Love You Mean It by Laura Pavlov is a heartfelt small-town romance set in Blushing, Alaska. When Violet Beaumont accidentally floods her home, she is forced to move into the guesthouse of Charlie Huxley, a grumpy yet dependable general contractor who built the venue for her wedding-planning business. Though their relationship starts off rocky, Violet and Charlie can’t help but feel an electric chemistry as they navigate the chaos of home repairs and daily life.

As their time together grows, Laura Pavlov reveals deep emotional layers: Violet carries the pain of an absent father, a troubled mother, and a fractured sisterhood, while Charlie is a single dad raising his daughter Harper largely on his own. Their “casual hookup” cuts deeper as they form a real bond, and Violet finds a surprising sense of belonging with Charlie and Harper. But before she can open her heart fully, Violet must learn to set boundaries—and decide if she’s strong enough to commit to the family she’s always wanted¹.