In the midst of graduate school and the start of a promising psychology career, Elena's life takes a sudden turn when her long-distance relationship shatters, leaving her heartbroken and adrift in California.

Reeling from the fallout, she reconnects with her old friend Rodrigo-a loyal, adventurous spirit fighting his own battles. What begins as a lifeline in her darkest hours becomes something deeper, forcing them both to confront love, loss, and the terrifying possibility of more.

Witty, raw, and tender, The Hardest Words to Say is a friends-to-lovers romance that explores the fragile beauty of connection, the courage to rebuild, and the healing power of friendship-with plenty of heat along the way.