When I left Dogwood Cove eighteen years ago, Ethan Monroe was nothing more than my best friend’s older brother.

Over that time he went from the boy who played hide and seek with us, to the seriously hot, plaid-wearing, scruff-bearing, mayor of the small town we grew up in.

But I’m only back to figure out what to do with the run-down beachfront resort my estranged father left me in his will.

Not to fall in love.

The resort needs a lot of work and Ethan wants to help me restore it. He makes a tool belt look good and watching his muscles lift heavy loads is giving me ideas that go way beyond just friends. And if the heated, lingering looks he sends my way are any indication, the attraction goes both ways.

Except I’ve got trust issues that can’t be repaired with a hammer and some nails, and Ethan has his own secrets he’s hiding.

Still, coming home could be the start of the life I’ve always dreamed of.

And Ethan could be the missing piece that puts my heart back together.