Me Before You meets vintage Lurlene McDaniel in Ewart’s uneven debut. Manchester, England, native Jess has recently adopted nine rules to live by, beginning with “do not fall in love.” This is both to safeguard her own heart and to prevent anyone else from getting hurt; caring for her mother, who has a terminal illness that Jess worries she too will inherit, takes all the time and energy Jess can muster. A one-night stand with handsome bartender Alec provides a much needed release, but Jess is emphatic that she doesn’t want a relationship. Too-good-to-be-true Alec accepts this but suggests a no-strings-attached month of dating, saying Jess deserves “all the good bits of a relationship, even if it can’t last.” They both have secrets that complicate the arrangement, but the biggest obstacle is Jess herself, who harshly rejects every romantic overture Alec makes. While Jess’s stress and fear are understandable, the tenderness of the familial plot contrasts oddly with Jess’s poor treatment of the dishy Alec. Readers are in for a bumpy ride. Agent: Jessica Purdue, Orion Publishing Group. (Feb.)

Reviewed on 12/09/2022 | Details & Permalink

Smith’s light and sexy second I Heart SF contemporary romance (after The Close-Up) offers few surprises but still delivers plenty of fun. San Francisco corporate architect Harper Ellorza takes time away from work to restore her grandparents’ home in Half Moon Bay—a task that proves complicated by an incompetent contractor. When Harper literally runs into television star Lewis Prescott, their ripped-from-Hollywood meet-cute is full of coffee spills and miscommunication. Lewis is on the run from relentless paparazzi eager to cash in on his recent public meltdown, and Harper offers to hide him in her half-finished home until the media storm blows over. In yet another improbable coincidence, Lewis worked construction before hitting it big as an actor, and he’s happy to take over as contractor in the house’s restoration. Harper’s close-knit Filipino family welcomes Lewis into the fold, leading Lewis to discover a new sense of belonging. Meanwhile, Harper and Lewis’s chemistry cannot be put on simmer, and it boils over into some intense and emotional interludes. The climax is less an homage to Notting Hill than a direct copy of its ending, but it satisfies nonetheless. Series fans will be pleased. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary. (Feb.)

Reviewed on 12/09/2022 | Details & Permalink

A whirlwind vacation fling kicks off this rushed and unsatisfying romance from Lam (Happy Endings). On an impromptu New Orleans vacation, photographer Josie Parks accidentally bonks a handsome stranger in the head with some freshly caught Mardi Gras beads. Dazed but still conscious enough to notice how attractive she is, NOLA local Spencer Pham seizes the chance to ask her out. They share a first date that Lam works a bit too hard to convince readers is magical, skipping right past any kind of getting-to-know-you dance. After serendipitously running into each other again the next day, fate tempts them to explore their connection further. Spencer offers to help Josie build her photography portfolio for an art gallery, and Josie encourages Spencer to finally fulfill his dream of making films. But Josie is only in town for a week, and both are acutely aware that the deeper they fall for each other, the harder it will be when their time runs out. It’s not entirely unusual for romance protagonists to fall in love in such a short time frame, but Lam fails to make her protagonists’ spontaneous connection convincing through a disjointed and unnaturally paced plot. It’s a shame, because the New Orleans backdrop is vibrant and alive. This one misses the mark. Agent: Tara Gelsomino, One Track Literary. (Feb.)

Reviewed on 12/09/2022 | Details & Permalink

Carpenter (Her Super-Secret Rebound Boyfriend) enchants with the first-rate second-chance romance that launches her Seaside Cove series. Successful social media strategist Lauren Wallace returns to her tiny beachside hometown of Seaside Cove, Maine, to join her salty grandmother and her uptight sister, Brooke, in helping their younger sister, Gabby, find new direction after a career setback. Seeking an escape from family time, Lauren heads to the town’s one bar, the Thirsty Lobster, and runs into her high school frenemy Ethan McAllister, the bar’s owner. After a bit of banter, their chemistry ignites, leading to a one-night stand—and an unexpected pregnancy. As they navigate who they want to be to each other and to their child, love blooms, but an ill-timed misunderstanding threatens to split them up forever. Carpenter’s picturesque scene-setting invites readers to settle in and enjoy the stay in this quaint town, while the undeniable connection between her leads makes it easy to root for a happily ever after. A solid supporting cast—especially no-nonsense Grams—adds to the charm. Readers will be eager to return to Seaside Cove. (Feb.)

Reviewed on 12/09/2022 | Details & Permalink

Miller (The Infinite Summer) reunites college lovers for a milquetoast lesbian romance. Aspiring artist Brooke Dawson and Arlette Adair, the rebellious heir to a political dynasty, started as roommates, then became best friends (with Brooke secretly pining for Arlette), and finally spent one month in an ill-defined friends-with-benefits arrangement before their relationship went up in flames. Five years later, Brooke bartends while making a go of it in Washington, D.C.’s art world, and she’s reunited with Arlette, now back in the family fold and on the path they’ve chosen for her, while working a party for Arlette’s father, a presidential hopeful. After Arlette returns the surprise by showing up at Brooke’s art show (and offering her a high-profile commission), the women rekindle their friendship. Miller works hard to conjure a shared history between these two, but their pool of shared experiences and inside jokes feels frustratingly shallow. The slow burn of their romance works well, providing room for some big, emotional conversations about life choices that lead Arlette to realize she’s unhappy, but the plot is hampered by the characters dithering over every minor decision and the largely external third act drama, which sees Arlette finally confronting her family but leaves Brooke with little to do. The result is a mild, middling romance. (Jan.)

