Maggie just wanted to make people happy. She wasn’t picky—even strangers’ opinions mattered. Oohs and aahs over each academic success had landed her in a top-ranked PhD program studying rural homelessness. She’s only failed once at her goal—though her ex hints she still could make him happy, if she tried.

Now, with less than a year to finish her PhD, Maggie has just discovered the ex who’d destroyed her self-worth has also stolen her work. Rather than risk confrontation on campus, Maggie flees to the most remote corner of Scotland to replace the interviews she’s lost.

However, the islanders aren’t as willing to participate as she’d hoped. And, her live-in landlord, the island’s handsome doctor Aidan, can’t help. Only her friendship with the local café-keeper—who has loved Aidan for years—allows Maggie to reach the community. As Maggie gets closer to them both, she tries to ignore that she’s falling for Aidan, too. Flirting has always given her this familiar rush—right?

Aidan won’t let his own feelings be ignored, but he can’t bring himself to hurt his friend’s feelings, either. When Aidan decides to play matchmaker instead of telling their friend the truth, Maggie’s need to keep the peace paralyzes her. To preserve both her career and the relationships she’s come to treasure, Maggie must learn to respect emotional autonomy for herself and others. Only then can Maggie disentangle her old need for validation from the promise of true love.