Off Script: Small Town Romance

?? SOMETIMES THE BEST LOVE STORIES ARE THE ONES OFF SCRIPT. ?? ????? "Mia's voice felt so real. I saw myself in her fears, and Jake was the kind of hero who makes you believe good men exist." – Reader Review I'm Mia Stewart, and for years, my life was planned out scene by scene. I always did what was expected. Then I ended up in Maple Ridge, Vermont. This pretty little town wasn't part of the original plan—it was supposed to be a side trip, a quiet reset. But suddenly, my life went completely Off Script. ?? After my relationship fell apart, all I wanted was to hide. My mom's old cottage seemed safe. The plan was simple: paint, isolate, and piece myself back together. No changes. No surprises. Then Jake Harper showed up. My kind, grounded, and undeniably attractive next-door neighbor. He wasn't just nice—he had a steady presence that was both comforting and unnerving. He wasn't in the script. Love? After everything? It felt impossible. But with Jake, there's a spark I can't ignore. The way he looks at me makes me feel seen for the first time in years. And that smile of his… it's like a secret only we share. Maple Ridge is already starting to feel warmer, different. Maybe it's the town, or maybe it's just Jake. Because what I feel when I'm with him is real. Terrifying. Exhilarating. ?? Can a life built on expectations be rewritten? Can a guarded heart open again? I'm about to find out. All I have to do is stop running away—and maybe, just maybe, run toward him instead. ??