Heartbroken after the death of his beloved Nana, Hannes, the family outsider, finally allows himself to grieve. The legal battle over Nana’s quirky old house -- the only place he’s ever felt accepted and loved -- is over, and he moves in and finds a sense of peace. ... And a rabbit. An adorable bunny with a huge personality moves in, too, and refuses to leave. Hannes instantly falls in love with the sweet animal who helps heal his heart. But one morning, Hannes’ view of the world changes when the rabbit transforms into a man. A man named Mattis. After the initial shock, Hannes and Mattis discover a connection between them that runs deeper than it seems. Will their newfound feelings survive unraveling secrets and meddling families, and grow into something real? Something deep and everlasting?

9 Willow Street

So I run up the stairs all the way to the third floor and open the window in the guestroom, the room Nana always referred to as mine. I bring a set of sheets with me downstairs and throw them into the washing machine.


As the machine starts the cycle, I jog out to the car I’d parked on the street too eager to finally see the house again to have the patience to park it properly in the garage hidden away behind the house, so it won’t “ruin the esthetics”—Nana’s words, not mine. After the car is safely tucked away, I carry my things inside.


I’d sold most of my stuff before I’d moved back to town after Nana’s death, and what I kept is crammed into the tiny room I’ve been renting from my boss, Margot. Today, I brought only necessities: clean clothes, toiletries, and groceries to tide me over a few days.


When my suitcase is put away in the guest room, I return to the kitchen to take care of the food before it perishes.


Chapter 3