And now, for what I *think* is my favorite book in the series so far (I think). Book four is all about oldest brother and second child Axel, who is the most reserved out if anyone in his family and intentionally lives on their Washington property miles from anyone else (or did until Ryder and Willa moved to a near-ish by city). In this story, Willa's best friend Rooney goes up to the Bergman's A-frame cabin in the woods for a break after she has to temporarily withdraw from law school after a huge flare up of her inflammatory bowel disease. Willa and Ryder said she'd be alone but she soon realized that it's Axel's turn at the A-frame and just like she's kept her chronic illness a secret from everyone (even Willa), he has kept the fact that the A-frame is falling apart and he is trying to get serious repairs done from his family. He's looking for a way to get an inheritance from an uncle he didn't know well but the stipulation is that he has to get married. Rooney, nursing a massive crush on Axel, agrees to marry him so he can get the money and she can continue staying on the property in his cabin. I loved this one! He has feelings for her but doesn't know what to do with them because his autism (also a secret) doesn't let him express feelings as easily as others, and she has feelings for him but doesn't think the future she's always wanted for herself will happen because of her IBD. As someone with IBS, I appreciated the handling of the topic. Plus, I just loved their interactions and the fact that they sort of rescue a dog and a cat.

Reread 2025: this is one of my two faves of the series. Frankie is my favorite single character and there's something about her story with Ren that is joyful, fiesty, sarcastic, and fun (a mix of their personalities in the best way), plus the chronic pain rep is relatable. But Axel and Rooney? Their love story is, as the author says in the acknowledgments, "a gently-paced and unexpectedly emotional journey" and I sink into the comfort every single time I read it (this is read number 4, I think). I love the mutual pining, made worse by a practical marriage and "forced" proximity. I love that he's rescued a dog and she helps him accept his attachment to it, and that the rescue a kitten. And I especially love the IBD chronic illness rep, and the autism rep. The way they both love and care for each other in the face of their difficulties and vulnerabilities, not in spite of them but as part of them like everything else, is nothing short of beautiful and aspirational. A theme in all of Chloe's writing, that every single person deserves and can have love if they want it, how they need it, is woven into this story and stated plainly as Ax deals with his uncle's inheritance stipulation. I love this book and as someone who is chronically ill and neurodivergent and sees myself represented in these characters, it means a lot to me.