: Dax is guarded and initially pushes Wren away due to a "big secret" and his responsibilities as a widower raising a teenager, Rafe .

: Relates to their reunion after the multi-year separation.

: Dax is older and more established, while Wren is younger and more free-spirited.

The story follows , a traveling massage therapist and gifted cellist. She is hired by Dax Moody , a wealthy, mysterious, and "moody" widower who owns a capital investment company in Boston.

is a contemporary standalone romance novel by New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward , released on August 22, 2022 . It is characterized by its emotional depth, heavy angst, and a major plot twist that shifts the story into "forbidden" territory. 📖 Plot Overview

The novel heavily utilizes popular romance tropes to drive its "slow burn" narrative:

: As they spend time talking, they develop an intense emotional and physical chemistry.