Really a little too ridiculous and excessive for my taste. I'm probably not Lucy Score's target reader anymore.

Veramente un po' troppo ridicolo ed eccessivo per i miei gusti. Probabilmente non sono piú il target reader di Lucy Score.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

Hazel is a bestselling author on the brink of disaster—her publisher is ready to drop her if she doesn’t deliver her next book ASAP. To make matters worse, she’s just been kicked out of her Upper East Side apartment.

In a moment of desperation (or brilliance?), she spontaneously buys a house in a quiet Pennsylvania town, convinced that a fresh start will spark her creativity. But when she arrives, she quickly realizes the place is a total wreck. The silver lining? Cam—the brooding, ridiculously attractive contractor—might just be all the inspiration she needs.

Tropes:

Grumpy x Sunshine
Small Town Romance
Plenty of Spice

From the very first page, I loved this book. And thank goodness—because as my most anticipated read of 2025, the pressure was real! The chemistry crackles, the banter is top-notch, and the swoon-worthy moments are everything I hoped for, all wrapped up in Lucy’s signature humor. I caught myself grinning at the pages more times than I can count, and I’m already desperate for book two!

(Also, a special shoutout to Bertha and Goose—you two stole the show!)

I have no doubt this one’s going to be a bestseller, and honestly? I think it’s one of her best books yet.

Huge thanks to the publisher for the ARC—my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own!

Hazel is in full on emotional breakdown after her divorce and her writing muse has abandoned her. In a fit of emotion she buys a house in a town she had read about in a happy news story. Then she meets Campbell who agreed to fake date her for inspiration for her new book! What could go wrong?
After Knockemout I did wonder if another of Lucy’s series would hold a torch to it and of course it does! I can’t wait for the next two books! As the characters are not young 20 somethings but more mature this resonates with me more as an older reader! Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.