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The Parent App #3
Second Bloom
Not yet published
Expected 12 Mar 26She's been looking for the right man her entire life.
Everyone knows who it is—except her.
Single mom Esme Taylor doesn't do risk. Not anymore. She runs her flower shop in the small coastal town of Willet Cove, raises two kids, and never again depends on a man who might leave when things get hard.
But there's one man she lets close.
Grady Nash has been her best friend for five years. He fixes what breaks, shows up when she calls, and loves her kids unconditionally. He feels like everything she needs.
Which is exactly the problem.
Because Grady runs a surf shop, lives simply, and seems content with very little. To Esme—who needs security, stability, a man with a future—he looks like everything she can't afford to risk.
What she doesn't know is that Grady is hiding a past so toxic, he'll do anything to keep it from touching her life.
A past that comes with a fortune he's never claimed. A scandal that destroyed everything he was. And a truth that—if it ever surfaces—could bring danger and scrutiny crashing down on the family he's sworn to protect.
When buried feelings force them past the safety of friendship, Esme must decide if she can trust the man who's been lying to her for years.
And Grady must choose between the life he's built in the shadows—or risking everything, including her safety, for the love he's never stopped wanting.
Because some secrets are kept to protect the people we love.
And some will test whether love is strong enough to survive the truth.
A clean and wholesome friends-to-lovers romance set in a small coastal town from USA Today Bestselling author Tess Thompson.
Everyone knows who it is—except her.
Single mom Esme Taylor doesn't do risk. Not anymore. She runs her flower shop in the small coastal town of Willet Cove, raises two kids, and never again depends on a man who might leave when things get hard.
But there's one man she lets close.
Grady Nash has been her best friend for five years. He fixes what breaks, shows up when she calls, and loves her kids unconditionally. He feels like everything she needs.
Which is exactly the problem.
Because Grady runs a surf shop, lives simply, and seems content with very little. To Esme—who needs security, stability, a man with a future—he looks like everything she can't afford to risk.
What she doesn't know is that Grady is hiding a past so toxic, he'll do anything to keep it from touching her life.
A past that comes with a fortune he's never claimed. A scandal that destroyed everything he was. And a truth that—if it ever surfaces—could bring danger and scrutiny crashing down on the family he's sworn to protect.
When buried feelings force them past the safety of friendship, Esme must decide if she can trust the man who's been lying to her for years.
And Grady must choose between the life he's built in the shadows—or risking everything, including her safety, for the love he's never stopped wanting.
Because some secrets are kept to protect the people we love.
And some will test whether love is strong enough to survive the truth.
A clean and wholesome friends-to-lovers romance set in a small coastal town from USA Today Bestselling author Tess Thompson.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 12, 2026
3 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Tess Thompson
106 books1,752 followersTess Thompson Romance...hometowns and heartstrings.
Tess Thompson is the USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author of contemporary and historical Romantic Women’s Fiction with over 60 published titles. When asked to describe her books, she could never figure out what to say that would perfectly sum them up until she landed on, Hometowns and Heartstrings.
She’s married to her prince, Best Husband Ever, and is the mother of their blended family of four kids and five cats. Best Husband Ever is seventeen months younger, which qualifies Tess as a Cougar, a title she wears proudly. Her Bonus Sons are young adults with pretty hair and big brains like their dad. Daughters, better known as Princess One and Two, are teenagers who make their mama proud because they’re kind. They’re also smart, but a mother shouldn’t brag.
Tess loves lazy afternoons watching football, hanging out on the back patio with Best Husband Ever, reading in bed, binge-watching television series, red wine, strong coffee and walks on crisp autumn days. She laughs a little too loudly, never knows what to make for dinner, looks ridiculous kickboxing in an attempt to combat her muffin top, and always complains about the
rain even though she chose to live in Seattle.
She’s proud to have grown up in a small town like the ones in her novels. After graduating from the University of Southern California Drama School, she had hopes of becoming an actress but was called instead to writing fiction. She’s grateful to spend most days in her office matchmaking her characters while her favorite cat Mittens (shhh…don’t tell the others) sleeps on the desk.
She adores hearing from readers, so don’t hesitate to say hello or sign up for her newsletter:
http://tesswrites.com/. You’ll receive an ebook copy of her novella, The Santa Trial, for your
efforts.
Much to her father’s horror, you can find her everywhere on social media.
BookBub: http://bit.ly/2esOcrn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTessTh...
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2vClTfX
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tesswrites
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tesswrites
Instagram: https://instagram.com/tessielouwrites
Please note: Tess is not affiliated with the writing duo of Charlene Tess and Judi Thompson.
Tess Thompson is the USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author of contemporary and historical Romantic Women’s Fiction with over 60 published titles. When asked to describe her books, she could never figure out what to say that would perfectly sum them up until she landed on, Hometowns and Heartstrings.
She’s married to her prince, Best Husband Ever, and is the mother of their blended family of four kids and five cats. Best Husband Ever is seventeen months younger, which qualifies Tess as a Cougar, a title she wears proudly. Her Bonus Sons are young adults with pretty hair and big brains like their dad. Daughters, better known as Princess One and Two, are teenagers who make their mama proud because they’re kind. They’re also smart, but a mother shouldn’t brag.
Tess loves lazy afternoons watching football, hanging out on the back patio with Best Husband Ever, reading in bed, binge-watching television series, red wine, strong coffee and walks on crisp autumn days. She laughs a little too loudly, never knows what to make for dinner, looks ridiculous kickboxing in an attempt to combat her muffin top, and always complains about the
rain even though she chose to live in Seattle.
She’s proud to have grown up in a small town like the ones in her novels. After graduating from the University of Southern California Drama School, she had hopes of becoming an actress but was called instead to writing fiction. She’s grateful to spend most days in her office matchmaking her characters while her favorite cat Mittens (shhh…don’t tell the others) sleeps on the desk.
She adores hearing from readers, so don’t hesitate to say hello or sign up for her newsletter:
http://tesswrites.com/. You’ll receive an ebook copy of her novella, The Santa Trial, for your
efforts.
Much to her father’s horror, you can find her everywhere on social media.
BookBub: http://bit.ly/2esOcrn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTessTh...
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2vClTfX
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tesswrites
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tesswrites
Instagram: https://instagram.com/tessielouwrites
Please note: Tess is not affiliated with the writing duo of Charlene Tess and Judi Thompson.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was waiting for this book!!! and it exceeded my expectations!!!
Oh My Grady, I love him before I knew him!! and Esme and the kids, I am so happy for all of them!
While this is book 3 in the series, it can be read as a standalone, but trust me you’re going to want to be in this series from book one!
now, please excuse me while I packed to move to Willet Cove!m
Oh My Grady, I love him before I knew him!! and Esme and the kids, I am so happy for all of them!
While this is book 3 in the series, it can be read as a standalone, but trust me you’re going to want to be in this series from book one!
now, please excuse me while I packed to move to Willet Cove!m
March 10, 2026
Second Bloom is a heartbreaker with heartwarming tendencies. Thompson pushes emotions outside of their comfort zone and delivers haunting romance. From irresistible characters to unpredictable circumstance, Esme and Grady are a sweet surrender I'd gladly experience again and again.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews