Tag: romance

Ex Marks the Spot: Review

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About the Book:

Title: Ex Marks the Spot 

Author: Gloria Chao 

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers

Release Date: December 31, 2024

Pages: 384

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance 

Synopsis:

A swoony rivals-to-lovers romance . . .
Family secrets that can’t stay buried . . .
A globe-spanning treasure hunt with puzzles to solve . . .212643715

This latest YA novel by acclaimed writer Gloria Chao takes readers on a soaring adventure through love, loss, and the lively streets of Taiwan.

For Gemma’s whole life, it has always been her and her mom against the world. As far as she knew, all her grandparents—and thus her ties to Taiwanese culture—were dead. Until one day when a mysterious man shows up at her door with two shocking the news that her grandfather has just recently passed, and the first clue to a treasure hunt that Gemma hopes will lead to her inheritance.

There’s just one major to complete the hunt, she has to go to her grandfather’s home in Taiwan. And the only way she can get there is by asking her ex and biggest high-school rival, Xander, for help. But after swallowing her pride, Gemma finds herself halfway across the world, ready to unearth her life-changing prize. Soon Gemma discovers that the treasure hunt is about much more than money—it’s about finally learning about her family, her cultural roots, and maybe even finding true love.

Filled with ingenious puzzles, a vibrant Taipei setting, and a delicious romance, Ex Marks the Spot is an exciting adventure by award-winning writer Gloria Chao, perfect for fans of Loveboat Taipei, The Inheritance Games, and Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes.

Review:

4

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and Viking Books. Thank you for the opportunity to review. All thoughts are my own*

I have loved Gloria Chao since reading her debut, American Panda, so I am always anticipating her releases! I really enjoyed this one! If you like enemies to lovers, found family, and an epic adventure, this one is for you. 

Gemma Sun has grown up just her and her mom, thinking that her grandparents were dead. A mysterious man shows up at her door and lets her know that her grandfather has actually just passed, and she embarks on a trip to Taiwan to claim her inheritance. The only way that Gemma can manage to get there though is through begging her ex, Xander for help. 

As Gemma spends more time in Taiwan, she discovers that her treasure hunt is about more than money. It’s about learning about her family, her culture, and maybe about finding love.

I absolutely loved the setting of this story! The adventures that Gemma and Xander have made me want to see all these amazing places in Taiwan for myself. The romance is a super slow burn, and I probably would have been satisfied with Gemma just making new friends. I have to say that by the end though I did enjoy the romance, even though I wish there was more page time.

I loved the relationship that Gemma had with her mom and how much she came to really appreciate what they built together. 

I definitely recommend! This one it out today, so pick up a copy now! 

About the Author:

Gloria Chao is a screenwriter and the award-winning author of Ex Marks the Spot (forthcoming 12.31.24), The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club (forthcoming 6.24.25), When You Wish Upon a Lantern, Rent a Boyfriend, Our Wayward Fate, and American Panda. She graduated from MIT and became a dentist before realizing she’d rather spend her days in fictional characters’ heads instead of real people’s mouths. When she’s not writing, you can find her on the curling ice, where she and her husband are world-ranked in mixed doubles.Gloria-Chao-Author-Photo_web

Visit her tea-and-book-filled world at GloriaChao.Wordpress.com, and find her on Twitter and Instagram @GloriacChao.

A Sweet Sting of Salt: Review

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About the Book:

Title: A Sweet Sting of Salt 

Author: Rose Sutherland 

Publisher: Dell 

Release Date: April 9, 2024

Pages: 352

Genre: YA Fantasy 

Synopsis:

Once a young woman uncovers a dark secret about her neighbor and his mysterious new wife, she’ll have to fight to keep herself—and the woman she loves—safe in this stunning queer reimagining of the classic folktale The Selkie Wife.

When a sharp cry wakes Jean in the middle of the night during a terrible tempest, she’s convinced it must have been a dream. But when the cry comes again, Jean ventures outside and is shocked by what she discovers—a young woman in labor, already drenched to the bone in the freezing cold and barely able to speak a word of English.

