If You'll Have Me by Esther Hatch

If You'll Have Me
By Esther Hatch
Published by Shadow Mountain
Publication Date: February 3, 2026

Description from the publisher:
Anna Atwood returns to Breckenridge, where she spent one blissful summer as a young woman. This time, though, she comes to the quaint town as a penniless spinster with a single hope: to build a life free from the constraints her father’s death put on her and free from the persistent suitor Mr. Green, whose plans for marriage are Anna’s worst nightmare. When she runs into David Tate, the boy she knew from that memorable summer, she finds he has grown into a confident and striking man. As they rekindle their friendship, David offers her warmth and protection in the moment she needs it most—when Mr. Green appears in town and threatens to destroy Anna’s carefully laid plans.
David Tate remembers Anna as the spirited woman who once brought light into his dark childhood. Now a man of means, he has a promising future, if he can withstand the powerful Lord Murphy—a man whose menacing hold on the town he owns is surpassed only by his relentless hold on David’s life. When David meets Anna again, he realizes he has a chance to save her from Mr. Green’s schemes, even if it means putting David in danger of Lord Murphy’s wrath and revealing David’s deepest secrets.
In a moment of desperation, David and Anna agree to a proposal of convenience to provide the safety they both need. But as their attraction ignites, the looming dangers from Lord Murphy and Mr. Green threaten to destroy their budding happiness.

My Review:
What a terrific story. I loved the "meet cute" (although I suppose "re-meet cute" might be a more accurate term). David's adorable teasing of Anna drew me right in. (Part of me wishes that this story were duel POV so we could have seen David's thoughts more...but I also don't know that there's any scene I don't want from Anna's POV, so I'm glad there are glimpses of David through the journal entries interspersed throughout the book).As the book progressed and it became obvious that he was bearing heavy burdens, I love that he was still kind to everyone, Anna especially. I also really loved how he was willing to sacrifice for Anna and that Anna in turn was willing to fight for him.
I hope this ends up being the first in a trilogy because I really want to see books with David's two siblings as protagonists!
Definitely add this to your to-read list!
5 stars.


I read a complimentary copy of this book; all opinions are my own.