At the 20% mark I have decided not to move forward reading this book. I'm not sure if it is the extremely short chapters or the fact that these complete strangers who got off on the wrong foot are already spontaneously bursting into HEAVY making out randomly...but it feels like it's moving too fast and skimming over a lot of missed opportunities for depth. I really loved the synopsis, but the execution feels messy and just not the tone for me.

Steady Now by Liberty Stowe is an emotionally grounded, slow-burn romance that deftly explores the intersection of personal healing and unexpected connection. With beautifully introspective prose, Stowe crafts a tender story of resilience, second chances, and the quiet courage it takes to trust again. The novel centers on two protagonists—each grappling with emotional scars from their past. One is seeking peace in the stillness of a small town, while the other is trying to outrun the noise of a life that never offered stability. Their meeting isn’t explosive or dramatic—instead, it’s gentle, like two drifting souls finally anchoring to something solid.