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PERFECT.

BOOK ONE

A lively romance that lacks fully developed characters.

A high school graduate learns harsh truths about her family and her first love in this debut novel.

Eighteen years old and ready to break free of her small Colorado town of Nederland, bookish aspiring physician Seryna lets loose at a party late in her senior year. She is nearly raped by her platonic friend Rutty until a handsome and mysterious stranger rescues her, then vanishes without a trace. Seryna loses her virginity to him at another party before learning his name, Kieran, and why he’s conveniently there every time she’s in trouble. A physics student–turned–FBI agent, 25-year-old Kieran is investigating certain residents of Nederland—including Seryna’s father and estranged older brother—for their part in manufacturing and distributing Grandma’s Apple Pie, a flavorful moonshine that may be laced with ingredients that lead its partakers to dangerous acts. Immediately smitten with the attractive older man, Seryna is eager to sleep with Kieran again and the two begin a courtship full of fancy dinners, elegant hotels, and kinky sex, all of which open her eyes to a different way of life. As the date of her first day of college in Boulder grows closer and Kieran makes major progress in his investigation, Seryna’s best friend, Alex, is the victim of a tragic car accident and the protagonist edges closer to mortal danger. Larsen intends to continue Seryna’s story: The novel ends with a startling cliffhanger. The author delivers a solid concept for a romance and plenty of action. But Seryna sometimes appears less like a real teenager and more like an adult woman who occasionally goes to high school parties. Though at 18 she’s of legal age, her relationship with a 25-year-old man who’s far more experienced in sex and life is disturbing rather than sensual. No one seems to question why a young woman who’s only recently had her first drink almost immediately wants to marry her new boyfriend. Additionally, the first love and small-town crime plots don’t mesh well, resulting in alternating chapters that feel as if they’re from two different books instead of a single, cohesive story.

A lively romance that lacks fully developed characters.

Pub Date: May 27, 2020

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 319

Publisher: Self

Review Posted Online: July 21, 2020

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JUST FOR THE SUMMER

A wallowing, emotionally wrenching family drama that leaves little time for romance.

Two people with bad luck in relationships find each other through a popular Reddit thread.

Emma Grant and her best friend, Maddy, are travel nurses, working at hospitals for three-month stints while they see the country. Just a few weeks before they’re set to move to Hawaii, Emma reads a popular “Am I the Asshole” Reddit thread from a Minnesota man who thinks he’s cursed—women he dates find their soulmates after breaking up with him, and the latest one found true love with his best friend! Emma has had a similar experience, which inspires her to DM the man and commiserate. She’s delighted by her witty, lively interactions with software engineer Justin Dahl, and is intrigued when he suggests that if they date each other, maybe they’ll each find their soulmate afterward. Emma upends the Hawaii plan and convinces Maddy to move to Minneapolis for the summer so she can meet Justin in person. The overly complex setup brings Emma and Justin together and the two hit it off, with Justin immediately falling head over heels for Emma. Jimenez then pivots to creating romantic roadblocks and melodramatic subplots centering on each character’s family of origin. Justin’s mother is about to serve six years in prison for embezzlement, which means Justin must move back home to care for his three much younger siblings. Emma was traumatized by her own mother for much of her childhood, left to fend for herself and eventually abandoned in the foster system. When her mother shows up in Minnesota, Emma must face her traumatic childhood and admit that she has prioritized her mother’s well-being over her own. There is little time devoted to Emma’s painful efforts to heal herself enough to accept Justin’s love, which leaves the novel feeling unsatisfying.

A wallowing, emotionally wrenching family drama that leaves little time for romance.

Pub Date: April 2, 2024

ISBN: 9781538704431

Page Count: 432

Publisher: Forever

Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024

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FUNNY STORY

Henry fans, rejoice: This is her best yet.

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  • New York Times Bestseller

A recently dumped librarian finds herself fake dating her polar opposite.

When Daphne Vincent’s fiance, Peter, dumps her, she’s shocked—but the worst part is that he’s leaving her for his gorgeous best friend, Petra, the woman he’d always told Daphne not to worry about. Now Daphne has to move out of Peter’s home and restart her life in the small Michigan town where she’d moved to be with him. Salvation comes in the form of Miles Nowak, Petra’s ex—he has a tiny spare room in his apartment, and he understands what it’s like to wallow in heartbreak. Daphne feels lucky to have her dream job as a children’s librarian, but other than that, she feels adrift and friendless in Waning Bay—and then she and Miles get invitations to Peter and Petra’s wedding. In a momentary lapse of judgment, Daphne not only says she’ll attend the wedding, but tells Peter she’s dating Miles. It would be the perfect way to show Peter and Petra that they’ve moved on…if only it were true. In the grand tradition of fake-dating romances, Daphne and Miles pretend to be in love, getting to know each other while having various adventures and misadventures. Daphne quickly learns that although she’d dismissed Miles as a pothead with a lack of direction, he’s actually a good time—and a loyal friend. But Daphne knows she needs to get out of Waning Bay, so this fake relationship can’t lead anywhere…can it? Reliable bestseller Henry has written another surefire hit that manages to be dramatic, sexy, and fun. Miles and Daphne have chemistry that leaps off the page, and their will-they-or-won’t-they energy propels the story to its satisfying conclusion. Daphne is an immensely likable character, one whose past realistically informs her current relationships. The world of Waning Bay is charmingly quirky, and Daphne’s co-workers at the library are endearing. As always, Henry’s biggest strength is the sharp, often hilarious dialogue that makes the story a joy to read.

Henry fans, rejoice: This is her best yet.

Pub Date: April 23, 2024

ISBN: 9780593441282

Page Count: 400

Publisher: Berkley

Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024

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