MAC MEYERS NEEDS ME, a new standalone, fake dating, college hockey romance from New York Times Bestselling Author, Helena Hunting, is out now!

Scroll down for an excerpt!

Mac Meyers wants to be my fake boyfriend.

But I wish he was my real one…

Mac Meyers. 

My secret crush. 

Most unattainable guy on campus. 

Relentless flirt (except with me). 

Being friends with the guy on campus that everyone wants comes with its own set of problems.

None of us can eat in the cafeteria without being interrupted ten times.
Well, I’ve had enough.

So the most unhinged thing comes out of my mouth: I tell them to leave my boyfriend alone. 

Except Mac is not my boyfriend. 

Not even close. 

Until he looks at me like I have the most inspired idea.

My name is Ophelia Forrest-Hammer, and Mac Meyers wants to be my fake boyfriend.

But I wish he was my real one.

ORDER YOUR COPY NOW OR READ FOR FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED!

Amazon US  |  Amazon AU  |  Amazon CA  |  Amazon UK  |  Paperback  |  Audio

Add to Goodreads  |  Find on BookBub

“…a feel good, slow-burn, high-yearn, fake dating college hockey romance.” ~Danielle, Red Cheeks Reads

Check out Danielle’s 4.5 SMOOCHES review!

EXCERPT:

CHAPTER ONE

Fee

“Should we place bets on how long it takes Meyers to get back here?” Gage Steele leans back until he’s balanced on the legs of his chair. He, like Mac, plays for the Tilton U hockey team.

“One of these days your balance will fail you and you’ll end up breaking the chair and your head.” Brody Stiles, his teammate and roommate, shuffles his cards around and avoids making eye contact with anyone at the table. It means he has a good hand. I know all his tells.

Gage ignores Brody. “I put twenty on twenty minutes.”

“I put twenty on less than two.” I do the wave with my eyebrows—it’s one of my many skills—then toss over my shoulder, “Mac, if you’re not back here in thirty seconds I’ll play the top card in your hand, regardless of what it is!”

“Don’t you dare!” Mac Meyers, roommate to Brody and Gage, and my secret crush, shouts.

“Then stop flirting and get your ass back in your seat and play your hand, Meyers,” Chase Lovett, boyfriend to my bestie Cammie, friend and teammate to the guys, and my current favorite of the group, adds.

Cammie rolls her eyes, Enid tries not to look at Brody—she always tries not to look at Brody—and Tally raps her nails on the table while smirking in my direction. I pretend not to notice.

“Puttin’ the Hammer down, eh, Forrest-Hammer.” Mac slides into the chair next to mine.

I immediately want to die every single death because one, that was such a dad joke, but still manages to be cute coming out of his sexy, full-lipped mouth, and two, he just last-named me. Like I’m one of his teammates. Like we’re buddies.

Because we are. Friends. Pals. Buds. It’s the worst. My ego shrivels into a sad raisin.

“Some of us want to finish the game before the next millennium is over,” Enid offers for me.

“I didn’t want to be rude.” He consults his cards. “Look at you with the queen, Fee.” He tosses a king on the table. “But I can do better.”

“And I can do even better.” Chase drops an ace.

Gage huffs. Brody frowns. Tally’s gaze catches on something behind us.

Two seconds later a girl drops into Mac’s lap.

I immediately wish that Mac was less inviting.

“Macky! I knew I’d find you playing cards!”

Mac smiles his panty-melting smile at her. “Hey, Kelsey. When did you get here?”

Ugh. He even knows her name.

“Just like, ten minutes ago. How long will you be playing cards?”

“Depends on how many interruptions there are,” Gage grumbles.

I say nothing. I wish I had the guts to drop into Mac’s lap like that. I wish more that he would pull me into his lap and keep me there, and also tell me that my crush is reciprocated.

This is how it always is with Mac. He flirts with literally everyone. It doesn’t matter who it is, or if he’s even remotely interested. Kelsey isn’t the first girl to interrupt this game, and she likely won’t be the last. I can’t even blame her for the inconvenience or the slight discomfort that comes from her using him as a chair. Because when Mac Meyers’ attention is focused on you, it makes you feel like you’re the most important person in the world. Like everything you have to say is the most riveting, intellectual topic and all he wants is more.

