The Perfect Fit

Sticks & Stones Beach Rom Com #4

by Ash Keller

She’s all grown up. He’s finally noticing.

Jared Tuck’s life in Friendly, Georgia, is simple—kayak tours, lemon bars, and steering clear of heartbreak. But when Mila Aronson shows up with a clipboard full of sea turtle research and a glow-up he never saw coming, “complicated” doesn’t even begin to cover it.

She’s his ex’s little sister.

She’s off-limits.

And somehow, she’s the perfect fit.

The Perfect Fit is a short & sweet romcom sugar bomb full of meddling townsfolk, family chaos, and one romance that was never part of the plan.

Genres: Romance

61 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 2, 2025

About the author

Ash Keller writes clean contemporary romance and romantic comedies. Her books are sweet on heat but big on heart. She lives in the rolling hills of Kentucky with her wonderful husband, three mischievous cats, and a couple of bossy backyard chickens that peck on the door to demand treats. For the latest news and exclusive content, subscribe to her newsletter.

Reviews

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jared Tuck thought he had his life figured out—quiet days on the water, his family close by, and no risk of heartbreak after the sting of his high school ex. But when Mila Aronson walks back into his life—clipboard in hand, glowing with confidence, and no longer “the little sister”—everything changes.

The moment Jared sees her striding across the beach, it’s as if the world tilts. He’s drawn to her strength, her passion for sea turtle conservation, and the woman she’s become. What begins as him guiding her kayak trips for research soon turns into something much deeper: laughter, late-night confessions, and a love that feels as natural as the tide pulling them together.

I adored how Ash Keller painted the romance between Jared and Mila. Their chemistry is undeniable, but what makes their story shine is how right they feel for each other.

This is the kind of romance that feels like summer on your skin—warm, hopeful, and impossible not to smile through. If you love small-town charm, second-chance vibes (with a twist), and a couple who are truly the perfect fit, this book will sweep you away.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Dodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, clean read. Only about 100 pages long.

Jared has lived in Friendly his whole life and loves it. Mila lived there when she was younger and always had a crush on Jared, but he dated her sister. Mila arrives with a PhD in Marine Biology and is there on a research grant to study turtles. She asks Jared to help her get to the island. He agrees to help her and starts to fall for her. Can it work if he has dated her sister in the past? Will they find turtles. Since she travels all over, would a relationship even work?

This was a cute and clean short story. I enjoyed the banter between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love Ash Keller's books. They are so sweet and great for a short, cozy read. They are great for sweet reads in between heavier books or for times you need a shorter read (lunch hour, commute, waiting room, etc.).

This was one so adorable! I loved that the main character was a marine biologist. Her focus being on sea turtles was wonderful. It was fun reading about the nesting turtles!

Jared was so sweet and his interactions with Mila were really cute. I loved their teasing and joking during their work trips!

I recommend this to anyone who wants a short, sweet little love story for a comfort read! It is definitely a great summer read as well (takes place over the summer!)

I received an ARC copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mila & Jared

There is so MUCH story packed into the 60 pages of this book and a wealth of information about sea turtle conservation. The characters and plot are captivating from the very first page. It was a blast seeing the extended Tuck family again and how they have blended the family so seamlessly.
The trope is his ex's little sister, which is far less common than best friend's sibling.. I loved how the characters respected that prior relationship without allowing it to dictate their present actions.
This is a great read to fill a commute or an evening. I would not hesitate to share this with anyone over the age of about 8, especially one who is interested in turtles

I received a free advance copy of this story from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to share my review.

[Douglas Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about Jared, a kayak guide, and Mila,a Marine Biologist with a PhD, who is studying turtles. They start out their relationship kayaking to an island where Mila is documenting turtle eggs left to hatch. I like the way the author progresses their relationship from friends to lovers. It seems very real to me. Not rushed. I also liked the part where Mila meets Jared’s family. I read this story in one sitting, and it left me with a smile on my face. I’m sure other readers will enjoy it too.

I received a free copy of this novella from the author, and this is my honest review.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kisses only.

