Best friend’s older brother. The almost-kiss summer. And one bestselling manuscript that’s years overdue.
Livvie Fox has spent six years being too nice for New York publishing—bringing cupcakes to the man who stole her promotion, watching senior agents take credit for the books she fought for, smiling while the bestseller list ticks past her name and lands on someone else’s.
Then her agency drops the bomb: bestselling reclusive author Ian Rivers is two years past deadline. The contract is about to die. The agency is about to die with it. Someone has to get him to write.
Someone like the woman who knew him before he was Ian Rivers.
Before the bestsellers. Before the funeral. Before the night on a Maple Lake dock when she told him exactly how she felt and he just stood there, frozen, while every star in northern Minnesota watched her heart break.
Nate Rivers shouldn’t open his door.
Not for the publisher. Not for the lawyer. Not for the woman who walked off his sister’s dock seven years ago and took half the world with her.
But Livvie Fox is back in Maple Lake. With stolen soup. With his sister’s name in her mouth. With a publisher’s deadline that could cost him the only house left where Emma still feels real.
The town is gearing up for the Flannel Festival. The maples are turning. The dogs already love her. And the chapter Nate has been refusing to write for three years is suddenly demanding a co-author.
Some what-ifs deserve a second chapter.
Livvie Fox has spent six years being too nice for New York publishing—bringing cupcakes to the man who stole her promotion, watching senior agents take credit for the books she fought for, smiling while the bestseller list ticks past her name and lands on someone else’s.
Then her agency drops the bomb: bestselling reclusive author Ian Rivers is two years past deadline. The contract is about to die. The agency is about to die with it. Someone has to get him to write.
Someone like the woman who knew him before he was Ian Rivers.
Before the bestsellers. Before the funeral. Before the night on a Maple Lake dock when she told him exactly how she felt and he just stood there, frozen, while every star in northern Minnesota watched her heart break.
Nate Rivers shouldn’t open his door.
Not for the publisher. Not for the lawyer. Not for the woman who walked off his sister’s dock seven years ago and took half the world with her.
But Livvie Fox is back in Maple Lake. With stolen soup. With his sister’s name in her mouth. With a publisher’s deadline that could cost him the only house left where Emma still feels real.
The town is gearing up for the Flannel Festival. The maples are turning. The dogs already love her. And the chapter Nate has been refusing to write for three years is suddenly demanding a co-author.
Some what-ifs deserve a second chapter.
MY THOUGHTS
I really liked Livvie and Nate. I thought Livvie’s job at the publishing company as a junior agent was really interesting. She was very dedicated and determined about her work and what she believed in. I loved her sunshiney attitude. I really felt for Nate. He was still in the midst of grieving his sister and struggling to finish writing the series they had worked on together. I was really rooting for him. Nate and Livvie were both relatable in their own way. I thought they made such a good team. They pushed each other to do the next hard thing. It wasn’t easy, but it was so great seeing them grow and thrive again. I also really liked Livvie’s Aunt Lila. She was a no-nonsense lady who was also very supportive and full of wise words.
This story was poignant and sweet. Moving and heartfelt. There was a ton of depth and a powerful message of faith too. I loved it so much and highly, highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys small town contemporary romances! I can’t wait to visit Maple Falls again!
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
FIVE STARS
