At forty-one, Melanie Glick has made peace with being perpetually single. She'd rather be alone than be someone's consolation prize. So, she spends her nights tending bar at The Ugly Mug and fills her days writing music, hoping she'll someday find the courage to perform it. Nothing in her life has ever been quite the same since she lost her best friend, Cara, in a tragic accident decades ago, but the music keeps her going. When Cara's brother comes flying into town like a blast from the past, he stirs up old memories, new feelings, and a chance at something she never thought she'd have again. Country music singer Josh Cote hasn't set foot in Cape May since he was sixteen. After he lost his sister, the charming small town has been a constant reminder of all he's lost. But with the 25th anniversary of Cara's death approaching, Josh decides to pass through on a road trip designed to inspire his first solo album. His first stop? The Ugly Mug, where he comes face-to-face with Melanie, his teenage muse. When he spots the tattoo on her wrist in Cara's handwriting, Josh has the overwhelming desire to get to know Melanie, all over again. When Melanie offers Josh a place to stay, it feels impulsive-but their connection is instant, rooted in shared grief and a first love that never died. Neither expects the pull between them to grow stronger each day, as their temporary arrangement deepens into something they can't ignore. But with Josh's looming departure and a long-buried secret casting a shadow over their budding romance, Melanie and Josh must confront the ghosts of their past if they have a chance at a future. Can new love truly heal old wounds, or are some scars too deep to mend?
Binding: Paperback / softback