Second Bloom Series by Alexi Hart

She needed funding. He enforced the rules. Neither planned on wanting the other this badly. Mara Ellis is rebuilding her life one impossible project at a time. Graham Kincaid is the calm, infuriating compliance officer assigned to keep her in line. Their chemistry is immediate. Their timing is terrible. Workplace rules. Public scrutiny. A desire that refuses to behave... moreShe needed funding. He enforced the rules. Neither planned on wanting the other this badly. Mara Ellis is rebuilding her life one impossible project at a time. Graham Kincaid is the calm, infuriating compliance officer assigned to keep her in line. Their chemistry is immediate. Their timing is terrible. Workplace rules. Public scrutiny. A desire that refuses to behave. What starts as sharp banter and professional restraint turns into late nights, crossed lines, and three moments where “don’t” stops working. This is a spicy romantic comedy featuring:. slow-burn tension that snaps. sharp, modern banter. open-door scenes that earn every page. a heroine who chooses herself first. a hero who learns control isn’t the same as safety. Funny, emotional, and unapologetically hot, this is a story about breaking rules, risking reputations, and choosing each other when it’s anything but convenient. Perfect for readers who like their rom-coms smart, steamy, and just a little dangerous. less

Burnout didn’t just exhaust Mara. It emptied her. When she escapes to a quiet small town to recover from a life that took too much, she isn’t looking for romance—only rest, space, and a chance to feel like herself again. What she finds instead is a slower pace, unexpected community, and Evan. Evan is steady, kind, and deeply rooted in the small town he loves. He doesn’t push or demand. He listens. He shows up. And he offers Mara something she hasn’t had in years: safety without expectations... moreBurnout didn’t just exhaust Mara. It emptied her. When she escapes to a quiet small town to recover from a life that took too much, she isn’t looking for romance—only rest, space, and a chance to feel like herself again. What she finds instead is a slower pace, unexpected community, and Evan. Evan is steady, kind, and deeply rooted in the small town he loves. He doesn’t push or demand. He listens. He shows up. And he offers Mara something she hasn’t had in years: safety without expectations. As Mara begins to heal, learning to set boundaries and rebuild her sense of self, her connection with Evan grows into a gentle, emotionally grounded romance. Their relationship unfolds slowly, shaped by quiet moments, honest conversations, and the comfort of being chosen without pressure. What Returns After Burnout is a small-town contemporary romance about emotional healing, recovery from burnout, and finding love that feels calm, supportive, and real. Perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven romance, low-drama relationships, and stories about starting over in a close-knit town. less

She gave up the last name. She didn’t expect to lose her peace with it. After leaving her marriage, Harper wants quiet, privacy, and a chance to rebuild. What she gets instead is an ex who won’t stop pulling strings and a public unraveling she never agreed to. Cal enters her life without demands or pressure. He offers something Harper hasn’t had in a long time: consistency, patience, and desire that doesn’t come with conditions... moreShe gave up the last name. She didn’t expect to lose her peace with it. After leaving her marriage, Harper wants quiet, privacy, and a chance to rebuild. What she gets instead is an ex who won’t stop pulling strings and a public unraveling she never agreed to. Cal enters her life without demands or pressure. He offers something Harper hasn’t had in a long time: consistency, patience, and desire that doesn’t come with conditions. As the past tightens its grip, Harper must decide what she’s willing to sign away and what she refuses to surrender, including her voice, her body, and her right to want more. What Changes After the Last Name is a spicy slow-burn romance about agency, boundaries, and choosing a love that doesn’t ask you to shrink. less

June Holloway came to Santa Fe to close an estate, sell a house, and get back to her life. Then she finds the mural. Hidden in her late aunt’s attic is a fragile work of art that changes everything, including June’s carefully controlled plan to leave. To save it, she needs a conservator. What she gets is Mateo Reyes. Precise, guarded, and impossible to rush, he makes it clear that restoration takes time, patience, and trust. June does not do patience... moreJune Holloway came to Santa Fe to close an estate, sell a house, and get back to her life. Then she finds the mural. Hidden in her late aunt’s attic is a fragile work of art that changes everything, including June’s carefully controlled plan to leave. To save it, she needs a conservator. What she gets is Mateo Reyes. Precise, guarded, and impossible to rush, he makes it clear that restoration takes time, patience, and trust. June does not do patience. As neighborhood politics, buried grief, and forced proximity tighten around them, the line between professional boundaries and personal desire starts to blur. Saving the mural means confronting what June has been avoiding her whole life. Staying might mean risking her heart. Some things grow best in the quiet. Some things refuse to stay hidden. What Grows in the Quiet is a slow burn contemporary romance about grief, boundaries, and choosing what you want when the past stops letting you run. less