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High-powered New York book editor Laurel Sullivan returns to her small hometown of Apple Valley to care for her injured father. There, she is forced to confront her past in the form of Will Redmond, her high school sweetheart turned bestselling author, who famously fictionalized their painful breakup in his debut novel. As they are thrust together to co-host a local writers' retreat, the creative chemistry that once defined their youth reignites, forcing them to navigate fifteen years of resentment and unspoken words. Against the backdrop of a charming autumn festival season, Laurel must choose between the prestigious career she built in the city and a unexpected second chance at love. This evocative romance explores the courage required to forgive, the weight of professional ambition, and the profound realization that home is often found in the people who truly see us. Comparable works include Beach Read