Make a Wish

A onetime nanny reunites with her former employer in Hunting’s immersive third Spark House contemporary romance (after Starry-Eyed Love). While working for single father Gavin Rhodes to nanny his daughter, Peyton, Harley Spark developed quite a crush. Seven years later, she still harbors embarrassment about attempting to kiss Gavin one night—only for him to respond by abruptly moving away from Colorado Springs. Now 28 and co-running the event hotel that gives the series its name, Harley’s shocked when Gavin and an almost nine-year-old Peyton turn up at Spark House for a birthday party. Gavin’s back in the area to help run his family business and asks Harley out to lunch with him and Peyton to reconnect. Sparks fly, and the pair decide to try dating—but Gavin’s still grieving his wife, who died in childbirth, and feels guilty about moving on. Complicating matters even further is his former mother-in-law’s intense dislike of Harley. Will they be able to make it work with the specters of the past hovering over them? Harley’s genuine joy at being around children—and her affection for Peyton in particular—adds to her appeal, and the slow-burning romance between her and Gavin keeps the pages flying. Readers looking for a fast-paced story about love after loss should snap this up. (Jan.)