Sometimes 'helpful' friends go a little too far...

Ivory McCoy has survived her share of embarrassing moments—her family drama being a source of gossip in small town Lighthouse Bay practically guarantees it—but nothing prepares her for the disaster waiting in her half-renovated apartment. One friendly miscommunication, one spilled paint tray, and she finds herself face-to-face with the most unfairly handsome man she’s ever seen… while looking like she lost a fight with a hardware store.

Rhys Shahan came to Lighthouse Bay for a quiet restart, not to be ambushed by flustered charm, accidental paint splatters, and the blinding kindness of the woman who owns the building he’s renting from. Soft-spoken, hardworking, and a little shy, he’s used to keeping his world small. But Ivory—with her quick humor, anxious rambling, and a heart bigger than her to-do list—pulls him in from the very first chaotic moment..

As renovation mishaps, protective friends, and unexpected vulnerability push Ivory and Rhys together, they’ll have to decide whether the sweetest beginnings can come from the most humiliating first impressions.

Perfect for those who crave the cozy warmth of small-town romance, quirky meddling neighbors, slow-burning tenderness, and heroes who love softly. Fans of Elana Johnson, Rachael Bloome, Jenny Hale, and Melanie Harlow will feel right at home in Lighthouse Bay.