Alive and wells by Bailey Hannah

I know I am late to the Bailey Party but seriously why did no one intervene and let me know exactly how friggin good this book is?!

I love the fmc. I love that her leaving an abusive relationship is shown in all the awful nuances and self doubt and back and forth. All the inner turmoil and ways she convinces herself it’s not that bad. Right? Ngl I cried a lot reading those chapters. I love her sunshine, her tenacity and her character growth. She is strong as hell, learning to be on her own while simultaneously learning it’s okay to rely on others again. The women around her are the kind of women you want on your team and I always love that in books. No pettiness or jealousy. The “I got you” girls.

And speaking of I’ve got you. The MMC. Fuuuuck I love a grumpy man who show don’t tell because he’s battling how much he actually wants her. Who pushes her away because he doesn’t know what else to do and yet still can’t help himself from doing little gestures. The lilacs (iykyk) healed something in me.

The slow burn between the MCs is chefs kiss. Especially with the fmc’s background. And holy crap, when the spice is added to the simmering saucepan? Yes please, and thank you, ma’am.

I just bought all the other books in the series - heard about book 5 with the amnesia trope which I absolutely love but now I want to read all the others first.

And talk to anybody who doesn’t shut me up about how friggin good this book is!

Any other cowboys not cowboys this Scandinavian city girl should add to my tbr?