She swore off men. He clearly didn't get the memo.
Kiera Emmerson has a plan: win the cooking competition, earn the scholarship, get into culinary school, and do it all without owing anyone a single thing. She is not adding "fall for her employer" to that list. Especially not when said employer is River Stone—ex-child star, annoyingly handsome, and the most infuriating gentleman she's ever met—who obviously only gave her this job because he has a crush on her.
(She's choosing not to find that flattering. It is not working.)
River has a documentary to finish and a film festival deadline that isn't budging. What he doesn't have is the ability to focus when Kiera's in the room. She's sharp and funny and keeps him at arm's length—but every now and then, when she doesn't think he's looking, she almost smiles. Almost.
He knows someone hurt her. He doesn't know who, and he won't pry. But he's made up his mind: she's worth slowing down for, and he'll prove it by being the one who shows up for her, even when she builds walls.
She says she's not interested. He says that's fine—he's got time. She says he's being ridiculous. He says she makes excellent risotto and would she please stop threatening to quit every time he pays her a compliment.
This is it—the final love story from Willow Shade Island.
Tropes:
- Slow Burn
- Grumpy Heroine / Sunshine Hero
- Forced Proximity (Boss / Employee)
- Small Town Romance
- Former Celebrity
- Guarded Heroine / Patient Hero
- Found Family
