Contemporary lifestyle fiction

From debut author Jen Wheeler comes a spellbinding tale about the dangers a nineteenth-century woman encounters as she flees a tragic past to the menacing Farallon Islands. Thirty miles off the coast of San Francisco lie the Farallon Islands, known to sailors as the Devil’s Teeth. Despite their fearsome reputation, their remote nature appeals to young Lucy Riley, who in 1859 seeks a new start as a teacher to the lighthouse keepers’ children. But Lucy brings treacherous secrets with her, including a name that isn’t hers and a past she can’t escape. On the island, she meets Will Sisson, a mysterious man who seems to recognize her name—but not her face. Wary of Will at first, Lucy slowly starts to trust him. As Lucy embeds herself in the island’s community, she discovers numerous dangers: deadly cliffs, shark-infested waters, and disorienting fogs. A dark presence of another sort, too, disguises an encroaching threat. In this forbidding place, Lucy must find the courage to confront the perils of her past and the ever-present dangers of the world around her for the new life she’s sought to finally begin.

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Book SynopsisFrom India to America, a woman’s search for family, home, and self becomes a journey of secrets and forgiveness in a powerful novel by the author of No Ordinary Thursday. At twenty-one years old, Gia Kumari finally leaves the Delhi orphanage where she was raised. With few prospects for the future, she receives an unexpected invitation from a stranger named Sonia Shah in San Francisco: an internship at Sonia’s weddings and events company. Gia and America. It’s love at first sight as she navigates an unfamiliar but irresistible new world of firsts. It’s Gia’s first real job; her first meeting with her only known family, her uncle Mohammed Khan; and her first romance with Sonia’s quirky yet charming stepson, Adi. But it might be too good to be true. Gia’s newfound happiness is unfolding in the shadow of a terrible family secret, the impact of which is still being felt in a place Gia now calls home. To save what matters most, Gia must come to terms with a tragic past she’s only beginning to understand—and a lifetime of lies she must learn to forgive.

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of The Kindness of Strangers comes a poignant and life-affirming novel about our connections to the past, and the promise for the future during the least promising of times. Grieving but feisty widow Vivian Laurent is at a late-in-life crossroads. The man she loved is gone. Their only daughter is estranged and missing. And the assisted-living facility where her husband died is going into quarantine. Living in lockdown with only heartache and memories is something Vivian can’t bear. Then comes a saving grace. Luna, a compassionate nursing assistant and newly separated mother, is facing eviction. Vivian has a plan that could turn their lives around: return to her old home and invite Luna and her two children to move in with her. With the exuberant eleven-year-old Wren in her hot-pink motorized wheelchair and Wren’s troubled older brother, Cooper, the new housemates make for an unlikely pandemic pack, weathering the coming storm together. Now it’s time to heal old wounds, make peace with the past, find hope and joy, and discover that the strongest bonds can get anyone through the worst of times.Trade Review“With compassion, candor, and humor, Katrina Kittle explores how a ragtag group of people on the verge can redefine what it means to be a family, in all its messy unpredictability. Told through multiple perspectives, this life-affirming, heartwarming novel captures the unlikely friendships and connections that can emerge out of perilous circumstances—and ultimately make life worth living.” —Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train and The Exiles “Morning in This Broken World is a heartfelt take on the family we’re born with, the family we choose, and the messy, beautiful intersections between the two. Katrina Kittle gifts us with an unforgettable protagonist, an endearing supporting cast, and a moving story about what it really means to call a place ‘home.’ The world would be a better (and dare I say less broken) place if it were filled with more novels like this one.” —Jessica Strawser, author of A Million Reasons Why “Katrina Kittle’s latest novel puts a moment in our collective memory into a context so comforting, so beautiful, and so hopeful that it is impossible not to look back on that time in a new light. Morning in This Broken World offers an emotional read full of heart-stirring highs and cathartic sorrows. I am buying stock in tissues before this novel comes out.” —Kelly Harms, bestselling author of Wherever the Wind Takes Us “There are very few writers who can address the human condition in such a thoughtful and poignant way as Katrina Kittle. If you are looking to escape into a wonderfully diverse and entertaining world, this book is exactly what you are looking for as a reader.” —Angela Jackson-Brown, author of The Light Always Breaks “Morning in This Broken World is a heartening reminder that even early in the COVID-19 pandemic, joy found a way to persist. Without contrivance or sentimentality, Kittle gives us a cast of characters who fight to be their best selves against terrible odds—both personal and global—armed with humor, hope, and the strength of human connection. This novel is in some ways an apocalypse story and, like the best of them, a powerful reminder of what we have to live for.” —Erin Flanagan, Edgar-winning author of Deer Season and Blackout “Kittle has written a beautiful and emotional novel about the families we choose to create when we need them the most. This is a novel that celebrates love and hope and why we matter to one another.” —Adriana Trigiani, author of The Good Left Undone

