Eve Maguire is a cop in Paradise Pines, California, and has her hands full with an arsonist on the loose prior to the mayor’s race. After her cheating ex, Pauline, left her heart in tatters a few years ago, Eve has no room for another relationship. However, following a visit to her Aunt near San Francisco, Eve stops by a bar on her way home and is instantly drawn to a stranger as they flirt and experience some serious chemistry.

Shaye Hayden is a librarian who has returned home to Paradise Pines after about twenty years to face her past and also to help her aging mother. Priot to arriving back in town Shaye kissed a stranger outside a bar near San Francisco and is now surprised to see said stranger in Paradise Pines.

The book was an interesting read about family pasts, emotional trauma, and trying to set those things aside after many years. I do think that some parts of the narrative were repeated several times over and over which became tedious. However, I did enjoy the inclusion of crime dog McGruff into the story and the healing of lives theme. The whodunnit arson story also made sense given the background information presented. 3.5 stars

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It's mayoral election time in Paradise. Someone is setting fires to send a message, but who is it?
There are 3 candidates - the current mayor, a newbie and Pauline who happens to be Eve's ex.

Who is Eve? Just the Chief of Police tasked with solving the arson case! And if Pauline is elected she's going to sack Eve.

As luck would have it Eve has met the new librarian Shaye. Shaye has just returned to town to try and put her past behind her so she can move on. They have chemistry but Shaye is extremely anti cop (she has her reasons).
They both have a whole set of baggage to contend with but they are trying to see if they can make it.

It is an interesting read - you delve into their respective emotional baggage and how that is affecting the decisions they are making while trying to solve the case, move on in life and keep safe.

There is of course an epilogue set 2 years after the main story shows them getting on with life in town.

This is a story where there were so many things that could go wrong for them as their stories became entwined. When you look at the incidence of tragic backstories it makes you wonder of having your parents die in an accident during childhood isn't part of the 'diagnostic criteria' for fictional lesbians.
I enjoyed this and certainly recommend it.

This was a nice read. The author described the characters well, and the chemistry between the two MC’s was believable and sexy. There was some soft spice, and the McGruff addition was wonderful. I look forward to reading more from this author.

A romantic story about two women who must overcome their fears and prejudices to find true love.
Eve is the town's Chief of police and was burned by her Ex, who is running for mayor in her town.
That's not the only problem burning in her world.
There's a lot of arson going on and the current mayor is pressuring her to find the arsonist.
Shaye is back in town, hates police officers and needs a fresh start.
But before that, both have a spontaneous and unexpected hot encounter.
Both are strangers to each other at this point.
That will change quickly...but the drama unfolds and is inevitable.
The topic of arson is of course the focus, as is the election and the Ex! That was a bit too much for me personally.

You can't get enough of McGruff! I love this little howler!
Both MCs were sweet, likable and rightly cautious.
No wonder given their experiences and past.
Otherwise, it was an easy-to-read story with a lot of heart and sweet moments!
Thanks very much to Bold Strokes Books and the Author for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this ~ great characters, good storytelling, and a dog. What more do you need?

Eve is the Chief of Police in Paradise and has several problems ~ including a nasty ex-girlfriend. Shaye moves to Paradise to become the new Librarian and reconnect with her mother. Eve resents Shaye taking up valuable space in her small police station and Shaye hates cops…

Add in McGruff the ugliest dog in the world who somehow contrives to have Eve have an incredible kiss in a car park with a stranger…

There’s a lot going on in the plotting and Ms Underwood handles it very well. Might be a little heavy on the cliche tropes but I didn’t care as this is an entertaining, light hearted read. I’ll certainly check out others by this author.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

I enjoyed to read this book about later in life love between the chief of police Eve and the cop hating librarian Shaye. A lot of things happening with the arsons, exes and relatives but overall the focus is on their growing attraction that finally moves to love after working through a lot of things together. I absolutely adored the addition of the dog McGruff. I think the book was a bit on the long side with the plot it had but overall a book I can recommend.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

eve was chief of police of paradise
shaye was returning to paradise to take over as librarian and to sort out family history

neither was looking but they both were at the same bar on the same night where they shared a kiss.... a kiss neither could forget....

shaye didnt want anything to do with police and here was the woman who she shared an amazing kiss with and not only that she was chief of police it was not good

but with arson and an attack on shaye there was nothing for it but for shaye to move in with eve until the investigation was over and an arrest could be made...

it was an entertaining read that kept you glued right to the end... never saw the perp being who it was either...

looking forward to the next book by this author

Chief of police Shaye has a lot to be concerned about including losing her job if her ex becomes the new mayor. But there’s also an arsonist, a dog that was dumped and potential new girlfriend. How is she going to squeeze it all in.
Eve is now the town librarian and thanks to the arsonist the make shift library is now located inside the police station. Very near to the woman she kissed at a bar.
Things are complicated and steamy along with a dose of pure laughs from McGruff “Mac” Maguire Shaye’s new police canine who loves to intimidate with his growling.

This is an enjoyable read that I recommend.