Although Jean is the only midwife in the village and for miles around, she’s at a loss as to who this woman is or where she’s from; Jean can only assume she must be the new wife of the neighbor up the road, Tobias. And when Tobias does indeed arrive at her cabin in search of his wife, Muirin, Jean’s questions continue to grow. Why has he kept his wife’s pregnancy a secret? And why does Muirin’s open demeanor change completely the moment she’s in his presence?

Though Jean learned long ago that she should stay out of other people’s business, her growing concern—and growing feelings—for Muirin mean she can’t simply set her worries aside. But when the answers she finds are more harrowing than she ever could have imagined, she fears she may have endangered herself, Muirin, and the baby. Will she be able to put things right and save the woman she loves before it’s too late, or will someone have to pay for Jean’s actions with their life?

Review:

 

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and Dell. Thank you for the opportunity to review. All thoughts are my own*

This was definitely a solid debut from author Rose Sutherland. A Sweet Sting of Salt is a sapphic retelling of “The Selkie Wife”. If you like historical fiction and retellings, I think you’ll really enjoy this one! 

Jean is a midwife in a small fishing village in Nova Scotia and lives on the outskirts of town. She is awakened in the middle of the night by crying during a terrible storm and thinks she may be dreaming. When she hears the cry again, she ventures outside and finds a woman in labor in the freezing cold, and she can barely speak a word of English.  Jean assumes that she is the new wife of her closest neighbor, Tobias. He does indeed show up in search of his wife, which has Jean questioning a lot of things. His wife, Muirin completely changes her demeanor when he’s around. 

Although Jean should stay out other people’s business, her growing concern and her growing feelings for Muirin won’t let her. The answers are more difficult than she ever could have imagined, and Jean is afraid that she may have put her life, Muirin’s and the baby in danger. Will Jean be able to set things, right?

I really loved Jean and Muirin and the journey they take in this story. Full of mystery, suspense, romance, and heartache. Definitely recommend! 

 

About the Author:

ROSE SUTHERLAND was born and raised a voracious reader of anything she could get her hands on in rural Nova Scotia. She has an overactive imagination, once fell off a roof trying to re-enact Anne of Green Gables, and has continued to be entertainingly foolhardy since, graduating theatre school in NYC, apprenticing at a pâtisserie in France, and moonlighting as an usher in Toronto. Her hobbies include yoga, sea-swimming, and making niche jokes about Victor Hugo on the internet. She is mildly obsessed with the idea of one day owning a large dog, several chickens… and maybe a goat.

Accidental Courtship with the Earl: Review

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About the Book:

Title: Accidental Courtship with the Earl 

Author: Samantha Hastings 

Publisher: Harlequin Historical 

Release Date: August 20, 2024

Pages: 272

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance 

Synopsis:

What happens when a grumpy earl meets a sunshine lady? Sparks are sure to fly in this lively Regency!

She’s falling for the earl…

When she’s already betrothed!

Mark, the Earl of Inverness, escapes to London to avoid his mother’s matchmaking, and the wounds of war that continue to haunt him. So, when a macaw flies into his garden, he’s intrigued by his new neighbor following behind…and the dazzling woman proves just the distraction he needs!

Lady Helen Stringham reluctantly agreed to a Season in exchange for becoming conveniently engaged to her childhood friend when she returns home. But after she encounters broodingly handsome Mark, who shares her passion for animals, she’s discovering what real attraction is… Just who should she be marrying?

Review:

*I received a copy from the author for review. All thoughts are my own*

I just love the Stringham family, so I jumped at the opportunity to read this one! They are such an eccentric, funny, loving family and it was wonderful to spend time with them again.

Lady Helen is the star in this one. She’s reluctantly agreed with her parents to a Season in the city in exchange for marriage to her childhood friend when she returns home. After she encounters the handsome and broody Mark, who also happens to share her passion for animals, she begins to discover what true attraction is. She starts to question her own betrothal, and who she should marry. 

