Sophie Claire Whitmore

When ambitious junior lawyer Samantha Leigh is sent on a pro bono assignment to renew the lease of a struggling community center, she expects a quick signature and an even quicker exit. But Brookside is more than cracked tiles and peeling paint—it’s alive with messy joy, homemade muffins, and the unwavering spirit of its volunteer director, Daniel Reyes.

Sam is torn between her corporate climb and the quiet tug of a place that makes her feel seen for the first time in years. Then she uncovers a hidden clause in the lease—a ticking time bomb that could shut down the center mid-renovation. Worse still, it was written by her own firm.

As media buzz builds and a petition spreads across town, Sam and Daniel must navigate legal landmines, community politics, and the growing tension between them. But trust is fragile, and Sam’s loyalty to the center may cost her everything she’s built.

With one foot in the boardroom and the other in a building full of crayons and causes, Sam has to decide what kind of legacy she wants to leave behind.

Will she walk away from the center—and Daniel—or finally stay somewhere she truly belongs?

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