Gemini James didn't come to Barren Hill looking for a man—especially not one with a growly voice, calloused hands, and a grudge against flip-flops.

After a brutal year—divorce, career burnout, and a birthday that tastes like failure—Gemini needs space to breathe, not a bearded bartender with dirty hands and even dirtier thoughts. But when a misstep on a hiking trail leaves her stranded in a ravine, her reluctant rescuer is none other than Finn McKay, owner of the barely-breathing local bar, The Old Lady.

Finn's already lost too much to let go of the last thing his father built. He doesn't need help. He doesn't need a city girl with a snarky attitude and yoga pants that should be illegal. And he definitely doesn't need the way she looks at him like she sees right past the bark to the soft underbelly he's tried to keep hidden.

But Gemini has ideas. Big ones. Ideas that could save the bar, and ruin his peace.

What starts as a vacation fling turns into something neither of them expected. Between renovation mishaps, lakeside whiskey kisses, and one unforgettable foot massage, Gemini and Finn find themselves tangled in more than just barstool banter. The chemistry is hot, the talk is filthy, and the heartache waiting at the end of her vacation might be more than either of them can take.

He's grumpy. She's sunshine. He thinks he's broken. She knows she is.

And sometimes, the best thing you can do with a broken heart... is pour another round.

Beard on Tap is a steamy small-town romance featuring a fiercely capable older heroine, a growly blue-collar hero with a soft spot he doesn't want you to find, dirty talk that will ruin you, and a bar full of second chances. Perfect for fans of grumpy/sunshine, found family, and stories where she saves him right back.