Inheriting her aunt's historic beachfront hotel should have been Vanessa Lewis's chance at a fresh start. But returning to Isabel Island means facing two ghosts from her past—her aunt's legacy, and Wesley Anders, her childhood best friend who broke her heart fifteen years ago.

Now a decorated Marine Captain, Wesley is temporarily stationed at the local base, and he's just as infuriatingly handsome as he was the summer everything she thought she knew about their friendship changed. Between his offer to help renovate the hotel and their undeniable chemistry, Vanessa finds herself falling back into old patterns. But Cape Isabel isn't the sleepy beach town of their childhood. With greedy developers circling and a military expansion threatening the community, she'll need more than just determination to save her aunt's legacy.

As they work together to restore the old property, memories of secret coves and stolen moments resurface, their connection deeper than ever. But with Wesley's temporary orders coming to an end and pressure mounting from developers who want to bulldoze her dreams, Vanessa must decide if building a life on Isabel Island means risking her heart one last time.

A steamy, small-town romance featuring childhood friends, second chances, and the tight-knit island community that brings them together. Perfect for readers who love military heroes, coastal settings, and slow-burn romance that ignites into fire.

Contains mild language and open-door intimacy.