I returned to Arborside to transform the old candy shop on the pier into my dream bakery and cafe. Little did I know, a surprise awaited me.

Jonathan Colt, a high school classmate. His presence makes me catch my breath. He is a tall, rugged, handsome billionaire and the town’s handyman to boot!

Despite his quiet life, content with routines and fatherhood, his arrogance and stubbornness pose a challenge.

As we work together cleaning and remodeling the bakery, each brush stroke and tile placed reveals glimpses of his desire for connection. Shared glances and smiles make my heart melt, and his son’s laughter begins to feel like home.

Jonathan remains a mystery because of the tragic loss of his wife and protective instincts for his son.

Balancing fatherhood and business seems to shelter him from the world.

Can I help him overcome the pain and loneliness of his loss? As our lives intertwine, will we grow closer and find love before fate dares to drive us apart?

~Standalone~

This is a clean, sweet romance with either closed doors or fade to black scenes. Kisses might be involved 🙂

Title:  Hearts Collide in Arborside
Series:  ~Standalone~
Author:  Janet  Varity
Published:  April 4, 2025
My Rating:  4 stars

Hearts Collide in Arborside is (at this time) a standalone, sweet romance with an enemies-to-lovers, insta-love vibe.  I could easily see this as a prequel to a series, and although it’s a quick novella-length story, I was drawn in from the start and wouldn’t mind revisiting this lovely coastal town.

Because this is a very quick reading experience, I’m going to direct you to the book blurb description to see if this book would interest you… No sense in telling the story here at all.  I found Hearts Collide in Arborside to be a fun, entertaining romance with characters I enjoyed.  One little boy will steal every single scene he’s in with his laughter and cuteness.  For me, personally, the divide between enemies and suddenly being in love was very sudden.  The romance was still lovely, don’t misunderstand, I would have enjoyed a bit of seeing that love overtaking the “enemies” part of the romance… but also understand, in such a short story, there wasn’t a lot of room for it.  Simply an observation of my own preferences, it didn’t take away my enjoyment of the story, more like a little “Hmmm, that was fast” moment.

If you’re looking for a short, sweet romance you could devour over a lunch break, then you’d love this one.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review, giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon (affiliate link)