The Little Bookstore in Cedar Hollow

Charlotte Monroe thought she left Cedar Hollow behind forever. But when her grandmother passes away, she leaves Charlotte an unexpected inheritance: the beloved local bookstore, The Reading Nook, and a trust fund. There is just one catch. To claim it, Charlotte must live in the small mountain town and run the shop for exactly one year. Fleeing a broken engagement and a stalled career in Chicago, Charlotte accepts the terms, convinced she can survive twelve months before returning to her real life.

Eli Hayes is a man who knows how to build walls. As the local fire captain and a widower, his world revolves around keeping his town safe and raising his dinosaur-obsessed six-year-old daughter, Sophie. He has sworn off love, hiding his lingering grief behind a grumpy exterior and a strict routine. The last thing he needs is the beautiful, guarded city girl turning his quiet life upside down.

Despite Eli's scowls, Sophie quickly claims Charlotte as her favorite person. Soon, Eli finds himself inventing excuses to visit the bookstore—from dropping off safety pamphlets to fixing a leaky roof. As winter blankets Cedar Hollow in snow, the ice around Eli's heart begins to thaw, and Charlotte starts to wonder if the small town she once ran from is exactly where she belongs.

But Charlotte's contract is only for a year, and Eli refuses to let his daughter love someone who is destined to leave. Can a grumpy firefighter and a runaway bookseller find the courage to rewrite their endings, or will they let fear close the book on their second chance?

What to expect:

• Small-Town Romance
• Single Father / Widower
• Grumpy meets Guarded MMC
• Inheritance with a Catch / Starting Over
• Slow Burn Romance
• Found Family & Community