Reviewed on 12/02/2022 | Details & Permalink

Bestseller Jimenez (Part of Your World) charms with this poignant and often hilarious romance between ER doctors. Briana Ortiz is initially suspicious that new hire Jacob Maddox is out to steal her promotion, but Jacob surprises her by taking himself out of the running. Both are recovering from messy breakups—Jacob with an ex who is now engaged to his brother, Briana with a husband who gaslighted her while carrying on a yearslong affair—and as they grow closer through letters, they help each other recover. However, the idea of faking a relationship to convince Jacob’s family that he’s moved on could upend their fragile dynamic. Indeed, the ensuing series of communication issues will leave readers wanting to shake some sense into Jimenez’s leads. Still, Jacob is a dream boyfriend (down to his willingness to donate a kidney for Briana’s brother), and the romantic angst rings true in light of the characters’ traumatic past relationships. The laugh-out-loud scenes—including Briana’s tale of glitter-bomb revenge and the introduction of a foul-mouthed parrot—are the real highlight. Add in sparkling prose, skillful plotting, and a sensitive approach to Jacob’s clinical anxiety, and the result is contemporary romance gold. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 12/02/2022 | Details & Permalink

Kitt does not disappoint in her second Millionaires Club romance (after Winner Takes All). Ambitious Black law student Eden Marsh attributes her success to her late mentor, Everett Nichols, a man she loved like a father. Meanwhile, Everett’s estranged, biracial stepson, journalist Beck Dennison, attends Everett’s memorial with a professional cover—he’s there to write a profile on Everett. Sparks fly when Eden and Beck meet, and their bond solidifies when they both receive surprise bequests in Everett’s will: Eden gets millions, while Beck inherits Everett’s wildly successful building company. Eden struggles to adjust to her newfound riches and deepening feelings for Beck, while Beck works through some childhood trauma on a path to forgiveness. Meanwhile, Eden’s emotionally unhealthy relationship with her sister, Holly, threatens her happiness. Kitt does a good job showing how Eden and Beck’s need to connect is hampered by self-doubt, and readers will have no trouble rooting for this appealing couple as they navigate major life changes. With its focus on recovery, redemption, and forgiveness, this emotional romance keeps the series going strong. Agent: Lisa Vance, Aaron M. Priest Literary. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 12/02/2022 | Details & Permalink

Biller (The Brightest Star in Paris) transports readers to sparkling 19th century Vienna for a unique and wonderful tale of intrigue and espionage. Maria Wallner, manager and jack-of-all-trades at her family’s Hotel Wallner, is thrilled when the Wallner is chosen to host the famed Hotelkeepers’ Ball, hoping to use the event to restore the financially strapped hotel to its former glory. Meanwhile, American secret service agent Eli Whittaker is in Vienna on a tip about American codes being stolen and sold—and Maria is among his suspects. When Maria is repeatedly targeted by a mysterious attacker, however, Eli’s first instinct is to keep her safe and catch her assailant, throwing his carefully ordered investigation into chaos. As the pair grow closer in the dramatic run-up to the ball, Eli wrestles with the possibility of Maria’s involvement in code stealing—until his heart takes over, and his primary focus becomes their mutual attraction. Biller’s eclectic cast brings the refreshing setting to vibrant life while the intriguing mystery and mounting passion between the leads unite to keep the pages turning. Historical romance readers—especially those looking for a break from Regency England—will be dazzled. Agent: Amy Bishop, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Mar.)

Reviewed on 12/02/2022 | Details & Permalink

This zippy Sapphic rom-com from Bellefleur (Count Your Lucky Stars) features slow-burn romance, a steamy marriage-of-convenience, and a profusion of Taylor Swift references. Shy bookseller Tansy Adams has been lying to friends and family about having a girlfriend using photos of Gemma van Dalen, a stunning romance novel cover model, to keep their nosiness about her nonexistent love life at bay. When Gemma shows up at Tansy’s family’s bookstore, live and in the flesh, Tansy worries the lie will blow up in her face, but instead Gemma doubles down, announcing that they’re engaged. Gemma’s absurdly rich family requires her to marry to inherit the family publishing company, making the arrangement mutually beneficial. Attraction soon grows between the women, threatening to turn their carefully constructed fauxmance into real love. Meanwhile, they must outwit Gemma’s ruthless family to protect their livelihoods—and each other’s hearts—from the van Dalens’ machinations. Bellefleur’s snappy prose is perfect for the banter between Tansy and Gemma, and it’s delightful to watch the tension build between them. The plot occasionally leans on convenience to move things along, but the payoff is deeply satisfying and more than worth it. Fans of Casey McQuiston should check this out. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary. (Apr.)

Reviewed on 12/02/2022 | Details & Permalink

Wilson’s laugh-out-loud latest (after Cinder-Nanny) follows cosmetic chemist Anna Ellis, who’s full of innovative ideas but can’t get her company to take them seriously. Her boss is a creep and she isn’t making progress talking to her boss’s boss, Craig, because her massive crush on him makes her hopelessly awkward. Meanwhile, Craig’s brother, Marco, the company’s CEO, is bent on breaking up Craig’s relationship with his newly announced fiancée. When Anna and Marco meet-cute in a bathroom—a conversation that inevitably touches on Anna’s favorite subjects, The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars—Marco sees a solution to both of their problems. Craig has always been a jealous and competitive type, so Marco suggests that if he and Anna fake a relationship, it will drive Craig wild. Anna is game to play along, particularly as the arrangement comes with much desired chemistry equipment, but she gets confused when her feelings start shifting from Craig to Marco. After all, Marco speaks the language of Tolkien’s Elves fluently and shows the appropriate amount of appreciation for puns. How could she resist? Abundant pop culture references and nerdy quips only enhance Anna and Marco’s lively banter. This is utterly adorable. Agent: Sarah Younger, NY Literary. (Feb.)

Reviewed on 12/02/2022 | Details & Permalink