by Vi Keeland
First published 2023
Holden Catalano made a deathbed promise to his best friend Ryan. Watch over his little sister Laney, but keep his distance. As a musician who never committed to anyone for more than six weeks, Holden knows he's the wrong guy for Ryan's brilliant scientist sister. He's called her Lala since they were kids sneaking onto rooftops to talk while Ryan slept. Those innocent conversations planted feelings Holden buried deep. When Lala needs temporary housing for a research job in New York, Holden offers her an apartment in his building. Big mistake. Living close to her awakens everything he's tried to suppress. The childhood nickname, the shared memories, the way she looks at him now with something that definitely isn't sisterly affection. Holden fights to stay the protective brother figure Ryan wanted him to be. But Lala is engaged to someone else, which should make things simpler. Instead, it makes everything more complicated. The desire in her eyes tells him she feels it too.
Genres: romance, contemporary-romance, new-adult, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, forbidden-romance
Setting: New York
399 pages · Paperback · C. Scott Publishing Corp.