Sweet story had me up late to finish it.

When beautiful Hollywood actress Amy shows up on veterinarian Adam's porch in the freezing early dawn, the ice cracks painfully around his numb heart. What is his high-school sweetheart doing back? Why here? Why him? Whatever the reason, he won't open his heart again to the woman who lead him along, then chose a frenzied, paparazzi-ridden life over his whole-hearted marriage proposal and their sweet, coastal hometown of Hollywood, Texas. Even if she is the most beautiful, talented, kind-hearted...

Amy is desperate. She knows she doesn't deserve refuge and help from the man she spurned. Even if he can never trust her again, surely he'll give her a secretary job until things calm down with her business manager and the press. It wouldn't be fair to burden him more with her troubles. Love's one chance already passed them by. So, why can't Amy stop thinking about the way they were before?

This charming novella had a Nicholas Sparks feel to it. I shivered from the chilly morning fog on Adam's porch, smelled the pancakes Amy cooked. Loved the sensory descriptions and the emotional investment the author made in this novella.

I felt Amy's desperation and was instantly curious about her plight. Adam, I was slower to warm up to, but his protective role of tried-and-true friend and wounded former sweetheart, plus his gentle care of this woman who made him weak-kneed before she ever hit the big screen, ranks him as a worthy hero.

I've recently branched out from my historically-saturated bookshelf to try some contemporary reads and this one makes me glad I did. Motivations and characters' career details were believable. Plot twists were interesting and not easily predicted.

I'd recommend this to anyone who wants a fast read that is sweet, memorable and tinged with the scent of Texas's ocean-side breeze and small town burger joints.

I received an e-reader copy of this novella from the author for my honest review.
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