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The Rom-Commers: A Novel
by Katherine CenterShe’s rewriting his love story. But can she rewrite her own?Emma Wheeler desperately longs to be a screenwriter. She’s spent her life studying, obsessing over, and writing romantic comedies—good ones! That win contests! But she’s also been the sole caretaker for her kind-hearted dad, who needs full-time care. Now, when she gets a chance to re-write a script for famous screenwriter Charlie Yates—The Charlie Yates! Her personal writing god!—it’s a break too big to pass up.Emma’s younger sister steps in for caretaking duties, and Emma moves to L.A. for six weeks for the writing gig of a lifetime. But what is it they say? Don’t meet your heroes? Charlie Yates doesn’t want to write with anyone—much less “a failed, nobody screenwriter.” Worse, the romantic comedy he’s written is so terrible it might actually bring on the apocalypse. Plus! He doesn’t even care about the script—it’s just a means to get a different one green-lit. Oh, and he thinks love is an emotional Ponzi scheme.But Emma’s not going down without a fight. She will stand up for herself, and for rom-coms, and for love itself. She will convince him that love stories matter—even if she has to kiss him senseless to do it. But . . . what if that kiss is accidentally amazing? What if real life turns out to be so much . . . more real than fiction? What if the love story they’re writing breaks all Emma’s rules—and comes true?
Romancing Miss Stone: A Romantic Comedy (Belize Dreams #1)
by M.C. VaughanHis perfectly planned life is about to go wild.By-the-numbers Bo Ferguson has his future all planned. Then his archaeologist fiancée dumps him. Via text. From Belize. Navigating the rainforest to win her back is way out of Bo&’s comfort zone, but so is the idea of starting over. Fortunately, he&’s secured a tour guide willing to lead him into the unmapped jungle. Unfortunately, she&’s annoying, impulsive—and attractive as hell.Jungle expert Alexandra Stone is in no position to turn down a job after her regrettable ex stole everything from her family business and ran. Sure, Bo might be frustratingly uptight, but Alex needs the money. And besides, there&’s something…fun about pushing the guy&’s adorably rigid buttons, especially when it clearly gets a rise out of him.But the close confines of their shared camp make it hard to ignore the tension beneath the bickering, prompting the sweltering heat between them to erupt into sweaty, wild passion. Bo can&’t deny his brief time with Alex has been the most exciting of his life. But the journey they&’re on still leads to one place—his ex-fiancée—forcing Bo and Alex to confront their pasts, their fears and the question of just where this adventure will take them…
Roy Is Not a Dog
by Esmé Shapiro Daniel Newell KaufmanTake a ride down Lilypod Lane with Weasel and Pam Pam as they try to solve a mystery in their neighborhood in this hilariously fetching picture book: could their peculiar neighbor actually be a dog in disguise?On Lilypod Lane, everyone knows everything about everybody . . . or so they believe! When curious paperboy Weasel encounters his mysterious neighbor Roy on his route, he becomes convinced that Roy is actually a dog! But when his friend Pam Pam disagrees, Weasel must put on his detective cap and do his best sleuthing to reveal Roy's extraordinary secret, and prove that not everything is as it seems, once and for all!An endearingly offbeat picture book that celebrates neighbors and neighborhoods, Roy Is Not a Dog delivers laughs and lessons about accepting others for who they are as well as the risks and rewards of showing your true self.
The Rule Book: The highly anticipated follow up to the TikTok sensation, THE CHEAT SHEET!
by Sarah AdamsCollege sweethearts meet again years later, in this highly anticipated sequel to the viral TikTok sensation The Cheat Sheet!'Adams dazzles in her latest, a saucy second chance rom-com' Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW ⭐'The Rule Book did not disappoint. . . Their banter, the quirkiness, the iou he keeps GAHHH. I could keep going on for how much I loved this' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'I knew I would be obsessed with this book, but truly this one blew me away. I swear, Sarah's writing just keeps getting better and better' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'This book was such a fun ride. I loved Derek and Nora's story. It was a joy to see them process through their individual challenges and insecurities, grow, and ultimately reconnect. It was so so sweet. Sarah Adams just keeps getting better!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'This was by far one of the funniest and exciting sports romance books I've read. I literally loved everything about it' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐.................................................Nora Mackenzie's entire career lies in the hands of famous NFL tight end Derek Pender who also happens to be her extremely hot college ex-boyfriend. Nora didn't end things as gracefully as she could have back then, and now it's come back to haunt her. Derek is her first client as an official full-time sports agent and he's holding a grudge. Derek has set his sights on a little friendly revenge. If Nora Mackenzie, the first girl to ever break his heart, wants to be his agent, oh he'll let her be his agent. The plan is simple: make Nora's life absolutely miserable. But if Derek knows anything about the woman he once loved-she won't quit easily. Instead of giving in, Nora starts a scheme of her own. But then a wild night in Vegas leads to Nora and Derek in bed the next morning married. With their rule book out the window, could this new relationship be the thing to save their careers?
