Josie O'Donovan has had a crush on Nate Keyes for as long as she can remember. He’s her cousin's best friend and the town's rebellious bad boy—completely off-limits and always just out of reach. After being rejected by her dream music school, Josie thought staying in Waterbury would help her escape the disappointment and pressure from her parents. But when she’s called back to the family farm, she doesn’t expect Nate to be there, reigniting feelings she thought she’d buried.

Nate Keyes has always kept his distance, hiding his own struggles beneath a tough exterior. But the more time he spends with Josie, the harder it becomes to ignore the spark between them. As they grow closer, Nate isn’t the only one vying for Josie’s attention—Cody, a shared longtime friend, has always been there for her, leaving Josie torn between what feels familiar and what her heart truly wants.

A slow-burn, forbidden romance about love, self-discovery, and finding the courage to follow your heart.

HE’S THE ONE PERSON SHE ALWAYS WANTED BUT NEVER THOUGHT SHE’D HAVE.

Trigger Warnings: This book contains themes of emotional trauma, off-page abuse, and mental health struggles.

Perfect for fans of: forbidden romance, best friend’s cousin, small-town romance, slow-burn, second chances, emotional healing.