Joy of Today

The best things come in pairs—or so the saying goes.

For identical twin sisters Heidi and Shelly Lakanen, the summer of 1994 in the lakeside town of Nicolet, Michigan, promises sun-drenched days and the comfort of their unshakable bond. Heidi, pragmatic and ambitious, is focused on medical school, leaving little space for distractions—especially the romantic kind. Shelly, a free-spirited dreamer, lives for the moment and lights up every room. Though their hearts beat to different rhythms, they’ve always found a harmony all their own—until Steven Davis rents their family’s upstairs apartment and sends ripples through their carefully kept peace.

Fleeing a rootless past, Steven arrives in Nicolet searching for more than a place to stay—he’s searching for home. The warmth of the Lakanen family draws him in, and as he’s welcomed into their world, he discovers a sense of belonging he never thought possible. But as his connection with each sister deepens, he faces a painful choice: follow his heart, or risk breaking theirs.

As the summer unfolds, long-held dreams are tested, loyalties shift, and love blooms in the most unexpected places.

Joy of Today, the second book in the Nicolet series, can be read as a standalone. It’s a heartfelt small-town romance with a touch of heat and a guaranteed happily ever after—perfect for fans of sisters fiction, love triangles, and emotional stories set against the beauty of Lake Superior.

Note: This is a heartwarming, closed-door, small-town romance with minimal mild language.