Tidewater Summer by Jo Huddleston

Is solitude what she really wants? After physical abuse by her fiancé, Rose Marie Henley’s aunt convinces Rose to spend the summer at her South Carolina beach cottage. Still reeling from the abuse and total mistrust of all men, Rose seeks solitude during her island summer. Her aunt’s handyman sends his nephew Frank Sutton to repair Rose’s water heater. Frank has an instant attraction to Rose and senses how close she is to crumbling. He’ll do anything to protect her, but she quickly plants a thick wall between them. In this compelling sweet Southern romance, will Rose accept Frank’s enduring patience and open her heart to love again?