THE HOOKUP DILEMMA

A sexy one-night stand goes awry in this enemies-to-lovers romance.

Rashida Howard hadn’t planned on hooking up. The Atlanta afternoon is sweltering; her feet hurt in her high heels; and she has just been stood up for an important, possibly life-changing meeting. But Elliott is irresistible, and not just because he shares his table in a crowded bar with Rashida. He’s extremely attractive; he loves food as much as she does (and she writes about it for a living); and when they take their flirtatious conversation to a hotel suite, Rashida knows she’s in for an unforgettable night with someone she can easily leave behind. Or so she thinks—Elliott is the son of Marcus Quinn, head of the architectural firm intent on erecting new and expensive facilities in Atlanta’s Millhouse neighborhood, where Rashida spent a good chunk of her childhood and where her beloved and spirited grandmother Eula Mae Robinson still resides. Rashida knows the gentrification that will soon follow such a move and thinks she can persuade the Quinn firm to forge alternative plans—so what if Elliott is now in charge while his father recovers from a heart attack? So what if Elliott knows the firm desperately needs this success to survive? And so what if Elliott continues to be incredibly sexy? As Elliott and Rashida navigate legal mediation, community protests, and unexpected soul food dinners, both wonder if this is a one-night stand that can survive a battle between old and new. Gillam alternates between Rashida’s and Elliott’s perspectives with ease, giving readers insights into their family histories—the good and the bad—and their reasons for engaging in this conflict as well as with each other. The couple’s chemistry is off the charts from their first meeting on, but their problems are also very real and can’t be resolved with a single conversation or a simple kiss. The author’s obvious familiarity with and love for Atlanta, an ever changing yet deeply historical city, adds a unique and engaging flavor.

Equal parts adorable and sexy, with a strong social message and two appealing lovers.