I honestly could not remember who these characters were. I had to look them up (I did remember who Houdini was though). This is a second generation book following Jared whose dad’s story is covered in the previous book. It’s another quick read. The end didn’t really hold my attention though.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes romance can be so complicated especially when it's your ex's little sister. There are so many twists related to that situation. Like the two main characters and the fact that there is an attraction but they know that it is going to be a problem with some people. Short and entertaining read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suze82 · Rating 4 out of 5]

when it´s right
I understand Jared´s need to avoid heartbreak but fortunately meeting Mila he can´t help but falling and thus both are saved from leading lonely lives - a perfect fit nobody has the right to interfere with.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this short sweet romance, Mila comes back to the shore town she grew up in to do research for sea turtles. Jared, her older sisters ex-boyfriend, runs a kayak rental service and as the two work together, romance buds and blossoms.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun, easy read with wonderful endearing characters and tender, clean romance. Jared and Mila are a wonderful match in every way with adorable banter. It's a shorter story that's cute, quirky and well written. I really enjoyed this book, a perfect little summer read.

[Rebecca White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet love story!

I enjoyed this short, sweet story of two people who found love in the midst of scientific research. I enjoyed that they were both able to move on from him being her older sisters high School sweetheart.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable story with plenty of humor, romance, and fun. The characters are interesting and intriguing with a little mystery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Teresa Torres · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es una historia super corta y dulce. Creo que está bien manejado , pero a mi me da mucho cringe que sea la hermana menor de su exnovia. Sobretodo porque leí los libros en orden, y dicha exnovia es a la que casi le propone matrimonio ?????

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

She does it again as a sweet simple romance developing Storting. Love it.

[Naomi Billingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an adorable short story. Ill never not love a story from the town of Friendly.
Friends to lovers, in an adorably romantic way.
A perfect story for when youre stuck in a reading rut.

[Jodie Devereaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely love these books!

[Joni Truex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable

Cute story set on the coast of Georgia. Learn about sea turtles with these wonderful characters in this beautiful setting. Worth the read.

[Racheli Zusiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

הספר הרביעי בסדרת Sticks & Stones המתרחשת בעיירה Friendly שבג'ורג'יה.
הפעם מדובר בסיפורו של ג'ארד, שאותו פגשנו כבר בספרים הקודמים.
ג'ארד חזר לפרנדלי לאחר לימודיו בקולג' כדי לנהל עסק של שיט קיאקים. במהלך הלימודים בקולג' אהבת נעוריו מהתיכון החליטה להיפרד ממנו, וג'ארד היה שבור לב.
לפרנדלי מגיעה ד"ר מילה ארונסון, שהיא אחותה הקטנה של האקסית המיתולוגית הנ"ל. מילה היא ד"ר לביולוגיה ימית והגיעה לעיירה כדי לחקור את קיני צבי הים שיש באזור. היא זקוקה לקיאק ולציוד לשם כך, ולכן שוכרת את שירותיו של ג'ארד שגם מלווה אותה במהלך המחקר. כמובן שהשניים מתקרבים, אבל מילה חוששת שג'ארד רואה אותה רק כאחות הקטנה של האקסית שלו ותו לו, וגם חוששת מהתגובה של אחותה לכל העניין.
נובלה קצרה וממש חמודה, ובכלל סדרה חמודה.

[September Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mini review:

The Perfect Fit by Ash Keller is the fourth novella in the Sticks & Stones Beach RomCom but it can be read as a stand-alone. I don’t care what time of the year it is. I’ll drop everything to read one of Ash’s books. This is a short sweet read and can be read in less than an hour. I really loved his character throughout the series and wanted him to find his own love and his story did not disappoint. I feel like he found his perfect match with this one.

Some things I loved

*she’s his ex’s little sister
*she had a secret long time crush on him
*the turtle research ( I love turtles)
*the meet cute
*the small town beach vibes
*they get stuck together
*the kids in the community are the cutest
*Mila & Jared are perfect for each other.
You can grab a copy on amazon and it is available in KU.