Title: Crossroads of Love
Series: Hicks Creek #1
Author: Kris Abbott
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Small Town/Slow Burn/Alpha Male
Forbidden Romance/Second Chance
Release Date: March 4, 2025
BLURB
Returning to my small hometown was never part of the plan—but life has a way of forcing your hand.
I’m Gavin Wells—wealthy, divorced, and carrying enough baggage to fill this tiny town. My father’s funeral should’ve been a quick in-and-out, but nothing about coming home is ever that simple. Especially when it means facing her.
Lena Marshall—my brother’s widow, the girl I once loved, and the one I’ve never really let go. Seeing her again stirs up feelings we both thought we’d buried. But with the past comes secrets, and my family’s skeletons are clawing their way out, threatening to shatter Lena’s trust—and her heart—all over again.
Walking away would be easier. Safer. But I’ve spent too long running from my demons. Now, I have to prove I’m not the man who runs, but the one who fights—for her, for us, and for the second chance we both deserve.
PURCHASE LINKS
Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars
I knew Crossroads of Love was going to be a forbidden, small-town, second-chance romance, but I wasn’t expecting the suspense and messy family drama that came with it. I thought this was a solid debut novel from Kris Abbott, with strong characters, an interesting story, and lots of secrets and lies.
Nearly 18 years after Gavin broke Lena’s heart in college, he is reluctantly returning home to Hicks Creek for his father’s funeral. What he thought would be a quick trip in and out becomes very complicated when Gavin realizes his estranged father left a very specific clause in his will. There are a lot of inconsistencies in settling up the estate of his brother, Lena’s late husband, who died two years ago. Things don’t add up, and Gavin is determined to get to the bottom of it. It’s clear that there’s still an insane connection between Lena and Gavin, but it’s not so easy for them to get involved again. She is still carrying around a lot of hurt from the way they broke up, she has baggage from the tumultuous marriage that everyone else in town thought was picture-perfect, and as the mayor, Lena worries about the optics of her getting involved with Gavin so soon after Aaron’s death. Over time, Gavin is able to get Lena to place her trust in him again, and just as they work though the past hurts that lie between them, what Gavin discovers about his brother’s shady past threatens to destroy Lena all over again.
I loved the author’s juxtaposition of the literal tornado outside taking place as the characters “reunite” for the first time in years. I also liked how Lena’s teenage daughter, Jayla, was written. She was strong and sassy and adored her uncle, yet she was understandably needed an adjustment to the thought of her mom and uncle dating. I also appreciated how mature she was when it came to realizing how happy Gavin made Lena after the half-life her mom was living when Aaron was alive.
Most of this book was a solid read, but then once the truth about Aaron comes out… it was just too quickly tied up. I felt that part in the end was rushed to get to the last chapter of the book, and I didn’t feel like it was thoroughly explained. Despite that, I thought this was a really solid debut book and I’ll be on the lookout for more from the Hicks Creek series!
COMING SOON
Releasing May 6
AUTHOR BIO
Kris Abbott is a contemporary romance author who thrives on crafting stories brimming with passion, twists, and irresistible brooding alpha heroes. Based in Northern Canada, Kris is an unapologetic romantic with a penchant for weaving unforgettable characters—flawed, raw, and deeply human—that will leave you breathless. When she’s not dreaming up her next plot, Kris loves to travel, often finding inspiration for her novels in the beauty and culture of her destinations. Whether on the road or at home, Kris delights in creating stories that stir your heart and keep you turning the pages late into the night.
AUTHOR LINKS
Sunny Shelly Reads 