First published 2026
Noelle Lewis needs money for college tuition after losing her bookstore job. She works as a professional bridesmaid stand-in, but the pay won't cover her expenses. Jeremiah Smith II inherits pressure from his family's bakery empire, Smith's Sweets. His relatives want him to visit their Heart Beach summer house, where his worst memories wait. He lies about having a girlfriend to avoid the trip. His family insists he bring her along. Jeremiah has no girlfriend. He meets Noelle by chance and hires her to play the role for one weekend. The money will help with her tuition. She expects a simple transaction. Jeremiah's family welcomes her warmly. Jeremiah proves more appealing than she anticipated. Their weekend arrangement extends through the entire summer. Both must guard their real feelings as the pretense becomes harder to maintain.
Genres: fiction, romance, contemporary-romance, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating, found-family
Setting: Heart Beach
Period: summer
400 pages · Paperback · Berkley