From the moment Raffo and Dylan appeared in my mind, I knew they had a story that couldn’t wait. Once I started writing Our Secret Summer, the words flowed like never before—these characters wouldn’t let me stop until I’d brought their romance to life.
It’s no wonder, really, when you combine two of my favorite tropes: a heart-stopping age gap and the irresistible allure of forbidden love.
Raffo Shah is an artist seeking refuge. Her open relationship has fallen apart, leaving her heartbroken and creatively lost. She heads to a beautiful lakeside retreat in Big Bear, expecting solitude to help her pick up the pieces. Instead, she finds Dylan French—her best friend Connor’s mother.
Dylan isn’t the confident, composed woman she usually appears to be. After a devastating financial mistake, she’s hiding from the world and trying to figure out her next move. But Dylan’s allure hasn’t dimmed; her quiet strength and kindness make her impossible to ignore. For Raffo, meeting her isn’t just unexpected—it’s life-changing.
Their connection is instant and undeniable, sparking emotions neither woman can resist or explain.
Age Gap + Forbidden Love = Irresistible
I’ve always loved age gap romances, and Dylan and Raffo’s dynamic is one of my favorites yet. Dylan is nearly sixty, a woman who’s seen enough of life to know what truly matters. But she’s also vulnerable, shaken by her recent struggles, and unsure of how to move forward.
Raffo, in her thirties, is fiery, impulsive, and determined to rediscover her passion. Their differences create tension, tenderness, and an undeniable chemistry that I couldn’t get enough of while writing.
And then there’s the forbidden element. Dylan isn’t just older—she’s the mother of Raffo’s best friend. Connor has been a rock for Raffo both personally and professionally, and risking that relationship adds layers of complexity to every stolen glance, every tentative step toward each other. The stakes are impossibly high, and that’s what makes their love so compelling.
A Romance That Wrote Itself
Sometimes, a story fights you every step of the way (Hello, That Woman Next Door aka Difficult Women 😍) . But not this one.
Writing Dylan and Raffo felt like riding a wave—I could hardly keep up with them as their story unfolded. Their emotions, their struggles, their undeniable pull toward each other—it all came together so naturally, as if they were simply waiting for me to tell their tale.
Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing for them. The quiet beauty of Big Bear mirrors the calm before the storm in their lives. As their feelings deepen, so do the complications, and the question becomes: Can they take the leap, knowing the price they’ll have to pay?
A Sapphic Summer Romance You Won’t Forget
At its core, Our Secret Summer is about courage—the courage to face your feelings, embrace happiness, and risk it all for love. Dylan and Raffo’s journey is one of passion, vulnerability, and the kind of connection that changes everything.
If you love forbidden romance, unforgettable characters, and stories that remind you why falling in love is worth the risk, you can read Our Secret Summer now >>
Enjoy!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
