Wildest Dreams: A Second Chance Military Small Town Romance

by Lea Coll

Renovating a mountain bed-and-breakfast was supposed to be my fresh start—until the only man who can save the project is the one who once shattered my heart.

We were high school sweethearts before he left for the Army and I left town, both of us swearing goodbye meant forever.

Now we’re back in our hometown, older, wiser… and dangerously aware of everything we used to be. He’s working for his brothers’ contracting business. I’m racing the holidays to finish the inn. Fate, apparently, has a twisted sense of humor.

When he asks me to be his holidate—just a friendly favor, a few festive events, nothing more—I tell myself I can handle it. We’re adults. The past is buried. Sparks don’t reignite that easily.

Except they do.

Every stolen glance, every brush of his hand, every memory we swore we’d forgotten pulls us closer. The chemistry is still there—hotter, deeper, and impossible to ignore. But falling for him again means risking everything I rebuilt after he left.

This time, will we finally fight for our forever… or are we destined to break each other’s hearts all over again?

A second chance small-town holiday romance featuring high school sweethearts reunited, a military veteran hero, and a fake holidate turned real love, set against a cozy mountain bed-and-breakfast renovation. Packed with forced proximity, slow-burn tension, rekindled first love, hometown healing, and emotional redemption, this steamy reunion romance delivers nostalgia, angst, and a fight for forever. Heartwarming feel-good contemporary romance.

Genres: Second Chance

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 30, 2025

About the author

Lea Coll is a USA Today bestselling author who writes sweet and sexy happily ever afters. She worked as a trial attorney for over ten years. Now she stays home with her three children, plotting stories while fetching snacks and running them back and forth to activities. She enjoys the freedom of writing romance after years of legal writing.

She grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania and currently resides in Maryland with her family.
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Lea Coll ist eine Bestsellerautorin von sexy Liebesromanen mit Happy-End-Garantie. Sie arbeitete über zehn Jahre lang als Prozessanwältin. Inzwischen lebt sie mit ihrer Familie in den USA und genießt nach Jahren als Juristin die Freiheit, sich völlig dem Schreiben widmen zu können. Lea Colls prickelnde Geschichten entstehen, während sie sich um die Aktivitäten ihrer drei Kinder und deren Snacks kümmert.

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Reviews

[Lea Coll]

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[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Natasha and Ford. I liked the way they slowly reconnected. They had to build the trust back up. I liked the storyline. The pacing is good. Overall it was a good story.

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natasha and Ford’s story is a angsty second chance at love romance. They were high school sweethearts until she left for college and he enlisted. His failure to keep in touch, forced an end into their relationship. Now, for the first time in years, both of them are back in their small Colorado hometown. Natasha and her sister are the new owners of an inn which needs updating. When Ford shows up to the estimate for the renovations, Natasha is shocked. She hadn’t known he had left the military, much less returned to town. The tension between them is palpable, but his apology for his past behaviour goes a long way to easing it. They agree to work together on the renovations. Neither has ever forgotten the other, nor has been able to move on with someone else. While Ford hopes to rekindle things between them, Natasha is reluctant to allow him to get close again. In her experience, the people who said they loved her, left her behind, including Ford. She isn’t willing to risk her heart again. When he asks her to accompany him to several Christmas themed activities and events so that he doesn’t have to attend them alone, she agrees… as his friend.

I enjoyed the banter and chemistry between Ford and Natasha. The rekindled sparks are definitely combustible and their connection is stronger than ever. Both have great support systems, but long to be together. They just have to get better and communicating and revealing their feelings, fears and worries to each other. I loved the small town setting, the community dynamics and the Christmas activities. This introduction to a new family, the Sterlings, who will be featured in the next books in this new series was well done and I can’t wait to learn more about them.

I am happy to recommend this heartwarming book.

[S Paschal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having returned home and investing in a vacation resort with her sister after their parents' deaths, Natasha is surprised when her high school ex shows up to plan renovations to the property. Hurt by how their relationship ended - she left for school and he left for the military - she had successfully managed to avoid Ford for years. As they work together on the renovations to the inn, all of those old feelings came back, tempered by their life experiences when they were apart.

Ford always felt badly about how he allowed Natasha to end their relationship. He wasn't mature enough to make the break he knew they needed. Now, discharged from the military and back home working with his brothers in their construction business, he's determined to repair those relationships that have weakened while he was away. When he finds that Natasha is back in town and more beautiful than he remembered, he wants a second chance with her. He's never found anyone who touched his soul like she did.