Mark, the Earl of Inverness, has escaped to London to avoid his mother’s meddling matchmaking. He’s still haunted by the war and the wounds of his past as well. Meeting Lady Helen when her macaw flies into his garden turns out to be much more than he ever could have imagined.

I adored this couple so much! I loved watching their friendship grow into more, and the healing that happens for the both of them.

If you like the grumpy sunshine trope and regency romance, this one if for you! 

Highly recommend!

About the Author:

Samantha Hastings has degrees from Brigham Young University, the University of Reading (Berkshire, England), and the University of North Texas. She met her husband in a turkey-sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, having tea parties, and chasing her kids. She writes cozy mysteries under Samantha Larsen.

De-Witched (Toil and Trouble, #2): Review

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About the Book:

Title: De-Witched 

Author: Sophie H. Morgan

Publisher: Harlequin Feature 

Release Date: August 20, 2024

Pages: 368

Genre: Romance, Paranormal Romance 

Synopsis:

All’s fair in love and warlocks …

Six weeks ago, Leah Turner snuck into a witch high-society masked ball and promised to abide by two

1. Don’t draw attention to yourself.

2. Don’t talk to anyone.

As a human, Leah took a huge risk by even attending—and by talking to the enigmatic warlock who had her wanting to rip off her mask. But this Cinderella had to leave the ball before anyone discovered her secret.

Gabriel Goodnight is everything a Higher family warlock should be. Powerful, responsible—to a fault, some might say. Still, before he can inherit his parents’ business, he’ll have to prove his merit to the board one final time…by living among humans, without his powers, for three months.

When Gabriel walks into Leah’s bar, she immediately recognizes him—but it’s obvious he has no idea who she is, and he definitely doesn’t know she knows about magic. This condescending, uptight man is hardly the Prince Charming she thought she knew…but that doesn’t mean they can’t have a little fun…

Toil and Trouble

Book 1: The Witch is Back
Book 2: De-Witched

Review:

*I received an arc from the author for review. All thoughts are my own*

I absolutely adored this second installment in the Toil and Trouble series! I loved meeting Leah in book one, so I needed her love story! 

Leah Turner is human, but she knows about magic. She knows she has to keep it a secret, but she is a part of this world thanks to her two best friends. She sneaks into a high society masked witch ball and meets a warlock whom she almost rips her mask off for. She quickly leaves the ball before anyone can discover her secret.

Gabriel Goodnight is a warlock that comes from a Higher family. He’s powerful and responsible, but he still needs to prove to the board that he is ready to inherit his parent’s business. His mission is to go and live among humans for three months without using his powers. 

Gabriel walks into Leah’s bar, and she recognizes him from the ball, but he has no idea who she is and that she knows about magic.

The grumpy Gabriel has no idea what’s in store for him with sunny Leah! 

If you enjoyed The Witch is Back, you’re definitely going to love his one! De-Witched could be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading the first book. I can’t wait for more in this series! 

 

About the Author:

Sophie H. Morgan is a romance author, repped by Cole Lanahan. She lives in crazy worlds, some concocted by her, some ruled by her spaniel.

You can usually find her on Instagram (SophiehMorgan), on Twitter (@SophieHMorgan) or through her website.

The Crossover: Review

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About the Book:

Title: The Crossover 

Author: Sarah Ward 

Publisher: Independently published

Release Date: August 20, 2024

Pages: 345

Genre: Sports Romance, Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

All bets are off when a headstrong college equestrian and carefree basketball player are forced together as workout partners. 213114496

Stella Williams has a full scholarship to Mountain Ridge University as a member of the equestrian team, and she’s not about to let anything—or anyone—prevent her from winning the conference championship. She’s sworn off relationships, determined to be the most accomplished student in her class by the time she graduates. Nothing is going to stop her in her tracks. That is, until she meets Owen Moore.

Owen is a transfer student on the basketball team and prides himself on being happy-go-lucky and the life of the party. Oh, and he’s never been interested in a serious relationship. When Owen gets paired up with Stella in their exercise science class, sparks fly immediately, and Owen begins to reconsider his outlook on dating. But despite their obvious chemistry, Stella isn’t interested, and Owen reluctantly agrees to be just friends.

