Bastian Hall is coming home..for good this time to help his parents run their dairy farm in their Winterberry. He has been on the road with his popular band for over twenty years living his dreams but also running from past pain and his own feelings. He is loyal, patient, responsible, and ready to do what needs to be done for the farm and is done running. And that also means facing the boy...now man...next door. 

Taylen Howard is the little brother of his best friend and is also best friends with Bastian's younger brother. He is deeply entwined with Bastian's family and they share past pain and some unresolved history and feelings. He is also hardworking, sarcastic, playful, and stubborn. He is finding new joy in torturing Bastian with special welcome gifts while also trying to avoid getting close. He has had a crush on Bastian since he was young and does not trust that Bastian would ever really stay. So he is guarded and runs hot and cold. He is also good at running and making Bastian chase him. 

They are definitely fire and ice. There is so much sextual tension,  passion, and unresolved feelings between them. There are misonceptions, misunderstandings, fears, angers, pain, and guilt. The light up but then Taylen ices him out. Bastian has to prove that he is ready to stay and Taylen has to learn to trust. But there is a lot of push and pull along the way. I did really like these two together. Their past was painful and complicated. Their choices affect more than just themselves since their family and friend groups are so close. Taylen has to be convinced that he is enough for someone like Bastian to really stay.

This is an age gap, former rock star/farmer and apple orchard owner, coming home, best-friend's-little-brother, enemies-to-lovers, shared loss, hurt/comfort, small town, holiday romance. 

I loved this small town farm environment. The animals even have big personalities. The side characters of the band and their brothers add depth to the story. It makes you want to just hang out in his Mom's kitchen and the Christmas festival. I am looking forward to other stories with these characters and a couple were already teased.