April 29, 2024
YA author Neilson (Deep in Providence) makes the leap into adult fiction with this sweet tale of best friends with a soulmate connection. Laniah and Isaac bonded in their youth over their mutual losses. Laniah’s father died when she was a teen and she has since become a self-proclaimed “hermit” to protect her heart. Meanwhile, Isaac was orphaned at 12 and neglected in foster care, but he’s now finding success as an internet-famous model and artist. When Isaac learns that Wildly Green, the natural beauty company Laniah and her mother have poured their hearts and souls into, may be forced to shutter, he first tries to offer the women money. They’re too proud to accept, however, so he comes up with a more radical scheme to save the company: he and Laniah will pretend to date for the summer, using Isaac’s rising fame to generate publicity. Laniah agrees, but she’s unprepared for the spotlight. As the pair navigate paparazzi and press releases together, the line between real and pretend blurs. The couple has serious chemistry, but some flashbacks to their past, exploring the history of their relationship, feel redundant and unnecessary. A moving subplot about Laniah trying to get a diagnosis for a mystery illness adds depth, though it sometimes jars with the frivolous fake dating scheme. Still, the pining and sexual tension throughout this slow-burn romance will keep readers hooked. Agent: Jess Regel, Helm Literary.
May 1, 2024
Laniah and Issac have been best friends since they were children--back when Issac was still a neglected foster kid. As adults, Issac is an accomplished artist, while Laniah is trying to keep her failing business selling homemade natural hair products afloat. When a photo of them looking like more than just friends goes viral, they take advantage of the situation and embark on a mutually beneficial fake relationship. Issac's reputation is bruised from a recent high-profile breakup with a model, so he jumps at the opportunity to rehabilitate it by dating the "girl next door," while Laniah's business will get a boost in sales from her association with Issac. Everything is going as planned, until their genuine feelings of love become too obvious to deny. Additionally, Issac's fame begins creating problems for Laniah, so she decides to break it off. But Issac isn't ready to give up that easily. VERDICT YA author Neilson's (I'm Not Supposed To Be in the Dark) adult debut is a slow-burn, sexy, friends-to-lovers romance that deals with emotionally difficult issues like grief and chronic illness but also includes themes of friendship, family, hope, and learning to trust in the power of unconditional love.--Migdalia Jimenez
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