WRITTEN IN THE STARS

Two wildly different women fall in love while fake dating.

Elle Jones is on her way to a blind date with Darcy Lowell, and disaster seems imminent. Not only is this the latest in a string of dating disappointments, but she’s running late and wearing a pair of sexy undies so uncomfortable she can “practically taste her spring-fresh laundry detergent.” Despite Elle’s best intentions, the evening is, in fact, horrible. Where free-spirited astrologer Elle is endearingly optimistic, straight-laced actuary Darcy is harshly realistic. Elle loves cheap boxed wine; Darcy orders a $56 glass of Chardonnay. Elle believes in soul mates and is determined to find her own; Darcy had her heart broken by her ex-fiancee and is no longer interested in falling in love. Elle writes the night off as another loss, but Darcy has different plans. Tired of having her brother, Brandon—who's the creator of a dating app that's collaborating with Elle’s astrology business, Oh My Stars—meddling in her love life, she lies and says the two hit it off.  When Darcy asks her to go along with the lie, it turns out that Elle has her own reasons to take part in a fake dating scheme: Her family finds her lifestyle unstable and unsuitable, and she thinks presenting herself in a solid relationship might take some of the pressure off. The plot doesn’t deviate much from other fake-dating favorites—awkward first dates lead to passionate first kisses and time spent together reveals there is more to both women than meets the eye. But the plot’s predictability doesn’t detract from its two compelling leading ladies, and there are interesting conversations around nontraditional career paths and breaking away from familial expectations. Fans of pop culture–inspired astrology sites will love the effortless and entertaining way the author weaves zodiac memes throughout the text.

The stars align in this charming queer rom-com.