The Last to Know

She just needs a little time to work out a come back plan and then she’ll be right back to taking over the real estate world in the big city. Getting fired and losing her home were a setback, sure, but there’s no reason to think she’ll need more than a few weeks to get herself together. After all, Lilac Bay isn’t exactly her favorite place. And the feeling is mutual—at least when it comes to her ex, David Jenkins.

Getting involved with the quirky islanders is not on her agenda, no matter how many fish fries and drunken book clubs her cousin Posey drags her to. She definitely doesn’t have time to help reopen the family restaurant. And mending fences with David, her first love, is absolutely out of the question—even if that means ignoring the spark that’s growing between them.

But the more time Iris spends on Lilac Bay, the harder it is to leave. She’s getting closer with David, getting closer with her family, and suddenly she’s not so sure her old life was as perfect as she always believed it to be. Maybe she’s actually looking for something new, for something more. Maybe she’s looking for love.

And maybe that love is right in front of her.

For as long as she can remember, Riley James has wanted to work in television. And more often than not, Riley gets what she wants. There’s a reason, after all, that she’s considered the most competitive person on Lilac Bay Island. Riley likes to win. 

So when Lilac Bay is chosen to participate in a reality TV show, it’s only natural that Riley leads the charge to bring home a victory for their small town. And who better to help her than her best friend, Andrew? 

As the competition kicks into gear, the stakes for Riley and Andrew get higher. The line between reality and the game isn’t so easy to find. This time the two old friends are playing for keeps. And love might be the ultimate prize. 

***

Cora Hanson’s bar is a Lilac Bay institution. 

And that’s just the way she always wanted it. Nothing makes Cora happier than knowing her friends and neighbors are having a good time at Cora’s Place, the pub she’s poured her heart and soul into. Sure, maybe it gets a little stressful, working as much as she does. And yes, it’s been an awful long time since Cora has made time to date. But what does that matter so long as her bar remains Lilac Bay’s most popular gathering place?

When Owen Nichols shows up with plans to open his own bar, Cora is sure she doesn’t have anything to worry about. There’s no way some outsider can compete with her years of success. There’s only one problem—Cora and Owen have history. And it’s hard to concentrate on beating Owen in business when she can’t seem to forget what it was like to be in his arms.

Cora knows she needs to get her head in the game if she wants to win in this battle of the beer joints. But Owen doesn’t seem to be backing down. And it’s starting to look like it’s not Cora’s customers he’s after—it just might be her heart.

She just needs a little time to work out a come back plan and then she’ll be right back to taking over the real estate world in the big city. Getting fired and losing her home were a setback, sure, but there’s no reason to think she’ll need more than a few weeks to get herself together. After all, Lilac Bay isn’t exactly her favorite place. And the feeling is mutual—at least when it comes to her ex, David Jenkins.

Getting involved with the quirky islanders is not on her agenda, no matter how many fish fries and drunken book clubs her cousin Posey drags her to. She definitely doesn’t have time to help reopen the family restaurant. And mending fences with David, her first love, is absolutely out of the question—even if that means ignoring the spark that’s growing between them.

But the more time Iris spends on Lilac Bay, the harder it is to leave. She’s getting closer with David, getting closer with her family, and suddenly she’s not so sure her old life was as perfect as she always believed it to be. Maybe she’s actually looking for something new, for something more. Maybe she’s looking for love.

And maybe that love is right in front of her.

But then her mother asks me to marry her. 

I say yes. 

Now this woman will be mine forever. 

Maybe the prophecy really is true. I’m committing to a woman that will never love me in return. 

But it was better to be her husband than allow someone else to take my place. It was better to conquer her body every night than be lonely with someone else. 

Much better.