I don’t know why I get it into my head that books with warmly lit landscapes are moderate heat-level because this small-town romance was scalding.
The last thing Sydney wants to do is head back to her small hometown of Rose Bend…especially since she’s pregnant with her ex-husband’s baby. Sydney has a complicated past with the town but quickly finds companionship with Coltrane, the town mayor who is still grieving the loss of his wife and infant.
Do you want tropes? This book has got them.
Small town, marriage-of-convenience, fake relationship, single mother, pregnant heroine, best friend’s brother, sister’s best friend, and insta-love.
This book is pretty fast-paced and the way all the tropes easily come together made this read like a snappy category romance. That’s not to say things are easy for Sydney and Coltrane, as they have to navigate the complexities of co-parenting with Sydney’s ex. Coltrane also has to make sure he can handle being around a baby after losing his own.
Rose Bend is nestled in the Berkshires and Sydney and Coltrane are one of a handful of people of color in town (Sydney is Black and Coltrane is Puerto Rican) they bond over having to stand up for themselves and put up with microaggressions.
This book has a bonus story that takes place around an annual motorcycle rally held in Rose Bend. It’s a quick enjoyable BWWM romance between a bar owner and traveling artisan who share a love of motorcycles.