As they spend more time in the gym together and the fire between them grows, remaining just friends becomes a nearly impossible task. With Owen’s spot on the basketball team and Stella’s future in the equestrian industry on the line, will they make the game-winning shot or fizzle out as the final buzzer sounds?

The Crossover is a New Adult sports romance with low spice, high feelings, and sizzling chemistry, perfect for fans of The Cheat Sheet and Icebreaker.

Review:

4

*I received an e-arc from the author for review. Thank you for the opportunity! All thoughts are my own*

I really enjoyed this super cute, sports romance! The main characters are adorable together! This was my first dive into the sports romance genre, and it did not disappoint. 

This is a closed-door romance between two college students, Stella and Owen. Stella is on a full scholarship to Mountain Ridge University as the member of the equestrian team. She is determined to win the conference championship and has no time for a relationship. Owen is a transfer student on the basketball team and needs to secure his spot. He considers himself the life of the party and not ready for a serious relationship. When Owen and Stella get paired up in their exercise science class, there’s definite chemistry. Owen begins to reconsider his outlook on dating, but Stella isn’t interested. They agree to just be friends. 

As they spend more time in the gym together, remaining “just friends” becomes more and more difficult. With both of their futures on the line, will they be able to make it work?

I definitely recommend to fans of romance and sports romance! Please give this one a try! 

About the Author:

Sarah Ward has been writing and telling stories for as long as she can remember. She lives in Georgia with her husband and dog. Her hobbies include daydreaming about dragons, watching baseball, and drinking copious amounts of hot chocolate. A former teacher and library assistant, Sarah writes stories for both children and adults. Her published books include The Crossover, a college sports romance, and her debut middle grade novel, Victory Gallop.thumbnail_102590D8-B3EA-4D8F-BABC-1E97E56B2CA3

The Mirror of Beasts (Silver in the Bone, #2): Review

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About the Book:

Title: The Mirror of Beasts

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Publisher: Hatchette Children’s Group

Release Date: July 30, 2024

Pages: 576

Genre: YA Fantasy, YA Mythology

Synopsis:

With the dream of Avalon in ruins, Tamsin and her friends are all that stands in the way of Lord Death’s plans to unleash the horrors of Anwnn on the world of the living. As the Wild Hunt carves a bloody path across continents, Tamsin is mustering allies, tracking down powerful artifacts, and traversing into new otherlands in search of a way to stop him.57982343

Legend tells of a “Mirror of Beasts,” powerful enough to trap even Lord Death in its accursed glass, but the mirror is not all that it seems. Tamsin must confront her own darkest secrets if she hopes to tap the mirror’s strength to defeat her enemies.

Arthurian legend bleeds into contemporary action, and scars of the past are torn open anew by a star-crossed love that refuses to go quietly. This riveting conclusion to the Silver in the Bone duology will hold you in its thrall until the very last page.

Review:

5

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and the publisher, Hatchette Children’s Group. Thank you for the opportunity to review. All thoughts are my own*

I thought this was a fantastic conclusion to the Silver in the Bone duology! After that cliffhanger from book one, I just had to find out what happened next and couldn’t wait to dive into this one. It did not disappoint.

There was a lot of angst, and I loved it! Give me all the angst! The friendships and found family are also further developed, and I really enjoyed that so much. There is action and adventure throughout, and you will want to keep turning the pages until the last.

I highly recommend to everyone that enjoyed the first book!

About the Author:

Alexandra Bracken is the #1 New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of The Darkest Minds series and Passenger. Born and raised in Arizona, she moved east to study English and History at The College of William & Mary in Virginia. After working in the publishing industry, she now writes full time. You can visit her online at http://www.alexandrabracken.com.6tl456v11bnl5e43geipdc4bdk._SX300_CR0,0,300,300_

Dungeons and Drama (Dungeons and Drama, #1): Review

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About the Book:

Title: Dungeons and Drama

Author: Kristy Boyce

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Release Date: January 9, 2024

Pages: 304

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance 

Synopsis:

When it comes to romance, sometimes it doesn’t hurt to play games. A fun YA romcom full of fake dating hijinks!160047094

Musical lover Riley has big aspirations to become a director on Broadway. Crucial to this plan is to bring back her high school’s spring musical, but when Riley takes her mom’s car without permission, she’s grounded and stuck with the worst punishment: spending her after-school hours working at her dad’s game shop.

