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From Scratch: Petal Creek 1 (A Small Town Second Chance Romance)
If you had a second chance at first love, would you take it?
Moving home to Petal Creek, Colorado, was never part of Serenity Jensen’s plan. In fact, after leaving nearly seven years ago, her active goal was to spend as little time in her hometown as physically possible. Yet, she somehow finds herself not only moving back, but living with her ex, Flynn West.
Now Serenity must grapple with all the feelings she tried so hard to leave behind, and figure out how the new her fits into this old town.
Moving home to Petal Creek, Colorado, was never part of Serenity Jensen’s plan. In fact, after leaving nearly seven years ago, her active goal was to spend as little time in her hometown as physically possible. Yet, she somehow finds herself not only moving back, but living with her ex, Flynn West.
Now Serenity must grapple with all the feelings she tried so hard to leave behind, and figure out how the new her fits into this old town.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
About the author
T.M. Hurtado
4 books1 followerT.M. Hurtado is a lover of all things cozy and romantic. Living in Hawaii with her husband, sons, and two cats, she spends her days reading and creating nostalgic worlds you cant help but want to escape to.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 10, 2025
THE CUTEST LIL ROMANCE!!
I love a second chance, and I love a woman growing into her own from her trauma!
Serenity and Flynn are so sweet, and even though he was too macho and territorial for me, it was totally fitting for Serenity. Her perfect guy needs to be tough to keep up with her!
And it was actually!! funny!! Cheeky and silly, I was giggling and snorting up a storm. Rom-coms are COM-ing again!
There were a few too many side characters, I couldn’t really keep track of them, and I feel like sometimes we glossed over a character’s decision or a scene change a bit quickly to where I had to reread a section. And then some copy edits and line edits still needed to fix some typos.
But such a fun and easy little read!!
I love a second chance, and I love a woman growing into her own from her trauma!
Serenity and Flynn are so sweet, and even though he was too macho and territorial for me, it was totally fitting for Serenity. Her perfect guy needs to be tough to keep up with her!
And it was actually!! funny!! Cheeky and silly, I was giggling and snorting up a storm. Rom-coms are COM-ing again!
There were a few too many side characters, I couldn’t really keep track of them, and I feel like sometimes we glossed over a character’s decision or a scene change a bit quickly to where I had to reread a section. And then some copy edits and line edits still needed to fix some typos.
But such a fun and easy little read!!
December 16, 2025
I genuinely laughed so much throughout the whole book. Flynn is swoon worthy. The characters are all likable in their own ways and I can’t wait to learn more about them.
January 15, 2026
I binged "From Scratch" in 2 days, as I couldn't put it down. I found out about it after its author and I met through Instagram. This is a small town, second chance romance that is written so beautifully. The storyline is addictive with drama, hurt, comfort, humor, found family, love, romance, and spice. I am so crazy about this book and so invested in its characters. I am also so obsessed with T.M. Hurtado's writing style that I will read anything she writes moving forward.
October 3, 2025
This story was such a heartfelt, beautiful read! From the very first page, I was hooked by Serenity’s journey returning to Petal Creek, facing her past, and rediscovering the love she once thought she’d left behind. The small-town setting feels so vivid and real, and it perfectly mirrors the push and pull of coming home after years away.
Serenity and Flynn’s dynamic is the kind of second-chance romance I adore equal parts tension, longing, and vulnerability. Their chemistry jumps off the page, but what really struck me were the quieter, emotional moments that made their relationship feel raw and genuine.
This book is more than just romance it’s about growth, healing, and finding where you truly belong. If you’re a fan of small-town settings, emotional second chances, and love stories that make your heart ache in the best way, this one’s a must-read. I’m already wishing there was more of Petal Creek to dive into!
Serenity and Flynn’s dynamic is the kind of second-chance romance I adore equal parts tension, longing, and vulnerability. Their chemistry jumps off the page, but what really struck me were the quieter, emotional moments that made their relationship feel raw and genuine.
This book is more than just romance it’s about growth, healing, and finding where you truly belong. If you’re a fan of small-town settings, emotional second chances, and love stories that make your heart ache in the best way, this one’s a must-read. I’m already wishing there was more of Petal Creek to dive into!
January 14, 2026
🏡FROM SCRATCH🏡 my first indie author review @authortmhurtado
⭐️4/5⭐️ - A cutesy small town romance mixed with the torn feelings of a childhood love and your hometown after moving away. As a girl who moved away from her hometown, I couldn’t help but resonate with some of the feelings such as “a fight between who I was and who I am now”, I grew up with childhood mental heath so my hometown is linked to a low of negative thoughts and a me I no longer recognise compared to the strong woman I became once I left. This was such an easy quick read. It has bonus points for including an author playlist as I LOVE that 🎵 all it was missing for me was a bit more of a slow burn romance, more detail in finding herself and the “incident” needed a bit more umph but that’s just me but for the length of the book, it worked. I’m excited to read the rest of the series!
⭐️4/5⭐️ - A cutesy small town romance mixed with the torn feelings of a childhood love and your hometown after moving away. As a girl who moved away from her hometown, I couldn’t help but resonate with some of the feelings such as “a fight between who I was and who I am now”, I grew up with childhood mental heath so my hometown is linked to a low of negative thoughts and a me I no longer recognise compared to the strong woman I became once I left. This was such an easy quick read. It has bonus points for including an author playlist as I LOVE that 🎵 all it was missing for me was a bit more of a slow burn romance, more detail in finding herself and the “incident” needed a bit more umph but that’s just me but for the length of the book, it worked. I’m excited to read the rest of the series!
February 3, 2026
I have not loved a contemporary romance book the way I loved From Scratch in a very long time. The representation of readers being illustrated in this book through the FMC and her strong female friends in this work is a breath of fresh air in the romance landscape right now.
I have no notes, I am so impressed with this book!
I have no notes, I am so impressed with this book!
June 9, 2026
This one had me giggling with delight for the whole book. A slightly impulsive fmc, a hot coach, some family drama, romance novels, and a good group of girlfriends? Yes please!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews