Henry Shin lives by the rules. It’s what overworked corporate lawyers do. They don’t fly off to Palm Springs to help their grandfathers move into a new home. But Dennis is Henry’s only family. How else can Henry make sure he’s settled and safe? The boisterous Zumba classes, daily happy hours, and spicy book clubs were a surprise though. And at the center, leading the charge, is a bright, vivacious stunner named Jia Chung. The same face he’d had a one-night stand with a few months back. And the same woman Henry was forced to terminate at his company the morning after.
As carefree days turn into hot, steamy nights, the chemistry between Henry and Jia ignites. But when the real world beckons, should what happens at the Sunset stay at the Sunset? (Pub Date: Aug 11 2026)
Jia is sure she’s getting good news from work the next day, so she celebrates and even gets herself a handsome guy whose name she doesn't even remember to ask for—only to find out she’s been fired. Left with no options, unless you count going back home to her controlling parents, she heads to the one place where she remembers being happy: the Sunset Hills senior living community where her grandmother lives. With her parents giving her a one-month ultimatum to figure out her next steps, can she finally get her life together as she gets involved with the lawyer responsible for her termination?
3.5 rounded up to 4.
This is, to be honest, a pretty familiar story about someone who’s lost her way and finds herself again somewhere new. At the same time, it’s such a pleasing read. I love that Jia doesn't have a Midas touch or some hidden, unrecognized genius, but will instead get things wrong and make mistakes. That’s what made her feel so relatable to me. (Though the author does rely on a "she's been wronged" plot device at one point, I was already invested enough in her journey not to mind too much.)
I also really enjoyed the contrast between Jia and Henry, her love interest. He’s a control freak, while she’s still dealing with trauma from her overbearing parents. Both of their backgrounds and dynamic felt genuinely real. If I had to find one fault, it’s how they react to having slept together back in chapter one. I fail to see what that added to the plot, and I was disappointed that it didn't really go anywhere. It felt like a waste of a good trope and a bit of a distraction from the rest of the narrative.
The plot does become increasingly predictable toward the end, but the characters are endearing, and I absolutely loved reading about Sunset Hills and its residents. They are pure gold—I honestly could have read an entire book just about them.
Overall, despite a few missed opportunities with its romantic tropes, it’s a cozy, fun comfort read filled with charming side characters and a relatable story for the lead. It’s well worth picking up if you're looking for a lighthearted story about growth.
Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
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