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Love Among the Recipes
Carol M. Cram. New Arcadia, $15.99 trade paper (270p) ISBN 978-0-9810241-9-6
Cram (The Muse of Fire) serves up a deliciously inspiring romance. When cookbook author Genna McGraw learns of her husband’s infidelity, she hightails it to Paris, where she spends six months researching her newest project, a travel cookbook pairing recipes with Parisian landmarks. Genna quickly hits it off with a group of friends who encourage, assist, and inspire each other. Among them is Australian widower Bill Turner, who quickly becomes Genna’s love interest. Things get a little sticky when Genna’s adult children, Becky and Michael, unexpectedly show up in Paris, as neither knows about their father’s infidelity and instead think it was their mother who betrayed the marriage. Cram pulls off the familial conflict with more quirky humor than heartache, as the usually sour Becky is quickly won over by Bill, and Michael falls for Tessa, Genna’s protégé in the kitchen. Loaded with wit and charm, Cram’s bighearted romance successfully balances unassuming characters and raw passions. This fabulous jaunt through the City of Lights will leave readers breathless and longing for more from Cram. (Self-published)
Flirting with Forever
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Cara Bastone. HQN, $9.99 mass market (368p) ISBN 978-1-335-93597-7
A woman must muster every bit of her flagging self-confidence in order to find love in Bastone’s poignant final Forever Yours romance (after Can’t Help Falling). Thirty-seven-year-old Mary Trace’s blind date, 31-year-old John Modesto-Whitford, hits a nerve when he blurts out that he thought she would be younger. Mary is devastated, but as a successful Brooklyn business owner with strong, supportive friendships, she tries to let it roll off her back—a goal that would be much easier if she didn’t keep running into John. John, a public defender, actually deeply admires Mary, but is inexperienced with women and has a tendency to put his foot in his mouth. After Mary’s boutique is vandalized, John lends a shoulder and helps her rebuild. They grow closer and come to realize what the reader will feel is obvious from the beginning: that the age difference between them shouldn’t matter. But both must work through deep insecurities before they can create a lasting relationship. Though occasionally repetitive, the romance is cute and the Brooklyn setting is lovingly rendered. This character-driven contemporary is sure to satisfy series fans. Agent: Tara Gelsomino, One Track Literary. (Feb.)
The Scot’s Oath
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Heather Grothaus. Lyrical, $4.99 e-book (352p) ASIN B08N2YLGGR
Grothaus’s exciting third Sons of Scotland romance (after The Highlander’s Promise) unites a passionate couple in the midst of simmering intrigue. In 1458, Highlander Padraig Boyd travels from Caedmaray Island to his father’s childhood home of Darlyrede House in Northumberland, England. Padraig aims to reclaim the estate that was taken from his family, helped by Lucan Montague, a knight tasked by King Henry to investigate who is the true claimant. But Darlyrede’s current owner, Lord Vaughn Hargrave, is not about to give up the land. While the investigation stalls, Lucan asks Beryl, a maid to Lady Hargrave, to tutor Padraig on the ways of British nobility, and as she does, the pair develop a powerful connection—until Padraig discovers that Beryl is actually Iris Montague, Lucan’s sister, and has infiltrated Darlyrede to find clues connecting Hargrave to the fire that destroyed her parents’ lives and family home. Heartbroken at this perceived betrayal, Padraig leaves Darlyrede, abandoning his claim to the property—but he returns when he learns that Iris is in danger. The slow-building romance between Iris and Padraig is enhanced by the complex mystery surrounding Darlyrede, and Grothaus hints at even more intrigue to come in future installments. Series readers won’t want to miss this. (Feb.)
