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Content warning: loss of a parent

Nora is shocked when she sees her rival during her small-town vacation.

Nora Stephens is a publishing agent in New York City. She's career-focused and unlucky in love. Each one of her boyfriends ends up traveling and having a small-town romance that he then dumps her for. She's the other woman in the Hallmark movies -- the one who's left behind so the man can live his fairy tale romance.

Nora's sister Libby convinces her to spend a month in small-town Sunshine Falls, North Carolina because it's the setting of one of her favorite novels. Nora runs into rival Charlie Lastra, who refused to be the editor of the same book that began the sisters' vacation. Even though she can't stand Charlie, it's obvious that their chemistry is off the charts. But will control freak Nora be able to let everything go and accept her attraction? And when more than her love life goes off the rails, will she be able to keep it together?

The characters in the novel are complex, each dealing with their own set of issues. Nora is still mothering her adult sister, who she's felt obligated to care for since the death of their mother. Sister Libby is overwhelmed by being a stay-at-home mom to two children with a third on the way in a small, one-bedroom NYC apartment. Charlie is still damaged by not being the perfect son because he's more cerebral than his construction worker adoptive father.

Recommended for all readers of women's fiction and those who enjoy bookish novels and romances.

Emily Henry is a New York Times bestselling author of adult novels and also writes for young adults. She lives near Cincinnati.

Publisher: Berkley

Length: 384 pages

Release Date: May 3, 2022

Representation: single mother, stay-at-home mother, lesbian

I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.