This was such a lovely easing into a new series from Cristina! Meeting the idillic town of Balsam Bay in Nova Scotia and watching one of its newest members fall for someone born and raised there was so enjoyable, and I just wanted to be there. 
Neve is an interior designer, something her family doesn't understand or seem to place much value in, but she's busy with multiple projects all while dealing with her endometriosis symptoms. One project is with Leo, a new-to-town carpenter with social anxiety that can be pretty debilitating at times, especially around Neve at first. They clash, she doesn't get him or like him very much, but when he's finally able to show her who he really is they grow to friendly and then more.
Their love story felt gentle. Not because they didn't each have baggage and trauma to deal with that affected their relationship (because they did and it did), and not because it wasn't spicy (it was). It's more that the falling wasn't dramatic, or quick, or jarring. Instead, they way they discovered their other half and cared for one another was comfortable and comforting, like when you stand at the edge of the water, close your eyes, and listen to the waves lap against the shore, feeling you're exactly where you're meant to be in that moment and trying to soak it all in. 
This first venture to Balsam Bay is soft and tender, embracing you and welcoming you in while you read it. I look forward to returning, with the next book set up perfectly (proud brag to say I wondered pretty early if those two characters would be the ones!) and the third hinted at as well. Well done, Cristina, and congrats on such a lovely fourth book! Thank you for the arc, it's always a pleasure to read your stories and get to share them with others. 
•Disability rep: social anxiety, endometriosis 
•Small town Nova Scotia
•Out May 5/25 on KU, Kindle, and in paperback (both the beautiful cover in the first slide and the amazing special edition available directly from Cristina on the second slide!)