The Lake Effect; 1st in the series.

Chessa Devereaux comes home to Northern Michigan to care for her ailing mother and put a toxic ex-fiancé behind her. She’s left her brick-and-mortar pâtisserie behind, but she hasn’t given up on her dream. From the sun porch of her childhood home, she’s building The Sugar Porch into a catering business of her own.

Veteran Max Novak has built a successful woodworking business and a life that suits him just fine. His marriage ended in betrayal, and he intends to keep his heart intact. Then Chessa arrives with her stubborn optimism, tempting pastries, and a mother every bit as determined to meddle as his own.

Pretending to date should give them both some peace. But as a few convenient coffees turn into something neither wants to miss, Chessa and Max have to decide whether their arrangement is still make-believe.