This was my first book by Lyonne Riley, and I absolutely LOVED it. After being forced to take time off work, Maisie books a month-long getaway in the charming (and slightly monsterous) town of Hallow’s Cove. She soon meets her grumpy landlord, Barnaby, and decides to sunshine his grumpiness away—with heartwarming results.

Watching Barnaby slowly realize he could have happiness in his life thanks to Maisie was a joy. The way she accepted him, monster and all, gave me all the warm and fuzzies. Their chemistry felt real, and their banter was delightful.

The setting of Hallow’s Cove added so much to the story. From its quirky small-town vibe to the hints of paranormal intrigue, it felt like the perfect backdrop for Maisie and Barnaby’s story.

I will say there were a few details that felt unresolved by the end. For example, the myster of Barnaby's past. However, since this is the first book in a new series, I’m hopeful these threads will be picked up in future installments.

Overall, this was a sweet and satisfying read, and I can’t wait to see what happens next in Hallow’s Cove!