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Make You Mine by Laura Pavlov is a contemporary romance published on August 25 2022, serving as the third book in the Honey Mountain series. In this small-town age-gap love story, a single-dad firefighter finds himself falling for his younger nanny — a woman he’s not supposed to want. The book blends heart, humor, and heat, offering Pavlov’s signature emotional storytelling with a modern twist on the forbidden romance trope.
The Setting & Author Context
The story unfolds in Honey Mountain, a tight-knit town where reputations matter and everyone knows each other’s secrets. This backdrop creates both charm and pressure, shaping the emotional depth of Jace and his heroine’s relationship.
Laura Pavlov’s writing is known for its balance of warmth and passion. In Make You Mine, she captures the vulnerability of love when boundaries are tested and highlights how small-town life can magnify both attraction and consequences. The book connects loosely with others in the Honey Mountain universe but stands strong as a full, satisfying story on its own.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
Jace King is a devoted firefighter and single father who’s sworn off love after being burned in the past. When he hires a new nanny to care for his child, he expects professionalism — not the growing chemistry that defies his rules.
His new nanny, confident and kind-hearted, is determined to keep things strictly professional. But the longer she works in his home, the harder it becomes to ignore the magnetic pull between them.
What begins as a cautious friendship soon turns into something undeniable. Both must decide if the risks of breaking boundaries are worth the chance at something real. Beneath the steamy tension lies a heartfelt story about trust, second chances, and the courage to love again.
Characters & Themes
Jace King – A rugged single dad with a protective nature and a fear of repeating past mistakes. His journey is about learning to open his heart again.
Heroine – The younger nanny who challenges Jace’s emotional walls with her optimism and compassion. She knows what she wants, even if it scares him.
Supporting cast – Friends, family, and neighbors in Honey Mountain who bring humor, accountability, and warmth to the story.
Themes:
- Forbidden attraction between boss and employee
- Healing from emotional loss and rediscovering trust
- The tension between responsibility and desire
- Found family and belonging within a small-town circle
Tropes & Reader Experience
Tropes Included:
- Age-gap romance
- Single dad / nanny relationship
- Forbidden love
- Small-town setting
- Friends-of-family connection
- Emotional, slow-burn attraction
Tone & Pacing:
The book flows with a medium pace — balancing emotional growth and flirtatious banter. Pavlov delivers heartfelt moments alongside a steamy, open-door romance that feels authentic rather than gratuitous.
Who It’s For:
Readers who love emotional yet playful romances, family dynamics, and well-written slow burns with real stakes will enjoy this story. It’s ideal for fans of small-town contemporary romance who like their books heartfelt, passionate, and full of character chemistry.
Continue the Honey Mountain Series
Read the Thomas sisters’ stories in publication order:
- Always Mine (Vivian & Niko) — 2022
- Ever Mine (Everly & Hawk) — 2022/2023
- Make You Mine (Lucy & Cameron) — 2024
- Simply Mine (Maya & Beck) — 2025
- Only Mine (TBD sister & hero) — 2026 (expected)
Explore the full reading guide on the Laura Pavlov author page.
Reader Suitability / Why Read It
This book stands out for its blend of tenderness and passion. The emotional push-and-pull between responsibility and longing makes it deeply relatable, while the family setting keeps it cozy and real. Many readers describe it as a “heart-warming, high-heat comfort read” that leaves you smiling and satisfied.
Choose Make You Mine if you’re in the mood for:
- A confident heroine and protective hero dynamic
- Emotional but uplifting storytelling
- Firefighter romance with real vulnerability
- Found family themes that tie the series together
Where to Buy
View “Make You Mine” on Amazon US
Frank is the editor of BookSeries.blog, focusing on publication order, chronological timelines, and spoiler-free reading guides for book series and fictional universes.