The Lantern, the Memory, and the Chance We Almost Missed: 7 Clean Romances About Missed Moments, Last Letters, and the Courage to Try Again (Velvet Ink: Gentle Hearts Collection #9)

Love doesn’t always arrive when we expect it—and sometimes, we nearly miss it altogether. In this tender collection of seven clean romances, hearts find their way back through quiet regrets, second chances, and the simple bravery of showing up.

A best friend tries not to fall for the one person who’s always been there. A single mom finds unexpected love during a short stay in a small town. A young woman learns to see her guardian in a new light as their shared grief turns into something softer. In another tale, a man returns home to face the child he never knew—and the woman who waited through the silence. Bastille Day sparks more than fireworks when a traveler and a local cross paths in Paris. A determined designer clashes with a stubborn art director until their late nights shift from deadlines to desire. And a matchmaker finally realizes that the one love she’s been missing is her own.

Whether it’s the letter never sent, the words unspoken, or the moment delayed—each story reminds us that the heart has its own timing.

What if the love you almost missed… is still waiting for you to turn back?