Description

An art restorer longing for family. A widower afraid to love again. A painting that uncovers old secrets—and new hope.

After a lonely, unsettled childhood, Lucia wants what other people take for granted—a home, a family, a future she can count on. What she doesn't want is another man who runs from commitment. But when she meets Guy Martin, she sees tenderness beneath his charming surface, the kind that warns her to keep her heart safe.

Guy has been running ever since his wife's death, burying his grief beneath work and refusing to let anyone close. The last thing he needs is a relationship, but Lucia draws him in with a quiet strength he can't resist. Then a family painting ties them together, unearthing secrets from the past that neither expected.

As attraction deepens into something far more dangerous to their wounded hearts, both must decide whether to keep hiding from the past—or take the leap toward the love and home they've been yearning for all along.

A heartfelt story of second chances, resilience, and the power of love to heal old wounds.

~The Mackenzies series: heartwarming women's fiction with clean romance, unforgettable characters, and the beauty of New Zealand at its heart~

Note: This book was previously published as The Real Thing. This new edition has been revised to remove explicit content and profanity.

—The Mackenzies—
A Place Called Home
Secrets at Parata Bay
Escape to Shelter Springs
What you See in the Stars
Second Chance at Whisper Creek
Summer at the Lakehouse Café

—Lantern Bay—
Yours to Give
Yours to Treasure
Yours to Cherish
Yours to Keep
Yours Forever
Yours to Love

—MacLeod's Cove—
A Second Spring at MacLeod's Cove (prequel to series)
Sanctuary at MacLeod's Cove
The Café at MacLeod's Cove
Second Chapter at MacLeod's Cove