While both Natasha and Ford are bit cautious as a result of past events, as they build a new adult relationship, they are really sweet together. They work well together on a professional level but have great chemistry outside of the workplace. Ford helps bring balance to Natasha's life. She's always taking care of others and is totally devoted to work. He helps her to see the need for relationships and time spent away from work. He is supportive and caring as well.

While Natasha is cautious about being hurt again by Ford, their attraction never waned. As she slowly lets Ford back into her life, she realizes just how lonely she has been. Together, Ford and Natasha make a lovely couple, with each of them bringing maturity and mutual respect to their relationship.

Four stars for this small town, second chance romance.

This is an honest, voluntary review of an ARC of the story.

[Theresa Natole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start to a new series. When Ford enlisted in the military he didn't think he could handle a long term relationship with Natasha. When she suggested they break up he didn't fight it. If anything he agreed to it without a second thought.
Natasha never really got over it. She hasn't had any long term relationships since. Now she's co-owner of the bed and breakfast with her sister and she needs to renovate it. She hires Ford's family construction company but never realizes he's back and he's the one in charge of this project. She doesn't know she could handle seeing him every day but she's willing to try.
Forward however upon their first meeting realizes she's the one who got away. Even after all this time his feelings are just as strong, but he's more mature now and realizes what he lost long ago. He knows he has to be patient with her and he's willing to wait because he knows she is the one and he will stop at nothing to make her his. He knows he wasn't ready all those years ago but now he is.
Natasha was scared to give in to her growing feelings because she doesn't want her heart broken again. Maybe living in a town that celebrates Christmas or you along and the miracle of the season can slowly begin to rekindle their past love. With patience and trust their love continued to grow into a forever love and a happily ever after Natasha never thought was ever going to happen.
My two favorite things Christmas and romance. How could their story be any more perfect.

[Sharon Grow · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the death of their parents in a car accident, Natasha and her sister Eve purchased the Mistletoe Inn and Christmas Town. Yes, the town is every day and all year long a celebration of the Christmas season. Needing to bring more visitors to the town businesses, they plan various events including a parade and lighting of the town Christmas Tree. When Eve convinces her that they need to update the rooms in the inn, they contact Sterling Brothers construction. Natasha had dated Ford Sterling all through high school, but lost contact with him when he enlisted in the military. To her shock, Ford shows up to go over the possible remodel. As they work on the specifics of what is needed, they end up spending more and more time together. The attraction from years ago soon flares out of control once again. Ford apologizes for not staying in touch with her, but hopes that it is not too late for them. Asking her to be his holiday date, they are able to reconnect in so many ways, but can she trust that he will stay? She realizes that she has trust issues as it seems that everyone, but her sister, has left her. When an emergency has Ford unexpectedly leaving town, he has no idea that an unsent message will cause Natasha to question if she has been left behind, again. Knowing that he let her down, will she give him one more chance? Lovely start to this new series! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chance
Natasha and Ford were high school sweethearts who graduated and tried long distance as she went to college and he joined the military. They broke up and haven't had contact since. Now both are back in town with Natasha and her sister running Christmas Town and their B&B. Christmas Town is totally Christmas themed and the sisters are trying to find new ways to bring tourists to the town. Some of the businesses are against new things but they are going along with it - like the parade and Christmas dances. Ford is back from the military and working with his brothers in the family construction business. Ford is sent to Natasha's B&B to see about renovations. Things are awkward between them until Ford apologizes for the way things happened. They agree to put things behind them. Ford secretly wants a relationship with Natasha and figures out how to get her to be his holidate to events so he can be with her. Things start to go well with them and they start to have a relationship even though Natasha is reluctant to call it that. But the walls that Natasha has built up start to come down until Ford make a mistake and leaves without talking to her personally. It takes a really big gesture from Ford to make things right. This is a wonderful first story in a new series. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

[World Of Books 65 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brand-new series, a familiar magic, and a second-chance romance that hits straight to the heart—Wildest Dreams is everything romance readers crave.

Where one great series ends, Lea Coll kicks off another on the same irresistible high with The Sterling Brothers series. Book one, Wildest Dreams, is aptly named because this is the kind of romance dreams are truly made of.

