Book #1 in the Nine Lives Club Romance Series—a cozy, small-town romantic comedy with heat, heart, and claws.
Cali Jacobs didn’t move to Autumn Ridge for love. She came for a fresh start—stacks of books, apple cider donuts, fall festivals, and maybe a stray cat curled at her feet.
Then a shaggy Maine Coon with a talent for matchmaking strolls into her life … and right into the arms of Ethan Cross, the infuriatingly handsome construction worker who always seems to be in her way.
Ethan is temporary, just like the City Hall renovation that brought him here. He drinks his coffee black, returns library books late, and somehow always ends up exactly where Cali doesn’t want him to be.
Worst of all? The Maine Coon seems to like him as much as it likes her.Between chaotic rescues, small-town gossip, and the meddling women of the Nine Lives Club book group, Cali’s quiet life begins to unravel in the best possible way. Ethan is steady. Kind. The ultimate cinnamon roll hidden under a construction hat and sawdust.
And he might just be worth risking her carefully guarded heart.
Because sometimes the cat doesn’t just choose its human…
Sometimes it chooses two.
Tropes:
Cali Jacobs didn’t move to Autumn Ridge for love. She came for a fresh start—stacks of books, apple cider donuts, fall festivals, and maybe a stray cat curled at her feet.
Then a shaggy Maine Coon with a talent for matchmaking strolls into her life … and right into the arms of Ethan Cross, the infuriatingly handsome construction worker who always seems to be in her way.
Ethan is temporary, just like the City Hall renovation that brought him here. He drinks his coffee black, returns library books late, and somehow always ends up exactly where Cali doesn’t want him to be.
Worst of all? The Maine Coon seems to like him as much as it likes her.Between chaotic rescues, small-town gossip, and the meddling women of the Nine Lives Club book group, Cali’s quiet life begins to unravel in the best possible way. Ethan is steady. Kind. The ultimate cinnamon roll hidden under a construction hat and sawdust.
And he might just be worth risking her carefully guarded heart.
Because sometimes the cat doesn’t just choose its human…
Sometimes it chooses two.
Tropes:
- Autumn small-town romance
Slow-burn chemistry
Steamy, open-door spice
Cinnamon roll hero
Cat-assisted matchmaking
Found family
This feel-good contemporary romance is a complete standalone with a happily-ever-after—and the first visit to Autumn Ridge.
‘This was such a warm, thoughtful, emotionally grounded romance—and easily a 5⭐ shelf trophy for me.’ ⭐��⭐⭐⭐ — Goodreads reviewer
‘Cats, a library, and a tattooed guy? Sign me up.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Goodreads reviewer
‘The writing is very sensory rich—I can smell Autumn Ridge, I can hear the purrs.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Goodreads reviewer
'''Peak cozy found-family goodness.’ ⭐��⭐⭐ — Goodreads reviewer
‘I can’t wait for the next one.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Goodreads reviewer
Genre: Romance
Used availability for Hazel Mayes's Love at First Scratch