By chance, Lucretia "Tia" Trent meets the maddeningly handsome Max Ballander just as she's nursing a broken heart. Though undeniably drawn to him, his overbearing nature quickly puts her off.Their paths collide again when Max nearly runs her over after she faints in the middle of the road. Feeling duty-bound, he takes her to his home, where their simmering attraction begins to grow. But when Tia suspects Max already has a girlfriend, she rejects his advances, determined to guard her heart.Adding to her discomfort is Max's prickly sister, Cordy, whose hostility makes Tia's stay unbearable. Despite forming a warm bond with Max's lonely, distant mother, Tia decides it's best to leave. Yet, fate keeps their families intertwined when their mothers develop an unexpected friendship.Tia's fiercely protective brother, Taylor, confronts Max in her defence but ends up falling for Cordy instead. Against all odds, the pair find themselves drawn to each other, and their growing relationship helps melt the tension between the two families.As love flourishes for Taylor and Cordy, Max and Tia are left grappling with their own fiery, complicated connection. Misunderstandings and pride threaten to keep them apart-but will they find a way to overcome their differences and claim the happiness they both long for? Essa Sims lives in England near the sea. A lifelong lover of painting and reading, she turned to writing as her family gained independence, allowing her to fully embrace her passions.Romance captivates her the most, and her stories feature rugged heroes and strong-willed heroines whose fiery clashes create exciting, racy interactions. With humour skilfully woven into their lively banter, Essa writes delightful tales that keep readers eagerly turning the pages.
