Some scars are invisible. Some wounds never fully heal. But love has a way of mending even the deepest fractures.
Harper never thought she’d escape. After twelve years trapped in an abusive relationship, she finally finds the courage to run–landing in the small, welcoming town of Brookhaven, with her ten-year-old son, Connor. With a fresh start and a job at the local bakery, she’s determined to rebuild her life. Romance? That’s not on the table. Until she meets Ryan.
Ryan has spent the last year hiding in Brookhaven, trying to outrun the ghosts of his past. As an ex-NHL enforcer with a reputation for being ruthless on the ice, he knows better than to hope for something good. Especially with someone as strong, kind, and breathtaking as Harper. She deserves more than a broken man like him.
But no matter how hard they fight it, the pull between them is undeniable. Their late-night confessions turn into something deeper. Something real. And just as Ryan begins to believe he might finally deserve happiness, the past comes knocking–threatening to destroy the fragile life they’ve built.
With old wounds reopened, and trust shattered, Harper and Ryan must decide if love is worth the risk. Because the hardest battles aren’t fought on the ice or in the past–they’re fought for the future.