After the death of her beloved Aunt leaves librarian Eve in ownership of the falling apart Mermaid Inn, she must return to the the place she once loved but left forever after her high school sweetheart destroyed her heart. Now the police chief and sporting a stupid stupid beard that Eve absolutely does not like, not one bit, Sawyer Collins is an inescapable nuisance who also seems to be doing everything in his power to make sure Eve is happy, despite what he did all those years ago.

A slow burn romance full of heart that pays off on steam after making you die for it, this is a great series starter from Jenny Holiday! I cannot wait for more as I delighted in all the secondary characters. I especially enjoyed watching Eve and Sawyer learn to talk to one another and communicate their desires. Super sexy and I adore a second-chance romance. This one is done quite well, and Sawyer's big mistake is thoroughly explored and the grovel fits the crime.

As far as this being a small town, very White romance, I enjoyed it as a White reader. While I liked how the conflict between the heroine's desire for a certain library job versus staying back in her hometown to run the Inn played out, I was bracing myself.

Edit: What does the above paragraph mean past Beth? I'm usually writing these while at work and I think what I meant to write was this is a very white, small town romance. I'm white, I've read a ton of these in the past and this story definitely does not try to subvert or advance this "small town" trope. I wish it did more work on this part.

Also! I am in the mentions of this book! I was so lucky to help Jenny just a bit, talking about library jobs! Thank you Jenny.

I reviewed a free copy from the publisher. Thank you.

CW for

Spoiler

parental abuse and neglect, cheating (in the past, off page, just a kiss).