The Dating Plan
Sara Desai. Berkley, $16 trade paper (352p) ISBN 978-0-593-10058-5
Desai (The Marriage Game) dazzles with this funny, convincing take on the fake relationship trope. Self-described “neurotic software engineer” Daisy Patel just walked in on her ex-boyfriend and former boss having sex, her company’s going under, and her family is pressuring her to get married. So a literal run-in with Liam Murphy, the family friend turned high school crush who stood Daisy up for prom, is the last thing she needs. The death of his grandfather has brought rebel-without-a-cause Liam home to San Francisco. Now, the chance to inherit the family distillery offers the opportunity to reinvent his family’s complicated legacy. But to inherit, he’ll need to marry before his next birthday. So Liam proposes a marriage of convenience to Daisy: he’ll get the distillery and Daisy’s family will stop matchmaking. Daisy agrees, but only if there’s a “dating plan” to guide them every step of the way. But with the desire between them mounting—and the truth of why Liam stood Daisy up finally revealed—how long can things stay perfectly planned out and pretend? Geek-chic Daisy makes an endearing heroine, and the dysfunctional Murphy family provides believable tension. Desai’s fans will be thrilled to reconnect with the eccentric Patels and new readers will be hooked. This is a gem. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary. (Feb.)
Hero Wanted
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Betina Krahn. Zebra, $8.99 mass market (352p) ISBN 978-1-4201-5195-4
The busy, suspenseful Victorian-era romance that launches Krahn’s new series (after Anyone but a Duke) puts a betrothed couple through the wringer to prove their compatibility. Lauren Alcott’s engagement to Rafe Townsend was arranged by their fathers, who hope their union will save both families’ shipping businesses. But when, on an outing, Lauren leaps to rescue two women from drowning while Rafe stands by, her heroic act earns her the moniker of Angel of the River and leaves Rafe labeled a coward by the press. Unable to stomach being with an unheroic man, Lauren calls off the engagement, upsetting both of their fathers, threatening their businesses, and causing a scandal. But that shock is soon eclipsed when Rafe and Lauren are assaulted, kidnapped, and held for ransom. With their lives in danger, each sees a side of the other they had not previously known. Rafe and Lauren are memorable characters, but their budding romance is somewhat overshadowed by the constant turmoil. Still, the mystery of who’s behind their abduction is invigorating, and the secrets, lies, and danger keep the pages turning. This will best suit readers who like plenty of action mixed in with their romance. Agent: Gail Fortune, Talbot Fortune Agency. (Feb.)
Scoundrel of my Heart
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Lorraine Heath. Avon, $7.99 mass market (368p) ISBN 978-0-06-295196-0
Heath opens her Once Upon a Dukedom series with a satisfying, character-driven Victorian romance following the relationship between Griff Stanwick—the brother of Beauty Tempts the Beast’s heroine, Althea—and Althea’s best friend, Kathryn Lambert. Kathryn has 14 months to marry a titled, first-born son if she hopes to collect her inheritance: her grandmother’s beach cottage. Griff is sympathetic to Kathryn’s desire for a treasured property, as he has his sights on a social club that he hopes to reinvent to cater to second sons, spinsters, and others like him who are deemed socially undesirable. Griff writes a letter in Kathryn’s praise to the Duke of Kingsland, convincing him to court her—though soon after, Griff and Kathryn share a kiss that confirms their real desire is for each other. But a Stanwick family scandal tears Griff and Kathryn apart for a year. When the couple reconnects, Kathryn is all the closer to securing Kingsland’s hand in marriage, but her attraction to Griff remains, forcing her to choose between security and passion. The relationship is grounded and believable, though readers unfamiliar with the previous series will feel they’re missing important context for Griff’s actions. This is a promising spin-off. Agent: Robin Rue, Writers House. (Apr.)
The Mandolin Lunch
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Missouri Vaun. Bold Strokes, $16.95 trade paper (288p) ISBN 978-1-63555-566-0
Two timid school teachers find love in this cozy lesbian contemporary from Vaun (The Sea Within). Garet Allen moves from Atlanta to the small town of Shadetree, Ga., to fill in for the high school art teacher while she’s away on maternity leave. The short-term gig offers freewheeling Garet a stable income without forcing her to put down roots and frees her up to work on her picture book project at night. On her first day in town, she meets Tess Hill when Tess tries to sell her a dulcimer at the local guitar shop. Though Garet is too shy to make a move, she’s instantly attracted to Tess and hopes they’ll meet again—only to discover that Tess is the music teacher who shares her classroom. Though Garet’s happy-go-lucky lifestyle may prove incompatible with Tess’s life as a single mother, their romance is largely conflict-free as they bond while working on the school play. Vaun ramps up the drama for an eventful finale, but the conflict feels contrived after the sweetness of the buildup. The result is a touching, if muddled, romance. (Jan.)
Running Away with the Bride
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Sophia Singh Sasson. Harlequin Desire, $5.25 mass market (224p) ISBN 978-1-335-23267-0
Sasson’s disappointing second Nights at the Mahal romance (following Marriage by Arrangement) starts with a bang, but quickly fizzles. Tech billionaire Ethan Connors crashes his ex-girlfriend’s Las Vegas wedding to proclaim his love—only to discover he’s disrupted the wrong ceremony. Divya Singh, the stranger Ethan’s accidentally declared himself to, seizes the opportunity to escape her arranged marriage. Ethan’s “save-the-day complex” kicks in, and he helps Divya flee before her overprotective family can catch them. It’s a promising first meeting, but the ensuing romance barrels from one plot point to the next without pausing to develop a real connection between Ethan and Divya. Instead, Divya confesses to Ethan that she feels trapped by her controlling family and yearns for independence, and Ethan offers her a chance to check items off her bucket list before she has to return to her unfulfilling life. The two travel the country on Ethan’s private jet as he helps her to achieve her dreams—from singing in a nightclub to finally falling in love with the right guy—all in the course of just three days. The listless plot and the characters’ flimsy backstories result in a clichéd, unconvincing romance. This is an easy one to pass. (Jan.)
Life’s Too Short
Abby Jimenez. Forever, $15.99 trade paper (384p) ISBN 978-1-5387-1566-6
Jimenez delivers a swoony and heartfelt third Friend Zone romance (after The Happy Ever After Playlist) about navigating life’s difficulties. Vanessa Price is a 28-year-old YouTube star who travels the world using her platform to raise money and awareness for ALS. With a 50% chance that she has inherited the disease, she’s determined to live her best life now because she may not make it to age 30. But her adventures are cut short when her half-sister drops off Vanessa’s infant niece, Grace, at her door and never comes back, catapulting Vanessa into the role of mother figure overnight. Vanessa’s neighbor, the sexy and successful lawyer Adrian Copeland, is a workaholic with little time for a personal life—until an earsplitting four a.m. meltdown from Grace brings him to Vanessa’s door with an offer of help. Vanessa and Adrian’s meet-cute develops into a steadfast friendship and eventually a slow-burn romance. But with Vanessa’s health deteriorating, will their relationship survive after Adrian finds out that Vanessa may not? Jimenez masterfully blends heavy issues and humor, lacing the tear-jerking heartache with sass and sarcasm. Series fans and newcomers alike will be moved by this emotional rom-com. Agent: Stacey Graham, 3 Seas Literary. (Apr.)
Gentleman Jim
Mimi Matthews. Perfectly Proper, $16.99 trade paper (376p) ISBN 978-1-73305-699-1
Matthews (Fair as a Star) charms with this Regency tale of love, mistaken identity, and revenge. Maggie Honeywell, heiress of Somerset’s Beasley Park, has pledged her love to Nicholas Seaton, the bastard son of a scullery maid and the infamous highwayman Gentleman Jim. When Nicholas’s nemesis, Frederick Burton-Smythe, accuses Nicholas of theft, Maggie helps him flee for his life and promises to wait for him to make his fortune and return to her. Ten years pass. Now Maggie is financially dependent on Frederick as the executor of her father’s will and years of illness and mourning have left her physically weak. But her spirit remains unbridled, so when she learns that the Viscount St. Clare has challenged Frederick to a duel, she makes a late-night visit to St. Clare’s estate to ask him to call it off. Upon meeting the dashing Viscount, Maggie becomes convinced that this aristocratic gentleman is her childhood friend in disguise—a fact he strenuously denies. There’s no denying the chemistry between them, however. But with Maggie’s inheritance and St. Clare’s earldom at stake, the pair must decide how much they’re willing to risk to be together. The plot is exhilarating, complete with mystery, adventure, and plenty of shocking reveals. This page-turner shouldn’t be missed. (Self-published)
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