Riley can’t waste her time working when she has a musical to save, so she convinces Nathan—a nerdy teen employee—to cover her shifts and, in exchange, she’ll flirt with him to make his gamer-girl crush jealous.

But Riley didn’t realize that meant joining Nathan’s Dungeons & Dragons game…or that role playing would be so fun. Soon, Riley starts to think that flirting with Nathan doesn’t require as much acting as she would’ve thought…

Review:

4

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley for review. Thank you to Delacorte for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

Kristy Boyce has become one of my auto-buy authors. This was so cute and such a fun read. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes and I loved learning more about DND! 

Riley has dreams about becoming a director on Broadway. That’s why she needs to bring back the school’s spring musical. When she gets caught driving her mom’s car without permission, she dreads her punishment. She must work at her dad’s game shop during her after-school hours. Her parents are divorced, and she and her dad aren’t really close.

Riley kind of panics, because she can’t spend her time working at the shop when she needs to save the musical. She convinces Nathan, a nerdy employee at the shop, to cover her shifts. She agrees to make the gamer-girl he has a crush on jealous in exchange. 

Riley didn’t realize she’d have to join Nathan’s Dungeons and Dragons game that’s held at the shop. She actually begins to find the role-playing fun.  She also starts to realize that flirting with Nathan doesn’t require a lot of her acting skills. She begins to understand her father more, the more time she spends at the shop.

I really enjoyed this one and I definitely recommend! I loved seeing Riley’s growth and character development. If you enjoy contemporary romance pick this one up! 

About the Author:

Kristy Boyce lives in Columbus, OH and teaches psychology as a senior lecturer at The Ohio State University.19976731._UX200_CR0,28,200,200_

When she’s not spending time with her husband and son, she’s usually writing, reading, putting together fairy gardens, or watching happy reality TV (The Great British Bake-Off and So You Think You Can Dance are perennial favorites).

Kristy is the social media coordinator for Central and Southern Ohio SCB.

Heir, Apparently (The Prince and the Apocalypse, #2): Review

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About the Book:

Title: Heir, Apparently

Author: Kara McDowell

Publisher: Wednesday Books 

Release Date: July 9, 2024

Pages: 336

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

An American teen learns she may have accidentally married the King of England, only to end up stranded on a tropical island with him in this highly-anticipated sequel to The Prince & The Apocalypse.

Freshman year is stressful enough without accidentally being married to the King of England. Of course, Wren Wheeler can’t tell her Northwestern classmates about that; after surviving a narrowly-averted apocalypse over the summer, everyone’s had enough excitement for one lifetime. Wren knows she needs to move on from Theo, but she can’t forget the look in his eyes when he left her on that island in Greece—and also, he took her dog.

When an ill-fated attempt to rescue Comet the Apocalypse Dog turns into a chemistry-fueled reunion with Theo that’s caught by the paparazzi, Wren finds herself under the royal spotlight. Suddenly, she’s a problem for “the firm” to solve, and in order to be protected from the rabid press, she’ll have to fly back to London with Theo. Along for the ride are Naomi and Brooke, as well as Theo’s siblings, including Henry, the brother he’s spent his life being compared to. But because the universe can’t let these two maybe-newlyweds have one conversation in peace, their plane goes down over the Atlantic, crashing on a tropical island in the middle of nowhere.

Stranded with no sign of rescue, the group will have to band together against poisonous animals, catastrophic injuries, a brotherly rivalry, and an ill-timed volcano if they’re going to make it out alive. And, scariest of all, Wren and Theo will have to face their feelings for one another and decide what they want their futures to look like—and if that future will be heartbreak, or happily ever after.