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Book SynopsisFrom USA Today bestselling author Olivia Miles comes the heartfelt story of the bond that brings three sisters together to face past regrets and the future of their family?s legacy.After the death of their beloved aunt, the estranged Burke sisters reunite at their childhood home for an unforgettable summer, each harboring a secret. With their family once again at a turning point, they must overcome their differences to discover what the future holds for the lakefront house and each other.Leah?s marriage is over, which somehow still doesn?t uncomplicate matters when she reconnects with her first love. Emma is tired of being the responsible one, stuck in her hometown by obligation to her family and by feelings for someone she can?t have. Sadie?s life in New York has all but fallen apart, and she?s haunted by the mistakes she made that led her so far away from home in the first place.But when they learn that their ancestral estate is in danger of foreclosure, the sisters must find a way to mend the rifts between them to save the only true home they?ve ever known?and with it, maybe they can stitch themselves back together too.

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Book SynopsisIn their attempts to have a child, a husband and wife must contend with personal desires, crossed boundaries, and broken trust as they reimagine what it truly means to be a family. Nikki and Kyle Sebastian have a loving and healthy marriage. It’s only missing one thing they want—children. When the couple is diagnosed with “unexplained infertility” and endures several failed rounds of IVF, Kyle, for both their sakes, is unwilling to bury them deeper in emotional and financial debt. Desperate to have a baby, Nikki betrays Kyle’s trust in an attempt to try IVF one more time. The choice fractures their once-stable union. Now burdened with suspicion, resentment, and further grief, their little family is falling apart. Picking up the pieces of their broken home means reassessing their dreams for the future—dreams that Nikki’s not ready to give up. If she can’t find a way to forge a new path forward with Kyle, she may find herself alone at the end of the family tree she longs to help grow.Trade Review“All We Could Still Have is a deeply moving story about having no control over the thing you desire most and discovering a different way of looking at that desire along the way. Diane Barnes masterfully weaves through darkness to discover light and takes the reader on a beautiful journey with a host of compelling characters that feel like they could be any one of us.” —Suzanne Redfearn, #1 Amazon bestselling author of In an Instant “In All We Could Still Have, Diane Barnes deftly navigates soul-achingly difficult issues and betrayals of the heart with such honesty and care that you just know—at each anticipated turn of the page—her story will leave you with the most redemptive emotion of them all: hope.” —Alli Frank and Asha Youmans, authors of Never Meant to Meet You and Tiny Imperfections “Diane Barnes is a masterful storyteller, unafraid to lay bare the needs and desires of her characters. All We Could Still Have is the poignant story of one woman’s yearnings that lead her down a path of deceit from which she barely recovers, only for her to be thrust into an agonizing position where all her choices are heartbreaking. Or so they seem. Readers will fall in love with All We Could Still Have from the very first page.” —Barbara Conrey, USA Today bestselling author of Nowhere Near Goodbye “With wry precision, Diane Barnes tackles what it’s like to be in a good marriage stretched to its very limits by desire, betrayal, and the definition of family. All We Could Still Have begs the question: Does deep struggle always signal a red flag to the end? Or, is it the very foils of being human that turn a good marriage into a great one? I read this book in one night, holding my breath until the very last line.” —Ann Garvin, USA Today bestselling author of I Thought You Said This Would Work “All We Could Still Have by Diane Barnes manages to be both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. An emotional family drama, this story will leave you thinking about the ways we hurt the ones we love most and the power of forgiveness—for others and ourselves. Put this book on your TBR list!” —Alison Hammer, author of Little Pieces of Me “An absorbing read.” —Kitty Johnson, bestselling author of Five Winters

