Sweet, feel-good romance!

Emmalyn McGuire has finally found her rhythm as a kindergarten teacher—but the once-in-a-lifetime love she reads about in her favorite books? Still missing.

Enter Hunter Kane, a brooding military pilot recovering from a life-altering accident. Grieving, injured, and reeling from the loss of his closest friend, Hunter retreats to Ocean Shores—only to find himself the temporary guardian of his late buddy’s young daughter.

Overwhelmed and out of his depth, the fiercely independent Hunter turns to Emmalyn for help. She’s sweet, steady, and far too easy to fall for. Despite her nerves around the grumpy, guarded pilot, Emmalyn’s heart goes out to the little girl who suddenly needs them both—even if it’s only for now.

As they fumble through the chaos of makeshift parenthood, the sparks between them get harder to ignore. Hunter wasn’t looking for love. Emmalyn wasn’t planning to share her secrets. So how did they end up here—falling for each other when they least expected it?

Don’t miss this charming, emotional, and heart-melting romance from #1 New York Times bestselling author Barbara Freethy. Perfect for fans of grumpy sunshine, slow-burn chemistry, and stories where love shows up in the most unexpected ways.