No one at the table is immune to Mac’s charms. Even Chase, Gage, and Brody succumb to his wide smile, and the dimple in his right cheek, and the smooth way he operates.

Mac ignores Gage, his warm smile still aimed at Kelsey. “Why don’t I come find you when we’re done here?”

“Sure. Cool. I’ll probably be in the living room with some of the girls from cheer.”

“I’ll see you in a bit, then.”

“Okay!” She kisses him on the cheek, waves to the rest of the group, and flounces off.

“Okay, where were we?” Mac consults his cards again.

I pull a tissue from my pocket and hold it out to Mac.

“What’s that for?”

His fingers brush mine, sending a jolt of warmth traveling up my arm. What would happen to my body if I actually summoned the nerve to sit in his lap? I’d probably combust. Or melt. I picture myself reduced to a puddle on the floor at his feet, the only remaining features my eyes, nose and mouth. “Kelsey left some glitter gloss on your cheek.”

“Oh, thanks.” He swipes at it, but the gloss remains. “Am I good?”

I shake my head. “It’s still there.”

“Help me out, Fee?” He bats his pretty lashes at me and angles his cheek toward me.

My nether regions get inappropriately excited. I reclaim the tissue and our fingers connect briefly again. I prepare for an onslaught as I angle his face with two fingers and rub at the spot on his cheek. I’m touching Mac and he’s letting me, but not for any of the reasons I would like. Still, I bask in the warmth of his skin, of the heady scent of his cologne, of the light stubble against my fingertips as I linger in his personal space. By the time I’m done, he has a red spot on his cheek and I’m pretty sure my whole face is the same color.

WANT MORE? Click HERE to read the first three chapters!

About Helena Hunting: 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Helena Hunting lives outside of Toronto with her amazing family and her adorable, emotional cat, who thinks the best place to sleep is her keyboard. Helena writes everything from emotional contemporary romance to romantic comedies that will have you laughing until you cry.

Connect with Helena:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Reader Group  |  Instagram  |  TikTok  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  BookBub  |  Amazon

Never miss an update! Subscribe to Helena’s mailing list!

WELL AWARE, a new forbidden romance from USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Lani Lynn Vale, is out now!

Lines are crossed, and soon, they can’t hide a thing from the people around them…

A one-night stand, agreed on by both parties, was supposed to be just that. One night.

The next day, when Magnolia Baker walked in to the first practice for her last season of professional soccer with the Cowgirls, she expected it to go pretty smoothly. She was a veteran player, nothing surprised her anymore.At least, until her one night stand walks through the door.

Her new boss, Beaufort Vanderbilt.

The man that set her blood on fire, and made words stutter from her mouth.

For eight months, they fight the connection, acting like they don’t feel a thing for each other.

Then tragedy hits Beau’s life, and she forgets that she’s supposed to remain professional. She forgets that she’s supposed to be the player and him the owner.

Lines are crossed, and soon, they can’t hide a thing from the people around them.

But Beau’s only partial owner of the team she desperately needs to play to remain hidden from her previous life. The other half-owner is dead set on tearing them apart, and making an example out of her. An example that will be a bright, shining warning flag to all future players to never follow in her footsteps.

Not if they want to ever play professional soccer again.

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

Amazon US  |  Amazon AU  |  Amazon CA  |  Amazon UK  |  Apple Books  |  Kobo  |  Nook  |  Paperback

Add to Goodreads  |  Find on BookBub

About Lani Lynn Vale:

Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown, in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today Bestsellers.

Connect with Lani:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Reader Group  |  Instagram  |  TikTok  |  Twitter  |  Amazon  |  BookBub  |  Goodreads

Sign up for Lani’s newsletter!

THE CHALLENGE, a new single dad, forced proximity, second chance romance from New York Times Bestselling Author, Penelope Ward, is available now!

Scroll down for an excerpt!

The biggest challenge wasn’t surviving living with Evan Ricci.

It was not falling in love with him all over again.

Nothing says welcome home like accidentally moving in with your first heartbreak…and his little girl.