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Book SynopsisIn this witty, warm novel by award-winning author Corinne Demas, unexpected changes bring two retirees together on a voyage of self-discovery from past regrets to the true meaning of happily ever after. Widower Noah Shilling considers Clarion Court to be less an independent living community and more a prison. But there may be hope for the place yet. The newest resident is bold, eccentric, rule-breaking Cassandra Joyce—whom, as it turns out, Noah met long ago in college. As Noah and Cassandra get reacquainted, major changes at Clarion Court force them both to reevaluate their living situation. When Noah invites Cassandra to rough it with him at his Cape Cod cottage, the old friends must decide whether they should risk embarking on the next stage of their journey together. But moving forward means coming to terms with the past and relying on each other to do so, which is something the stubbornly independent pair may not be ready for. They’ve come this far on their own, and unless they can reconcile a lifetime of emotional baggage, the road they started down together may lead instead to parted ways.Trade Review“How welcome and true: late love, beautifully and wryly rendered. Both light hearted and insightful, with age-defying charm and wit, The Road Towards Home is a totally satisfying (and identifiable!) read.” —Elinor Lipman, author of Ms. Demeanor and Rachel to the Rescue “Corinne Demas is amazing! The Road Towards Home is about two opinionated, rigid, and, yes, curmudgeonly septuagenarians who will have you falling in love and rooting for them as they negotiate and argue their way to a last run at happiness. Noah and Cassandra are so believable that I’m certain I’ve been over at their house for dinner—and the dialogue between them made me laugh out loud and also shake my head at their stubbornness. I utterly adored this novel, which is filled with wisdom and generosity and heart, qualities that readers of all ages will appreciate.” —Maddie Dawson, bestselling author of Matchmaking for Beginners “When Noah (saved the world with a boat) meets Cassandra (sees the future way too clearly) at the aptly named Clarion retirement home, they are both seriously not getting with the program. Though barely acquainted, they agree to escape together. As they break free from the planned trajectory and plunge into the uncharted territory of each other, you’ll be rooting for the oldsters all the way. The Road Towards Home is a wonderful novel—engaging, wry, and genuinely touching.” —Valerie Martin, author of Property and I Give It To You “In the novel The Road Towards Home, feisty entomologist Cassandra Joyce, who has been married multiple times, moves to a senior-living community. Quickly, she finds Clarion Court is not her clarion call. So, too, does widower Professor Noah Shilling, whose son and daughter-in-law are behind his relocation. When Cassandra drives Noah to his summer cottage on Cape Cod, there’s a lifetime of baggage to be unpacked. Kudos to Corinne Demas—heralded author of thirty books for children, teens, and adults—for this late-in-life romance: a story that shows both love and friendship can be found where and when least expected…and most necessary. Cassandra and Noah will open your mind—and your heart—to finding love at any stage of life. Uniquely uplifting.” —Marilyn Simon Rothstein, author of Crazy to Leave You “This latest novel by the always wonderful Corinne Demas is about a growing relationship through the hiccups of aging. The two main characters are both fascinating and thoughtful people. He an English professor emeritus, she a bug-and-spider scientist plus bird-watcher. The ‘home’ of the title is rather two homes: the first where they remeet (they knew one another in college some fifty years in the past), and the second Noah’s rather charming but broken-down cottage on a Cape Cod marsh, a great metaphor for the two of them. They are both wise and wisecrackers, both loving and snarky. And I, at eighty-three, sat up half the night finishing the book. It’s that good.” —Jane Yolen, award-winning author of The Devil’s Arithmetic and the short story collection The Scarlet Circus

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Book SynopsisThree grown women find escape and camaraderie on sorority row in a delightfully exhilarating novel about fresh starts, whether you want them or not, by New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster. How fast can charity fundraiser CeCe Barclay’s unimpeachable society life come tumbling down? One minute she’s speaking before Chicago’s glitterati. The next, her financier husband is wanted for embezzlement. Her assets seized and her fall mortifyingly public, CeCe grasps for refuge—and employment—as a sorority housemom at Eli Whitney University, her daughter Hayden’s alma mater. Tasked with preparing a stately—but in CeCe’s estimation shabby—house for rush, CeCe isn’t the only one navigating a new life. Janelle Smith’s last experience as a housemother was at a Jersey strip club, where she witnessed a mob hit. To keep her safe until trial, WITSEC finds her a new identity and a housemom position on Eli Whitney’s sorority row, where Janelle’s conflict mediation and tolerance for high estrogen levels make her a star employee. For Hayden, a barista at a hopelessly hip off-campus café, the goal is to flee everything Barclay: the money, the scandals, and the exasperating family nonsense. What next? Though CeCe’s not ready to sell her Chanel bag, she’s open to reinvention. Hayden might even admit she needs help in her new independent life. And Janelle’s due for a personal triumph. But big challenges loom between the alabaster columns of Eli Whitney, unexpected and dicey enough to bring them all together—if only to keep them from falling completely apart.Trade Review“[A]n intriguing and compelling tale with complex characters…look[ing] at the sisterhood formed in sororities that extends to those who work in, and around, them.” —Kirkus Reviews “The book shines in its emphasis on the power of women having each other’s backs and rooting for one another. This novel is a witty, wild ride and an overall gripping read with unforgettable, wholesome moments.” —Booklist “Scathingly witty.” —The Boston Herald “Witty and hilarious…Jen Lancaster is like that friend who always says what you’re thinking—just 1,000 times funnier.” —People “No matter what she’s writing, it’s scathingly witty and lots of fun.” —Publishers Weekly “Hilarious.” —InStyle “Witty, bitingly funny, and even thought provoking.” —The Book Chick “Jen Lancaster is like a modern-day, bawdy Erma Bombeck.” —Lisa Lampanelli, New York Post

