The Fall Back Plan

Jolie McGraw returns to Harvest Hollow ten years after leaving, ready to open a new bar and prove she is no longer the timid girl everyone remembers. Her plans hit a snag right away when the local sheriff names her as a prime suspect in an absurd town incident. Even worse, the man wearing the badge is Lucas Cole, the former high school troublemaker she used to tutor in math. Jolie tries to keep her distance from him, but everything changes when she meets the young niece Lucas is raising on his own. Seeing a lot of her younger self in the girl, Jolie agrees to help mentor her, forcing her into close contact with the one guy she wanted to avoid. The story balances playful small-town banter with an enemies-to-lovers dynamic and a light community mystery. Watching Jolie bond with Lucas's niece adds genuine warmth to the growing attraction between two people who used to be polar opposites. The romance is strictly clean and closed door, offering sweet chemistry and plenty of swoon without any explicit spice. It is a great match for readers who love autumn small-town settings, reformed bad boy heroes, and uplifting contemporary rom-coms.