Exes & Other Unexpected Guests

by Annette K. Larsen

Handsome guests are off limits. Or at least they should be.



Hadley Williams loves three her job at the Honeybrook Inn, her small hometown of Elmhurst, and the childhood house she’s desperate to buy back before it’s sold to someone else.



Losing that house would mean losing the last place that still feels tied to the life she used to have—before her best friend died, before her parents moved away, and before the boy she loved disappeared without a goodbye.



So when the town’s infamous cranky orange cat starts being nice to Liam, Hadley refuses to read anything into it. Nevermind the local legend claiming the fluffy menace can predict when people are about to fall in love.



Liam Saunders is only in Elmhurst temporarily, while he helps his stepbrother clean out and renovate the house he unexpectedly inherited from an abusive father.



But the longer he stays at the Honeybrook Inn, the harder it becomes to ignore the woman who makes Elmhurst feel like a place he could call home.



And just when Hadley finally decides to risk her heart again, the ex who vanished years ago suddenly returns—bringing old wounds, unanswered questions, and consequences that could change everything.

214 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 25, 2026

About the author

I love words. I always have. In songs, in poems, in books, in movies—words move me. In my younger years, I dabbled in writing as a therapy and an escape, but I never expected it to become more than that. While deep in the depths of mommying several small children, I took seven years to write my first book, Just Ella. During that time, I taught myself how to write a novel through a whole lot of trial and error. Not the most time-efficient method, but it gave me an education I wouldn’t have received from a class or a how-to book. Something about the struggle of writing without a formula or rules worked for me. I wrote for me. I wrote from my heart space, and I think that’s the reason that Just Ella has found room in so many of my readers’ heart spaces.

I write clean romance because I love it. I love the discovery of new love. I love the relationship building that’s done with looks, words, brushing fingers, and tentative kisses. Jane Eyre is the hero of my youth and taught me that being true to yourself and clinging to your convictions will be hard, but it will bring you more genuine happiness than giving up on yourself ever can.

I am an extraordinarily happy wife, and a mother of five kids. I’ve lived in Utah, Arizona, Missouri, and Virginia, but my heart is now firmly ensconced in Idaho where we’ve built a home and a community.

I love chocolate, waterfalls, pretty teacups, the sight and sound of ocean waves, and most especially my husband and my five littles. I love books that leave me with a sigh of contentment, and I aspire to write stories that do the same for my readers.

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annetteklar...
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Reviews

[Alicia (aliciasalwaysreading)]

I had the honor of proofreading this one! I definitely laughed out loud at points. You won’t have to wait too much longer to read it yourself!

[Schlabach Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a cozy town vibe, the author got that down to a T. I liked the small town relations, complicated relationships, and of course the real star of the show, Sterrance the cat. Seriously, that cat bit was hilarious, and all of the lore behind him made it seem almost believable 🤣🐈 Hadley and Liam were a fun couple, until Liam was well, impossible. I won't say anything else due to spoilers. The redemption arc was strong in this story, as was moving on past old hurts and life's past. A good reminder that life is hard, but one can persevere. I was not a fan of the language, several mentions of cursing, WTF x 1 (in acronyms only) p*ss x TNTC. I did appreciate the author not taking the Lord's name in vain.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. This is my honest review.

[Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cute, sweet romance. I love this author’s fairy tale retellings and her romantic suspense. It’d been a while since I’d read one of her sweet romances. I wasn’t expecting the twist in this story! What a surprise! She did a great job with this book and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys clean romance.

[Jana Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is seriously laugh-out-loud funny while also having heart and real characters with relatable problems. Plus, you know, a matchmaking cat. I read this book so fast and will definitely read it again. Annette Larsen is the queen of banter and swoon! I’ve read all her books, adore them all, and can’t wait for the next one.

[Rins H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the first 100 pages so much! The banter & chemistry was amazing! I smile & laughed so much. The rest of the book was a little less enjoyable for me, just because of the dynamics changing, but It was written well throughout & had some great lessons of how to treat those in our life.

[Kimberly Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had such a good time reading this book. The characters were so lovable and relatable and the small-town vibes were immaculate. I laughed out loud, chuckled, and really freaked out when the unexpected guest showed up. Cried, too. Larsen knocked it out of the park on this one.