Returning to his hometown wasn't on the plan, but could it be the answer?
Chef and restaurateur Jake Ruiz left Newport, Washington, behind, carrying painful memories and a family that had practically disowned him for being gay. Years later, an unexpected family emergency draws him back home. Dealing with the grief of losing his husband and suddenly becoming a single father to his five-year-old, Jake confronts his disapproving mother, his ailing father, a crumbling family restaurant, and the resurfacing of his childhood crush, Colton Humphrey. As old feelings ignite, Jake begins to wonder if Newport could finally be the place where he belongs.

In his debut novel, Will Manwill explores the tangled bonds of family, love and acceptance within a conservative Mexican-American household. Winner of the 2021 Best Book Award for LGBT Fiction from American Book Fest and the 2022 Distinguished Favorite in LGBTQ Fiction for the Independent Press Award, this heartfelt story will resonate with anyone seeking hope, belonging and a fresh start.