A sweet, slow-burn story about a woman who finds herself before finding love.
A matchmaker realizes her best friend has been her perfect match all along.
Kamila Hussain is an accountant by trade and a people-pleaser by nature. She is a vibrant, self-confident, and fashionable woman who is at the center of a large, extended group of friends. She takes care of her elderly father, hosts weekly Bollywood watch parties, and is planning a puppy prom gala for her favorite animal shelter. Despite her outward bravado and confidence, she is plagued by self-doubt and tortured by memories of her late mother’s harsh, judgmental attacks. Kamila’s best friend is Rohan Nasser; in fact, he’s practically family since his brother is married to her sister. He’s always willing to co-host a party or help her father to a doctor’s appointment. Kamila has taken it upon herself to find love matches for her friends—driven by her joy at seeing people in satisfying relationships but also fueled by a conviction that her friends would be happier if they followed her advice. She ignores her friends' hints that Rohan might be the perfect romantic partner for her; she can’t imagine changing the safe, comfortable status quo she has developed with him. However, Kamila’s usual sunny personality is disrupted by the return of her childhood archnemesis, Jana Suleiman. Kamila suspects something might be going on between Rohan and Jana, and she can no longer ignore that her feelings for Rohan are rooted more in romance than friendship. Although Heron’s novel contains a complete romantic arc, the primary focus is on Kamila’s journey. Although Kamila is a successful adult, many of the dilemmas and difficulties she tries to overcome date to her teenage years, which lends the novel a coming-of-age feel.
A sweet, slow-burn story about a woman who finds herself before finding love.Pub Date: March 8, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5387-3500-8
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Forever
Review Posted Online: Dec. 14, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
The emotional depths of this steamy romance will catch you by surprise.
A modern-day marriage of convenience resurrects old feelings between a burlesque-club owner and a baseball catcher.
Madden Donahue has only had eyes for Eve Keller since their paths first crossed back in high school in Rhode Island. In their youth, he was her self-designated protector, defending her against small-minded bullies who subjected her to relentless teasing about her dad’s strip-club business. Though she was the town’s punching bag, Eve eventually decided to embrace her heritage, taking over the club once she was old enough and turning it into a classier burlesque joint. Recently, however, Eve’s life has been turned upside down by two new arrivals—her niece and nephew are living with her while her sister spends some time in rehab. Keeping the burlesque club afloat is hard enough, but having two more mouths to feed is putting Eve’s bank account under major strain. Then, when Madden is signed as a catcher for the New York Yankees, he comes to Eve with a surprising suggestion: Marry him for access to his health insurance, so she and the kids will be taken care of. Despite the fact that Eve has secretly reciprocated Madden’s feelings for a long time, she only agrees to his proposal on the condition that their marriage stay a secret—and that they dissolve it after six months when the kids go back home. Now that Madden can finally call Eve his wife, however, he’s not about to let her slip through his fingers, but the clock is ticking on how long he’ll have to convince her that this marriage isn’t just for convenience’s sake. Bailey’s latest contemporary is brimming over with the spice and dirty talk that have become her trademarks, but Eve and Madden’s road to romance is a quieter, more emotional one than usual for her, rooted in internal dilemmas rather than external obstacles. There’s no question about whether these two will figure it out, and that assurance carries through the narrative, resulting in a breezy, low-stakes, yet surprisingly poignant read.
The emotional depths of this steamy romance will catch you by surprise.Pub Date: Jan. 20, 2026
ISBN: 9780063380882
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Avon/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Dec. 9, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2026
Henry fans, rejoice: This is her best yet.
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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