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Mapleton #4
Piece By Piece
Welcome back to Mapleton!
Olivia Carlson never expected to be widowed before her thirtieth birthday, so when her husband is killed in a motorcycle accident, life as she knows it falls apart. It takes two years of therapy and the support of her family, friends, and students for Olivia to acknowledge that she owes it to her late husband-and herself-to live more fully. First step? Dating. If only she could control all the variables and guarantee she won't get hurt again.
Vince Vos doesn't date, at least not seriously. He's content to live a bachelor life, committed to his student athletes and his family. Unfortunately, his mom and his sister don't understand, and no amount of free babysitting for his nieces and clean-up duty after Sunday dinner will get them to stop badgering him about settling down. Desperate to have them off his case, Vince shocks everyone and claims he's dating Olivia. But even more surprising than his bluff is Olivia's willingness to play along.
Between early-morning workouts, afternoons spent swapping literature references across the halls, and late-night jigsaw puzzle marathons, Vince and Olivia's friendship and fake-dating arrangement morphs into something that feels a lot like love. But when past wounds threaten to break the future they're piecing together, does the pair have the patience and perseverance to prove they're a perfect fit?
A tender and uplifting contemporary romance set against the backdrop of a charming small town and exploring themes of hope and healing.
Olivia Carlson never expected to be widowed before her thirtieth birthday, so when her husband is killed in a motorcycle accident, life as she knows it falls apart. It takes two years of therapy and the support of her family, friends, and students for Olivia to acknowledge that she owes it to her late husband-and herself-to live more fully. First step? Dating. If only she could control all the variables and guarantee she won't get hurt again.
Vince Vos doesn't date, at least not seriously. He's content to live a bachelor life, committed to his student athletes and his family. Unfortunately, his mom and his sister don't understand, and no amount of free babysitting for his nieces and clean-up duty after Sunday dinner will get them to stop badgering him about settling down. Desperate to have them off his case, Vince shocks everyone and claims he's dating Olivia. But even more surprising than his bluff is Olivia's willingness to play along.
Between early-morning workouts, afternoons spent swapping literature references across the halls, and late-night jigsaw puzzle marathons, Vince and Olivia's friendship and fake-dating arrangement morphs into something that feels a lot like love. But when past wounds threaten to break the future they're piecing together, does the pair have the patience and perseverance to prove they're a perfect fit?
A tender and uplifting contemporary romance set against the backdrop of a charming small town and exploring themes of hope and healing.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2026
About the author
Leah Dobrinska
16 books309 followersLeah Dobrinska is the author of the Songwriter Sleuth Mysteries, the Larkspur Library Mysteries, the Fall In Love romcom series, and the Mapleton novels. She earned her degree in English Literature from UW-Madison where she was awarded the Dean’s Prize and served as a Writing Fellow. She has since worked as a freelance writer, editor, and content marketer. As a kid, she hoped to grow up to be either Nancy Drew or Elizabeth Bennet. Now, she fulfills that dream by writing mysteries and love stories.
A sucker for a good sentence, a happy ending, and the smell of books—both old and new—Leah lives out her very own happily ever after in a small Wisconsin town with her husband and their gaggle of kids. When she's not writing, handing out snacks, visiting the local library, or doing projects around the house, Leah enjoys reading and running. Find out more about Leah, join her newsletter community, and connect with her through her website, leahdobrinska.com.
A sucker for a good sentence, a happy ending, and the smell of books—both old and new—Leah lives out her very own happily ever after in a small Wisconsin town with her husband and their gaggle of kids. When she's not writing, handing out snacks, visiting the local library, or doing projects around the house, Leah enjoys reading and running. Find out more about Leah, join her newsletter community, and connect with her through her website, leahdobrinska.com.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 14, 2026
Just a delight of a small town cozy story. Loved the characters and was rooting for them the whole way through!
April 22, 2026
This Mapleton novel didn't disappoint! I was one of the readers who secretly wished for another Mapleton novel, but loved the other series that Leah has released. It was really fun to "return" to Mapleton for Vince and Olivia's story, as well as reminiscing about other Mapleton couples too!
The fake dating set up was so entertaining to watch as Vince and Olivia's friends and family were picking up on their romantic vibes before the couple actually did. And it was so beautiful to see part of the growth and transformation in Liv's life as she grieved the loss of her husband and opened her heart up again. Also thoroughly enjoyed the banter between these teachers ans their students/athletes! Love is so beautiful and Leah did a wonderful job with this book, as she always does!
Now don't mind me as I start rereading Ashton and Kristy's story again!
The fake dating set up was so entertaining to watch as Vince and Olivia's friends and family were picking up on their romantic vibes before the couple actually did. And it was so beautiful to see part of the growth and transformation in Liv's life as she grieved the loss of her husband and opened her heart up again. Also thoroughly enjoyed the banter between these teachers ans their students/athletes! Love is so beautiful and Leah did a wonderful job with this book, as she always does!
Now don't mind me as I start rereading Ashton and Kristy's story again!
May 3, 2026
Healing After Heartbreak
Olivia and Vince are best friends, neighbors, and coworkers. They've both been through life changing heartbreak. Circumstances push them into a relationship that can either make them or break them. I loved the high schoolers, the best friends, and their family relationships. The dialog is great, and the story and ending are heartwarming.
Olivia and Vince are best friends, neighbors, and coworkers. They've both been through life changing heartbreak. Circumstances push them into a relationship that can either make them or break them. I loved the high schoolers, the best friends, and their family relationships. The dialog is great, and the story and ending are heartwarming.
April 28, 2026
Yusss I loved it
Fake dating is one of my favorites and this one was beautiful. The healing both characters went through made me cry. And of course I really loved how the characters challenged each other to be better versions of themselves. It was beautiful.
Fake dating is one of my favorites and this one was beautiful. The healing both characters went through made me cry. And of course I really loved how the characters challenged each other to be better versions of themselves. It was beautiful.
May 19, 2026
Pics By peace
This was a very sweet and entertaining story. Enjoyed all the characters with their friends and family that shows strong Christian beliefs and wholesome activities. Fake dating leads to... Read it to find out. Enjoy
This was a very sweet and entertaining story. Enjoyed all the characters with their friends and family that shows strong Christian beliefs and wholesome activities. Fake dating leads to... Read it to find out. Enjoy
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April 26, 2026I had the honor of proofreading this one! Now I need to go back and read the first three in the series!
May 19, 2026
Don't mind me falling in love with Mapleton all over again. Friends to lovers and love after loss tropes had the heartstrings tugged. Teared up throughout in the beginning, middle and end.
May 28, 2026
It was a good book. I just wish this series would have been kept closer together. Or that I should have gone back and read the other three books again.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews