Boring Chris, Unlikely Target

Chris Winowski, a sweet, awkward, and accident-prone charcuterie enthusiast, is living a quiet life in Vermont, working at a local tavern and trying to find his place in the world. He's sent north by his uncle Danny to "find himself," but mostly he's just trying not to be a walking disaster. When a mysterious, gruff stranger named Reed Sunday appears, Chris's world is turned upside down. Reed insists Chris is in danger due to his connection to a notorious crime family, the Fromadgios, and whisks him away for his own protection. Chris, oblivious to his supposed mafia ties, is more concerned with his lack of adventure and his unrequited crushes than any real threat.

The Reluctant Protector

Reed Sunday, a seasoned Division agent with a tarnished record, is assigned to protect Chris as a favor to his boss and a shot at redemption. Expecting a hardened criminal, Reed is baffled to find Chris is the furthest thing from it—innocent, chatty, and utterly unprepared for danger. Their first interactions are a comedy of errors: Chris thinks Reed is picking him up for a date, while Reed is frustrated by Chris's lack of self-preservation. As they flee to a safehouse, Reed's professional detachment is tested by Chris's charm and vulnerability.

Mistaken Identity Unveiled

At the safehouse, confusion reigns. Chris believes he's been kidnapped, while Reed is convinced Chris is hiding something. After a series of mishaps—including Chris's failed escape attempt and a neighborly intervention—it becomes clear that Chris is not the criminal mastermind Reed was led to expect. Instead, he's a genuinely good person caught in a web of mistaken identity and bureaucratic incompetence. Reed's protective instincts shift from professional to personal as he realizes Chris's innocence.

Safehouse Fiasco

Their supposed sanctuary is compromised when gunmen attack, forcing Reed and Chris to flee once more. Chris's inability to handle a weapon and his tendency to trust everyone make Reed's job harder, but also endear him to the agent. The chaos of the escape cements their partnership, and Reed's frustration gives way to admiration for Chris's resilience and kindness, even in the face of real danger.

Bar Brawl and Bonding

Seeking refuge in a small-town motel, Reed and Chris try to blend in. Chris, determined to have an adventure, inadvertently starts a bar fight while defending a new friend. The incident, while embarrassing, brings the two men closer. Reed's gruff exterior softens as he witnesses Chris's loyalty and courage, and Chris begins to see Reed as more than just a protector.

Motel Confessions

In the aftermath of the bar brawl, Reed and Chris share a motel room. Vulnerability leads to honesty, and the two men confess their fears and regrets. Reed apologizes for his harshness, and Chris admits his longing for connection and adventure. Their emotional intimacy culminates in a passionate, if awkward, first kiss—one that neither can dismiss as just adrenaline.

Campground Cover Story

With nowhere else to hide, Reed and Chris assume new identities as married campground hosts in Copper County, New York. The ruse is meant to be temporary, but the small town's warmth and the forced domesticity blur the lines between pretense and reality. Chris thrives in the community, making friends and finding purpose, while Reed struggles to maintain professional boundaries as his feelings deepen.

Married in Copper County

Their "honeymoon" in Copper County is filled with comedic misunderstandings, nosy neighbors, and unexpected joy. Chris's optimism and Reed's protectiveness create a dynamic that feels increasingly genuine. As they renovate cabins and host impromptu gatherings, the town embraces them as a couple, and both men begin to imagine a future together—despite the looming threat from Chris's family ties.

Falling for the Protectee

The intimacy of their shared life leads to confessions, laughter, and eventually, sex. Reed is forced to confront his own loneliness and the possibility of happiness outside his career. Chris, for the first time, feels truly seen and valued. Their relationship becomes the anchor in the storm of uncertainty, but both know their time together is limited by Reed's job and the unresolved threat from the Fromadgio legacy.

Secrets, Lies, and Family

Chris's faith in his uncle Danny is shaken when Reed finally obtains proof of Danny's criminal activities. The revelation is devastating, but Chris's innate goodness and capacity for forgiveness shine through. Meanwhile, Chris's cousin Nicky, feeling betrayed and desperate, becomes a new threat. Chris's attempts to help Nicky backfire, putting everyone in greater danger.

The Truth About Danny

Danny's arrival in Copper County brings long-buried secrets to light. He confesses to his crimes and the lies he told to protect Chris, but also reveals the depth of his love and regret. Chris, with Reed's support, stands up to his uncle and claims his right to make his own choices. The confrontation is cathartic, allowing Chris to finally step out of his family's shadow.

Nicky's Betrayal

Nicky's jealousy and resentment boil over, leading him to kidnap Chris and threaten his life. Reed, with the help of unlikely allies, races to the rescue. Chris, drawing on his newfound confidence and resourcefulness, manages to outwit Nicky and save himself, proving he's no longer the helpless bystander he once was.

Showdown at Cabin Thirteen

The final confrontation is tense and emotional. Reed and Chris, united by love and trust, face down Nicky and the remnants of the criminal world that once defined Chris's life. With the help of friends and family, they bring Nicky to justice and ensure Danny's redemption. The ordeal cements their bond and clarifies what truly matters.

Love and Forgiveness

In the aftermath, Chris and Reed confront their own fears and insecurities. Reed confesses his love, and Chris, finally believing he's worthy, reciprocates. They forgive their families and themselves, choosing to build a life based on honesty and mutual respect. The town of Copper County, once a hiding place, becomes their true home.

New Beginnings

With the danger behind them, Chris and Reed embrace their new life. They renovate the campground, deepen their friendships, and support each other's dreams. Reed leaves his old job, and Chris starts a successful charcuterie business. Their love, once forged in crisis, flourishes in the safety and warmth of their chosen family and community.

