The Staying Kind

by J.W. Marie

Opposites attract in a flower shop. He’s a grumpy architect. She’s the sunshiny florist. The sparks are guaranteed.

Georgie Wheeler has always been the one who stayed. While her friends chased dreams beyond Bluebell Cove, she clings to her grandmother’s flower shop—the last piece of family she has left. But keeping it afloat is harder every day, and loyalty alone can’t pay the bills.

Rhett Briggs never planned to linger. A successful West Coast architect, he’s back only to settle his late uncle’s handyman business. Gruff, cynical, and determined not to get attached, he sees the town as nothing more than an obstacle.

When Rhett helps Georgie renovate the shop and prep for the Summer’s End Festival, sparks fly—of the frustrating, argumentative kind. But as they spend long hours together, Georgie sees cracks in his guarded exterior, and Rhett can’t help but admire her stubborn devotion to home.

From clashing personalities to unexpected connection, Georgie and Rhett must decide if staying—or leaving—holds the life and love they’ve been searching for.

This is the first book in the Bluebell Cove Series but can be read as a standalone.

For fans of heartwarming, closed-door slow burns and emotional depth. Tropes opposites attract found family forced proximity grumpy x sunshine dislike-to-lovers small townhealing from loss

Genres: Contemporary

313 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2025

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot — starting with the cover alone. The artwork is absolutely gorgeous and so whimsical, and I loved how it incorporated different elements from the story itself. It instantly set the vibe before I even started reading.

This is a contemporary romance with that classic small-town girl, big-city guy dynamic. The MMC returns to the town after his uncle passes away — someone he spent a lot of time with growing up — and ends up taking on a project working with the local flower shop owner. From the start, there’s so much tension between him and the FMC, even though they’re both clearly fighting it.

The story is told entirely from the FMC’s perspective, but I actually loved that because you can still feel how the MMC is falling for her through his actions, reactions, and the way he supports her — even when she doesn’t fully realize it yet.

One of my favorite parts was how he encouraged her to follow her passions and figure out what she truly wanted for her life. Watching her work through her goals while he stood beside her was really sweet. Even when there were misunderstandings and perceived issues between them, they ultimately found their way back to each other.

I also loved that the story wasn’t just about their romance — it focused on community, small-town life, and choosing happiness over expectations. Seeing the MMC realize he didn’t have to live up to his family’s version of success, and instead choose the life (and love) that made him happy, was so satisfying.

Overall, this was such a cute, heartfelt story that left me smiling.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I didn't connect with the characters as deeply as I wanted to, and although I enjoyed the overall plot line, I wasn't as invested.
I would be interested in reading something else from this author, and/ or trying the next book in the series (once it comes out).

If you're someone who's prefers plot driven books, then I think you'd like this one.

[Annemarie Welnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely charming. So easy to read because the characters are so well written. Makes you want to stay in Blue Bell Cove to find out what everyone's doing.

[Hazel Leu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story, might continue the series, hopefully I can find them at the library. I want my own Rhett!