Maddie Whittle’s life has been shaped by loss. In an attempt to move past her grief, she’s dedicating herself to transforming her family’s estate into a wellness retreat.
The work is hard, and Maddie has no time for distractions.
Until a runaway piglet from the local farm leads her straight into the path of James Byron — an infuriating blast from her past.
Maddie needs help. James needs a job. What neither of them want is the slow-burning tension that could turn their bickering partnership into something far more dangerous: hope.
As winter sets in and renovations bring them closer, Maddie must confront the one thing she’s avoided for years. The possibility of a future defined not by loss, but by love.
About Sarah Gate
I was born in Hartlepool in 1988, right by the sea. I grew up on the beach, and that love of the ocean inspired me to spend some time living in Venice, Italy, and Essaouira, Morocco, for periods of my life. Both stints inspired my writing in different ways.
My time in Morocco also strengthened my love of dogs. I happen to think they're the greatest thing in the entire world, and I spend a lot of my life trying to rescue them from the streets and rehome them.
I didn't realise how important the North East was to me until I grew up, so I moved home several years ago. When I'm not writing in front of my log burner, I'm trudging through the countryside with my doggies, enjoying this glorious and underrated part of England.
I've spent most of my life marketing charities. As part of that work, I was given the chance to visit Pakistan, Haiti, and Jordan, where I worked with Syrian refugees. I've witnessed first hand how natural disaster and war impacts communities, specifically women and children. Raising awareness of this is important to me, and something I try to do in my writing.
Writing novels is part of my feminist activism. I also use writing to promote veganism and animal rights. You'll find both themes scattered throughout my stories, and I hope you'll be open minded as you read them. Please don't let that put you off! My ultimate goal is to write compelling characters and stories you can't stop thinking about.