Coming back to my small Wyoming hometown was supposed to be temporary. I only planned to stay long enough to help my ailing mother and sort through the mess of my family’s old belongings.

Instead, I somehow ended up living in Evan Ricci’s house. The single dad now owned a bunch of properties and one of them was the place I’d rented. He’d taken it off the market and moved in before I got there. I just never got the memo. Unfortunately, there was no other place in town available, so Evan let me stay.

Evan—the guy my parents took in years ago after his mother died.
The same Evan who used to dare me into ridiculous challenges that somehow always made me stronger—a game we’d dubbed The Challenge.

The same guy who ultimately rejected me before I left for college after I’d finally garnered the courage to shoot my shot.

Now Evan was a rugged single dad with an eight-year-old daughter, a cocky attitude, and a dangerous ability to make me forget every reason I should still hate him.

Sharing a house with him should’ve been unbearable. Instead, it felt dangerously familiar, nearly making me forget that I had a life and a job to get back to in Chicago. I realized the biggest challenge wasn’t surviving living with Evan Ricci.

It was not falling in love with him all over again.

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

Amazon US  |  Amazon AU  |  Amazon CA  |  Amazon UK  |  Special Edition Paperback  |  Audio

Narrated in duet by Desiree Ketchum and Connor Crais!

Add to Goodreads  |  Find on BookBub

“…a real heartstring-puller, full of genuine emotion, searing chemistry, found family and a truly satisfying storyline.” ~Danielle, Red Cheeks Reads

Check out Danielle’s 5 SMOOCHES review!

EXCERPT:

First Edition
Copyright © 2026
By Penelope Ward

There was so much I wanted to know about his life. More than anything, I wanted to ask what he’d dreamed about when he called my name. I was also tempted to ask about Effie’s mother. He’d said they were divorced, but was she still in the picture? Why was Effie living with him full time?

But instead of unloading all my questions, I scratched my pounding head and asked, “Do you have coffee here, by any chance?”

Rather than answer, he stalked over to a cabinet above the fridge—the one place I hadn’t checked.

With my arms wrapped around my chest, I watched as he pulled out a filter and placed it in the machine before scooping some grounds. I admired how the muscles in his back moved with the motion of his arms, the way his jeans hugged his ass.

After he started the pot, the room filled with the bubbling sound of coffee brewing. Evan turned toward me, and we stared at each other in tense silence.

“How did you sleep?” he finally asked.

“Not bad, all things considered.”

“All things being me?” He arched a brow.

“I have nothing against you, Evan.”

“Oh really? Because that unhinged letter you wrote me says otherwise. It’s not like time could change all that. Especially when we haven’t been in touch since then. I never reached out. And you never called, either.”

“I was very emotional when I wrote that letter.” I gulped. “And drunk. I wasn’t supposed to send it. It was just meant to be a way to let out my feelings.”

“So, why did you send it?”

“I wish I understood…”

“You mean to tell me you don’t still feel that way, even a little?”

My gaze fell to the floor. “It’s been a decade. Like I told you, I’d been drinking, so I don’t entirely remember what I wrote.”

Evan scratched his chin. “I don’t know if I believe that.”

I looked up. “Regardless of what unkind words I expressed in a drunken, regrettable moment…I’ve moved on.”

“Doesn’t seem like you’ve moved on given the way you raced out of here yesterday to find another place, just so you didn’t have to look at me.”

“Well, you weren’t exactly welcoming.” He was right that I’d raced out of here. But his assumption that I didn’t want to look at him? No. After all these years, it was still hard not to look at him.

The coffee gurgled to signal the end of its cycle. Saved by the gurgle.

Evan opened the cabinet. To my surprise, he set down two mugs and began preparing my coffee just the way I liked it: two sugars and heavy cream. He stirred and then handed it to me.

“Thank you.”

I didn’t have to ask how he knew the way I took it. Back when he’d been living with us, Evan and I had often caught up over coffee in my family’s kitchen before the crack of dawn while everyone else was asleep. So this was far from the first time he’d prepared a cup for me. Little did he know, I’d actually had my very first cup of coffee with him. When I’d started getting up early to join him, I hadn’t tried coffee yet. But I’d pretended to need the caffeine just as much as he did, though the only morning jolt I’d wanted back then was Evan. The smell of coffee right now, the smell of him… I was drowning in nostalgia, tinged with a bittersweet knowing that so much had changed.

