Dixie Mason’s *Surrender* is a captivating exploration of love, regret, and the complexities of relationships that linger in the shadows of the past. The story centers around the tumultuous emotions of its protagonist, who finds herself navigating the intricacies of old wounds and unfulfilled desires when she returns to her hometown of Sapphire River for her brother's wedding. With a compelling narrative that weaves together themes of longing and redemption, Mason captures the reader's attention from the very first page. The story begins with a heavy sense of nostalgia and regret. The protagonist, whose identity unfolds as the pages turn, carries the burden of a breakup that occurred sixteen years prior with Sean, her brother’s best friend. This initial setup immediately immerses the reader in a world of past mistakes and unresolved feelings. Mason deftly illustrates the tension that arises when Paige Avery reenters the lives of those she once knew, particularly that of Sean. The author’s skillful use of dialogue and rich descriptions brings to life the magnetic pull between these characters, reminding us that some connections are never truly severed. There’s a palpable intensity in the relationship dynamics portrayed in *Surrender*. The protagonist’s struggle to adhere to her brother’s request to keep her distance from Paige serves as a central conflict, one that reinforces the idea that sometimes, the more we try to avoid someone, the stronger our feelings become. The narrative tension escalates as the protagonist grapples with her emotions, leading to moments of both heartwarming and heart-wrenching revelations. Mason expertly balances the angst of unrequited love with the humor and camaraderie that often accompany close friendships. Mason’s characterization is another highlight of the novel. The protagonist is relatable and flawed, which makes her journey towards self-discovery and acceptance all the more compelling. Paige, with her fiery red hair and wicked smile, is a force of nature who embodies both strength and vulnerability. Their chemistry is palpable, and it is through their interactions that the themes of forgiveness and healing are explored deeply. The evolution of their relationship is not just a romantic pursuit but a journey towards understanding and reconciling the past. The setting of Sapphire River adds an enchanting backdrop to the story, almost acting as a character in its own right. Mason paints vivid images of the town's charm, enhancing the emotional landscape and serving as a reminder of the protagonist’s roots. This familiarity contrasts beautifully with the tumult of her internal struggles, creating a sense of longing that resonates with readers. Ultimately, *Surrender* is a poignant reminder that love can often be complicated, yet it is also profoundly transformative. Dixie Mason invites us to witness the raw emotions that accompany second chances, the courage to confront one's history, and the possibility of redemption. As the protagonist learns to navigate her feelings for Paige and confront the unresolved tension from their past, readers are left with a sense of hope and a belief in the power of love to conquer all. In conclusion, *Surrender* is an engaging read that captivates the heart and mind. Dixie Mason’s storytelling prowess shines through as she explores the complexities of love and forgiveness, making this novel a must-read for anyone who has ever grappled with their feelings for someone from their past. Whether you're a fan of romance or simply enjoy a good story about personal growth, *Surrender* offers an unforgettable journey that will leave you yearning for more.

Caleb has a tough time when his ex Paige comes back into town for a couple weeks. She’s the one he never got over and goodness, help him when he realizes that Paige is actually staying in town and reopening her late grandfathers previous toy store. Even with warnings from Paige’s best friend and his own brother, will he be able to keep his distance from her? Get ready for some angst, spice, and some real heart to hearts in this cute book!

It was a cute romance story. Not much spice if you're looking for that. On a spice scale, I would say maybe 2/5. The story reminds me of a hallmark movie with some x-rated scenes. I enjoyed it. Felt more relatable with the other little details that happened with other family members. I like to have what I call "palate" cleanses between genres and this was a short read that made it a great choice between long books. Thank you for letting me be an ARC reader. I look forward to reading more of your books!

Another hot rom-com from Dixie Mason. The Hush series is fast becoming my top 10 small town setting series. Mason intertwines characters from book one to keep the small town scenario seem more passable.
Paige is the forbidden fruit for Caleb. Caleb promised his brother, Sean, years ago to stay away from Paige, the love of his life. Paige shows up back in town to be the best “man” in Sean’s wedding.
Laugh out loud bantering and relationships with possible consequences. Story contains romance, steamy love, and possibly second chances. Thank you NetGalley and publisher for ARC read. Looking forward to reading Resist!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first read by Dixie Mason. It is short but steamy with a ton of chemistry between the two main characters.

