by Lauren Okie
First published 2026
Katie Caruso has spent eight years rebuilding herself after her brother's overdose death. The former MLB prospect left behind two people who loved him most: Katie and his best friend Tyler McNally. Now Katie ghostwrites for bestselling romance novelist Meredith Bradford, hiding behind glitter and sequins in New York City bars. Tyler returns as her unexpected writing partner for the summer, tattooed and nine years sober, trading his literary fiction dreams to help craft a love story. They retreat to Meredith's isolated Southampton estate, where forced proximity becomes more than just a plot device. The romance tropes they weave into their manuscript begin manifesting in their own lives. Grumpy meets sunshine, the girl next door faces her brother's best friend, and second chances collide with forbidden feelings. As Katie and Tyler navigate their shared grief and undeniable attraction, they must decide whether their love story deserves a happy ending this time.
Genres: literary-fiction, grief, contemporary-romance, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: forbidden-romance, friends-to-lovers
Setting: New York City, Southampton
Period: Contemporary
416 pages · Paperback · Avon
Content warnings: addiction