Zoe Stanton was looking for peace and quiet—not a fake engagement to the local vicar.

Fleeing the chaos of her six nieces and nephews, (and well-meaning but overbearing sisters), author Zoe retreats to a charming cottage in the Welsh borders, bringing only a laptop and her oversized, troublemaking Maine Coon cat, Jack. But village life comes with its own complications—especially after Jack scratches the nose of the local vicar’s dog, and Zoe, in an unfortunate first impression, manages to both insult his name and his profession.

Single vicar, Reverend Damien Hughes has learnt that the only women brave enough to ask him around are over sixty and armed with homemade scones. He’s baffled when the village starts buzzing with rumours that he and newly arrived Zoe are an item—until Zoe admits she and her friend Becca accidentally started them. Thanks to a hasty white lie in the pub, half of Talwern is convinced they’re engaged. Damien’s bishop expects proper decorum from his soon-to-be-married vicar.

Zoe never expected a relationship—certainly not one with a man whose life revolves around Sunday sermons and moral responsibility. They should clear things up before the gossip gets out of hand. But as forced proximity turns into something dangerously close to real feelings, one thing becomes clear: untangling this mess might mean risking their hearts.