**WINNER of the 2024 Next Generation Indie Book Awards for Series Fiction (Jasmine Falls Love Stories series)** **Winner of the IPPY Silver Medal for Romance 2023** When a burned-out artist returns to her quiet hometown in South Carolina, it's to wrangle her chaotic life back into order-not to fall in love. But the man next door is determined to change her mind-and her heart-with a second chance she never saw coming. An epic breakup and a sinking career have left Fiona missing the one thing she needs most: joy. An upcoming gallery show could save her, but it means doing the impossible...because how can she paint when she has no inspiration? The timing couldn't be worse when Fiona's called home to help her beloved Aunt Delia recover from surgery. She can't say no-even though missing her deadline will destroy her. Even worse, she's horrified to learn that her temporary neighbor is the wildly successful sculptor Alex Fox. Alex was her first real love-but then ditched her for reasons she still doesn't understand. Now eight years later, she still wants to hate him-but Mr. Criminally Hot and Broody has become the town teddy bear: helping Delia with chores, fundraising for the library, and now offering Fiona a job that's a lifeline. Working together on a secret project lights a fire in Fiona that she thought she'd lost forever-and has her falling even harder for Alex. Soon she sees what he's been showing her all summer: all the wonder she needs is in her own heart-if only she's willing to keep it open. Loaded with wit, warmth, and unforgettable small-town escapades, this dual POV closed-door romcom is perfect for readers of Sarah Adams, Katherine Center, and BK Borison. "Irresistibly relatable characters, a charming small town setting, and downright delicious-The Almost Lovebirds has everything I want in a novel, which is why I tore through it in less than 24 hours. I'll read anything Lucy Day writes." -Camille Pagán, bestselling author of Good for You