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Three grown women find escape and camaraderie on sorority row in a delightfully exhilarating novel about fresh starts, whether you want them or not, by New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster. How fast can charity fundraiser CeCe Barclay’s unimpeachable society life come tumbling down? One minute she’s speaking before Chicago’s glitterati. The next, her financier husband is wanted for embezzlement. Her assets seized and her fall mortifyingly public, CeCe grasps for refuge—and employment—as a sorority housemom at Eli Whitney University, her daughter Hayden’s alma mater. Tasked with preparing a stately—but in CeCe’s estimation shabby—house for rush, CeCe isn’t the only one navigating a new life. Janelle Smith’s last experience as a housemother was at a Jersey strip club, where she witnessed a mob hit. To keep her safe until trial, WITSEC finds her a new identity and a housemom position on Eli Whitney’s sorority row, where Janelle’s conflict mediation and tolerance for high estrogen levels make her a star employee. For Hayden, a barista at a hopelessly hip off-campus café, the goal is to flee everything Barclay: the money, the scandals, and the exasperating family nonsense. What next? Though CeCe’s not ready to sell her Chanel bag, she’s open to reinvention. Hayden might even admit she needs help in her new independent life. And Janelle’s due for a personal triumph. But big challenges loom between the alabaster columns of Eli Whitney, unexpected and dicey enough to bring them all together—if only to keep them from falling completely apart.

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Book SynopsisIn a breathtaking island paradise, it?s easy for a handsome local and a sexy tourist to get swept away in a tart and tempting romance by a USA Today bestselling author.A destination wedding on La Jarra Island for Tillie James?s sister has its drawbacks: hair-wrecking ocean spray and pincher crabs. And its perks: sexy, hotheaded beachfront bartender Gabe Landers, who brings out the competitive streak in fellow drinkslinger Tillie. When the rivals get together for a cocktail-making challenge, the blend is pure bliss, leaving them shaken and stirred.The spirited blue-eyed tourist from Georgia makes Gabe?s head spin faster than his signature drink, the mermaid sunrise. But he?s determined not to obsess?out-of-towner love stories never last. Tillie agrees. They?ll just enjoy each other for now and make a clean break. No strings. No attachments. No chance. But when Tillie?s kiss goodbye comes with an invitation for Gabe to visit Atlanta, he can?t resist. As fate has it, it?s home to a heartbreaking piece of his own past.As Tillie and Gabe face new challenges, destiny could tear them apart?or turn an intoxicating romance on the rocks into more than they ever expected.

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Book SynopsisFrom author Deryn Collier comes a smart, charming postwar historical novel based on the true story of an aspiring writer who dares to dream big. Montreal, 1947. To support her once-prosperous family, June Grant joins a steno pool in a prestigious advertising firm. For June, it’s hard to imagine having the kind of life her parents want—the kind of life her sister Daisy has, with a well-off husband and two precocious kids. But Daisy might not be a picture-perfect housewife after all. As June makes her own waves in the advertising world, she probes a hidden side of her sister’s life. June’s discoveries upend everything she thought she knew about her sister while challenging her own inner conflict about pursuing her dreams versus living up to expectations. Being a dutiful housewife might mean something else entirely. Based on the true story of the author’s aunt, A Real Somebody charts the journey of a talented young writer who dares to break the conventions of her time during one pivotal season of her life.Trade Review“The formal societal norms of those days are well displayed to transport readers to that era…The story is narrated aptly in June’s first-person voice—a pleasurable read.” —Historical Novels Review

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Book SynopsisFrom debut author Elaine Roth comes a hopeful and heartfelt story about a young widow who uncovers the magic of everyday life—and the power of second chances. After the sudden death of her husband, Hope finds herself reeling from the loss in more ways than one. First a young wife and now a grieving widow, she feels like fodder for never-ending town gossip. But when Hope meets Will, a screenwriter back in town to run his family’s inn, she sees in him another resident oddball. And like her, Will has been navigating a loss of his own. As Hope falls for Will, she seeks out another enigma in town: Maeve, an eccentric woman who makes healing teas and communes with the dead. Some of the townspeople think she’s a grifter, a fake. Will, too, is skeptical. Hope yearns for closure and forgiveness, seeing in Maeve the chance to trust herself again—and in Will, a chance to rediscover the enchantment in the world around her… And the courage to build a bigger life than she ever thought possible.Trade Review“Readers of Jenny Colgan will enjoy this rising author.” —Booklist

