She’s a romance author with a secret: she has no romantic experience.
Rhiannon James’ anxiety makes dating excruciating. The angst that comes along with first dates keeps her from going on any, but it also keeps her from finding the one thing she’s always wanted—true love. After making a career out of writing romance novels, Rhia is on the hunt for her own happily ever after.
Inspired by a challenge from her therapist, Rhia decides to go on five first dates as a form of exposure therapy. Each date is increasingly disastrous, and her only saving grace is Cole—the hot bartender at Marty’s Tavern who laughs with Rhia about how horrible her suitors are and saves her from the creeps.
When Cole suggests Rhia go on a first date with him, she agrees in order to fulfill her challenge. It turns out to be the best night of her life, but Cole is a flirtatious player, and Rhia doesn’t believe he’d ever be looking for the kind of love that she is. She writes off the date as a one time thing, but Cole isn’t so quick to dismiss their connection. He’s determined to show Rhia how fun dating can be, and Rhia finds ways to help Cole battle his own demons.
Their blossoming relationship begs the question: can two people who are so different find fulfillment in a relationship? Or is it just something you imagine happening in another life?
This book contains This book contains mentions of anxiety, including panic attacks (on page), C-PTSD, poverty (in past), parental death (in past), house fire (in past) and pyrophobia, unexpected pregnancy (not the MC), allusions to abortion and miscarriage.