Tropes: Small Town, Friends to Lovers, He Falls First
Sworn Off Relationships, Cinnamon Roll Hero
Release Date: April 14, 2026
BLURB
Cade
When it comes to women, keeping things casual is my forte. What can I say, I like to live life to its fullest. Then I spot the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen at The Tipsy Lizard, and I know I need to get to know her. Like a moth to a flame, I’m drawn. The only issue is, she’s dating someone else.
So, the only choice I have is to give Oaklee my number and tell her to use it when she’s single.
To my surprise, that phone call came sooner than I expected. She’s just getting out of a relationship and isn’t looking for anything serious, which is right up my alley. Spending time with her isn’t a hardship, and sending little gifts to her office to say hello is a lot more fun than I would have imagined.
The problem is, I’m not sure I can keep her safely in the friend zone much longer.
Oaklee
Relocating to a small town was exactly what I needed. However, from the moment I arrived in Cooper Town, everything seemed to snowball. The jerk I was dating decided to cheat, leaving me in a new place with a new job and a support system of one to lean on.
Meeting Cade at a bar turned out to be more than just a casual happenstance.
Being around him is easy. He’s gorgeous, charismatic, fun, and always sends me little things to let me know he’s thinking of me. When I have to start working beside my ex, Cade kicks it into overdrive, showing me exactly how easy it could be to fall for a guy like him. Too bad he’s not looking for forever. Cade only wants right now.
Suddenly, my easiest hello might be my hardest goodbye.
USA Today Bestselling Author Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading, writing, and shopping. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and three rowdy chickens.
Even though Cade would like to find the woman he wants to spend his life with until then he is happy being single. When he meets Oaklee he can’t deny his attraction to her but isn’t about to come between her and her boyfriend so instead he suggests her to contact him if she is single.
Oaklee is more committed to her boyfriend than he is to her as evidenced by her moving to Cooper Town to be close to him only to find out he hasn’t been faithful. This gives her an opportunity to spend time with Cade and even though neither was looking for anything serious she can’t deny how special he makes her feel.
Cade is swoony as he shows Oaklee how she deserves to be treated and the romance between them is touching and incorporates humor and all the feels.
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