Honestly, if you haven’t felt the visceral panic of a job interview gone south, you haven’t lived. Or maybe you’re just better at talking than the rest of us. In The Path to Loving Him, Meghan Quinn takes that specific, gut-wrenching "I just blew it" energy and turns it into a catalyst for one of the most emotional romances of 2025.
It’s not just about the steam. Though, let’s be real, there is plenty of that.
The book is the third installment in the Almond Bay series, and it basically centers on Ryland Rowley. If you’ve read the previous books—The Way I Hate Him and The Reason I Married Him—you already know the Rowley siblings have been through the absolute wringer. They lost their sister, Cassidy, and Ryland, the eldest, stepped up to be the guardian for his niece, Mac.
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Why The Path to Loving Him Hits Differently
Most romance novels use a "one-night stand" as a fun, low-stakes hook. Here? It’s a mess. Gabby, our heroine, thinks she completely tanked her interview for the assistant baseball coach position at Almond Bay High. So, she does what any rational person does: she goes to a bar, gets a little reckless, and hooks up with the most gorgeous man in the room.
Surprise. He's the guy she was supposed to interview with.
Ryland Rowley didn't just ghost her interview; he’s now her boss. And her landlord. Oh, and he’s a single "uncle-dad" struggling to keep his head above water while raising a four-year-old. The forced proximity isn't just a trope here; it’s a pressure cooker. Because Gabby is renting the apartment above his garage and her shower is broken, she has to sneak into his house every night to use his.
Imagine walking into a kitchen at 11:00 PM in a towel only to find your grumpy, incredibly hot boss staring you down.
The Ryland Rowley Complexity
What people often get wrong about The Path to Loving Him is assuming Ryland is just another "grumpy hero." He isn’t just mean for the sake of the plot. He is drowning in grief. He’s suppressed his own life to ensure Mac has a stable upbringing. He doesn't think he deserves a "happily ever after" because his sister didn't get one.
Gabby is the literal opposite. She’s sassy, she’s a woman in the male-dominated world of baseball coaching, and she refuses to let Ryland wallow. Their chemistry is immediate, but the emotional build-up is what actually sticks. Meghan Quinn managed to make her spiciest book also her most tear-jerking one.
You’ll need tissues. Seriously.
The baseball commentary is thick in this one. If you aren't a sports fan, it might feel like a lot, but it’s the bridge between them. It’s the one thing they both understand perfectly.
Navigating the Almond Bay Series
You don’t technically have to read the first two books to enjoy this. It stands alone. But, if you want the full impact of the Rowley family dynamic, you should probably start from the beginning. Seeing the siblings—Silas and Hattie—interact with Ryland adds layers to why he is so closed off.
- The Way I Hate Him (Book 1): Silas's story.
- The Reason I Married Him (Book 2): Hattie's story.
- The Path to Loving Him (Book 3): Ryland's finale.
By the time you get to the "festival moment" in Ryland's book, you feel like you've grown up in Almond Bay yourself.
Practical Steps for Your Reading List
If you’re ready to dive into the world of Ryland and Gabby, here is the best way to consume the story:
- Audiobook is King: This book features duet narration by Samantha Brentmoor and Sebastian York. Hearing Ryland’s "grumpy" voice in your ears makes the internal monologue much more impactful.
- Check the Tropes: If you hate "forced proximity" or "workplace romance," this isn't for you. But if you love "single parent" and "found family," it’s a gold mine.
- Follow the Author’s 2026 Releases: If you finish this and need more, Quinn has Just for the Cameras (February 2026) and Rules for the Summer (May 2026) coming up next.
The real magic of The Path to Loving Him isn't the "path" at all. It’s the realization that sometimes the person you think is your biggest obstacle is actually the only one who can help you carry the weight you've been dragging around for years.
Grab the Almond Bay series in order to fully appreciate the Rowley family’s journey from grief to healing. Start with The Way I Hate Him to understand the foundation of the town, then move through to Ryland’s story to see the family finally come full circle.