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Book SynopsisFor two old friends with so much to hide, playing catch-up is a dangerous game in a propulsive novel of suspense by the author of Mother of All Secrets. Writer Carrie Colts hopes a move to Montauk will be a rejuvenating change of pace for her family. The last thing she expects to see is her former college roommate on her doorstep. Newly widowed, and with a daughter of her own, Maya would love to reconnect. As a gesture to an old friend in mourning, Carrie extends an invitation to stay. Just for a few days. After all, there are reasons that Carrie and Maya are estranged. Carrie soon regrets her impulsive offer. Someone has taken a pair of scissors to her college yearbook. Her herb garden is destroyed. She’s starting to receive sinister texts. And Maya is making herself a little too much at home. What does Maya really want? What is she hiding? Carrie’s afraid to ask. Because Maya knows all her secrets, and exposing them comes with a price Carrie can’t afford to pay.Trade Review“Kathleen Willett has done it again! Anything for a Friend is chock full of domestic tension, twisty plot turns, and compelling female characters. I couldn't put this one down! After reading this page-turner, you might think twice about inviting your oldest friends into your home…” —Katie Sise, nationally bestselling author of We Were Mothers, Open House, and The Break “Ominous, twisty, and impossible to put down. I raced to the end!” —Nora Murphy, author of The Favor and The New Mother “Twisty and totally bingeable, Kathleen M. Willett’s Anything for a Friend is a dark and devious exploration of female friendship that kept me turning the pages into the night, but fair warning—this story might make you think twice before picking up the phone when an old friend just wants to ‘catch up.’” —Rachel Koller Croft, author of Stone Cold Fox “An old friend’s return threatens to unearth dark truths in Kathleen Willett’s newest page-turner. Twisty and full of suspense, Anything for a Friend explores deception, the push and pull of complicated friendships, and the cost of keeping a secret. I tore through it.” —Allison Buccola, author of Catch Her When She Falls

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Book SynopsisFrom the USA Today bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids comes an emotional novel about two women facing the betrayals, heartbreaks, and refuge of true friendship. Phoebe and Suze used to be closer than sisters. Growing up in a quiet and wildly beautiful coastal town in Oregon, they shared everything. Until the secrets they couldn’t share threatened their bond and complicated their lives. Now, decades later, Suze, a famous actress desperate for safe haven following a brutal attack, is back in town. Phoebe, a successful illustrator and fabric designer, has discovered keeping a secret means she can’t let anyone get close, aside from her beloved granddaughter, Jasmine. As Jasmine’s move to London looms, Phoebe doesn’t know how to face the return of her old friend and all that’s still unsaid between them. Can the two women who’ve never confronted their past do it now when the choice is between healing and survival? Heartfelt and layered, The Starfish Sisters is a moving story about the complicated nature of female friendship, the joys and heartbreaks of life, and the resiliency and power that women possess.Trade ReviewPraise for The Starfish Sisters “Barbara O’Neal is at the top of her game. The Starfish Sisters is a gorgeous, heartfelt story about two lifelong friends who, now estranged, must battle their way back to each other after years of betrayals and jealousy and misunderstandings. Suze is a famous, world-traveling movie star who seems to have everything but love—while her former best friend, Phoebe, does art and nurtures the people around her. O’Neal has written a deeply harrowing, suspenseful, and ultimately loving book that explores the nature of women’s friendships and the lengths to which we all will go to protect those we love from danger. I read it far into the night, and, yes, I wept a few tears along the way.” —Maddie Dawson, Washington Post bestselling author of Matchmaking for Beginners Previous Praise “A wonderfully moving tale…This Place of Wonder will sweep you away.” —Colleen Hoover, #1 New York Times bestselling author “Kristin Hannah readers will thoroughly enjoy the family dynamic, especially the mother-daughter relationships.” —Booklist (starred review) on This Place of Wonder “A woman’s strange disappearance brings together four strong women who struggle with their relationships, despite their need for one another. Fans of Sarah Addison Allen will appreciate the emphasis on nature and these women’s unique gifts.” —Library Journal (starred review) on The Lost Girls of Devon “An emotional story about the relationship between two sisters and the difficulty of facing the truth head-on.” —Today on When We Believed in Mermaids “Elegiac but also forward-looking…I loved every moment of it.” —Julie Powell, author of Julie & Julia and Cleaving on This Place of Wonder “Great writing, terrific characters, food elements, romance, a touch of intrigue, and more than a few surprises to keep readers guessing.” —Kirkus Reviews on The Art of Inheriting Secrets

