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Unmatchable: How to Fail at Staying Single
Foster
I never thought I’d have a chance with Ari. Not when the town has characterized me as the difficult grump. It’s all an exaggeration. Unfortunately, my reputation precedes me when it comes to Ari. She’s the embodiment of sweetness and sunshine, and I’ve made very few friends in this town because of my directness and one-word answers to everyone’s nosy questions. But there’s more to me than what people say. Ari may not think I’m boyfriend material, but I just hope my actions speak louder than my gruff exterior.
Ari
As the town’s Valentine’s Day dance approaches, I’m looking forward to another year happily single. Meanwhile, one night spent working side-by-side with the town grump has my brain re-thinking the whole singlehood thing, and my heart regretting signing up for my friend’s matchmaking service. In other words, I might have real feelings for Foster. The only problem is, I have my doubts that Foster is the settling-down type.
I never thought I’d have a chance with Ari. Not when the town has characterized me as the difficult grump. It’s all an exaggeration. Unfortunately, my reputation precedes me when it comes to Ari. She’s the embodiment of sweetness and sunshine, and I’ve made very few friends in this town because of my directness and one-word answers to everyone’s nosy questions. But there’s more to me than what people say. Ari may not think I’m boyfriend material, but I just hope my actions speak louder than my gruff exterior.
Ari
As the town’s Valentine’s Day dance approaches, I’m looking forward to another year happily single. Meanwhile, one night spent working side-by-side with the town grump has my brain re-thinking the whole singlehood thing, and my heart regretting signing up for my friend’s matchmaking service. In other words, I might have real feelings for Foster. The only problem is, I have my doubts that Foster is the settling-down type.
85 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2026
5 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 16, 2026
He swears he’s done with love. She swears she’s fine alone.
Foster builds a life on distance. After betrayal guts him, he comes to Songbird Ridge to keep his head down, run his store, and avoid the kind of feelings that wreck a man. Ari builds hers on brightness. She talks too much, loves too hard, and insists she’s perfectly happy staying single, even as blind dates keep proving otherwise. One night working side by side for the Valentine’s dance pushes them too close, and irritation turns into hunger neither of them expects.
What starts as sharp banter and accidental touches grows into something raw and impossible to ignore. Ari wants clarity, not half measures. Foster wants her with a possessiveness that shocks him, but claiming her means risking the part of himself he locked away. When tension and vulnerability collide, they have to decide if this is just heat or something that deserves to last.
Ari begins convinced she’s safer alone, but with Foster she confronts her fear of being too much and lets herself want real commitment. Foster starts guarded and emotionally shut down, then slowly learns to speak, to soften, and to choose partnership instead of isolation. Together, their dynamic shifts from explosive chemistry to something steady and intentional, where intensity meets tenderness and both decide to stop playing at dating and start choosing each other.
A hot, grumpy sunshine small town romance where forced proximity and high heat chemistry push two emotionally scarred people to face betrayal, abandonment, and the fear of wanting more. It’s about choosing commitment over self protection and proving love through action. At its heart, it’s about a guarded loner and the woman who won’t be scared off, learning that the real risk isn’t falling, but walking away from something that feels like home.
The Elevator Pitch: In a bird themed mountain town where everyone knows everyone, a guarded sporting goods owner who swears he’s done with love collides with a sunshine-hearted artist who insists she’s perfectly happy alone. One night of working side by side for a Valentine’s event ignites a connection that’s equal parts sharp banter and searing heat, forcing them to confront betrayal, pride, and the fear of wanting more. What begins as irritation becomes a deliberate choice to stop hiding, stop performing, and claim the kind of love that feels less like fate and more like finally finding where you belong.
Heat Level: 🔥🔥 Hot
Foster builds a life on distance. After betrayal guts him, he comes to Songbird Ridge to keep his head down, run his store, and avoid the kind of feelings that wreck a man. Ari builds hers on brightness. She talks too much, loves too hard, and insists she’s perfectly happy staying single, even as blind dates keep proving otherwise. One night working side by side for the Valentine’s dance pushes them too close, and irritation turns into hunger neither of them expects.
