When a chance encounter throws Molly Somerville—a quirky children's book author with a heart as big as her mistakes—into the orbit of Kevin Tucker, the infuriatingly charming (and poodle-hating!) quarterback she's secretly crushed on for years, sparks fly in the most unexpected ways. Forced together at a charming lakeside retreat, these two people in crisis discover that beneath Kevin's cocky exterior and Molly's carefully constructed almost-perfect life lies something genuine and transformative. What unfolds is a summer of bickering, self-discovery, and the kind of love that sneaks up on you when you're too busy defending your heart to notice it arriving. Susan Elizabeth Phillips serves up the perfect blend of humor, heart, and swoon-worthy romance that'll make you believe in second chances and the healing power of letting someone really know you.

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yearningcharminghopefultenderwitty

Indie pop and soft rock with warmth—think acoustic guitars, witty banter energy, and slow-burn chemistry. Mix charming vulnerability with moments of confident swagger. Feel-good but emotionally honest, like falling for someone you thought you'd never have. A little playful, a little tender, wholly transformative.