She downloaded an accountability app to get her life together. She didn’t expect to find someone who made her want to start living again. Sydni Benton isn’t falling apart, she’s just quietly unraveling. After months of hiding in her apartment, drowning in work, and avoiding every emotion that asks too much of her, she decides to try something a goal-setting app called Resolve.What she doesn’t expect is Elias Monroe, the complete stranger (kind of stranger) paired with her as her “accountability partner.” Elias is steady, gentle, annoyingly disciplined, and unexpectedly kind. His encouragement is soft, simple, and exactly the thing Sydni doesn’t know how to accept. She’s not used to anyone noticing her small victories, much less cheering for them. But just when Sydni starts to feel a spark of hope, she retreats. What she doesn’t know is that Elias recognizes the silence because he’s lived it himself. He’s spent years retreating from connection, convinced distance keeps him safe. Seeing Sydni vanish hits a little too close—and makes him realize he cares more than he intended to. When their worlds collide offline...messy, awkward, and a little magical...everything shifts. Their chemistry is undeniable, but both carry wounds that make trust complicated. Between Sydni’s protective walls, Elias’s instinct to withdraw, and Sloan (Sydni’s dramatic, overprotective best friend with abandonment issues of his own), the path to connection is anything but simple. Yet something gentle keeps pulling them back to each other. A look. A conversation. A moment where Sydni finally breathes without bracing for impact. A moment where Elias lets himself hope again. Perfect for readers who • slow-burn, soft romance• mental-health-positive story lines• messy, lovable main characters• emotional healing arcs• supportive cinnamon-roll heroes• chaotic best-friend energy• cozy, character-driven love stories with heart and humor More Than I Expected is a tender, funny, deeply human romantic comedy about rebuilding your life one tiny goal at a time and finding someone who sees you, chooses you, and gently pushes you forward when you’re finally brave enough to try.Content This story includes light references to grief, anxiety, and past emotional/physical trauma. Themes are handled with warmth, humor, and healing.