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Book SynopsisIn this emotional story from Starlight Cove, a single mother must solve the mystery of the town theater to learn why it was shut down and stop the unknown forces trying to keep it closed. Newly divorced Lily Kimura returns to her hometown to start fresh with her daughter and her recently retired parents. She’s committed to rebuilding her life, starting with a new job at the town theater. The Starlight Cove Playhouse has been closed for years, ever since a tragic fire took the life of the lead actress. Now, thanks to an anonymous donor, the town is finally ready for a revival. So is Lily, who wholeheartedly dives into her new duties as theater manager, including an unexpected connection with the visiting movie star playing the lead. But strange noises, sinister messages, and a mysterious play hidden in the rafters soon make it clear that not everyone is keen to move on. Someone wants the playhouse closed for good. With the help of an old friend turned local police officer, Dean Harrington, Lily digs into the truth behind every question, threat, and possibility presented to her. She’s just not sure if Starlight Cove will be ready for the answers, or if, as they say, the show will go on.Trade Review“The plot will remind readers of a grown up version of a Nancy Drew mystery in the best possible way. Perfect for fans of small-town mysteries and unlikely sleuths.” —Booklist

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Book SynopsisOvernight, in a small town, careers, friendships, reputations, and futures are all on the line in a razor-sharp novel about scandals, secrets, and hard-earned dreams coming true. A small-town campus is rocked by scandal. Suddenly, four women find themselves in the crosshairs of an investigation that threatens to upend their lives. Lauren is the wife of a charismatic, now disgraced, university athletic director. To keep their marriage from crumbling, she’s cleaned up his messes before. This one she never saw coming. Nora is the director’s interim replacement. The groundbreaking career she’s worked for is on the rise. As wife of the English department’s dean, so is the scrutiny and the pressure. Anne is Nora’s wide-eyed intern, thrust unprepared into the chaos of a headline-making story. And there’s Alexis, an English professor in panic mode. Her own secret has always been safe. Until now. As the media descends, colleagues and friends begin to question everything they thought they knew about each other. Every one of them is getting caught off guard. And it feels like the whole world is watching.Trade Review“The realistic dialogue, unexpected twists, and energetic cast of characters will keep readers turning pages. A quick-witted exploration of the underbelly of college sports.” —Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisAuthor Ann Marie Walker brings you a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that'll warm your heart for Singles Day (the true anti-Valentine's Day!) and every day after!Single and proud of it! Oh, oops…As a Certified Professional Organizer, everything in Paige Parker's world is as it should be. Perfect apartment, perfect office, perfect life. And now, the perfect vacation planned to celebrate Singles Day. After all, what's better than celebrating her pride in being single? Because who needs a man anyway? They have zero taste in quality television, leave the toilet seat up, and sleep with your best friend. No thanks. Her life is fine just the way it is.As the owner of a now-dormant bed & breakfast, single dad Lucas Croft finally has some peace and quiet. It's only him and his five-year-old daughter, which is just the way he likes it. Because who needs a woman anyway? They nag you to clean up your stuff, want the toilet seat put down, and expect the dishes to be done the same day the meal is cooked. No thanks. His life is fine just the way it is.But when Paige books a room that Lucas' well-intentioned sister listed without his knowledge, their two worlds collide. If they can survive the week together, they just might discover exactly what they've both been missing."Adorable, romantic, funny, and sexy!"—Kirkus Reviews for Black Tie OptionalTrade Review"Walker's prose dances off the page in this lovely and lighthearted novel." - Booklist"A positively delightful romance full of heart, joy and enough charm to jump off of the page. Walker's voice is warm, charming and inviting. A must read." - Nina Bocci, USA Today bestselling author"This feel-good escape hits all the right notes." - Melonie Johnson, award-winning author"A sparkling, heartfelt rom-com." - Publishers Weekly"Walker excels at creating a cozy, charming setting... Ideal for readers looking for the book version of a pleasant Hallmark movie." - Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisUp-and-coming screenwriter Cara Kennedy has the biggest meeting of her career in two days—but for now, she's on vacation. Her short trip to Ireland is all planned out:See the sites around DublinDon't think about her jerk of an ex she was supposed to spend this trip withRelax with some Irish whiskeyPropose to a sexy Irish musician on Leap DayWake up marriedWait, those last two things weren't on her list…A whirlwind trip to Ireland is supposed to end with a suitcase full of wool sweaters and souvenir pint glasses—not a husband you only just met!After one-too-many whiskeys, fledgling screenwriter Cara Kennedy takes a page out of someone else's script when she gets caught up in the Irish tradition of women proposing on Leap Day. She wakes the next morning with a hot guy in her bed and a tin foil ring on her finger. Her flight is in four hours, and she has the most important meeting of her career in exactly two days—nothing she can do except take her new husband (and his adorable dog) back to LA with her and try to untangle the mess she's made of her life…Perfect for fans of:Friends to lovers romanceSexy Irish brogueSensual, slow burn romanceWhen everything goes wrong, but it's so right

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Book Synopsis"A sexy, surprising, searing debut about love, loss, desire, and the many dimensions of Black womanhood."—Deesha Philyaw, 2020 National Book Award Finalist & award-winning author of The Secret Lives of Church LadiesAn arresting debut for anyone looking for insight into what it means to be a Black woman in the world.Three Black women are linked in unexpected ways to the same influential white man in Stockholm as they build their new lives in the most open society run by the most private people.Successful marketing executive Kemi Adeyemi is lured from the U.S. to Sweden by Jonny von Lundin, CEO of the nation's largest marketing firm, to help fix a PR fiasco involving a racially tone-deaf campaign. A killer at work but a failure in love, Kemi's move is a last-ditch effort to reclaim her social life.A chance meeting with Jonny in business class en route to the U.S. propels former model-turned-flight-attendant Brittany-Rae Johnson into a life of wealth, luxury, and privilege—a life she's not sure she wants—as the object of his unhealthy obsession.And refugee Muna Saheed, who lost her entire family, finds a job cleaning the toilets at Jonny's office as she works to establish her residency in Sweden and, more importantly, seeks connection and a place she can call home.Told through the perspectives of each of the three women, In Every Mirror She's Black is a fast-paced, richly nuanced yet accessible contemporary novel that touches on important social issues of racism, classism, fetishization, and tokenism, and what it means to be a Black woman navigating a white-dominated society.Praise for In Every Mirror She's Black:"In Every Mirror She's Black is a wise and complicated exploration of the lives of three Black women in America and Sweden. Lola Akinmade Åkerström offers a sharply written story with messy, deeply moving characters, raising brutal questions and steering clear of easy answers. A book that will stick with you long after you've turned the last page."—Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & The Six and Malibu Rising"In Every Mirror She's Black highlights the struggles of three women fighting to assimilate into a society that ignores their worth. These characters will pull at your heartstrings. Lola writes with a contemporary flair, highlighting the layered subtleties of the Black woman's plight. In Every Mirror She's Black will stay with readers for a long time."—Nicole Dennis-Benn, author of bestselling novels Here Comes the Sun and Patsy"In her debut novel, Lola Akinmade Akerstrom has given us a story that is at once enjoyable and disturbing as it explores the painful price millions of women around the world pay for walking around with black skin."—Imbolo Mbue, New York Times bestselling author of Behold the DreamersTrade Review"Three Black women in search of a better life end up in Sweden in this convincing debut...Åkerström powerfully conveys all of the women's experiences with race." - Publishers Weekly"Åkerström paints an admirably rich portrait of a particular culture—its nuances, norms, and idiosyncrasies—raising important questions of prejudice, racial bias, agency, and belonging...A novel with thematic depth and complexity. " - Kirkus Reviews"As much a liberating battle cry as it is a searing, multifaceted examination of the hearts and minds of Black women navigating white-dominated spaces." - BookPage"An engaging novel that presents the nuanced experiences of Black women from all walks of life. The author takes on misogynoir masterfully in this book that's never quite what you think it is." - Essence"In Every Mirror She's Black highlights the struggles of three women fighting to assimilate into a society that ignores their worth. These characters will pull at your heartstrings. Lola writes with a contemporary flair, highlighting the layered subtleties of the Black woman's plight. In Every Mirror She's Black will stay with readers for a long time." - Nicole Dennis-Benn, author of bestselling novels Here Comes the Sun and Patsy"In Every Mirror She's Black is a wise and complicated exploration of the lives of three Black women in America and Sweden. Lola Akinmade Akerstrom offers a sharply written story with messy, deeply moving characters, raising brutal questions and steering clear of easy answers. A book that will stick with you long after you've turned the last page." - Taylor Jenkins Reid, NYT bestselling author of Daisy Jones and the Six"Beautifully complex and deftly drawn, Kemi, Brittany, and Muna are going to stay on my mind for a long, long time. In Every Mirror She's Black is a sexy, surprising, searing debut about love, loss, desire, and the many dimensions of Black womanhood. Timely and terrific!" - Deesha Philyaw, award-winning author of The Secret Life of Church Ladies"A striking debut...As entertaining as it is revealing, Åkerström's novel has readers hoping that each of these women is able to break free from toxic expectations and achieve her every dream and ambition. Along the way, Åkerström also delivers poignant commentary on Swedish culture and the price Black women pay by virtue of the color of their skin. " - Booklist"Through lively prose and spirited dialogue, Åkerström shows that for all the protagonists' differences, being a Black woman in a white-dominated society will inevitably lead them to the same fate." - Vulture"In Every Mirror She's Black is an absolute must-read. From its relatable and three-dimensional characters, to its delving into racism and tokenism, to its unique and sometimes heartbreaking examination of the lives of Black women in a Nordic setting, this novel delivers an emotional punch. Kemi, Brittany, and Muna's lives come alive on the page. If you're looking for a novel that will stay with you even days after you've read the last page, then make sure you grab a copy of Lola Akinmade Åkerström's In Every Mirror She's Black. This is a very different and unpredictable portrayal of Black women's search for love and self, and it's pure magic." - Kim Golden, USA Today bestselling author"In her debut novel, Lola Akinmade Akerstrom has given us a story that is at once enjoyable and disturbing as it explores the painful price millions of women around the world pay for walking around with black skin." - Imbolo Mbue, New York Times bestselling author of Behold the Dreamers

