Seraphina Dawson always knew exactly how her life would pan out—at least she thought she did. When the man she thought she would marry betrays her in the worst possible way, Sera’s stone cold exterior hardens tenfold and her guards go up. Despite swearing off men for good, her mother can’t help but pressure her to move on with her life. Enter a six-foot-four British chef who calls her kitten. Paxton James has never been one to follow the rules. He dreams first and plans second, which is exactly how he ended up in Ivory Lake. From the moment they meet, Seraphina intrigues him. There’s something about her mysterious and blunt personality that draws him in. When Seraphina has a run in with her ex-fiancé, she panics and introduces Paxton as her boyfriend and it sparks an idea: a fake dating arrangement that is advantageous for the both of them. Over time, the two share moments that are very real and raw—making the situation much less black-and-white. Paxton has always followed his heart, but will his love be enough to unravel Sera?