Starting Over on Sunshine Corner

A single mother and her best friend navigate the changes in their relationship when she becomes pregnant with his child in Mills’s bighearted third Sunshine Corner novel (after A Wedding on Sunshine Corner). Becca Hayes, mom to four-year-old Sofia, has built a successful life in her home-town of Heart’s Hope Bay, Ore., despite the small town’s vicious rumor mill. Raising Sofia combined with the townsfolk’s constant scrutiny has made her love life a ghost town, so, while attending a wedding with her longtime best friend, carefree surfer dude Jackson Lowe, she asks him for a no-strings-attached hookup to help get her groove back. Jackson’s been pining for Becca and agrees—but transitioning back to friendship after crossing that line proves hard. When Becca discovers that she’s pregnant, Jackson promises to support her and their child every step of the way and sets out to prove that he’s ready for the responsibility of parenthood—and worthy of her heart. Mills enhances the classic friends-to-lovers plot with authentic characters who take big emotional risks. The result is a charming small-town tale that will delight series fans and new readers alike. Agent: Emily Sylvan Kim, Prospect Agency. (Feb.)