Set in a small town wrapped in festive charm, Wildest Dreams delivers a brother’s best friend, second-chance romance that keeps you firmly planted in romance heaven. At the heart of the story is Christmas Town—an aging resort bursting with holiday nostalgia and meaning. Natasha has poured her heart into the place and is determined to restore it to its former glory, not just for the town, but for herself.

Then there’s Ford—the boy who once broke her heart when he enlisted and left town behind. Now he’s back, working for his family’s construction business, and suddenly the past is impossible to ignore. Old wounds resurface, unresolved feelings simmer, and the pull between them is just as strong as ever.

Lea Coll beautifully weaves together longing, heartbreak, and hope, creating a story that asks the ultimate second-chance question: is love strong enough to survive time, distance, and painful misunderstandings? The chemistry between Natasha and Ford crackles, the small-town setting feels like home, and the emotional beats land exactly where they should.

Wildest Dreams is a swoony, heartfelt start to a new series—one filled with warmth, tension, and the promise of love worth fighting for. Lea Coll proves once again that when it comes to small-town romance with soul, she absolutely delivers.

[Jenn the Readaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is sort of perfect for the holiday season. Natasha and Eve are taking on a gigantic endeavor, they’re trying to bring some things up to date in the process, they’re facing pushback from some…let’s say set in their ways owners, and the company who bids to do the renovations they need? Yeah. It just happens to be the family who Natasha wishes she could avoid. AND her contact at said company is the one man she’s desperate to avoid at all costs.

Ford isn’t about to let Natasha think that he’s just looking for thrills, but he’s not always the best at communicating. Don’t get me wrong. He learns from mistakes and he’s smart enough to listen to advice from those who can truly help, so he corrects course when necessary. And he does figure out that he has to put his heart on the line this time. He’s utterly realistic in those moves, too, because he gets that if he doesn’t communicate, he’ll lose the one woman he never got over. So trust me when I say that Ford does do the work to make things right.

And now? Now I can’t wait for Eve and the guy she doesn’t seem to enjoy being around. There’s going to be quite the story there. I’m here for it!

[Nαdiαн · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book completely stole my heart. Wildest Dreams is everything I want in a second-chance romance—emotional, tender, and absolutely impossible to put down. Ford and Natasha’s history adds so much depth to their story, and the way their past collides with their present feels raw, honest, and incredibly moving.

The chemistry between them is undeniable. Every glance, every touch, every moment of forced proximity is loaded with emotion, and the tension builds in the best possible way. Ford is the kind of hero you ache for—steady, protective, and quietly devoted—while Natasha is strong, determined, and so easy to root for as she risks her heart again after rebuilding her life.

The cozy small-town setting, the inn renovation, and the holiday backdrop make the story even richer, but it’s the emotional connection that truly shines. This is a beautiful reminder that some loves never fade—they just wait for the right moment to come home.

If you love heartfelt, second-chance romances with real stakes and unforgettable chemistry, this is a must-read. I loved every page and would happily reread Ford and Natasha’s story again.

[Erin Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Star Review Wildest Dreams (The Sterling Brothers #1 ) by Lea Coll

I was so excited when I heard that Lea Coll had a new series releasing and if Wildest Dreams is anything to go by then she is off to a flying start.

This is Natasha and Ford’s second chance at love story that drew me in and held me captive till the last paragraph was read.

Renovating a hotel in the mountains Natasha and Eve are faced with numerous complications, not least of which for Natasha is Ford.

However communication isn’t his strong suit and if he is to have another chance with Natasha, he needs to learn from the past.

I loved how determined Ford is, he knows he has his work cut out for him but is determined to convince Natasha that he is serious.

The chemistry between them still sizzles. Can they come to terms with the past and in doing so create a future together?

I loved their journey, it shows that true love can win out in the end. I am looking forward to seeing what the author has in store for this series.

[Amy Reierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

High school sweethearts who just weren't ready. The timing wasn't right the maturity wasn't there. As Ford clearly proved with his lack of communication skills, causing Natasha to finally call things off.
Now both back in their small town after college and the military starting their careers, which are about to cause them to reconnect can they move past old hurt and discover the people they've become and the affection they still share?
As she does so well Lea Coll brings us right into this beautiful Colorado small town, with these real feeling characters and paints a picture you won't want to set down once you start.
Ford and Natasha's connection is still there, but this isn't a race this is a slow climb and Ford has his work cut out for him. Ford is ready though to show Natasha he is all in. Once he gains her trust well you'll want to read the rest yourself and of course see if you can get a glimpse of what's next for the Sterling Brother's! If book is any indicator is sure to be a great read.
I have voluntarily left this review.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natasha fell in love with Ford when they were teenagers until their plans sent them on divergent paths where he joined the military and she left to attend college. She is now back in her hometown and has purchased a Bed & Breakfast with her sister. The only problem is that it needs renovations and she has hired his family’s construction company to complete them so avoiding him has become a lot more difficult.

