Well, this book is about Jesse, the eldest Pleasant brother, and is also the Beauty and the Beast retelling so it's no surprise that it's probably my favourite.

Jesse Pleasant is the strong, silent type, with an undercurrent of "the secret is I'm always angry" Hulk in him. When he walks into his grandmother's house to find her in flagrante with her new beau, his temper gets the better of him, and his menace leads to said new beau injuring himself. Cue Lily-Grace, whose father is the beau in question. She's recently back in town after her tech job imploded because she called out sexual harassment, and to add insult to injury, her boyfriend didn't support her in it. So she's already primed, and Jesse's actions just turn on the nozzle of anger. But their mutual anger is a sign of sparks in other ways, and after understanding each other better and making amends about past hurts, they initiate a li'l quid pro quo: Jesse will help Lily-Grace learn to swim, and Lily-Grace will help Jesse learn to...well, you know. As you might imagine, feelings develop, and sweetness ensues.

This is such a great example of how you can have a romance with external conflict that doesn't involve a third act breakup for stupid reasons, and I am here for it. Perhaps it's because Jesse starts therapy after Lily-Grace's father gets injured, but they just are so good at communicating and being open, like grown-ass adults, and it's refreshing to see. Jesse has a layer of anger, but he starts unpacking that in therapy and addressing it, and he's also just so vulnerable despite having been hurt in the past. I always appreciate representations of people in their 30s and 40s who are not as experienced, especially when it presents an opportunity to have a "teach me" scenario. And you know what, even though it makes me very jealous, I also love to see people with money spoil each other with extravagant gifts. The gift-giving was the result of a conversation about love languages, but it wasn't the depth of their expressions of love for each other. Jesse conquering his decades-long fear of horses to get back in the saddle so he can go on trail rides with Lily-Grace warmed my shriveled little heart. The pacing towards the end was a bit abrupt for me, but overall, this was so wonderful and lovely. I continue to adore Rebekah Weatherspoon and everything she writes.

Additionally, give me Lilah and Doc's romance pronto, please.

Content warnings for discussion of past sexual harassment