Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother asks her to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance.

Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man hired to renovate the house. Kate can’t help being attracted to him, drawn by both his good looks and something else she can’t quite put her finger on. He’s clearly wounded–hiding from people, from God, and from his past. Yet Kate sets her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back into the light… whether he likes it or not.

When the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and Matt slowly shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her heart? Or will Kate be required to give up more than she ever dreamed?

This was my first time reading a Becky Wade book, and I absolutely loved it. The writing was clear and easy to follow, with just the right amount of depth and emotion, without any overly flowery prose. I completely fell in love with Matt and Kate and didn’t want their story to end.

I adored the small-town atmosphere and the cozy feeling this book gave me, especially while reading it in the fall. It’s the perfect read for the autumn season, and the descriptive details really brought it to life.

I also loved getting to know the side characters, especially the group of senior friends. They added some truly funny and heartwarming moments that made the story even more enjoyable.

I appreciated the gentle faith elements woven into the story, with characters discussing God, trusting His plan, and seeking His guidance. Themes of grief, loss, and death were also explored, along with the importance of forgiveness—both of others and of oneself. At its core, the story was about having faith and trusting in God’s plan.

The romance in this book was a slow burn, but it was absolutely worth it. This isn’t just a surface-level romance or romcom. While there are some light-hearted and funny moments, the story delves deeper into both Kate and Matt’s lives. Their emotions are raw and authentic, and we get to explore their pasts, how those experiences shape them in the present, and why they interact the way they do. I loved watching these two lovable characters grow and evolve, and the character development throughout was fantastic.

This is a sweet, clean romance without any spice or profanity, making it all the more heartwarming.

It’s easily one of my favorite romances of the year. The story truly captured my heart, and though I wish there were more books about this couple, it’s a standalone. I absolutely fell in love with this book and highly recommend it. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

**This book is part of a fall romance real-time reaction episode, which you can listen to here.