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Only Mine by Laura Pavlov is the fifth installment of her Honey Mountain series (published May 6, 2025) and marks a fresh-main-character story in a familiar setting. This book matters because it wraps up the series universe, introduces an enemies-to-lovers arc full of tension, and brings both emotional heat and resolution for Hick’s fans of the franchise.
The Setting & Author Context
The novel returns us to the cozy, small-town environment of Honey Mountain, where family ties, reputations, and shared history run deep. In this setting, conflicts aren’t just between the hero and heroine—they ripple through a community where everyone is connected. The small-town backdrop amplifies the stakes for both enemies turned lovers and legacy issues.
Laura Pavlov specializes in contemporary romances grounded in small-town worlds, strong emotional arcs, and high heat balanced with heart. In Only Mine, she delivers on all fronts: a strong hero with a dark edge, a heroine who challenges him, and a world built through prior books. Even if you haven’t read the earlier volumes, the emotional conflict and chemistry stand on their own.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
Wolf Wayburn is that dark, dangerous-charm type—ex-Navy SEAL, serious attitude, part of the Wayburn legacy in Honey Mountain. He’s built walls, favours control, and isn’t used to someone pushing back.
Dylan (or the heroine) comes into his orbit under circumstances neither expected: an assignment, a challenge, maybe even a wager. Initially adversaries, each clash brings them closer, and what started as mutual irritation turns into undeniable attraction. As they brusquely test each other’s boundaries, both must face their pasts: his fear of being softened, hers of being dismissed. Their war of wills evolves into a riskier game—can they let go of old wounds and stake their claim on something real?
Characters & Themes
Main Characters
- Wolf Wayburn — Broody, powerful, maybe a little feared in town. Used to winning, used to avoiding vulnerability.
- Dylan (FMC) — Smart, resilient, maybe younger or less hardened. She doesn’t back down quickly and sees Wolf for more than his reputation.
- Supporting cast — The broader Wayburn family, Honey Mountain community members, friends and rivals who complicate things and ground the story.
Core Themes
- Enemies to lovers: Two strong personalities collide, challenge each other, and slowly open up.
- Legacy & expectation: Wolf’s reputation, family name, and past shape his present; Dylan shakes up what he believes.
- Risking vulnerability: He fears losing control; she fears being powerless. Both must let go of control to let love in.
- Small-town consequences: Decisions aren’t made in private; the community sees, remembers, judges. The backdrop intensifies the emotional stakes.
Tropes & Reader Experience
Key Tropes
- Enemies → lovers
- Small-town romance
- Powerful hero / vulnerable heroine dynamic
- Second chance at vulnerability (or redemption)
- Family legacy and ownership (both literal and metaphorical)
Tone, Pacing & Heat Level
This book is fast-moving once the stage is set: initial sparks fly, then tension builds, emotion deepens, the walls come down. The heat level is substantial (in Pavlov’s style), the emotional stakes high, and the characters grounded with realistic flaws. Readers will find both grit and sweetness, banter alongside heartfelt moments.
Who It’s Best Suited For
If you’re drawn to contemporary romances with edge — strong male leads, equally strong female leads who fight back, and the transformation from “I can’t stand you” to “I can’t imagine you” — this will hit the spot. It’s especially appealing if you’ve read the previous Honey Mountain books and want to see the universe’s full circle. If you prefer lighter, strictly “sweet” romances without heat or deep emotional conflict, this might feel more intense than expected.
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
Choose Only Mine if you’re looking for a romance that brings closure to a town you’ve grown to care about, and a couple whose conflict and chemistry keep you turning pages. The blend of enemies-to-lovers, emotional legacy, and small-town community makes it a satisfying read for fans of character-driven, heat-packed romance. Many readers say it’s “the strongest book in the series so far” thanks to higher stakes and deeper emotional payoff.
It works when you’re ready for:
- A dominant hero who learns to soften
- A heroine who stands up to him, not just falls for him
- A universe with community, connections, and history
- Romance that’s both visceral and meaningful