⭐⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? Yes. Hazel and Tucker bonded over poignant memories of loss and love, growing beyond two people who were mostly motivated by hurt and self-doubt.

Some love stories don’t stay buried, no matter how far you run. Hazel Pierce has three goals for coming back to Star Falls: Help her estranged dad. Keep things strictly temporary. Absolutely, under no circumstances, fall for Tucker Colburn again. That plan dies a dramatic, soggy death when a rogue wasp sting sends Hazel swerving off the road and into the river—only to be hauled out, half-drowned and furious, by the Star Falls Fire Department’s finest. Unfortunately, “finest” is ex–best friend, ex–one-night mistake, and the man she’s been avoiding for a decade. Tucker’s always had a way of getting into her head. And now between a family that thrives on gossip and a town that’s way too small for all this chemistry, Hazel’s running out of ways to avoid the truth. As sparks turn into late-night confessions and slow, toe-curling kisses, Hazel has to decide if she’s done running—from her past, from this town, and from the only man who’s ever made her feel like home. And Tucker has to prove that this time, he’s not just her safe place to crash—he’s her always.

MY THOUGHTS

Love had never been the problem for Hazel and Tucker. They loved each other plenty enough and that love endured through their abrupt and traumatizing separation, it was just hidden very well. The attraction between them was still very much alive and led to some very interesting and amusing interactions.

Making life-changing decisions as a young adult is difficult enough, but I imagine it’s even harder when you don’t have a stable support base to help you through it. Hazel carried so much pain on her own, not trusting anyone with her thoughts and feelings. Tucker was still trying to reconcile his dad with the man he grew up with and all the baggage that came with his childhood. The years apart only exacerbated all their fears and insecurities. It was painful and sometimes frustrating to see them both struggle with their place in the world and what they felt they deserved.

Hazel and Tucker, and the other fabulous characters, had a wonderfully engaging dynamic between them filled with emotion and fun banter. I can highly recommend this book, and the entire series, if you like a second chance romance with complicated families, redemption, and the healing power of love. Each book in the series stands well on its own.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Were you hooked by that book? Let me know in the comments below.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: July 16, 2026
Sensuality Rating: Hot
Series: Book 3 of Colburn Brothers
Other books in the series: He Falls First, Free Falling