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis"Beautifully complex and deftly drawn...In Every Mirror She's Black is a sexy, surprising, searing debut about love, loss, desire, and the many dimensions of Black womanhood."—Deesha Philyaw, 2020 National Book Award Finalist & award-winning author of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies An arresting debut for anyone looking for insight into what it means to be a Black woman in the world. Three Black women are linked in unexpected ways to the same influential white man in Stockholm as they build their new lives in the most open society run by the most private people. Successful marketing executive Kemi Adeyemi is lured from the U.S. to Sweden by Jonny von Lundin, CEO of the nation's largest marketing firm, to help fix a PR fiasco involving a racially tone-deaf campaign. A killer at work but a failure in love, Kemi's move is a last-ditch effort to reclaim her social life. A chance meeting with Jonny in business class en route to the U.S. propels former model-turned-flight-attendant Brittany-Rae Johnson into a life of wealth, luxury, and privilege—a life she's not sure she wants—as the object of his unhealthy obsession. And Somali refugee Muna Saheed, who lost her entire family, finds a job cleaning the toilets at Jonny's office as she works to establish her residency in Sweden and, more importantly, seeks connection and a place she can call home. Told through the perspectives of each of the three women, In Every Mirror She's Black is a fast-paced, richly nuanced yet accessible contemporary novel that touches on important social issues of racism, classism, fetishization, and tokenism, and what it means to be a Black woman navigating a white-dominated society. Lola Akinmade Åkerström is an African-American (Nigerian-American) award-winning author, speaker, and photographer based in Sweden. This is her first novel. Praise for In Every Mirror She's Black: "In Every Mirror She's Black is a wise and complicated exploration of the lives of three Black women in America and Sweden. Lola Akinmade Åkerström offers a sharply written story with messy, deeply moving characters, raising brutal questions and steering clear of easy answers. A book that will stick with you long after you've turned the last page."—Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & The Six "In Every Mirror She's Black highlights the struggles of three women fighting to assimilate into a society that ignores their worth. These characters will pull at your heartstrings. Lola writes with a contemporary flair, highlighting the layered subtleties of the Black woman's plight. In Every Mirror She's Black will stay with readers for a long time."—Nicole Dennis-Benn, author of bestselling novels Here Comes the Sun and Patsy "In Every Mirror She's Black is an absolute must-read. From its relatable and three-dimensional characters, to its delving into racism and tokenism, to its unique and sometimes heartbreaking examination of the lives of Black women in a Nordic setting, this novel delivers an emotional punch. Kemi, Brittany, and Muna's lives come alive on the page. If you're looking for a novel that will stay with you even days after you've read the last page, then make sure you grab a copy of Lola Akinmade Åkerström's In Every Mirror She's Black. This is a very different and unpredictable portrayal of Black women's search for love and self, and it's pure magic."—Kim Golden, USA Today bestselling author

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Book SynopsisNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ginny Baird brings her signature charm to this multicultural story about two disputing families sharing a beach house and the messiness that comes from falling in love with someone who your family is determined to despise.Busy flower shop manager Evita Machado can't wait to get to Nantucket. With a bad breakup behind her, relaxing at the shore with her folks and her brothers and their families sounds like the sure cure for heartache, and their vacation destination looks like an amazing place! But when they arrive at the quaint rose-covered cottage, another group has already put down stakes: the Hatfields.Ryan Hatfield was Evita's former crush from high school, but their business rival moms refused to let them date. Now history professor Ryan is here for a week with his parents, who won them this oceanfront rental in a society silent auction. Once it's clear there's been a double-booking due to a bidding mistake, Ryan's mom digs in her heels, meaning to stay. When Evita's mom won't back down either, both sides tepidly agree to share the luxury accommodations by dividing the cozy space.With the boisterous Machados livening things up and the strait-laced Hatfields tamping them down, can Evita and Ryan keep the peace between the warring factions while fostering a growing chemistry between the two of them?

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Book Synopsis

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