What starts as sharp banter and accidental touches grows into something raw and impossible to ignore. Ari wants clarity, not half measures. Foster wants her with a possessiveness that shocks him, but claiming her means risking the part of himself he locked away. When tension and vulnerability collide, they have to decide if this is just heat or something that deserves to last.
Ari begins convinced she’s safer alone, but with Foster she confronts her fear of being too much and lets herself want real commitment. Foster starts guarded and emotionally shut down, then slowly learns to speak, to soften, and to choose partnership instead of isolation. Together, their dynamic shifts from explosive chemistry to something steady and intentional, where intensity meets tenderness and both decide to stop playing at dating and start choosing each other.
A hot, grumpy sunshine small town romance where forced proximity and high heat chemistry push two emotionally scarred people to face betrayal, abandonment, and the fear of wanting more. It’s about choosing commitment over self protection and proving love through action. At its heart, it’s about a guarded loner and the woman who won’t be scared off, learning that the real risk isn’t falling, but walking away from something that feels like home.
The Elevator Pitch: In a bird themed mountain town where everyone knows everyone, a guarded sporting goods owner who swears he’s done with love collides with a sunshine-hearted artist who insists she’s perfectly happy alone. One night of working side by side for a Valentine’s event ignites a connection that’s equal parts sharp banter and searing heat, forcing them to confront betrayal, pride, and the fear of wanting more. What begins as irritation becomes a deliberate choice to stop hiding, stop performing, and claim the kind of love that feels less like fate and more like finally finding where you belong.
Heat Level: 🔥🔥 Hot
February 24, 2026
There’s something ridiculously satisfying about watching a small-town “grump” fall first and fall hard — and this story delivers exactly that kind of swoony chaos.
Foster and Ari’s story is quick, sweet, and packed with that instant spark energy that makes novella romances so fun. Foster’s reputation as the town’s difficult loner makes him an unlikely romantic lead at first, but underneath the blunt words and broody exterior is a genuinely thoughtful guy who shows his feelings through actions rather than grand speeches. Watching him try (and sometimes fail) to navigate his growing feelings for Ari was easily my favorite part.
Ari is the perfect contrast — warm, optimistic, and determined to stay single… until she isn’t. I loved how her certainty about her independence slowly unraveled once she started seeing who Foster really was. Their chemistry feels immediate but still believable within the fast pace of the story, and the grumpy/sunshine dynamic is done in a way that feels playful rather than over-the-top.
The small-town setting adds charm, especially with the Valentine’s Day backdrop and the matchmaking angle stirring the pot. Everything moves quickly, but that’s exactly what this series promises: short, steamy, feel-good romance with heart.
If you enjoy insta-love, protective grumps, sweet heroines, and cozy small-town vibes, this one is an easy, satisfying read. Quick, spicy, and genuinely charming — sometimes failing at staying single is the best possible outcome.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Foster and Ari’s story is quick, sweet, and packed with that instant spark energy that makes novella romances so fun. Foster’s reputation as the town’s difficult loner makes him an unlikely romantic lead at first, but underneath the blunt words and broody exterior is a genuinely thoughtful guy who shows his feelings through actions rather than grand speeches. Watching him try (and sometimes fail) to navigate his growing feelings for Ari was easily my favorite part.
Ari is the perfect contrast — warm, optimistic, and determined to stay single… until she isn’t. I loved how her certainty about her independence slowly unraveled once she started seeing who Foster really was. Their chemistry feels immediate but still believable within the fast pace of the story, and the grumpy/sunshine dynamic is done in a way that feels playful rather than over-the-top.
The small-town setting adds charm, especially with the Valentine’s Day backdrop and the matchmaking angle stirring the pot. Everything moves quickly, but that’s exactly what this series promises: short, steamy, feel-good romance with heart.
