Auburn Hills

When a sunshine-y baker meets a handsome bookstore owner, flirting, heated conversations, and a bit of trouble ensue.ValIt feels fortuitous that the caf I decide to buy has such a happy name. I am, by nature, a happy, sunshine-y person. My life might be a mess the moment, what with uprooting everything to return to my hometown, an ailing grandfather, and a splintered family, but I'm a big believer in seeing the best in people and situations. Owning Glad Tidings Bakery and Caf, the idea of turning it from an abandoned restaurant into a fun, fresh place for people to gather, has me thinking I can do good not only in the village but in my family as well.Then there's Boothe Seymore, the owner of the neighboring bookstore.The potential for a good slow burn romance with him already has me curling my toes, but when it's made clear someone doesn't want me opening my caf and signs start pointing to Boothe, I wonder whether he is as happy to have me next door as he says he is.BootheI've loved the small town of Auburn Hills since moving here a few years ago for a fresh start. Running The Printed Book Haven has afforded me the opportunity to make friends with people from all over the area, especially the residents of this little village. The person I want to learn most about? Val Macari, who recently purchased the caf connected to my bookstore.With Val's reopening of the cafsomething someone is unhappy about based on the rumors and slight vandalism aimed at Glad Tidingsthe potential partnership between the bookshop and caf, and, more importantly, between Val and me, is in serious jeopardy. When Val starts to believe this mischief could be my handiwork, I need to prove that I'm the good, decent man she initially saw in me.

This marriage is happening, whether they like it or not.Tess:Between Elliott and me, I am not the difficult one. He unfairly blames me for the messy way we met, which created our current inability to be around each other without arguing. After a tragic loss and a surprising stipulation in my grandpa's will, Elliott proposes a marriage of convenience, as if that'll solve all our problems. Unfortunately, it solves one problem so perfectly that I can't help but agree. Falling for my convenient, short-term husband is a terrible idea, yet I'm well on my way.Someone should wish me luck because I'm going to need it.So will he.Elliott:While there's something I'll never forgive Tess Macari for, I also can't get her out of my head. I definitely can't stand by and watch her marry someone else to fix the mess her grandfather made. If Tess and I can't convince everyone we're in love, we'll lose the only thing we have left of her grandpa. My friendship with him was unconventional, and some would say I'm as grumpy as he ever was, but walking away from Tess isn't an option.This is happening. The real marriage. The fake relationship. Tess will have to deal with it. All I have to figure out is how to not fall in love with her.