Description

A grumpy/sunshine, small-town love story about two people who never thought they’d become friends . . . let alone soulmates.

Dawson Hennessy has no plans to stay in Promise Springs, Texas, longer than it takes to raise his family’s legendary dancehall from the ashes and settle his mama’s will. After that, he’ll be out of there before anyone can replay his troubled past like the jukebox’s favorite sad, country song. But his plans are stomped into dust when someone in town contests the will. Now, Dawson can’t leave until he finds out who and stops them from getting what he and his siblings are owed. Unfortunately, there’s one problem. No one in town is willing to give the meanest Hennessy Hooligan the time of day. Except Magnolia Hastings. Magnolia is pink sunshine and nonstop chatter that can get information out of a fencepost . . . and kisses out of a disillusioned hooligan. She’s exactly what Dawson needs to crack this case. He just doesn’t plan on her also cracking the walls around his battered heart.

Magnolia’s only in town for the summer to run her uncle’s quaint bookstore, Time To Read, where the nooks are cozy, the numerous clocks chime on the hour, and the shelves smell like possibilities. After years of trying on “callings” that never quite fit, she finally discovers one that does: helping people find their next perfect book. Most of the townsfolk welcome her help. Dawson Hennessy? Not so much. He might look like Michelangelo’s David carved out of Texas sunshine, but he’s grouchy, sharp-tongued, and determined to stay miserable. Good thing Magnolia isn’t looking for love. After watching true love wreck her daddy, she doesn’t believe in the silly soulmate myth. But when Dawson turns out to be more sweet boy than bad boy—when the grump slips and his kind heart shines through—Magnolia agrees to help him discover who is contesting his mama’s will. Soon they’re chasing rumors, stirring up secrets, and setting off way too many sparks for two people who swear they’re fine on their own. And if they’re not careful, saving Honky Tonk Heaven won’t be the only thing they pull off. They might just end up with the kind of love that turns two stubborn skeptics into true believers.