Epilogue: Home at Last

A year later, Chris and Reed are engaged, thriving in Copper County, and surrounded by friends. The wounds of the past have healed, and the future is bright. Their journey from pretend to real, from fear to love, is complete. The light in their home—and in their hearts—shines for all to see.

Characters

Chris Winowski

Chris is the emotional core of the story—a gentle, awkward, and deeply kind man who has always felt like an outsider. Raised by his uncle after losing his parents, Chris internalizes the belief that he must be responsible, quiet, and unremarkable. His love of charcuterie, hand-knit sweaters, and small joys sets him apart, but also makes him vulnerable to being overlooked or underestimated. Chris's journey is one of self-discovery: learning to trust his instincts, stand up for himself, and believe he is worthy of love. His relationship with Reed is transformative, allowing him to shed the "boring" label and embrace his true, vibrant self.

Reed Sunday

Reed is a Division agent haunted by past failures and a deep sense of duty. He's used to being in control, emotionally guarded, and skeptical of others' motives. Initially, he sees Chris as a job—a means to redeem himself in his career. But Chris's innocence, resilience, and warmth break through Reed's defenses. Reed's arc is about vulnerability: learning to let go of rigid professionalism, accept his own needs, and risk his heart. His love for Chris is both a challenge and a salvation, forcing him to choose between the safety of solitude and the messiness of real connection.

Uncle Danny (Dante Fromadgio)

Danny is Chris's uncle and surrogate father, a man torn between his criminal past and his desire to shield Chris from harm. His love is genuine but misguided, leading him to lie and manipulate in the name of protection. Danny's arc is one of reckoning: facing the consequences of his actions, seeking forgiveness, and ultimately trusting Chris to make his own choices. His relationship with Chris is complex—equal parts love, regret, and hope.

Nicky Costello

Nicky is Chris's cousin and Danny's other "son," consumed by resentment and a sense of entitlement. Feeling overlooked and betrayed, Nicky's actions escalate from petty jealousy to genuine threat. He embodies the dangers of unresolved family wounds and the destructive power of envy. Nicky's downfall is a cautionary tale, but also a catalyst for Chris's growth and Danny's redemption.

Dolores Evanovich

Dolores is a seemingly nosy camper who turns out to be a retired criminal matriarch. Her wit, resourcefulness, and unexpected loyalty make her a memorable side character. She represents the possibility of change and the importance of chosen family, helping Chris and Reed at a crucial moment.

Bob Evanovich

Bob, Dolores's husband, is a quiet presence with a dangerous past. His understated support and competence provide comic relief and unexpected assistance during the story's climax.

Watt Bartlett

Watt is the local orchard owner and the first to welcome Chris and Reed to Copper County. His warmth, practicality, and subtle matchmaking help the couple find their place in the community. Watt's own search for connection is a thread that continues beyond this story.

The Townsfolk of Copper County

The residents of Copper County and neighboring O'Leary are a tapestry of personalities—quirky, meddling, and fiercely loyal. They provide both comic relief and genuine support, embodying the theme that home is found in community as much as in romance.

The Division (Janissey, Margot, et al.)

The Division represents the impersonal, sometimes incompetent machinery of witness protection. Its failures and successes drive much of the plot's tension, highlighting the limits of institutional care versus personal connection.

Kenny and the Neighbors

Kenny, the stoner neighbor, and his grandmother provide moments of levity and unexpected assistance. Their presence underscores the story's theme that help can come from the most unlikely places.

Plot Devices

Fish-Out-of-Water Comedy

The story thrives on the contrast between Chris's gentle, sheltered worldview and the high-stakes world of crime and protection. His misinterpretations, accidental heroics, and Reed's exasperation create a comedic tone that balances the darker elements.

Forced Proximity and Fake Relationship

The "married campground hosts" cover story is a classic romance device, forcing the protagonists into intimacy and domesticity. The pretense blurs into reality as they navigate daily life, deepening their bond and challenging their assumptions about themselves and each other.

Mistaken Identity and Bureaucratic Chaos

The initial mix-up—Chris being mistaken for a criminal heir—sets the plot in motion and allows for both suspense and character development. The Division's missteps and the ever-present threat of discovery keep the stakes high.

Found Family and Community

Copper County's embrace of Chris and Reed provides a counterpoint to their isolation and fear. The warmth, meddling, and support of the townsfolk reinforce the story's message that love and belonging are found in chosen family as much as blood.

Redemption and Self-Discovery

Both Chris and Reed are on journeys of self-acceptance and healing. Reed's need for redemption and Chris's quest for confidence intersect, with their relationship serving as the crucible for transformation. The plot uses external threats to force internal reckoning.

Comic Subversion of Crime Tropes

The story playfully subverts mafia and witness protection clichés, using Chris's innocence and the community's quirks to deflate tension and highlight the absurdity of violence. The climactic showdown is resolved as much by wit and heart as by force.

Analysis

The Pretenders of Copper County is a heartfelt, comedic, and deeply affirming romance that uses the trappings of crime fiction to explore themes of identity, trust, and belonging. At its core, the novel is about two men who have been taught to hide—Chris, by his family's overprotection and Reed, by his professional detachment—learning to risk vulnerability and claim joy. The story celebrates the power of kindness, the necessity of honesty, and the transformative potential of love, not just as a feeling but as a choice to see and be seen. It gently mocks the conventions of both romance and crime genres, using humor and community to disarm cynicism and invite hope. The lesson is clear: real safety and happiness come not from walls or secrets, but from connection, forgiveness, and the willingness to let others in. In a world that often rewards pretense, Copper County offers a vision of what's possible when we dare to be ourselves—and let others love us for it.

Last updated: July 24, 2025