Clara Vaughn flees to Willow Creek after a breakup shatters her city life, trading paintbrushes for a quiet cottage?and a chance to heal. She's hopeless in the kitchen, but when Theo Callahan, the town's gruff, flour-dusted baker, offers to teach her the art of sourdough, her fresh start takes an unexpected turn. Between sticky dough and late-night talks over warm bread, a slow-burn romance rises, as tender and resilient as the loaves they shape together. But when Clara's ex reappears and Theo's guarded past threatens to pull them apart, they must confront their scars to trust in something new. In a quaint town where love proofs like yeast, can two wounded hearts knead their way to a future? A cozy, heartfelt tale of second chances, *Kneaded Hearts* proves that sometimes, the best things take time to rise.

Lexi Rose is a passionate storyteller who crafts steamy romances with heart and heat. A lover of coffee, rainy nights, and the electric spark of new love, she draws inspiration from the small moments that ignite big desires. Lexi grew up in a sleepy Midwest town, dreaming of city lights and tangled sheets, before trading cornfields for a laptop and a life of words. With a knack for blending sensuality and soul, her novels?like *Brewing Desires*?explore the messy, beautiful dance of intimacy and connection. When she's not writing, Lexi can be found sipping espresso, sketching in cozy cafés, or plotting her next tale of lust and longing. She lives in a bustling urban nook with her cat, Mocha, and a shelf of well-worn romance novels. Follow her for updates on her next sizzling story.