Review:

 

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley for a review. Thank you to Wednesday Books for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

After reading The Prince & The Apocalypse, I needed to get my hands on this one. I had to know what happened to Wren and Theo after that ending! Kara McDowell definitely came through for me.

After the events of the first book, Wren goes on a rescue mission to get her dog Comet back. Of course, Wren and Theo get caught by the paparazzi. She suddenly becomes a problem for the firm to solve and must fly to London with Theo.  As Theo and Wren can’t seem to catch a break, their plane crashes into the Atlantic and they’re stranded on an island. This time friends and family are involved, and it adds a whole lot more to the story in my opinion.

I loved the angst and the will they or won’t they be together! I highly recommend to those that enjoyed The Prince & The Apocalypse. 

About the Author:

Kara McDowell is the author of the the upcoming The Prince & The Apocalypse (Wednesday Books), One Way or Another, This Might Get Awkward, and Just for Clicks. She lives with her husband and a trio of rowdy boys in Mesa, Arizona, where she divides her time between writing, baking, and wishing for rain.

 

 

Love, Naturally (Rock Bottom Love, #1): Review

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About the Book:

Title: Love, Naturally 

Author: Sophie Sullivan

Publisher: Griffin

Release Date: January 16, 2024

Pages: 320

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Presley Ayers is not the woman you bring on a camping trip. An accomplished concierge at an exclusive hotel in Great Falls, MI, she knows more about the top ten places for champagne and caviar than she does about the best hiking boots to go stomping around near Lake Michigan. But when she surprises her boyfriend of eight months with a vacation to the Get Lost Lodge and he dumps her instead, Presley decides to rough it solo and take the trip herself.127281652

When Beckett Keller helps the gorgeous woman off the rickety boat and onto Lodge territory, it’s clear she’s made a mistake. She doesn’t like hiking, fishing, or nature in general, so why did she go on this trip?―but he’s got other things on his mind. A crumbling lodge, and his own plans and dreams that are forever deferred―so he doesn’t have time for Ms. Fish-Out-of-Water. But neither Beckett or Presley can help that inexplicable draw they feel towards each other. He’s all rough stubble and plaid shirts, while she’s all high heels and brand-name athleisurewear.

But you know what they say about opposites.

A charming opposites-attract romance, Love, Naturally is for anyone who ever stepped outside their comfort zone and found that all the best things can happen when you take a chance.

Review:

4

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley from the publisher for review. Thank you for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

I really enjoy Sophie Sullivan’s books, and this was a new one to add to the list! If you like opposites attract, found family and forced proximity tropes, I think you’ll enjoy this one as well. 

Presley Ayers works for a hotel as an accomplished concierge. She’s used to helping others plan their trips and knows where to get the best of the best. Planning camping trips is not her usual forte, as she doesn’t like the outdoors, but she decides to surprise her boyfriend of eight months with a trip to Get Lost Lodge. He decides to dump her instead. Presley chooses to take the plunge and takes the trip by herself.

On the boat ride to the lodge, she meets Beckett Keller. He works at the lodge with his sister, niece and brother. The lodge is taking up a lot of his time and it needs a lot of work. Beck has also had to put his own dreams on hold to help his family. When he meets Presley, he thinks she made a mistake. She doesn’t like fishing, hiking or anything about the outdoors. Still, he and Presley feel an instant pull towards each other that they can’t explain. 

Beck helps Presley to realize that trying new things and going out of your comfort zone once in a while can actually be fun. 

As they spend time together, things heat up more between them. Will Presley have a happily ever after this time? 

I definitely recommend this one to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance! 

About the Author:

SOPHIE SULLIVAN is a Canadian author as well as a cookie-eating, Diet Pepsi-drinking, Disney enthusiast who loves reading and writing romance in almost equal measure. She writes around her day job as a teacher and spends her spare time with her sweet family watching reruns of Friends. Ten Rules For Faking It is her romcom debut novel, but she’s had plenty of practice writing happily ever after as her alter ego, Jody Holford. 20344328._UX200_CR0,69,200,200_