We stood across from each other, silently sipping our coffees as if this was some sort of duel—who could drink it the fastest without saying anything?

Eventually, Evan set his mug down. “There are fresh towels in the linen closet off the hallway. Effie has some girly bodywash in the shower, if you need it. Pomegranate scent or some crap.” He lifted his mug again and added, “You look like you could use a shower.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Thank you. I guess I’ll take a shower before I head out to look for a place. I’ll let you know if I find one, so I can get out of your hair.”

He took a sip and saluted me with his mug. “Good luck with that.”

It was embarrassing to think I hadn’t taken a shower since I left Chicago. I grabbed a couple of towels from the closet and headed into the small bathroom.

After sliding the shower curtain open, I smiled at the sight of both masculine and “girly” bodywash side by side. As the warm water rained down on me, I squeezed pomegranate shower gel into my hand and thought about how cute and honest Effie had been last night when she’d come into my room. Closing my eyes and trying to relax, I took my sweet time lathering my body and massaging my neck.

After I finished what turned out to be a twenty-minute shower, I stepped out and wrapped myself in a towel. But a loud crash just outside the door caused me to jump. “Is everything okay?” I called.

A SIMPLE REGRET, a single mom, second chance at first love, small-town romance from USA Today Bestselling Author, Lacey Black, is available now!

My new next-door neighbor and I have a past, and it’s one I don’t want to dredge up…

Camden

The day she left town was the day I changed. Maren Holm walked away without so much as a glance back, taking my heart with her. Everything we had talked about, planned for, the life I thought we both wanted together, just vanished, leaving me alone and miserable. That’s when old Camden was replaced with the fun-loving, carefree guy I am today.

Then, out of the blue, she returned.

My new next-door neighbor and I have a past, and it’s one I don’t want to dredge up. The problem is she has a son. The cutest three-year-old boy, who pulls at the strings of my damaged heart and refuses to let go. Together, they make me want…more.

But I just don’t know if I’m capable of giving her my heart a second time.

Maren

Returning to Cooper Town was exactly what I needed. I wanted my son, Theo, to experience all the perks of small-town living. With the help of my dad, I found the perfect location to start over. Except, my new neighbor and I have a history. A very painful one, and even though I knew I’d likely run into him again, I never expected it to be in my own driveway.

Suddenly, my past is standing directly in front of me again.

He’s still angry, not that I blame him. I walked away from him, from the life we both wanted. It wasn’t easy or right, but I had my reasons. Now, being around him is stirring up old feelings, especially when I see him with my son. Their bond is instant, and before I know it, I’m being drawn right back in to the Camden I used to know and love.

Only this time, it’s not just my heart I’m risking, but Theo’s too.

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY OR READ FOR FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED!

Amazon US  |  Amazon AU  |  Amazon CA  |  Amazon UK

Add to Goodreads  |  Find on BookBub

About Lacey Black:

USA Today Bestselling Author Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading, writing, and shopping. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and three rowdy chickens.

Connect with Lacey:

Website  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon  |  Facebook  |  Facebook Group  |  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Bookbub 

Sign up for Lacey’s newsletter

THE CHALLENGE, a new single dad, forced proximity, second chance romance from New York Times Bestselling Author, Penelope Ward, is available now!

The biggest challenge wasn’t surviving living with Evan Ricci.

It was not falling in love with him all over again.

Nothing says welcome home like accidentally moving in with your first heartbreak…and his little girl.

Coming back to my small Wyoming hometown was supposed to be temporary. I only planned to stay long enough to help my ailing mother and sort through the mess of my family’s old belongings.

Instead, I somehow ended up living in Evan Ricci’s house. The single dad now owned a bunch of properties and one of them was the place I’d rented. He’d taken it off the market and moved in before I got there. I just never got the memo. Unfortunately, there was no other place in town available, so Evan let me stay.

