She escaped the storm. She didn’t expect to find a man who smells like charcoal and lavender—and feels like home. A slow-burn, emotionally intense contemporary romance about a woman rebuilding her life after abuse, and the hotel owner who teaches her how to breathe again. For readers who love deeply felt, healing romances like Mia Sheridan and Devney Perry —with found family, protective heroes, and hard-won happy endings. On her twenty-second birthday, Annabeth Mancini runs. A bus ticket to San Diego, a drained bank account, and a duffel bag are all she has left after years of control, manipulation, and bruises no one wanted to see. She steps off the bus a walking shadow—hood up, sunglasses on, heart hammering with one question: How did it get this far? The oceanfront hotel where she lands should be just another stop. Instead, it gives her three things she’s never really had: a job behind a lively bar, - a found family who actually sees her, - and Nick Santoro—the owner whose quiet strength calms the storm in her chest. Nick knows grief. He’s already lost the woman he thought was his forever, and he’s built his life around keeping everyone else afloat. Running the hotel, watching the tide, taking care of everyone but himself—it’s easier than letting anyone close again. Then Annabeth walks into his lobby—a skittish New Yorker with sharp wit, a bruised past, and a laugh he wants to hear on repeat. Lavender clings to her skin; charcoal clings to his. Somehow, breathing together— in for four, out for six —starts to feel like a promise. As late nights at the bar turn into shared breakfasts, movie marathons in his ridiculous oversized chair, and stolen smiles in the elevator, Annabeth starts to believe in things she’d written off a long time ago: safety, softness, and a love that doesn’t demand she shrink to fit. But abusers don’t let go easily. When her past tracks her down, Annabeth is forced to confront the man who once owned her fear—and the woman she refuses to be anymore. The fallout will test everything: Nick’s vow to be her calm, her right to choose herself, and the fragile future they’re building along the San Diego shore. To claim her new life, Annabeth has to do more than survive the storm. She has to believe she deserves the sunrise. In Charcoal & Lavender , you’ll find: Slow-burn contemporary romance with emotional depth - A heroine fleeing domestic abuse and learning to trust again - A protective, soft-hearted hotel/bar owner hero - Found family at a seaside bar - Trauma, panic, and healing handled with care - Oceanside San Diego vibes, comfort food, and movie marathons - A hard-earned, hopeful HEA Content notes: This novel includes on-page depictions of domestic violence, kidnapping, and trauma responses (panic, flashbacks). All are handled with a strong focus on survival, support, and healing. Content notes: This novel includes on-page depictions of domestic violence, kidnapping, and trauma responses (panic, flashbacks). All are handled with a strong focus on survival, support, and healing.