King Brothers (Ras)

The best-laid plans are the most fun to break. After years of disappointing her parents, Emberleigh Hayes has finally worked up the courage to run from the man and the life they chose for her (well, not actually run-southern ladies do not sweat). Together with her best friend Ivy, she's armed with a foolproof plan: Step 1: Rein in the awkward. Step 2: Find a job. Step 3: (The most important of all) Under no circumstances let her hopeless romantic heart catch feelings . . . again. Things are going swimmingly-except for one tiny hitch from her past-but then there's Colton King. Ember knows that her new chisel-jawed employer is potentially leaving town and definitely off-limits, so it doesn't matter that her insides flutter when he's around. The man is basically a relationship tsunami warning. But it turns out there's more to Colton than his sexy surface, and he's determined to get Ember to see it . . . even if it means teaching her that it's okay to change her plans.

A white lie. A secret boyfriend. And a house with a mystery . . . Second-grade teacher Ivy Marsh hits rock bottom when she finds herself homeless and secretly living in her car. When her Gran gifts her a run-down house, Ivy gets a shot at a fresh start. Determined not to disappoint her Gran, Ivy moves in and tackles the renovations herself. Enter Ethan King-adventure-seeking contractor, flirtatious life of the party, and future brother-in-law to Ivy's best friend. Once he gets roped into helping with Ivy's fixer-upper, Ethan's playful charm turns insufferably bossy whenever she's around. Their constant bickering heats up as they uncover the house's decades-old secrets together. Ethan is determined to show Ivy she's capable of more than she realizes, But Ivy fears disappointing her Gran and letting her life unravel even further. As tempting as Ethan's promises sound, the walls around her heart threaten to keep her from taking risks and building their happily ever after.