Falling for the single dad next door wasn’t part of my plan when I moved to Blossom Peak. I accepted the teaching job for a fresh start, far away from the controlling ex I left behind.
But Rhonan Hart is everything you could ask for in a man. Strong, dependable, helpful, an amazing father to his daughter, Ellis… and looks beyond sinful in his sheriff’s uniform. Except his daughter is my student, and he’s determined to pretend like our connection doesn’t exist.
(I’m determined to pretend he didn’t see me naked when my shower blew up, and he tried to save me.)
But soon, he’s sneaking over to my house at night—warming my bed, tearing down his walls, and making me want something I knew I couldn’t have.
My life is a mess, one I’m still trying to clean up. But this man and his child give me a glimpse of a future I want, no matter what the cost.
Just when I think I’m on the path to moving on, fate decides to give us the test of time. I just hope this is a test we both survive.
(ARC Read)
Harlow James delivers another emotional, heartfelt knockout with Test of Time, a story about healing, second chances, and the kind of love that sneaks up on you when you least expect it, and then completely takes you down with it.
“We all have scars. Some are hidden on the inside, and some are visible on our skin. But something I’m beginning to understand is that they all have a purpose. And once you start to accept them, they don’t seem so ugly anymore.”
Vienna arrives in Blossom Peak looking for a fresh start. She’s running from heartbreak, a controlling ex, and the grief of losing someone she loved deeply. She isn’t looking for romance—she’s just trying to breathe again. But then she meets a handsome stranger at a bar, and promptly ghosts him by slipping into the bathroom and never coming back.
Rhonan Hart isn’t expecting to be left wondering about a woman who quite literally disappears on him, but he can’t shake the memory of her. So when Vienna suddenly reappears as his next-door neighbor and his daughter’s teacher, the connection they tried to leave behind becomes impossible to ignore.
To the outside world, Rhonan is steady, dependable, and the protective sheriff everyone in Blossom Peak relies on. He’s serious about his job, loyal to his town, and fiercely devoted to his daughter, Ellis. After losing his wife during childbirth, it’s always just been the two of them, and he’s built walls so high that no one has ever come close to breaking them down.
But when it comes to Vienna? That carefully controlled exterior starts to crack.
“And I know that when I’m near you, I feel like gray isn’t the only color in the world. You brighten up any room you enter with your smile and heart.”
Because behind closed doors, Rhonan is a completely different man. The calm, controlled sheriff gives way to someone intense, possessive, and unapologetically filthy, but only with her. I loved that contrast so much. The man everyone depends on, the one who keeps his emotions locked down tight, is the same man who loses control the moment he’s alone with Vienna. He’s still gentle, still protective, but there’s an authoritative edge that comes out when they’re together, and watching him unravel just for her was absolutely irresistible.
“You might want to stretch for what I have planned for you.”
And Vienna? I absolutely loved her. She’s strong, brave, and determined to rebuild her life even while carrying the weight of her past. Watching her find her place in Blossom Peak, with the girls, her job, and the town, felt so genuine and heartwarming. But what really made this story shine was her bond with Ellis. Their relationship was sweet, natural, and completely melted my heart. Vienna fit into Rhonan and Ellis’s little world so seamlessly, it was impossible not to root for them.
“I’ve got pieces of you…Now, I want to see the whole picture.”
The chemistry between Vienna and Rhonan is undeniable from the start. The tension between them simmers quietly at first, with lingering glances, charged moments, and the constant pull neither of them wants to acknowledge. But once those walls begin to fall? The heat ramps up quickly. Their stolen moments, late-night visits, and the way Rhonan slowly gives in to what he feels made every interaction feel intimate and electric.
“He just called me, baby. Oh God, I’m so doomed.”
This story carries so much heart. Both Vienna and Rhonan are dealing with grief, trauma, and fear of moving forward. Their relationship develops slowly, patiently, and safely—two broken people learning to trust again and finding comfort in one another without rushing the healing process. It felt authentic, tender, and deeply satisfying.
The touches of suspense added just the right amount of tension, keeping me hooked while still allowing the emotional core of the story to shine. And as always, Harlow James absolutely nails the found family dynamics. Blossom Peak feels like home, and I loved catching up with familiar faces and seeing Vienna welcomed into the group.
Rhonan, Vienna, and Ellis completely captured my heart. This story had everything—longing, healing, spice, found family, and a love that grows stronger through every challenge thrown their way.
Test of Time is emotional, swoony, and just spicy enough and proof that sometimes the best love stories are the ones that help you learn how to live again… and remind you what it feels like to want something, and someone, with your whole heart.
Release Date: April 10, 2026
Thank you to Harlow James and The Smuthood INC. for the ARC read!