What do you think?
Rate this book
Surrender
When Poppy Edwards returns to her small hometown, she isn’t chasing closure. She wants quiet, and the space to start fresh with a plan to one day have a baby on her own. But Harbor Hill has other plans, beginning with the brooding, too-handsome boy next door she has spent years trying to forget and run away from.
Ramsey King was always the one she ached for in silence. He still is, if her traitorous heart has any say. After years without a word between them, their slow-burn reunion simmers into something explosive, messy, intimate, and impossible to walk away from.
Tangled in old memories, whispered what-ifs, and the kind of chemistry that makes staying impossible to resist, Poppy must decide if it is too late to surrender to the one person who always felt like home.
Ramsey King was always the one she ached for in silence. He still is, if her traitorous heart has any say. After years without a word between them, their slow-burn reunion simmers into something explosive, messy, intimate, and impossible to walk away from.
Tangled in old memories, whispered what-ifs, and the kind of chemistry that makes staying impossible to resist, Poppy must decide if it is too late to surrender to the one person who always felt like home.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2025
16 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 20, 2025
Childhood besties: one is a brooding borderline stalker, the other is a chaos pixie with communication issues. They love each other and are too dumb to talk about it honestly. Also, they conveniently happen to have the exact same kink, so when they hook up, it's very hot. But when they are not hooking up, it's a lot of tedious angst that could be resolved by a good conversation, but why would anyone think of that? Also, can anyone explain why Poppy has that commitment phobia? Because nothing in her character development explains that at all. Her pathological hyper-independence makes no sense. The supporting characters are fun, and there is a really beautifully turned phrase from time to time. So three stars because when it's good, it's hot as fuck, and when it's bad, it's giving me eye-rolling induced headaches. Still fun.
September 30, 2025
-DNF-
It pulls me in the first few chapter. Definitely a fast paced yet slow(?) childhood friends to lovers
I relate so much because it felt like it was me, wishing my crush to look at me, “Leave it to me to learn that two years isn’t nearly enough time to kill a crush that should’ve died in high school.”
It left an impact when he said “She wanted to believe love couldn’t last. Wanted to prepare herself for the inevitable loss.” Because i felt it to my bones.
What turned me off and made me not want to finish it:
- lack of storyline (every chapter is a spicy scene), wished we get more interaction, actual conversations between characters. After all, it is a small town. I love small town romances for its unyielding nosy neighbour gossips, people and togetherness which this book made it seem like it’s only Ramsey and Poppy existing.
- so many question and unanswered: Poppy is staying with her Gran and Mom and happened to have a spicy scene with Ramsey in the kitchen. Where did Gran and Mom went? Where they leave for, for the weekends? Did i read it wrong or was it not mentioned? I re read most chapter twice to make sure i did not miss a thing.
MMC has a breeding kink and i may have just discovered i hate it.
I know this is a small town but with the lack of storyline and having to read spicy scene every single chapter, i became impatient and completely lost focus and eventually DNF 70% in.
Maybe i should’ve waited till the end and see the ending but i was forcing myself too and did not enjoy it.
It pulls me in the first few chapter. Definitely a fast paced yet slow(?) childhood friends to lovers
I relate so much because it felt like it was me, wishing my crush to look at me, “Leave it to me to learn that two years isn’t nearly enough time to kill a crush that should’ve died in high school.”
It left an impact when he said “She wanted to believe love couldn’t last. Wanted to prepare herself for the inevitable loss.” Because i felt it to my bones.
What turned me off and made me not want to finish it:
- lack of storyline (every chapter is a spicy scene), wished we get more interaction, actual conversations between characters. After all, it is a small town. I love small town romances for its unyielding nosy neighbour gossips, people and togetherness which this book made it seem like it’s only Ramsey and Poppy existing.
- so many question and unanswered: Poppy is staying with her Gran and Mom and happened to have a spicy scene with Ramsey in the kitchen. Where did Gran and Mom went? Where they leave for, for the weekends? Did i read it wrong or was it not mentioned? I re read most chapter twice to make sure i did not miss a thing.
MMC has a breeding kink and i may have just discovered i hate it.
I know this is a small town but with the lack of storyline and having to read spicy scene every single chapter, i became impatient and completely lost focus and eventually DNF 70% in.
