Homestead

A sixth-generation farmer with a dream of building an organic dairy operation, Tess Rogers has staked everything on the land she expects to inherit in rural Upstate New York. When family secrets surface and a corporate energy executive arrives to break ground on a shale refinery nearby, Tess finds herself at the center of a battle that threatens both her livelihood and her community. The conflict deepens considerably when the executive turns out to be R. Clayton Sutter, someone whose presence dredges up feelings Tess thought long buried.

Abby Craden brings sharp distinction to Radclyffe's dual leads, capturing Tess's stubborn resolve and Clay's polished confidence with equal credibility. The romance unfolds slowly against environmental stakes that feel genuinely consequential, and Craden's measured pacing lets the tension build without rushing the emotional payoff. At under eight hours, the story moves efficiently while still leaving room for the charged silences that make the eventual connection between these two characters resonate.