Perhaps Travis Hale’s past is riddled with regrets, but his future looks limitless. He’s the police chief in idyllic Pelion, Maine, women are regularly falling at his feet, and his family has mostly forgiven his mistakes. But when the new guy in town crosses him, things start to look shaky – especially when he meets the stranger’s smoothie-making, birdseed-eating sister.

Haven Torres’s life fell apart. Or, rather, burned to the ground. At the time, it seemed like a solid idea to jump in her car, her brother a mostly willing co-pilot, and embark on a cross-country adventure for the summer. Especially if she can catch the attention of Pelion’s most eligible bachelor, Gage Buchanan, before she goes. And after the local police chief tells her of her brother’s scandalous misdeed, she knows without a doubt that Pelion is just another town where their stay is best short-lived.

Still, she and Travis form an unlikely friendship, and at first, it seems simple enough. She’ll help him make her brother sweat a little, and he’ll help her win over Gage. But then Haven starts to see the man beneath the brooding, and Travis starts to see the woman beneath the mess.

However, Haven refuses to be tied to Pelion. And Travis has vowed never to be second best ever again.

Before they know it, simple has started to look pretty complicated.