When life gets out of hand what better tool is there then a really good day planner to get it back in order. Dawn Taggart's life was the epitome of messy and demoralizing. Her choices seemed to go from bad to worse, starting with an unplanned pregnancy as a teenager which led to an unhappy marriage which left her so vulnerable and hungry for real love she fell for a married man. The only good thing she treasured in this rather disappointing life was her son Andrew. But now she was left with a deep void in her own life with Andrew was getting ready to embark on his own future in college. It was just a matter of time until Dawn found herself alone. So she heads off to East Texas to help out her brother, Jack, and sister-in-law, Nellie, run Tucker House, a senior care facility, until their baby is born. Oak Stand had a lot to offer, particularly a community of people who, although rather irascible and nosy, take good care of their own. It was also far enough away from her terribly dependent ex-husband and several of her other mistakes and failures.

Tyson Hart was returning to Oak Stand to start a new chapter in his life. After his return from a tour of duty in Iraq, he watched his own marriage break apart leaving him to deal with a cheating soon to be ex-wife and a thirteen year old daughter who was becoming more of a stranger each day. Tyson had roots here with his grandfather. Having been hired as a contractor improving Tucker House gave him purpose. His immediate goals were rather simple, set up housekeeping in Oak Stand and make a good stable home for when his daughter, Laurel, visits. Problem was Laurel wasn't cooperating. Her anger seemed to be wholly directed toward her father and lately Karen, his ex, was sending mixed vibes about filing the divorce papers.

Both Dawn and Tyson were gun shy in the romance department but neither could deny the almost immediate attraction. Sure they were both lonely but that didn't make either of them good relationship material. Too much baggage. The sensible thing would be to just remain friends. Heck -- who ever said love was sensible.

Kids you can't live with them and you can't live without them. That's the ongoing theme of this story. Grownups trying to get their lives back on track while their kids systematically railroad their efforts. You alternate between commiserating with the children and wanting to send them for a time out. The solution is rather clear -- life just can't be planned and directed. Life is basically messy.

Book Summary

Her stay in Oak Stand, Texas, is only temporary. After a series of setbacks, Dawn Taggart is giving herself one year to pull everything together so she can start over somewhere else. No putting down roots here. No romantic entanglements. No exceptions!

Not even the very persuasive Tyson Hart can change that. A contractor looking for a fresh start himself, Tyson is the type of guy who promises forever—and means it. But Dawn refuses to let those whiskey-colored eyes, that smooth voice and the broadest set of shoulders this side of Houston weaken her resolve. Her mind is made up. Now, if she could only convince her heart…