If you enjoy insta-love, protective grumps, sweet heroines, and cozy small-town vibes, this one is an easy, satisfying read. Quick, spicy, and genuinely charming — sometimes failing at staying single is the best possible outcome.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 17, 2026
Valentine's Dance and blind dates
Unmatchable is the second book in the Songbird Ridge: A Year in the Life series. This story takes place around Valentine's Day and is about Ariana 'Ari' Little and Foster Hale. Ari is the older sister of Riley, who with Rowdy had their own romance in Unruly. She works at the front desk of the local pediatrician's office during the week and makes paper and quills during her spare time, so she does not take a wage from the town's artist fund. Foster moved to Songbird Ridge with the throw of a dart. He opened his own store, Foster's Sports and Outdoors. Around town Foster is known as the Grumpy Yankee, meanwhile Ari always has a smile for everyone she sees and meets. But these two have also been watching each other to the point of distraction. With the help of Maddie and her determination to get her new matchmaking business into full swing on Valentine's Day Ari and Foster are put together in ways they were not expecting which leads to some unexpected feelings and some toe curling kisses.
I loved this book. The story is fun, quirky, deliciously naughty and filled with romance and love.
Unmatchable is the second book in the Songbird Ridge: A Year in the Life series. This story takes place around Valentine's Day and is about Ariana 'Ari' Little and Foster Hale. Ari is the older sister of Riley, who with Rowdy had their own romance in Unruly. She works at the front desk of the local pediatrician's office during the week and makes paper and quills during her spare time, so she does not take a wage from the town's artist fund. Foster moved to Songbird Ridge with the throw of a dart. He opened his own store, Foster's Sports and Outdoors. Around town Foster is known as the Grumpy Yankee, meanwhile Ari always has a smile for everyone she sees and meets. But these two have also been watching each other to the point of distraction. With the help of Maddie and her determination to get her new matchmaking business into full swing on Valentine's Day Ari and Foster are put together in ways they were not expecting which leads to some unexpected feelings and some toe curling kisses.
I loved this book. The story is fun, quirky, deliciously naughty and filled with romance and love.
February 13, 2026
Ya’ll the town grump got his own book, or as the town refers to him as the Grumpy Yankee, lol. Either way ya’ll get the reference. And it looks like he has a thing for the happy go lucky Ari, it’s really apparent when he sees her without a coat on and runs her out one…from his shop. Oh, and someone was talking to him in his shop when he ran the coat out to her…yup the grump had it bad. Which makes total sense since Ari is the happy ray of sunshine. Opposites really do attract.
Safe read with the sweet town grump and his very direct ray of sunshine. I love that Ari was more the direct one on what she wanted, this was like a breath of fresh air to me. Especially in the epilogue, which I adored, and a hea.
Safe read with the sweet town grump and his very direct ray of sunshine. I love that Ari was more the direct one on what she wanted, this was like a breath of fresh air to me. Especially in the epilogue, which I adored, and a hea.
February 24, 2026
Book 2 of the Songbird Ridge: A Year in the Life series. Can be read as a standalone but for maximum enjoyment read the books in series order.
'i might have real feelings for Foster. The only problem is, I have my doubts that Foster is the settling-down type.'
The characters drove the storyline and they were so very appealing and likeable and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. All in all a great addition to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.
Kick back and enjoy the read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'i might have real feelings for Foster. The only problem is, I have my doubts that Foster is the settling-down type.'
The characters drove the storyline and they were so very appealing and likeable and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. All in all a great addition to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.
Kick back and enjoy the read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
Foster, known as the grumpy yankee and Ari, walking sunshine are perfect together. They’ve been tasked with decorating the community center for the Valentines dance. As they start talking Ari realizes there’s more to Foster than the grumpy yankee he’s known as. And Foster finally gets to spend time with Ari who he’s been wanting since he saw her 2 years ago. Fast paced and steamy, feel good with excellent writing. I loved this story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 15, 2026
I’m loving these quick and easy to read stories from Songbird Ridge.