Maybe i should’ve waited till the end and see the ending but i was forcing myself too and did not enjoy it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2025
I felt like they had these big confessions so many times, I was confused on why they were still confused. Also, she is too scared to commit to anything but also wants a baby?? How does that make sense
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2025
the fmc was insufferable and i’m not sure what the author was trying to do with the plot
March 27, 2026
I really liked this book! It was so much more than just spice, it helt multiple quotes and situations that made me feel see and my heart warm💘 Definitely recommend💌
September 28, 2025
This started a little slow and still too fast somehow, but glad I stuck with it because it was such a new fresh way to write this.
The MMC was a total green flag and refreshingly normal and although a brooding quiet guy, he was so sweet and sometimes insecure and I think I needed to read that :)
I am not much for breeding kinks but it was handled perfectly and does not end in pregnancy or birth (Thank you and thank God!)
Some parts rushed and some went too slow and the heroine pov was scattered, but now I think maybe that was intentional?
this is NOT a slowburn, though! Lots of spice, good spice, and a pining man done very well.
My favorite parts were the family and friends dynamics, very funny and sweet. Chapter 27 was the best between mmc and the mothers and grandmothers.
Loved it!
The MMC was a total green flag and refreshingly normal and although a brooding quiet guy, he was so sweet and sometimes insecure and I think I needed to read that :)
I am not much for breeding kinks but it was handled perfectly and does not end in pregnancy or birth (Thank you and thank God!)
Some parts rushed and some went too slow and the heroine pov was scattered, but now I think maybe that was intentional?
this is NOT a slowburn, though! Lots of spice, good spice, and a pining man done very well.
My favorite parts were the family and friends dynamics, very funny and sweet. Chapter 27 was the best between mmc and the mothers and grandmothers.
Loved it!
January 29, 2026
Poppy & Ramsey
Let’s just call it a spiritual attack or letting your trauma breathe… whatever, eucalyptus oil can fix it! Four limp tulips makes a center piece, potato salad up to your elbows, mismatched wine glasses and Mom barking orders qualifies as the estrogen council staging a crime scene…
Don’t forget the chaos goblin, a granny that isn’t blind and the small town gossip, everybody knowing everything they shouldn’t.
I laughed my way through the first chapter and let’s not mention the lowriding grey sweatpants, broad shoulders and black rimmed glasses for a view! Stunning banter or some whatever that is going on.I kept on laughing all the way through, love how this book made me feel so normal and unique at the same time. Just read this book, it’s great all round!
Let’s just call it a spiritual attack or letting your trauma breathe… whatever, eucalyptus oil can fix it! Four limp tulips makes a center piece, potato salad up to your elbows, mismatched wine glasses and Mom barking orders qualifies as the estrogen council staging a crime scene…
Don’t forget the chaos goblin, a granny that isn’t blind and the small town gossip, everybody knowing everything they shouldn’t.
I laughed my way through the first chapter and let’s not mention the lowriding grey sweatpants, broad shoulders and black rimmed glasses for a view! Stunning banter or some whatever that is going on.I kept on laughing all the way through, love how this book made me feel so normal and unique at the same time. Just read this book, it’s great all round!
March 23, 2026
**Review:**
This is the first book in the *Harbour Hills* series, which follows Poppy and Ramsey. Poppy has always struggled to stay rooted, constantly changing careers and locations, feeling like something is missing. She comes home ready to start a new chapter in life, becoming a mom, even though she knows she’ll be doing it alone.
The chemistry between Poppy and Ramsey is really sweet; it has those slow burn vibes. They’ve always had feelings for each other but never acted on them, worried it might ruin their friendship.
While the story felt a bit rushed at times, it didn’t detract from how good it was. I think there’s room for improvement, like enhancing the scene settings and fleshing out some of the minor characters. Still, overall, it was an enjoyable read.
One thing I particularly appreciated was the absence of the typical third-act breakup. I kept waiting for it, but it never happened. That was a nice surprise!
This is the first book in the *Harbour Hills* series, which follows Poppy and Ramsey. Poppy has always struggled to stay rooted, constantly changing careers and locations, feeling like something is missing. She comes home ready to start a new chapter in life, becoming a mom, even though she knows she’ll be doing it alone.
The chemistry between Poppy and Ramsey is really sweet; it has those slow burn vibes. They’ve always had feelings for each other but never acted on them, worried it might ruin their friendship.
While the story felt a bit rushed at times, it didn’t detract from how good it was. I think there’s room for improvement, like enhancing the scene settings and fleshing out some of the minor characters. Still, overall, it was an enjoyable read.
One thing I particularly appreciated was the absence of the typical third-act breakup. I kept waiting for it, but it never happened. That was a nice surprise!
October 21, 2025
Steamy and intense
The author's debut is a slow-burn, steamy but emotionally charged romance that explores themes of longing, what the characters perceive as unrequited love and growing self awareness. Poppy the FMC returns home with plans for a solitude of sorts and is determined to go down the route of single motherhood. The boy next door, Ramsey, reunites with Poppy and Poppy gains a whole new perspective on just how wrong her interpretation of Ramsey was.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The author's debut is a slow-burn, steamy but emotionally charged romance that explores themes of longing, what the characters perceive as unrequited love and growing self awareness. Poppy the FMC returns home with plans for a solitude of sorts and is determined to go down the route of single motherhood. The boy next door, Ramsey, reunites with Poppy and Poppy gains a whole new perspective on just how wrong her interpretation of Ramsey was.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 7, 2025
FMC Poppy Edwards heads back to her small hometown of Harbor Hill seeking peace and a fresh start with plans to one day have a baby on her own.
MMC Ramsey King her childhood friend and next door neighbour she’s spent years trying to forget. An awkward reunion slowly reignites old chemistry, heartbreak, and that longing feeling of home.
A short and tender, emotional slow-burn (yet fast paced) full of small-town charm, spice, second chances, and that irresistible “meant to be” pull.
MMC Ramsey King her childhood friend and next door neighbour she’s spent years trying to forget. An awkward reunion slowly reignites old chemistry, heartbreak, and that longing feeling of home.
A short and tender, emotional slow-burn (yet fast paced) full of small-town charm, spice, second chances, and that irresistible “meant to be” pull.
January 2, 2026
Such a cute and spicy read!
I enjoyed this book so much. The characters were so much fun and it was nice getting to learn about them as the book progressed. Poppy is a very relatable character and I could definitely understand her at times. Ramsey just has that small-town boy charm that was easy to fall for. This book also had be laughing out loud. Literally cackling.
I enjoyed this book so much. The characters were so much fun and it was nice getting to learn about them as the book progressed. Poppy is a very relatable character and I could definitely understand her at times. Ramsey just has that small-town boy charm that was easy to fall for. This book also had be laughing out loud. Literally cackling.
September 25, 2025
Romance that sneaks up on the heart and runs away with the soul. Surrender is an emotional whirlwind. From the disappointments of life to the power of love, Hale packs a ton of drama in a tiny package.
December 31, 2025
poppy tiene que ir a terapia. nobody’s d*ck es TAN BUENO para combatir commitment issues y adhd. las 3⭐️ son legítimamente solo por ramsey y su paciencia infinita
April 2, 2026
so cute so glad they ended up together the epilogue is everything 🥹🥹✨✨
March 8, 2026
unfortunately, this book enraged me. Maybe it was the overly flowery language, which showed promise in some scene, just to be overdone in the next. Maybe it was that i really didn‘t get what, if anything, the author was trying to say. Or maybe it was the fact that this story didn‘t read like a romance to me at all.
Ramsey and Poppy are soulmates the way I and cigarettes are. We go way back, i kind of can‘t stay away - quitting and then finding myself at the nearest vending machine at 3am - and anyone sane can see that this relationship will end badly.
maybe the intended radical message of this book is that a woman can be flawed and still deserve to be unconditionally loved.
well, pat my head, slap my ass and call me a patriot of the patriarchy, because that woman does NOT deserve that man.
Ramsey and Poppy are soulmates the way I and cigarettes are. We go way back, i kind of can‘t stay away - quitting and then finding myself at the nearest vending machine at 3am - and anyone sane can see that this relationship will end badly.
maybe the intended radical message of this book is that a woman can be flawed and still deserve to be unconditionally loved.
well, pat my head, slap my ass and call me a patriot of the patriarchy, because that woman does NOT deserve that man.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews