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What drew me to this novel was the fact that the main character is librarian which is what I have wanted to be my entire life. A romance novel involving a librarian falling in love, sign me up! After reading this book, there is much more to than the romance which was wonderful to see the different layers involved within the storyline. Yes, it is about love but it is also about character’s coming to terms with things that have happened in the past and working towards discovering that love even after something traumatic happened is still possible. This book ties together personal connections for me like having the female protagonist be a librarian as well as having it take place in Connecticut with a heartfelt journey of two people figuring out their own personal issues with their pasts while finding one another in the most surprising of ways. I would like to note that if sexual assault is a topic that you particularly don’t like reading about or is a trigger for you, I suggest you cautiously consider reading this as I would hate for someone to have a negative experience reading this book.

Veronica Sussingham has been a librarian for the past 20 years of her life, living a simple yet fulfilling life in the town of Northbridge, Connecticut. Her desire to pursue a romantic relationship that eclipses her control is something that she is not interested in ever since she was sexually assaulted by someone she thought was a good person back in college. Now she is a relationship her sister deems is “safe” where any control in the bedroom is given to her. Of course, there is the man she has been emailing with the last 6 months that makes her feel like she once did before the assault happened. Little does she know that even though they decided not to use their real names, life or even fate will have its way of having their paths cross beyond the realms of the Internet.

Trent Davison is making a change with his life something which holds a lot of importance deep down given the changes and the recovery he has gone through after going to rehab three years ago. Though you don’t know why he went to rehab, you can get the sense that Trent is trying to mend the mistakes he made before he made the decision to get help. The newest change being that he is joining his brother in his new business managing a vineyard. This decision causes him to uproot his life to the small town of Northbridge, Connecticut (coincidence, or fate lol) from the city life of Hartford. It is there that his life will change once again when his brief chance encounter in an elevator with a beautiful brunette turns out to be much more.

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This kiss. Oh, this heavenly kiss. Veronica patted herself on the back for pushing aside her first instinct to remove Jim’s hands from her waist in a public place. The way he’d whispered “sexy” drove a warm blast straight to the core of her belly.

This time when they kissed, his mouth molded perfectly to hers, not his usual awkward preamble. He was strong and demanding, yet not too pushy. His relaxed lips lulled her into a quick surrender, a surrender she strangely didn’t mind at all.

His hand slipped to the back of her head, and she sighed into his mouth, wishing this kiss would never end. Slowly and surely, however, he pulled away, but she kept her eyes closed, clinging to the sensation a few seconds longer as his breath landed near her ear.

“God, baby,” he said, low and husky. “I can’t wait to get out of here with you later.”

Not. Jim’s. Voice.

Her eyes flashed open. She slapped her palms to the stranger’s chest, pushed him away. “What the hell!”

He stumbled back a few steps, his mouth agape and brows furrowed. “You’re not Angie.”

“Well, you’re not Jim! How dare you touch—”

“Calm down. I thought you were my date.” He blinked a few times. “Hey, I know you. From—”

“The elevator.” Her head spun as she stared into his crystal blue eyes. His gaze swept her from head to toe, making his dark lashes flutter. “Thank God you kept your lips to yourself then.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” His smiled dropped. “I’d never do that to a stranger.” With a slight cock of his head, a grin creased his cheeks and he lowered his voice. “Although I’m pretty sure we both enjoyed what just happened.”

Her face burned, as if set on fire. “How dare you suggest that I—”

“Hey! You guys are early.” Sophie entered the bar area, Duncan in tow.

Veronica tried to speak but found herself more flabbergasted when Sophie walked right up to Hotlips and they hugged. “Hi, Trent.”

Veronica pinched herself in a bid to wake from this surreal dream. Before she could gather her bearings, Duncan surrounded her in one of his big bear hugs. “Ronnie, you look beautiful. New dress?”

She blinked, nodded.

Sophie came over and hugged Veronica. “You okay?” she whispered in Veronica’s ear.

“I’m fine. Happy birthday.” From over Sophie’s shoulder, Trent watched them. Veronica narrowed her gaze, but he only grinned, like the devil might if he learned your biggest secret.

Duncan slung an arm around Trent’s shoulders. “I see you’ve met my brother.”

“Yes. I have.” The heat of her cheeks still simmered.

Trent winked in her direction, and a sizzling blast assaulted every inch of her skin.

“Pearls made me feel right at home.”

“Pearl? That’s not my name.”

“Pearls,” he corrected, an extra emphasis on the s. “Like your necklace.”

She reached up and touched the smooth, hard jewels near her collarbone. A few other guests arrived and snagged Sophie and Duncan’s attention. While she clutched the hard beads and tried to digest what just went down, she glanced at Trent. He watched her closely, but a playful twinkle in his eyes suggested the case-of-mistaken-identity kiss hadn’t upset him a bit.