Both Foster and Ari are “happy” being single and don’t think relationships are for them. But flirty banter, quick chemistry, and a matchmaking best friend lead these two to realising that they’re perfect for each other.
Humour, sweet, swoony and steamy scenes, great friendships, a cute small town and loads of heart. I’m looking forward to reading Maddie’s story next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Both Foster and Ari are “happy” being single and don’t think relationships are for them. But flirty banter, quick chemistry, and a matchmaking best friend lead these two to realising that they’re perfect for each other.
Humour, sweet, swoony and steamy scenes, great friendships, a cute small town and loads of heart. I’m looking forward to reading Maddie’s story next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 17, 2026
A truly delightful grumpy sunshine romance that had cupid shooting his arrows to get this couple together. There's forced proximity, a hot glue gun snafu, fairy lights that bring tears to the eyes, and even a blackout that leads to mischief on the bed from Romeo and Juliet. It was so fun watching these to fall for one another, skip a bunch of unneeded steps in the dating process, and jump to happily ever after. After all, if you know it's right, why go through all the hoops.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review.
February 24, 2026
Abby Knox's charming Songbird Ridge series continues with the second book, Unmatchable. Foster is known as the grumpy Yankee, the store owner most townsfolk expect will be perennially single. Ari is full of sunshine and light, self-determined to be perennially single. However, Foster harbors a soft spot for Ari, and when they end up working together for the Valentine's Day dance, the embers burning between them become destined to ignite. An entertaining, sweet and steamy romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 27, 2026
This series is surprising me with every story. Foster had always observed Ari, and they finally shared more than just a simple conversation. They grew closer, and the attraction intensified, but everything between them could end before it even began. They each had a Valentine's Day date, and that could change everything. This is the second book in the Songbird Ridge series, and it's a very good read. I'm excited for the next story.
March 1, 2026
Foster and Ari's grumpy/sunshine, opposite attract romance novella had me cheering for them from the start. I love how the author brought them together, and the epilogue was the cherry on top. This is a well written, Valentine's Day romance with believable characters, all set in a small town that makes this a great addition to the Songbird Ridge: A Year in the Life series. I am loving this series, and I can't wait to read the next book. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
March 17, 2026
Foster is the town’s misunderstood grump—blunt, solitary, and far more tender than anyone gives him credit for. Ari is pure warmth and optimism, happily committed to staying single… until one night working alongside Foster cracks her resolve. Neither expected to fall for the other but when the chemistry is hot, you can't fight it for long. Will they give in to their growing feelings and see what they could have together?
February 23, 2026
I liked getting to know Foster better in this book, I also liked seeing how into Ari he was and seeing them come together. I believed in their connection and chemistry, liked the support they had and how open and honest they were with each other.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
Book 2 of Songbird Ridge: A Year in the Life story of Ari and Foster. These two are just perfect examples of grumpy/sunshine opposites that just make you believe they are perfect together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 23, 2026
The author has given us a wonderful story that pulls us into the lives of Foster and Ari. The heartwarming story keeps us turning the pages with connection, denial, insecurities, fears and steam.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 25, 2026
The second book in the series. I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters, A cute grumpy and sunshine story,.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 26, 2026
He’s a grump…
Foster is an adorable, mountain of a man who says little and has a crush on Ari. Ari’s sunshine to his grumpy. She talks enough for them both. Foster really is misunderstood. But he gets Ari.
Recommend.
Foster is an adorable, mountain of a man who says little and has a crush on Ari. Ari’s sunshine to his grumpy. She talks enough for them both. Foster really is misunderstood. But he gets Ari.
Recommend.
February 22, 2026
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how close proximity has Foster and Ari falling in love. They are perfect for each other.
March 3, 2026
Foster & Ari
I adore this one. Has a little bit of everything. Good fun, passion and amazing characters
I adore this one. Has a little bit of everything. Good fun, passion and amazing characters
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews