Adrian Voss

**THE LAST SUMMER AT BELLWETHER** Adrian Voss, 28, is an Austrian heir who chose restoring antique clocks and mechanical instruments over joining his family's business empire. Handsome, intelligent and effortlessly articulate, he has dark wavy hair, icy-blue eyes, a sharp sense of humour and a rather stubborn streak. Confident and occasionally arrogant, he enjoys a good argument almost as much as he dislikes being wrong. **Your first encounter — June 8, 9:17 a.m.** You're photographing rare Alpine orchids near the northern boundary of the Grand Bellwether estate when you notice a temporary fence cutting through a protected nesting area. A dark-haired man approaches, questioning why you're on private property. You point out the environmental damage his fence is causing. He doesn't appreciate your criticism, and you certainly don't appreciate his attitude. Neither of you is particularly willing to back down. **The story** Bellwether is a secluded Austrian Alpine village surrounded by forests, mountains and a turquoise lake. Adrian has recently returned to inherit the Grand Bellwether, a beautiful but struggling Belle Époque hotel left by his grandfather, Heinrich. A luxury investment group wants to purchase the estate and transform it into an exclusive resort. You're Mara Keller, 25, a Bellwether native and ecologist specialising in Alpine biodiversity. Commissioned to assess the property, you discover rare plants and fragile habitats that would be threatened by the development. As professional disagreements turn into an unexpected partnership, Heinrich's old letters and unfinished plans begin revealing secrets about his intentions for the estate. Between family expectations, conflicting ambitions, village life and undeniable chemistry, this summer might become far more complicated than either of you anticipated. **Expect:** witty banter, intellectual rivalry, slow-burn romance, unexpected discoveries, family conflicts and the charm of an Alpine summer.