Evan—the guy my parents took in years ago after his mother died.
The same Evan who used to dare me into ridiculous challenges that somehow always made me stronger—a game we’d dubbed The Challenge.

The same guy who ultimately rejected me before I left for college after I’d finally garnered the courage to shoot my shot.

Now Evan was a rugged single dad with an eight-year-old daughter, a cocky attitude, and a dangerous ability to make me forget every reason I should still hate him.

Sharing a house with him should’ve been unbearable. Instead, it felt dangerously familiar, nearly making me forget that I had a life and a job to get back to in Chicago. I realized the biggest challenge wasn’t surviving living with Evan Ricci.

It was not falling in love with him all over again.

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

Amazon US  |  Amazon AU  |  Amazon CA  |  Amazon UK  |  Special Edition Paperback  |  Audio

Add to Goodreads  |  Find on BookBub

About Penelope Ward:

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

Find Penelope here:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Reader Group  | Twitter  |  Instagram  |  TikTok  |  Goodreads  |  BookBub  |  Amazon

Stay up-to-date with Penelope by signing up for her mailing list!

THE CHALLENGE, a new single dad, forced proximity, second chance romance from New York Times Bestselling Author, Penelope Ward, is coming August 30!

Scroll down for an excerpt!

The biggest challenge wasn’t surviving living with Evan Ricci.

It was not falling in love with him all over again.

Nothing says welcome home like accidentally moving in with your first heartbreak…and his little girl.

Coming back to my small Wyoming hometown was supposed to be temporary. I only planned to stay long enough to help my ailing mother and sort through the mess of my family’s old belongings.

Instead, I somehow ended up living in Evan Ricci’s house. The single dad now owned a bunch of properties and one of them was the place I’d rented. He’d taken it off the market and moved in before I got there. I just never got the memo. Unfortunately, there was no other place in town available, so Evan let me stay.

\Evan—the guy my parents took in years ago after his mother died.
The same Evan who used to dare me into ridiculous challenges that somehow always made me stronger—a game we’d dubbed The Challenge.

The same guy who ultimately rejected me before I left for college after I’d finally garnered the courage to shoot my shot.

Now Evan was a rugged single dad with an eight-year-old daughter, a cocky attitude, and a dangerous ability to make me forget every reason I should still hate him.

Sharing a house with him should’ve been unbearable. Instead, it felt dangerously familiar, nearly making me forget that I had a life and a job to get back to in Chicago. I realized the biggest challenge wasn’t surviving living with Evan Ricci.

It was not falling in love with him all over again.

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

Amazon US  |  Amazon AU  |  Amazon CA  |  Amazon UK  |  Special Edition Paperback  |  Audio

Add to Goodreads

EXCERPT:

First Edition
Copyright © 2026
By Penelope Ward

There was so much I wanted to know about his life. More than anything, I wanted to ask what he’d dreamed about when he called my name. I was also tempted to ask about Effie’s mother. He’d said they were divorced, but was she still in the picture? Why was Effie living with him full time?

But instead of unloading all my questions, I scratched my pounding head and asked, “Do you have coffee here, by any chance?”

Rather than answer, he stalked over to a cabinet above the fridge—the one place I hadn’t checked.

With my arms wrapped around my chest, I watched as he pulled out a filter and placed it in the machine before scooping some grounds. I admired how the muscles in his back moved with the motion of his arms, the way his jeans hugged his ass.

After he started the pot, the room filled with the bubbling sound of coffee brewing. Evan turned toward me, and we stared at each other in tense silence.

“How did you sleep?” he finally asked.

“Not bad, all things considered.”

“All things being me?” He arched a brow.

“I have nothing against you, Evan.”

“Oh really? Because that unhinged letter you wrote me says otherwise. It’s not like time could change all that. Especially when we haven’t been in touch since then. I never reached out. And you never called, either.”

“I was very emotional when I wrote that letter.” I gulped. “And drunk. I wasn’t supposed to send it. It was just meant to be a way to let out my feelings.”

“So, why did you send it?”

“I wish I understood…”

“You mean to tell me you don’t still feel that way, even a little?”

My gaze fell to the floor. “It’s been a decade. Like I told you, I’d been drinking, so I don’t entirely remember what I wrote.”

