Too Hot to Handle by Tessa Bailey (Paperback)

A steamy small-town romance about unexpected attraction, second chances, and discovering that sometimes the biggest detours lead exactly where you’re meant to be. When a disastrous road trip leaves four estranged siblings stranded in the middle of nowhere, one chance encounter changes everything.

Rita Clarkson is desperate for a fresh start after watching her culinary career unravel. Travelling across the country with her siblings was never part of the plan, and neither was breaking down in a tiny New Mexico town. With tensions running high and family relationships already strained, rescue arrives in the form of Jasper Ellis, a local with a reputation that’s difficult to ignore.

Jasper has spent years trying to move beyond the assumptions people make about him. Beneath his rugged exterior is a loyal, dependable man who longs for someone willing to see the real person behind the rumours. From the moment he meets Rita, the connection between them is undeniable, but with her journey set to continue, time is working against them.

As their chemistry grows, Rita begins questioning whether the future she imagined is really the one she wants. Meanwhile, Jasper must prove that what they’re building together is worth taking a chance on, despite the uncertainty surrounding both of their lives.

Filled with witty dialogue, heartfelt family moments, sizzling romance, and plenty of humour, this first instalment in the Romancing the Clarksons series combines emotional depth with irresistible chemistry, delivering a story about healing old wounds, embracing change, and finding love where it’s least expected.

Perfect for readers who enjoy contemporary romance, small-town settings, road trip adventures, family dynamics, opposites attract, and passionate love stories with humour and heart.