Three years after the tragic death of her husband, Ruby Rutledge is done living in grief's shadow. Determined to reclaim her spark – and her curves- she heads to the wilds of Costa Rica to fulfill a dream they once shared: finding the legendary jungle mud rumored to rejuvenate the skin and stir the senses. Her search leads her to the edge of civilization, where reclusive botanist Dr. Alexander Symmington hides away in a research outpost deep in the mangrove forest. She expects an aging, eccentric scientist. What she finds instead is a ruggedly handsome man with a sharp tongue, a wounded soul, and eyes that promise danger – and desire. From the moment their hands touch, the air between them sizzles. Once accidental fall, one unexpected kiss, and everything Ruby thought she'd buried comes rushing back to life. Alexander isn't looking for complications, but Ruby's fiery spirit and undeniable allure awaken something primal in him. In a place where the jungle hums with life and secrets, their passion burns hot enough to melt away the past. But live this wild always comes with a price. Can Ruby surrender to the heat of a new beginning? Or will fear and loss steal her chance to live – and love – again?