Evan scratched his chin. “I don’t know if I believe that.”

I looked up. “Regardless of what unkind words I expressed in a drunken, regrettable moment…I’ve moved on.”

“Doesn’t seem like you’ve moved on given the way you raced out of here yesterday to find another place, just so you didn’t have to look at me.”

“Well, you weren’t exactly welcoming.” He was right that I’d raced out of here. But his assumption that I didn’t want to look at him? No. After all these years, it was still hard not to look at him.

The coffee gurgled to signal the end of its cycle. Saved by the gurgle.

Evan opened the cabinet. To my surprise, he set down two mugs and began preparing my coffee just the way I liked it: two sugars and heavy cream. He stirred and then handed it to me.

“Thank you.”

I didn’t have to ask how he knew the way I took it. Back when he’d been living with us, Evan and I had often caught up over coffee in my family’s kitchen before the crack of dawn while everyone else was asleep. So this was far from the first time he’d prepared a cup for me. Little did he know, I’d actually had my very first cup of coffee with him. When I’d started getting up early to join him, I hadn’t tried coffee yet. But I’d pretended to need the caffeine just as much as he did, though the only morning jolt I’d wanted back then was Evan. The smell of coffee right now, the smell of him… I was drowning in nostalgia, tinged with a bittersweet knowing that so much had changed.

We stood across from each other, silently sipping our coffees as if this was some sort of duel—who could drink it the fastest without saying anything?

Eventually, Evan set his mug down. “There are fresh towels in the linen closet off the hallway. Effie has some girly bodywash in the shower, if you need it. Pomegranate scent or some crap.” He lifted his mug again and added, “You look like you could use a shower.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Thank you. I guess I’ll take a shower before I head out to look for a place. I’ll let you know if I find one, so I can get out of your hair.”

He took a sip and saluted me with his mug. “Good luck with that.”

It was embarrassing to think I hadn’t taken a shower since I left Chicago. I grabbed a couple of towels from the closet and headed into the small bathroom.

After sliding the shower curtain open, I smiled at the sight of both masculine and “girly” bodywash side by side. As the warm water rained down on me, I squeezed pomegranate shower gel into my hand and thought about how cute and honest Effie had been last night when she’d come into my room. Closing my eyes and trying to relax, I took my sweet time lathering my body and massaging my neck.

After I finished what turned out to be a twenty-minute shower, I stepped out and wrapped myself in a towel. But a loud crash just outside the door caused me to jump. “Is everything okay?” I called.

About Penelope Ward:

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

Find Penelope here:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Reader Group  | Twitter  |  Instagram  |  TikTok  |  Goodreads  |  BookBub  |  Amazon

Stay up-to-date with Penelope by signing up for her mailing list!

THE FALL AFFAIR, an all-new forced proximity, opposites attract romance set in Tuscany from #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Vi Keeland, is out now!

Scroll down for an excerpt!

She’s counting down the days until she leaves Tuscany. He’s counting on making her stay…

She’s counting down the days until she leaves Tuscany. He’s counting on making her stay.

Some people go to Tuscany to find themselves.

I went to escape—New York, my ex’s new relationship, and a career that derailed the moment I was passed over for partner.

My plan was simple: settle my eccentric Italian grandmother’s estate, sell whatever wasn’t nailed down, and return to the life I’d worked too hard to lose.

Instead, I walked into a mess—a crumbling antique shop, two hundred acres of leased vineyard land, and one infuriating clause in the will: Live and work in the shop for three months, or inherit nothing.

Then there’s the neighbor I clash with instantly. Matteo Lucchese is the infuriatingly handsome winemaker who leases my family’s land and refuses to be impressed by my credentials—or my attitude. He’s rugged and stubborn, stuck living in a time that has long passed us by, and the word rush isn’t part of his vocabulary. Basically, we’re exact opposites.

But as the days stretch into weeks, Tuscany chips away at the armor I didn’t realize I was wearing, and Matteo shows me the appeal of slowing down, of staying rooted, of wanting something other than climbing the corporate ladder.

I came to Tuscany to escape.

But now that the countdown to going home was on, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to leave.