Highly recommended for fans of second chance romance and/or small town romance.

Plans are set for Sean and Allie’s wedding and Sean’s brother Caleb couldn’t be happier for them. He is surprised when he sees his brother’s best friend, Paige Avery, arrive back in town for the wedding. He is even more surprised when Paige is his brother’s best “man” for the ceremony! He has been in love with Paige since they were in school, but after getting close to her, he was warned to stay away. Now she wants nothing to do with him, but maybe, just maybe while she is here for the wedding, he can get close to her again. Paige hopes to avoid Caleb as much as possible after he ghosted her years ago. She is not just visiting, but has decided to remain in town and reopen her grandfather’s toy store. Caleb believed he wasn’t good enough for her, but can he make amends for his past behavior? Nothing short of a grand gesture will prove to her that he loves her and always has. Will she understand why he walked away years ago, and give him a second chance? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Really liked this one. Had great backstories for each character. Main characters were great. Loved the plot twist also. I look forward to reading more from this author 🫶🏾💜👏🥰

In Surrender, readers are swept away into a whirlwind of emotions as Paige Avery returns to Sapphire River for her ex-boyfriend's wedding. The tension between Paige and her ex's brother, Sean, is palpable from the start, setting the stage for a captivating romance that's as steamy as it is heartfelt. What I enjoyed most about this book is its ability to explore the complexities of love and forgiveness. As Paige and Sean navigate their tumultuous past and uncertain future, their chemistry leaps off the pages, keeping readers hooked until the very end.

Hey there, romance junkies! Get ready to swoon, because Surrender is about to steal your heart! Picture this: a forbidden romance between Paige Avery and her ex's brother, Sean, that's hotter than a summer night in Sapphire River. From sizzling chemistry to steamy encounters, these two can't seem to stay away from each other – and who can blame them? But here's the kicker: amidst all the passion and drama, there's a deeper story about love, forgiveness, and second chances that'll leave you breathless. So, if you're ready to dive into a romance that's as addictive as it is heartfelt, grab a copy of Surrender and prepare to surrender to the magic of love!

I think Dixie Mason writes great characters and their emotions and I really, desperately wanted to love this book but two things kept me from declaring love:

1) The plot was standard, with no little kinks, and no extra OMG moments, it felt very vanilla
2) The writing and typos got on my last nerve (cries)

The story also felt slightly abrupt. I don't know if it's just me wanting some more meat, angst, emotional turmoil but it seemed like as soon as Paige came back home they hopped into the hay and bye-bye slow burn.

I adored the inclusion of the brothers and think I would continue with the series for the sole purpose of Jared and his cute bundle of joy.

Thank you to Dixie Mason and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review. Feel free to connect with me via bookstagram @jessicareadsit

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book before publication.

I didn’t think it was possible, but I love this book even more than I love the first one. The humor and back and forth banter between Paige and Caleb are just sooo good. They felt so real, the chemistry between them so hot. I really enjoyed the epilogue and sneak peak at the end, and absolutely cannot wait for Jared’s book!

We get to see characters from the first book, which I felt was a special treat. And since this is a small town novel, we get to see those characters interacting with our main couple in all of their sweet, sexy, and sometimes aggravating shenanigans. There was a lot of internal and external conflict throughout the story, which kept me guessing and locking into the love and drama.

If you enjoy(ed) Virgin River you will love this series.

I couldn't put it down. I was enthralled with the story. The characters were well-written. The story was good! It kept me interested from the beginning till the very end of this intriuging story.

This one was, unfortunately, a miss for me. The miscommunication or rather lack of communication between the 2 MCs really cemented that for me, but the grammatical errors also made it difficult to read. I know ARCs typically have more errors than published copies, but these were on every page. The plot definitely had potential, but it felt too rushed.

I really enjoyed the book! It was my first read by Dixie Mason.

It was easy to read and each chapter made me want to read more. Gotta say I loved the spice.

Thanks for the ARC!