Royce by M. Merin

Molly is new in Rowansville and trying to fulfill her dreams as she tries to find out more about her mother’s past. She was told early on that ‘the Northern Grizzlies own the town’ – which she quickly learns when she crosses them.
Royce’s troubles have long been of his own making, but when he falls, he falls hard. Hold on tight as Molly and Royce learn to make peace with their pasts and figure out what a perfect love would look like.

Please note: this book is set in 2019, set along the same timeline as Shade (Book 7). Book 9 jumps to 2023/24.