It’s a BIG no for me. I bought this book because of TikTok - do I need to say more? I REGRET IT! It was supposed to be a story about a girl that has a crush on the single dad next door. But what nobody tells you is that they are “ex”-step siblings (parents divorced). That’s the first ich about this book. Then there is the alternating POV that switches between Shelby (MC), Miles (single dad) and Abigail (supposedly new bff of MC) almost every chapter. I was hella confused and couldn’t follow along for the first third to first half of the book. Later I found out it wasn’t a stand alone, as I had thought, bist just part 1 of a series. This story is told through 4 different points of view. Shelby, Miles, Abigail, and Bash. It's a story of romance and friendships between women. If you liked the Netflix show, Sweet Magnolias, you'll love this series! TikTok books are a trap. An absolute trap. I watched a few tiktoks that the author posted of scenes from this book. It sounded amazing, especially the scene where he says he needs to protect both of them in the same house. But ugh this book was so incredibly disappointing. Absolutely nothing that happened made sense. The entire book took place in about 5 days worth of time, yet somehow none of it made sense. There was zero character development, I felt absolutely no connection to either of the main characters. And we had POVs from a completely unrelated character. I typically don't bother finishing books that I can't stand the plotline or the timeline, but like I said, I was waiting for that one TikTok scene and it didn't happen until about 90% of the way through the book, and was honestly nothing compared to what the author's posts made it seem like it was going to be about. I know what you mean.” Miles slipped off his suit coat, folded it in half, and rested it on the chair behind him. Then he yanked at his tie and loosened the top two buttons of his white shirt. After ruffling his gelled hair, he began to unbutton his cuffs and roll up his sleeves. “She never wanted you to stay away, but she understood why you left.” That realisation caused blood to pump through my veins. Suddenly, I needed to prove myself to this woman. Call it animalistic. Call it carnal. But I wanted her to see what I could do.

I think there was something familiar about the plot and writing but none the less I was sold on most of the story. I wanted to cry. I really did. But it was as if my tears were dried up. There was nothing left. I’d cried so much in the past that it was as if my body was completely incapable of producing tears. I was broken, and this was proof that I was never going to be fixed. I hate that he's randomly showing up at the shop as if he's trying to protect me. I hate that he's in their kitchen apartment, shirtless, with a dark, hooded look in his eyes, while Anders in distracted by videos games and beer in his room. But I really hate that when I need someone the most, Bash is the one that shows up to help me. Even though it had been years since we’d spoken, I still wanted to please her. To settle her into her final resting place in comfort.
Movement next to me drew my attention over. You okay?” Miles’s voice was low and rumbly. I wasn’t sure if it was because of our history or the situation we were in.Miles stepped forward with his hand extended. For a moment, I caught what looked like desperation in his gaze before it disappeared. “Why don’t I give you a ride? I mean, the church organized a dinner and everything.” His half smile was weak and did little to dissuade me from what I’d already decided. “The town…misses you.” He was a dad, and it was cute that being a dad wasn’t something he could compartmentalise. He was protective. And there was something about the way he insisted on being protective if me that made my whole body feel light. It was probably because I never had a dad in my life. She spends her days dreaming up heroes and romantic situations while trying to keep sane with all of the sports runs and grocery trips she has to make. She loves classic movies and thinks that there is a FRIENDS quote for every situation. You can select which file you want and it will be sent to your preferred app on your preferred device! Miles pushed his hands through his hair once more and nodded. “Yeah, okay.” Then he paused.I could see in his body language that he wanted to say something more, and I had a sinking suspicion as to what that was. Problem was, there was no way I was ready to hear any of it.

I need to take TikTok recommendations with a grain of salt, the scene the author showed was taken completely out of context and made to seem way more dramatic than it was. I glanced down at the dark oak coffin in the ground, wondering for a moment if Gran would have been disappointed with what we’d chosen. Even though it had been years since we’d spoken, I still wanted to please her. To settle her into her final resting place in comfort.

I grew up watching Hallmark movies and as an adult guiltily indulge in them. This book from start to finish had me smiling, crying and even a moment or two screaming at Shelby and Miles realize what's going on...This is my first time reading anything by Anne-Marie Meyer and I must say I am going to go read everything I can get my hands on that she's ever written." It wasn’t until I’d stepped out into the rain, raising my purse up over my head that I heard his response.
“Goodbye, Shelby.”
Like a dam breaking inside of me, the tears began to flow. Shelby left Harmony ten years ago, vowing never to return. After her grandmother's passing, she's forced to return or her grandmother's beloved inn will be sold to the highest bidder. What she didn't expect was Miles, the single dad living at the inn. My stomach was a bundle of nerves since I drove the rental car into my small hometown, and I couldn’t sort out anyone’s words.
I’d left this place 10 years ago, never to return.