We have just released Resisting The Single Dad Next Door by Louisa George which takes place on Rawhiti Island in New Zealand, a small beachside town with STUNNING views and wildlife. This uplifting romance features a GP single dad, a neighbours-to-lovers romance and a kiss under the stars that changes everything…

Read about Louisa’s inspiration below!

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Every October for the last 18 years my family have holidayed on a small island off the coast of Auckland, New Zealand. We go for a long weekend along with nine other families and stay at an outdoor recreation camp where we kayak, swim and hike, barbeque our meals, eat outside and breathe wonderful, fresh air. We’re surrounded by lush green bush housing an array of native birds (like the cheeky weka mentioned in the story) on one side and clear blue water on the other. Sometimes we’re lucky enough to have dolphins come and play in the cove, and we always have stingray in the shallows. It’s absolute heaven (with no internet!).

So when I was looking for an island setting for my new medical romance duet I knew exactly where my hero and heroine were going to live (although I have made the island slightly bigger and given it a fictional name: Rāwhiti Island, which means Eastern Island in Te Reo Maori language). Although island life sounds wonderful, it’s not without its difficulties too. It’s remote and has fewer resources to hand in an emergency. The island people have to be resourceful and resilient and they fight hard to protect their beautiful, precious home and everyone who lives there.

When Owen arrives on the island he’s craving some quality time with his little boy and is getting to grips with being a solo parent, never mind adjusting to island life. The last thing he needs is a bossy school camp teacher telling him what to do and when. So when he meets Carly for the first time and she tells him off, he determines to stay well away from her.

Along with her best friend and sister-in-law Mia, Carly has inherited the outdoor camp she works at. But her heart is no longer in it, Rāwhiti Camp and the island hold too many bittersweet memories, so she’s heading off on a big adventure overseas to heal and put her tragedy behind her. She lost her husband in a terrible accident, she’s definitely not looking for romance again, certainly not on the island. Not ever. But when Owen’s and Carly’s lives become entwined through work, and living next door to each other, they have to fight to keep any kind of attraction at arm’s length.

But this is why I love writing romance! I love getting to know my characters, learning who they are and what they need, what they’re frightened of, what their emotional barriers are and … breaking them down bit by bit. It’s such fun watching them grow and learn to trust again. And I love throwing all sorts of obstacles along the way to challenge them even more! (Oh, what an evil author!), plus a sprinkling of fun too.

In Resisting The Single Dad Next Door I hope I’ve given you a taste of island life, but more, I hope I’ve given Carly and Owen the story they deserve and the love they both need. And if you enjoyed it please check back for Mia’s story, also set on Rāwhiti Island…a second chance, secret baby, reunion story. Out now!

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Resisting The Single Dad Next Door by Louisa George

Carly lost her husband years ago and its finally time to move on from the beautiful island they called home. Until she meets new neighbour, GP Owen and his adorable son. Carly hasn’t felt sparks like this in a long time, but Owen’s still reeling from his ex-wife’s abandonment. Since neither can commit to anything long-term, she must resist their undeniable attraction – easier said than done after he kisses her under the stars…!

Read now in eBook or in paperback which also features Paramedic’s One-Night Baby Bombshell by Amy Ruttan.

By Lauren Gardiner