And the life I was falling for came with a looming expiration date.

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

Kindle  |  Special Edition Paperback  |  Audio

Add to Goodreads  |  Find on BookBub

“A captivating romance set in Tuscany…full heart-wrenching emotion, steamy romance, found family and Italian countryside vibes.” ~Danielle, Red Cheeks Reads

Check out Danielle’s 5 SMOOCHES review!

EXCERPT:

Allegra: I think you’re pretty amazing. I’m going to bed smiling on the eve of what might turn out to be one of the worst days of my life. Thank you for coming here with me.

The reply came almost instantly.

Matteo: I think you’re pretty amazing, too. And I love your smile.

That made my already-big grin grow wider. Rather than text back, I decided to take a selfie of me beaming to show him I wasn’t kidding. I held my phone out, tilted it down for a good angle, and snapped a photo of me lying in bed. Only when I checked the picture, I realized the camera had caught a lot more than I’d intended. Yes, I was smiling, but I was also wearing a black slip nightgown, the top of which was lace and showed a lot of cleavage. I hadn’t been going for sexy, but damn, it was.

I bit my lip, debating whether I should take another. Then the wine, or maybe the adrenaline, pushed me. Screw it. Send.

My heart raced as I watched the status go from Delivered to Read. The dots on the screen started to bounce around, then stopped and started twice before an incoming text arrived.

Matteo: You’re gorgeous. And that photo just made its way into my private folder.

A shiver ran down my spine.

Allegra: And what exactly are the photos in your private folder used for?

Matteo: I think you know the answer to that.

My thighs pressed together thinking of Matteo pleasuring himself to my picture. I hadn’t intended this conversation to go this way, but now that it had…

Allegra: I think it’s only fair that I have a picture for my private folder, then.

This time a response didn’t come right away. After a minute or two, I thought maybe I’d taken things too far. But then my phone chimed, a photo lit up my screen, and my breath caught.

Oh. My. God.

Matteo was sprawled across his bed, sheet slung low on his hips. His muscular chest was bare, and his beautiful Italian skin was golden and smooth except for the sexy happy trail that led down to where it was covered. One arm was bent behind his head, showing off the cut of his biceps, and his gaze was on me, even through the photo. And God, the sinful smirk on his lips made it impossible to look away.

After a few minutes of staring, I swallowed.

Allegra: I’m speechless, and that’s saying something. LOL. Wow. Just wow. I’m not sure I’ll be able to sleep after seeing that. I’m a little riled up.

His near-instant response left no doubt that he’d been waiting for my text.

Matteo: For the record, my door is open if you ever want to come see it in person…

THE FALL AFFAIR, an all-new forced proximity, opposites attract romance set in Tuscany from #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Vi Keeland, is out now!

She’s counting down the days until she leaves Tuscany. He’s counting on making her stay…

She’s counting down the days until she leaves Tuscany. He’s counting on making her stay.

Some people go to Tuscany to find themselves.

I went to escape—New York, my ex’s new relationship, and a career that derailed the moment I was passed over for partner.

My plan was simple: settle my eccentric Italian grandmother’s estate, sell whatever wasn’t nailed down, and return to the life I’d worked too hard to lose.

Instead, I walked into a mess—a crumbling antique shop, two hundred acres of leased vineyard land, and one infuriating clause in the will: Live and work in the shop for three months, or inherit nothing.

Then there’s the neighbor I clash with instantly. Matteo Lucchese is the infuriatingly handsome winemaker who leases my family’s land and refuses to be impressed by my credentials—or my attitude. He’s rugged and stubborn, stuck living in a time that has long passed us by, and the word rush isn’t part of his vocabulary. Basically, we’re exact opposites.

But as the days stretch into weeks, Tuscany chips away at the armor I didn’t realize I was wearing, and Matteo shows me the appeal of slowing down, of staying rooted, of wanting something other than climbing the corporate ladder.

I came to Tuscany to escape.

But now that the countdown to going home was on, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to leave.

And the life I was falling for came with a looming expiration date.

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

Kindle  |  Special Edition Paperback  |  Audio

Add to Goodreads  |  Find on BookBub

About Vi Keeland: