Building Something Real

'Harper Chen-Williams?'

Harper looked up and forgot how to breathe.

The woman standing before her was beautiful in a way that made Harper's artist brain immediately start cataloguing details. Warm brown skin, dark curly hair pulled back in a practical ponytail, dark eyes that were kind but assessing.

'That's me,' Harper managed.

'I'm Maya. I'll be processing your adoption application for Milo.'

What Harper doesn't expect is for the quiet volunteer at the rescue centre to become the centre of her world. Or for their Tuesday dog walks to become the highlight of her week. Or for Maya's soft smile to make her believe she might actually be capable of staying in one place for the first time in her life.

*

Maya Petersen has built a safe, small life. Her teaching job. Her cosy flat. Her secret children's book manuscript hidden in a drawer for two years. She doesn't take risks. She doesn't put herself out there. She definitely doesn't fall for charismatic women who breeze into rescue centres and adopt scruffy terriers on impulse.

But Harper makes her want to be brave.

When Harper shares her dream of opening a bookshop, Maya finds herself imagining a future she never dared hope for. A business. A partnership. A love worth fighting for.

Building something real means being brave enough to try, even when everything could fall apart.

*

Set in the cosy heart of England, this is a warm, joyful sapphic romance about two women learning that you don't have to build your dreams alone. Featuring a scruffy rescue dog named Milo, the world's most supportive community, and a happily ever after that's worth waiting for.

• Sapphic/Lesbian Romance
• Cosy & Heartwarming
• Bookshop Romance
• Found Family
• Opposites Attract
• Two Mums Representation
• Rescue Dog
• Small Town UK Setting
• No Homophobia/Trauma
• Guaranteed Happy Ending