Review by Library Journal Review
Merritt Valentine knows that leaving Los Angeles to live with her twin sister in the small town of Crested Peak, CO, means that she will never be as anonymous as she'd like, even though 10 years have passed since she infamously broke down on stage and ended her career as a notable singer-songwriter. Merritt hopes to find peace and stability out of the limelight and further bolster her emotional recovery. All is going well until she develops an inconvenient crush on Crested Peak's favorite handyman, Niko Petrakis, as he helps renovate her new home. Warned by her sister to not break heart of the kindest man in town, Merritt must decide if taking a risk on a relationship could ever work out, with her complex past and emotional traumas. VERDICT Wilder's stunning follow-up to Will They or Won't They tackles the complexities of mental health, sexuality, and what love can become when given the chance. Perfect for readers who enjoy romances that reflect the realities of small-town life.--Elizabeth Gabriel
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A former musician finds healing and a complicated love story with a contractor in a picture-perfect mountain town. After a breakdown and her latest breakup, Merritt Valentine left Los Angeles and moved in with her twin sister, Olivia, in the quiet town of Crested Peak, Colorado, two years ago. She hasn't made music in a decade, and now she's focused on fixing up the house she impulsively purchased. Enter Nikolaos Petrakis, the contractor/jack-of-all-trades who knows everyone in Crested Peak. Niko is attractive, kind, and single--a dangerous combination for Merritt, who's still reeling after her career and relationship fell apart. Niko, also on the heels of a nasty breakup, knows he should avoid Merritt if he doesn't want to get his heart broken again. After they're both warned to stay away from each other, they resolve to keep their relationship strictly professional. But the best laid plans are no match for the chemistry between Merritt and Niko as they fix up her house, taking antiquing trips and sketching out plans. They make a classic romance novel mistake--they decide to hook up for a designated amount of time and promise not to let things get too deep. Merritt worries that her baggage is way too much for a nice guy like Niko to handle, while Niko isn't sure he can count on anyone to need him around for more than house repairs. Soon, they're falling hard for each other--but with a firm end date for their relationship, can they make it last? Wilder creates a steamy slow-burn romance featuring two characters who desperately crave love but are unsure if they deserve it. Both Merritt and Niko have things to work through--Merritt with her mental health and the guilt she feels over leaning so hard on her family and friends, and Niko with his fear of abandonment and questions about his sexuality. Their road to love isn't a smooth one, and Wilder puts them through the wringer on their way to a happily ever after. But when they get there, it feels well-earned and immensely satisfying. An angsty and totally immersive romance with a charming setting. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
