A talented baker and a small-town sheriff forced into a fake relationship decide whether to take a chance on love in this delectable romance from Joy Avery. Baker extraordinaire Rylee Harris has a recipe for everything--except love. It's been five years since she lost her husband, but romance is still a struggle for Rylee. In her small hamlet of Honey Hill, North Carolina, Rylee knows she'll be the talk of the town when she finds someone new. To ease her mother's worries about her love life, Rylee impulsively invents a fake relationship with the only man who's caught her eye: the town sheriff, Canten Barnes. It's supposed to be a secret, but secrets don't last long in Honey Hill. One bit of gossip leads to another, and soon the whole town thinks Rylee and Canten are an item. As Rylee and Canten embark on a make-believe relationship to save face, they slowly realize that their feelings for each other aren't fake at all. Can Rylee and Canten keep the charade going--or will the town's prized baker and respected lawman take a real chance on love?
Joy Avery Books
Joy Avery crafts characters whose romantic journeys invariably lead to happily ever after. From a young age, she discovered a passion for love stories, which ignited her desire to pen her own tales of enduring affection. Her novels are celebrated for their authentic characters and relatable journeys, immersing readers in the experience of genuine love. Avery's writing is infused with sincerity and a hopeful outlook.


A devoted small-town mayor confronts an old flame over the fate of a historic inn in this delightful romance from author Joy Avery. Honeybees, history, and small-town charm are what Honey Hill, North Carolina, is all about. Its mayor, Lunden Pierce, will stop at nothing to protect the town's historical landmarks and distinctive character. She's Honey Hill's greatest champion. But everything changes when Lunden's childhood sweetheart, Quade Cannon, returns to town. Though Quade has fond memories of his summers in Honey Hill, he has no use for the historic inn he's inherited--or the honeybees living in its yard. His plan is to sell the inn and reap the rewards. For Lunden, though, the threat to Honey Hill's history means war. Determined to change Quade's mind, she immerses him in the town's charm and its honeybee culture. But while he's falling for Honey Hill, he falls for Lunden, too--and the feeling is mutual. As their summer romance heats up, Lunden has a choice to make: the town she loves or the man who threatens to change it.