An overly-helpful countess brings a grumpy, reclusive shadow-wielder an offer he can’t refuse. Solaelia is a people pleaser who just agreed to her biggest ask ever. Her brother and his kingdom need a crew of mages to break an ancient curse. She’s determined to find them the mages they’re missing and hopefully someone to tell her what a good job she’s doing along the way. Theo is a stressed-out “shadow daddy” with single-mom energy and two main priorities: keep his head down and his sister safe. All that changes when a bright, bubbly countess turns up with a mission, a massive sum of money, and a hole in her team shaped like him—and the sister by his side. Solaelia’s used to showing up for everyone else. Theo’s used to nobody showing up at all. Somewhere between three kingdoms and a curse, she gets seen and he gets found. A cozy, character-driven fantasy romance with shadow and flames, found family, sharp banter, and a splash of “good girl.” The Sunshine’s Shadow has a standalone HEA but is best read after The Future Queen's Captive (Hope & Home book one).