First published 2026
Penny Darling runs Bonfire and Bliss Books in Hope Harbor. After her engagement collapsed in public, she wants nothing to do with romance outside her novels. Then Jake Montgomery returns to town. Her old high school friend tells everyone he's dating Penny and volunteers them both to run the annual Maple Festival. Jake has his reasons for the charade. His writing career is failing after his latest book flopped. He believes Penny's knowledge of romance novels can teach him to write better romantic heroes. Penny agrees to help because having a fake boyfriend will stop the town's matchmaking attempts. As they work together on the festival and Jake's writing lessons, their pretend relationship starts feeling real. Penny finds herself falling for Jake during stolen moments in apple orchards and beneath autumn skies. But she wonders if Jake's feelings are genuine or just another part of his research for the perfect romance novel.
Genres: fiction, romance, adult-fiction, contemporary-romance
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating
Setting: Hope Harbor
Period: contemporary
432 pages · Paperback · G.P. Putnam's Sons