Step by Step

by Twila Mason

Now sober and stable, Chrissy is ready to take control and carve out the future she’s always wanted, one step at a time. Landing the coveted job of painting a mural for the city of Chicago is the opportunity of a lifetime. She can’t let anything distract her, not even her swoon-worthy boss, who makes her heart flutter and her focus falter.

Babysitting a mural painter is the last thing Adam Rochester wants to do, but his boss doesn’t give him a choice. With the project already a year behind schedule, Adam’s job is to make sure it gets back on track. When he meets Chrissy, the quirky yet guarded artist stirs feelings he thought he’d buried years ago.

When rumors about them begin to swirl in the media, Adam is reminded of the strict policy against dating in the workplace and the dire consequences that could follow. Unwilling to put their jobs on the line, Adam and Chrissy both push aside their growing attraction. Chrissy is determined to chase her dreams, but now she must decide if those dreams include Adam. For Adam, taking a chance on love means facing his past and the secret he’s spent years trying to forget.

One wrong step could ruin everything, but maybe a future together is worth the risk.

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2026

About the author

Twila Mason is an award-winning author of contemporary romance. She has been writing her own stories since she learned how to read. She is a writer of romance, women's fiction, poetry, and short stories. Her work explores raw emotions and the complexities of life while finding hope within every obstacle.

She lives the rural, small-town life in Missouri with her husband, two kids, and menagerie of animals. After obtaining a PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology, she’s switching gears to follow her lifelong dream of putting her fictional stories out into the world. When she’s not reading or writing, Twila can be found crafting, farming, doing home improvement projects, or going on adventures with her kids.

You can find more information at her website.
Http://www.TwilaMason.com

Reviews

[Diane Huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Twila Mason! I loved Chrissy's story and watching her face her traumatic past, learn from it and grow was amazing. Catching up with everyone from Piece by Piece was great and there were some sweet, interesting new characters introduced.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a first for me from this author, but goodness, I want so much more! This book is full of emotion and unexpected qualities that make it unlike other romance novels I've read. It's raw, real, and incredibly powerful. Chrissy, our lead female, has had a rough life. But she has dreams of becoming a professional artist and is elated when she learns that the contract she signed with the city for a mural is finally moving forward. She's learned to live in the here and now, not really reaching for more than a career. But when she meets Adam, everything changes. Adam is a successful man who is tasked with overseeing the project. He comes across as successful, wearing high-end suits, driving a luxury vehicle, while living in a high-rise condo. It's easy for Chrissy to assume that he has an easy, calm life - one that is nothing like the one she's lived. But as Adam and Chrissy begin spending time together, we get a front row seat to their dark pasts opening up while navigating a forbidden relationship due to working together. As they open their hearts, there are some real misunderstandings and lack of sharing their whole truth that tries to get in the way. With the nudge of a very special woman, a friend from Chrissy's past, and each other, these two discover that baring their souls is exactly what the other needs. It's messy and I soaked up every last word! This book had me in tears for both happy reasons and heart wrenching moments. Absolutely brilliant!

Favorite Quote:

"Maybe it was okay to open her heart to more people. To let people in and even depend on those close to her. Having connections with other people seemed to be the key difference between surviving and living. She was going to live, damn it."

[Karen Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I absolutely loved this book! I didn’t want to put it down. Workplace romance/best friend’s sister. Such an emotional, come back from a terrible past read. I’m gonna try to sum up this book with just some of my favorite parts.

Chrissy works in the shoe department, but her dream is to become an artist. She finally gets that call to do a mural. She’s trying to straighten out her life and do what she wants. Adam is overseeing the project. He’s also her recently found brother’s best friend. Wait til you see the story behind that. You have to remember one thing-workplace romance is a no no. Adam and Chrissy seem to be hiding their true feelings from each other. Could this have to do with their pasts? The project seems to be going pretty well. Her assistant on the other hand is pretty shady. When something happens and Adam comes to Chrissy’s rescue, it seems their friendship may become more. He gives her a place to stay, wait til you see why. In the end, how far will Chrissy go in her endeavors to become an artist? Will Adam and Chrissy get past their pasts and be together? Be prepared for some emotional moments. This story definitely touched my heart!

[Renee Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched my heart, not just the surface but all the way to the core. Chrissy has a past that she is ashamed of and feels like she will never get the confidence and the breaks to make her dreams come true. Although she is making strides in her sobriety, and she knows her art is good, no one will even look at her and see her talent, they will only see her bad choices. Until she is offered the job of painting a mural for her city of Chicago and Adam is put in charge of making sure she stays on schedule. He makes her more confident and encourages her, but , they both have a past that they are ashamed of and helping each other, can only cause more problems. These characters won my heart from the very beginning and their stories made me want to hug them both

[Lisa Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two of the Desperate Hearts series and it really shines! It’s a fantastic read for these cold dreary days! It’s full or warmth, human spirit and the resiliency to overcome our pasts. The story line is quick and easy to read with really relatable characters and situations. So many of us let our past mistakes try to take over our daily lives. It was refreshing to see these characters blossom and thrive.
I was heading towards a reading slump but I guess I just needed to take a break from my usual genre – thriller/killer/slashers. Step by Step was just what the doctor ordered – a feel good, down to earth, easily relatable story. Thank you, Ms. Mason. You made my day!

[Dana Duplantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chrissy works in a shoe department after being sober and stable, but her dreams are to become an artist. When she finally gets the call that she was hoping for to do a mural. Adam's boss assigns him to oversee the project which he is not happy with. When Adam and Chrissy begin spending time together. Adam is reminded that there is a strict policy against dating in the workplace. When something happens to Chrissy, Adam comes to her rescue . Adam and Chrissy's friendship becomes more and they both have pasts that may hurt their friendship.

[Desi Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the writing style in this book. The main characters drew me in with their difficult past experiences and hearts of gold. Chrissy was so genuine with her self doubt, Adam such a protective sweet guy.
The storyline held me captive from the first chapter, and I had a hard time putting it down. The yearning is well done. The spice in this book could be rated a 1 out of 5, mostly closed door.

I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

Thank you for the arc Twila Mason and Hidden Gems Books, this review is voluntary.

[Barbara Conrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mason depicts desire like she knows what she’s talking about. A newly sober alcoholic artist and an inveterate businessman are thrown together through no fault of their own. Sparks fly almost immediately. But both fight the sizzle. Until they no longer remember why they shouldn’t be together.

A romance between two flawed characters that will make readers remember why they love happily ever after."

[Jenny Coyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

rounding up from 4.5 stars

If you haven't read Piece by Piece, you really should, but only because it's just as good as this one! A few characters make reappearances, but this book stands on its own. Twila Mason has an ability to make you feel like you know the characters and develop a bond with them. I can't wait to see what the next book in this series brings!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is finally sober and stable and she gets the chance of painting a mural. He is sent to babysit her to make sure it is done now after being a year overdue. Feelings have a way to make them question what they truly want in life. Follow them as they decide what is the best for them
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a delightful read

[Lisa]

Brilliant story with likeable characters. Storyline was full of details and kept my attention from the first page. Tons of suspenseful scenes. Intense chemistry between main characters. Banter was great. A must read book.

[Lori Chasko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book! The author did a great job!

[Christina Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

This was a really good book. I have read both books in the series and having enjoyed both would definitely recommend them.