Romance novelist Kassidy Monroe doesn't believe in happily-ever-afters anymore—at least not for herself. After her ex called her "too predictable" and her writing "formulaic," she's blocked, bitter, and questioning everything. A writer's retreat in coastal Tidehaven is supposed to fix that. What it's not supposed to include? A grumpy-turned-charming former Navy SEAL who keeps interrupting her misery with his inconvenient competence and even more inconvenient smile. Tucker Brennan thought babysitting writers would be his easiest assignment since joining Salt & Steel Security Group. Then he meets Kassidy—all sharp edges and guarded heart, muttering dialogue to herself on the beach like it's perfectly normal. He's intrigued. Then fascinated. Then completely gone. When a hurricane forces an evacuation and they end up sharing the last available room (and its one very large bed), Kassidy's carefully constructed walls don't stand a chance. Tucker's patient, protective, and reads romance novels. He quotes her favorite authors. He thinks her organizational spreadsheets are cute. And he's looking at her like she's the only story that matters. But Kassidy's spent three months convincing herself she's better off alone. Tucker's spent six months trying to figure out who he is outside the military. They're both works in progress, living in neighboring chapters. Good thing Tucker learned patience in the SEALs. And Kassidy? She's about to discover that the best love stories are the ones you never see coming—especially when they're happening to you.