoughts:

There are so many delicious threads to pull in this story and Liasson expertly handles them all. We have rivals forced to work together to save both of their family businesses. Stubborn families set on doing things their own way along with nurturing a generations-old feud. A hero who made his mark in New York and is now back to help guide his family restaurant into the future - if his father will just listen to his ideas. A heroine who dreams of leaving their small town to pursue her own dreams, a secret she's been keeping since high school, and inconvenient feelings she's beginning to have for her convenient husband who - oops - is having feelings too.

I laughed, I cheered, I may have shed a few happy tears too. These characters were so relatable. I understood Leo and Tessa both wanting to make their own mark, the frustrations they faced with their parents, Tessa's feelings of being "stuck," even though the sacrifices she willingly (and in some cases, secretly) made were for the people she loved. I really enjoyed the growing relationship between her and Leo. Liasson realistically portrayed the ups and downs that come with that type of situation. I had no idea how she was going to pull everything together in a way that would make everyone happy but she accomplished it in the best possible way that left me thoroughly satisfied. I appreciated the complex dynamics that often occur when an adult child attempts to steer a family business in a new direction. Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that both Leo's and Tessa's families are in the food industry, owning an Italian restaurant and boulangerie, respectively. My advice is to have both napkins and snacks at hand while reading this book. If you have freshly baked bread or pasta, all the better. 

I am now completely invested in the town of Blossom Glen and her citizens. I'm excited to discover what Liasson has planned for Tessa's sisters as well as their friends. I don't know how many books she has planned for this series but I'll be here for all of them.

~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT from THE SWEETHEART DEAL

At first glance, the Castorinis’ place was dark, but then she noticed a very faint glow. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could see Leo hunched over a laptop, a small lamp burning at his table. 

Call it the moon, call it desperation, call it whatever you wanted, but something made her rap on the glass. 

Leo jerked his head up. His brows lifted in surprise, and he gave her the hold-on-a-sec sign. 

Her stomach tumbled. What have I just done? 

“Hey,” he said as he pulled the door open. His usually perfect hair was a little disheveled, like he’d been raking his hands through it. Dark, dangerous stubble shadowed his face. His discerning gaze skirted quickly over her from head to toe, like he was trying to find some visible reason she’d be here. 

This had been an awful idea. 

On closer examination, she noticed he had circles under his eyes, and his button-up shirt was halfway untucked. Could it be that he was feeling the same stress that she was? 

“Did you need something?” he asked. 

“Yes?” 

He smiled a little, then stepped aside to let her pass. “Come on in. It’s safe. I’m the only one here.” His voice was low and gravelly, in a way that reminded her of a sexy model in a cologne commercial as he awakened in a breezy-curtained villa, throwing back the silk sheets and walking naked to his balcony overlooking the Adriatic Sea. 

Okay, stress was making her imagination go wild. And also, safe felt like a real misnomer. 

She followed Leo back to the table where he’d been working and ran her hand along her carelessly swooped-up bun, thinking she must look a mess after working all day and into the night. But why should she care? She wasn’t here to impress. 

As she sat down across from him, he asked, “Do you have good news for me?” He gave her a hopeful look that made her want to lie. That made her think that maybe they weren’t so different. They both loved their families. They both wanted their hard work to bring success. 

But this was business, so she straightened her spine. “No deal with the bread. My mom won’t have it. She’d rather be bankrupt than have us bake for your restaurant. I’m sorry.” 

He sighed heavily, and for the first time ever, he didn’t seem to be shrugging things off with a smile. 

“Any luck on your end?” she asked. “I mean, about selling your ideas to your dad?”

He sat back, tossing his pen over the many scattered papers. “No,” he said simply. Just one word, jam-packed with frustration. 

She should just go home. What was the point of continuing a conversation? Yet she recognized a look in his eyes—the same desperate desire to do something to stop these ships from sinking. And…and she was now past want. She needed that wine. 

“I—” She felt her voice giving out. “I actually was wondering if you had any wine. I mean, I’d pay you for it.” 

He looked her over in what she was coming to learn was a thoroughly assessing way of his, a mixture of curiosity and something more intense that made her feel stripped down to the bone. “What are you doing downtown at this hour?” 

She hitched a thumb toward the bakery. “I was just sneak baking.” She mentally head slapped herself. Why had she confessed that? It was private. To most people, anyway. 

He frowned. “What’s sneak baking?” 

“Oh. Sometimes I go in after hours and bake whatever I want. It’s…a way of unwinding, I guess. Being creative. Forgetting about everything else.” 

“I might have to try it. Because all I do after hours is pore over the numbers. And then I can’t sleep.” 

“I hear you,” she said. 

“You probably shouldn’t be downtown alone at night.” 

In Blossom Glen? Tessa waved a hand dismissively. “Like you?” He smiled a little at that. “I’ve been doing it for years. It’s my therapy.” 

His lips cracked a slight smile. “Wine sounds like a great idea.” That warmth in his eyes was back, and it was directed at her. Only briefly, though, and then he got up and went to the back room. 

She was hungry—yearning, even—for what was really at stake here: her dreams, her life, a way out—and her imagination was in overdrive lately. But while she was way too smart to make the same mistake that she made when she was eighteen, to think that Leo had actually liked her, she knew what it meant when a man looked at her a certain way. 

Heat and desire from her nemesis. Now that was a real recipe for disaster.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

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