Longing for the Renegade
(2026)(The fifth book in the Renegades of Clearwater County series)
A novel by Bonnie R Paulson
He never noticed the quiet florist next door — until the whole town suddenly did.
Roz Smythe has loved Killian Bailey her whole life, silently, from behind the counter of her little flower shop — close enough to be his friend, never close enough to be more. She’s the one he talks to, leans on, never once looks at twice. And she’s made her peace with it. Almost.
Killian Bailey doesn’t know what’s changed. All he knows is that the girl he’s counted on for years has started to take his breath away — and half the county has noticed her at the same time. Now the one woman who was always just there is slipping out of reach, and Killian is realizing, far too late, that the best thing in his life was standing right beside him the whole time.
Some love stories aren’t about falling. They’re about finally opening your eyes. And a Bailey who waited too long will have to fight for the Smythe who never stopped waiting for him.
A slow-burn, best-friends, glow-up romance that will absolutely wreck you (in the best way). Sweet and clean.
best friends to lovers * unrequited love * glow-up * the girl next door * slow burn * clean & sweet
Genre: Romance
Roz Smythe has loved Killian Bailey her whole life, silently, from behind the counter of her little flower shop — close enough to be his friend, never close enough to be more. She’s the one he talks to, leans on, never once looks at twice. And she’s made her peace with it. Almost.
Killian Bailey doesn’t know what’s changed. All he knows is that the girl he’s counted on for years has started to take his breath away — and half the county has noticed her at the same time. Now the one woman who was always just there is slipping out of reach, and Killian is realizing, far too late, that the best thing in his life was standing right beside him the whole time.
Some love stories aren’t about falling. They’re about finally opening your eyes. And a Bailey who waited too long will have to fight for the Smythe who never stopped waiting for him.
A slow-burn, best-friends, glow-up romance that will absolutely wreck you (in the best way). Sweet and clean.
best friends to lovers * unrequited love * glow-up * the girl next door * slow burn * clean & sweet
Genre: Romance