July 17, 2023
Martin (the Miss Misery series, written as Tracey Martin) delivers a cozy, magic-laced queer contemporary that crackles with wit and heart. Twenty-something potion maker Morgan Greenwood is messy, loud, and lives life large, despite the specter of a nasty ex who did a number on her self-confidence. That lack of confidence is why she can’t bring herself to act on her crush on bartender, sweetheart, and retired competitive spellcaster Rory Sandler. It’s thanks to tequila that Morgan dreams up the idea to pose as Rory’s fake girlfriend to get Rory’s well-meaning but pushy parents off her back during New England’s annual witch festival. The ruse works well, with Morgan even hoping that Rory might return her affections—until she starts to worry that Rory is under a love spell. To break it, Morgan must prove their incompatibility even while continuing to convince their friends and family that they are madly in love. Martin places a strong emphasis on consent throughout the narrative, creating an incisive examination of how societal pressures color personal experiences and expectations. That it doubles as a sweet love story is the icing on the cake. Agent: Rebecca Strauss, DeFiore & Co.