Ford regrets that he didn’t handle the end of his relationship with Natasha better. Working for her and spending time together allows them to heal from the past. When she agrees to be his plus the one for some social events the feelings between them reignite but will this be their second chance or are they destined for heartbreak once again.

Natasha and Ford have always had feelings for each other but now that Natasha and Ford are at a different point in their lives it is finally their time. This is a story about making peace with the past and realizing that the love they share is worth fighting for.

[Laura ( Latteandbookz ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natasha and Ford are high school sweethearts that went the opposite ways after high school. Where Natasha went to College and Ford went into the military. For the first time in years they are both back home. Natasha and her sister are the owners of an Inn that needs some reworking. Ford happens to work in the renovation business and they are shocked to see one another. Natasha didn't know that he had left let alone returned home. With how things had ended in high school Natasha was a little hesitant to let Ford get close again to risk another heart break. Working together Ford asks Natasha to go to some Christmas activities so he's not there alone, Natasha agrees but only as friends nothing more. As they hang out you can see their bond slowly start to see the feelings come back. They have fantastic banter and connection. This was another fantastic read by Lea. I can't wait to meet the rest in the series.
Blog for more.

[Kimhe Rockchicks]

A brand-new, uplifting series from Lea Coll, this story delivers the perfect dose of holiday romance in a charming Christmas town. Ford and Natasha — once high school sweethearts who haven’t spoken since their painful breakup — are unexpectedly reunited when Natasha and her sister hire the town contractor to renovate their Christmas Inn. That contractor happens to be Ford, the one man Natasha has spent years trying to avoid.
When she agrees to be his “holidate” for the season, the lines between pretend and reality begin to blur, and what starts as something temporary soon feels like so much more. Though Natasha keeps her guard up after being hurt by Ford in the past, spending time with him again slowly melts her walls as old feelings resurface and she finds herself emotionally invested once more.

[Tanja OMGReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmm..I'm not sure where to begin? These two started off great. The whole being reasonably friendly with someone who broke your heart was a great start to this story. Natasha is trying to improve their home town, and Ford was trying prove he's changed and want to put up roots. But somewhere along the chemistry was starting to fade a bit for me.

I don’t want to sound like i didn't like the story, i did,its just I'm starting to show my age where i want to slap the living light out of our MCs with all the unnecessary drama because people refuse to talk to each other.

This story has a nice holiday cheer behind it with X-mas and its magic bringing love to the surface, but as said before something was missing for me so this time around I'm giving this one a 3.5*!

***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natasha and Ford were high school sweethearts but they were too young to truly commit to each other when he went into the military and she went to college. But now they are both back in their hometown with very different lives. Natasha and her sister bought a Christmas themed resort after their parents died and are trying hard to make it successful. Ford is working with his brothers on their construction business and trying to forge a new life outside the military. They agree to a friends with benefits situation but what happens when they both catch feelings?

This is the first book in a new series. It sort of builds off one of the author’s previous series but you would not have to read any of those books to enjoy this one. I am looking forward to book #2!

I read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Karen Lathbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Sterling Brothers series. Ford has returned home after serving in the Amy and is working with his brothers construction company. He is surprised to find out his first job is at the Inn at Christmas Town and now owned by his ex-girlfriend, Natasha. He knows that this is going to be difficult since he broke her heart when he went in the service, breaking up with her because he felt it would be too hard to maintain a long distance relationship. Natasha agrees to Ford working at the in but keep it strictly business. Slowly Ford tries to build back the trust that Natasha lost and she doesn’t want to let her guard down afraid he will leave again. This is a great second chance story, two people who have never stopped loving each other. Great character building, loved the Sterling family and sister Eve, so much potential for this series!

[Reg Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

We begin a new series with the Sterling Brothers opening with Ford who has just returned from serving in the Army. He goes to the Mistletoe Inn where he meets to his surprise, Natasha, his old high school love. Now the owner along with her sister she needs some contracting work done on the charming but dated inn. She's just as surprised to see the now much bulkier Ford as she was unaware he had left the Army. They broke up after she stopped communicating because he didn't seem to be interested any longer. But the old butterflies return for them both. A well worn trope but the joy is in the telling and the author does this very well yet again. Some nice steamy action helps. Received this arc and have voluntarily reviewed.

