Her past holds her back. His present lacks inspiration. When fate brings her to the house next door, will these feuding neighbors find an unexpected future?

Rowan Mackey avoids attention. Wounded by burns as a teenager and jaded by dating ever since, she avoids romance or anything that puts her in the spotlight. So, when her boyfriend gives her an unexpected public proposal, she chokes on her answer. Longing to salvage her last hope for love and the comfortable safety Dean offers, Rowan buys the perfect little house to fix things.

The problem is her next-door nemesis, Jack Graham—a best-selling romance writer and unapologetic playboy. He prefers throwing parties and late-night writing tantrums to welcoming his unwanted neighbor. But when clashes with Rowan end his year-long writer's block, he seeks out his reluctant muse under atypical constraints: Neighbor. Engaged. Off-limits.

But boundaries blur with their growing connection. Will Rowan risk her safe life with Dean for the grumpy playboy next door? Will Jack find the inspiration he craves with the one woman he shouldn't?