Iris Thorne has one rule for running the Thistle Tea Shop: people before profit. The guild’s new audit doesn’t care about warm scones and found family—only ledgers, margins, and compliance. Enter Rowan Hale, a by-the-book auditor with rain in his hair, patience in his voice, and zero time for “quirks.” When Iris crafts a moonbound clause to save the shop—balance the books by the full moon and the audit passes—receipts start falling into place, tips stretch further, and the town rallies. So does the jealous little hex rattling spoons whenever Rowan stands too close.
As a rival chain circles and the guild prepares a surprise inspection, Iris and Rowan sift through invoices, secrets, and sparks that refuse to stay professional. Numbers tell one story; neighbors tell another. To keep her sanctuary open, Iris must prove both matter—and decide if the safest choice is letting love rewrite the contract.
Tropes & vibes: cozy romantasy, grumpy×sunshine, small-town magic, found family, slow burn, cat familiar, guaranteed HEA.