[Sharing My Book Boyfriends · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Natasha and Ford! Natasha and Ford were high school sweethearts, but when Natasha went away to college and Ford joined the army they broke up, breaking Natasha's heart. Now they are both home and Ford is helping renovate her inn. Natasha's sure that they can work together easily because they're adults now. She won't fall for him again because her walls are up. The more time Ford and Natasha spend together make them realize that their chemistry is still there. Is there a chance for Ford and Natasha to finally get their happy ever after, or is Natasha too afraid of getting to risk her heart again? I enjoyed this story and can't wait to read Eve's story next.

[LLS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a enjoyable second chance romance! Natasha and Ford were high school sweethearts who went their separate ways after school. Natasha went to college and Ford joined the military. Years later Ford is working for his family's construction business. Meanwhile Natasha and her sister have purchased an inn that needs renovations. Ford and Natasha have to work together. I liked that Ford had to work really hard to get back in good graces with Natasha. The feelings were still there but it wasn't easy to break through her walls. I really enjoyed reading their journey to happiness. Looking forward to more of this series!

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wildest Dreams is a captivating start to Lea Doll’s new Sterling Brothers series. A classic second-chance small town romance, the story follows high school sweethearts Ford and Natasha, who are reunited years after a devastating breakup. When Ford, an ex-military man turned contractor, is hired to renovate Natasha’s inn, their old flame reignites instantly. Set in a charming "Christmas town," this feel-good holiday read perfectly balances simmering chemistry with emotional growth. It’s a swoon-worthy story about overcoming the past, and it has me eagerly anticipating the rest of the brothers' stories!

[Rowena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful start to a new series! The first book in the Sterling Brothers starts off with Ford and Natasha’s story. They were high school sweethearts that ended with heartbreak when he enters the military. Fast forward and they find themselves in the same town and reconnect. I enjoyed how their storyline is filled with all the feels and will have you cheering for their forever. I can’t wait for more of this new series!

[Pam Conway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to a wonderful new series!! Ford & Natasha are high school sweethearts that break up when he goes into the service & breaking her heart. They reconnect when he comes back home & does the construction on her & her sister’s new Inn. This book has all the feels & honest, flawed characters that you will love and leave you waiting for the next book!!

[Jackie Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wildest Dreams is Ford Sterling and Natasha’s second chance at love story set in a small Christmas town in Colorado. It’s book one in The Sterling Brothers Series and it’s a great start to the new family I want more from. It’s a well written, charming, captivating and entertaining story that holiday movies are made from.
Natasha and Ford were high school sweethearts but she went off to college and he joined the military. Long distance was never going to work but now years later they find themselves back in their hometown where Ford is working with his brothers in construction. Natasha and her sister have taken over the small Christmas town and they need lots of work done so it wasn’t going to be very long before his couple crossed paths again……….. So will time be better than their first and it’s it their time to find love.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25


Lástima que no tenga epílogo.

[Lisa Broadman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first story in the Sterling Brothers series and is the story of Ford and Natasha. This is a second chance/holidate story that is charming and heartfelt – perfect for the holiday season!

Natasha and Ford are high school sweethearts that went their separate ways after high school. Natasha went to college and Ford went into the military. Unfortunately Ford had terrible communication skills and didn’t face Natasha with how he felt and what was going on with him, so she broke it off. Each of them had strong feelings for one another when they were kids but they had to go their separate ways in order to be ready for each other later.

Ford is out of the military and working in his brothers’ construction company and ends up renovating the inn that Natasha and her sister bought. The more time they spend with one another it becomes clear that their feelings for one another haven’t gone away and that they might just belong together. Ford has his work cut out for him in getting Natasha to trust him again – but he puts in the work! The pace felt right and the storyline was good. Both characters felt real. Once the trust begins to build again, it is clear that their chemistry is still there if only Natasha can believe in Ford again. Again – Ford puts in the work. He knew he handled things poorly the first time and learns from his mistakes, ultimately needing to put his heart on the line.

The setting for this new series is Colorado and the little Christmas town is definitely somewhere that I would love to visit! I look forward to getting to know all the new characters that were introduced and seeing them find their HEAs. Next up is Natasha’s sister, Eve. Looking forward to her story and more of the cute little town!