Ellie is on the run with her sons and sister, trying to escape her mafioso, abusive husband. She ends up at a house in Maine, whose caretaker is none other than Frank, her childhood best friend. 

10 years after the death of his brother, Frank finds himself acting as the ghost behind the Irish mob. Hiding in Maine and working for the FBI, everyone believing he is dead. For 10 years he has believed he has been under cover and helping to track down a serial killer.

Turns out that his Bennett has been lying to him the whole time. Bennett was working for the Irish mob the whole time and lying to Frank. So Frank unpended his entire life for a gigantic lie. They just wanted Frank in charge of the Mob.

Ellie's whole childhood was filled with abuse. The one bright spot was Frank, that is until he disappeared. She was then sold off to the Mafia. Her husband was supposed to be her protector, he was also a childhood friend of hers. But his jealousy over her feelings for Frank lead him to treat her with distain and violence.

He also turned her into a serial killer, ya, the one Frank is hunting. She was killing all her husbands enemies.

When she got the call that she inherited a house, she took the opportunity to escape with her family. 

Wow, Ellie is one strong woman. Her childen and sister come before all else, she will literally kill to protect them. She is the definition of a badass, resilient woman. She has spent her entire life building walls to protect herself and I loved seeing her slowly let her guard down and learn to trust. 

Their relationship is so sweet. Frank is a giant teddy bear with Ellie and her boys. He showed them how much he loved them every single day, in all his little and big actions. The bikes, the dogs, boxing, cooking together! All he wants to do is keep them safe and ensure they have a good life. He will take out anyone who ever tries to harm them. Also, I love seeing a man willing to openly show his feelings! 

I would highly suggest reading this after the Whiskey/Billionaire series as they really are interconnected. 

Tropes: second chance, small town, mafia, childhood best friends, forbidden, single mom, forced proximity