The Rule Book
by Sarah AdamsCollege exes break all the rules when they reunite years later in this enemies to lovers, second-chance romance, the highly anticipated companion novel to the TikTok sensation The Cheat Sheet—from the New York Times bestselling author of Practice Makes Perfect. <p><p> Nora Mackenzie’s entire career lies in the hands of famous NFL tight end Derek Pender, who also happens to be her extremely hot college ex-boyfriend. Nora didn’t end things as gracefully as she could have back then, and now it has come back to haunt her. Derek is her first client as an official full-time sports agent and he’s holding a grudge. <p><p> Derek has set his sights on a little friendly revenge. If Nora Mackenzie, the first girl to ever break his heart, wants to be his agent, oh, he’ll let her be his agent. The plan is simple: make Nora’s life absolutely miserable. But if Derek knows anything about the woman he once loved—she won’t quit easily. <p><p> Instead of giving in, Nora starts a scheme of her own. But then a wild night in Vegas leads to Nora and Derek in bed the next morning married. With their rule book out the window, could this new relationship save their careers or spark the romance of a lifetime? <p> <b>New York Times Bestseller</b>
The Rule Book: The highly anticipated follow up to the TikTok sensation, THE CHEAT SHEET!
by Sarah AdamsCollege sweethearts meet again years later, in this highly anticipated sequel to the viral TikTok sensation The Cheat Sheet!'Adams dazzles . . . a saucy second-chance rom-com' Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW 'The Rule Book did not disappoint. . . Their banter, the quirkiness, the iou he keeps GAHHH. I could keep going on for how much I loved this' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'I knew I would be obsessed with this book, but truly this one blew me away. I swear, Sarah's writing just keeps getting better and better' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'This book was such a fun ride. I loved Derek and Nora's story. It was a joy to see them process through their individual challenges and insecurities, grow, and ultimately reconnect. It was so so sweet. Sarah Adams just keeps getting better!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'This was by far one of the funniest and exciting sports romance books I've read. I literally loved everything about it' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐..................Nora Mackenzie's entire career lies in the hands of famous NFL tight end Derek Pender who also happens to be her extremely hot college ex-boyfriend. Nora didn't end things as gracefully as she could have back then, and now it's come back to haunt her. Derek is her first client as an official full-time sports agent and he's holding a grudge. Derek has set his sights on a little friendly revenge. If Nora Mackenzie, the first girl to ever break his heart, wants to be his agent, oh he'll let her be his agent. The plan is simple: make Nora's life absolutely miserable. But if Derek knows anything about the woman he once loved-she won't quit easily. Instead of giving in, Nora starts a scheme of her own. But then a wild night in Vegas leads to Nora and Derek in bed the next morning married. With their rule book out the window, could this new relationship be the thing to save their careers?
Rules of Engagement (The McFaddens of Tinsley Cove #3)
by Nancy Robards ThompsonWhen it comes to the game of love, it&’s all about strategy. Juliette Kingsbury&’s recent breakup isn&’t reflecting well on her film career. Fortunately, bridesmaid duties in Tinsley Cove provide a perfect change of pace from LA. Until, to save face, Juliette allows the lie that she&’s engaged to persist. But her best friend, Owen McFadden, has Juliette&’s back—he&’s looking for a fake wife! Owen needs to show a potential investor that he&’s serious about family and business. As Juliette&’s groom-to-be, a fake engagement would be a win-win! Their pretense feels so real—like true love has always been hiding in plain sight. But faking it isn&’t making it. If they&’re going to risk their longtime friendship for love, Juliette and Owen will have to break all the rules! From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.The McFaddens of Tinsley Cove Book 1: Selling Sandcastle Book 2: Holiday at Mistletoe Cottage Book 3: Rules of Engagement
Running Close to the Wind
by Alexandra RowlandA queer pirate fantasy standalone adventure by Alexandra Rowland, the author of A Taste of Gold and Iron"Come for the irrepressible gremlin of a narrator, stay for the plot-relevant cake competitions! A whip-smart, hilarious and exuberant high seas romp."—Freya Marske, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Marvellous LightA LitHub most anticipated book of 2024Avra Helvaçi, former field agent of the Araşti Ministry of Intelligence, has accidentally stolen the single most expensive secret in the world—and the only place to flee with a secret that big is the open sea.To find a buyer with deep enough pockets, Avra must ask for help from his on-again, off-again ex, the pirate Captain Teveri az-Ḥaffār. They are far from happy to see him, but together, they hatch a plan: take the information to the isolated pirate republic of the Isles of Lost Souls, fence it, profit. The only things in their way? A calculating new Araşti ambassador to the Isles of Lost Souls who’s got his eyes on Avra’s every move; Brother Julian, a beautiful, mysterious new member of the crew with secrets of his own and a frankly inconvenient vow of celibacy; the fact that they’re sailing straight into sea serpent breeding season and almost certain doom.But if they can find a way to survive and sell the secret on the black market, they’ll all be as wealthy as kings—and, more important, they’ll be legends.At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Running in Flip-Flops From the End of the World
by Justin A. ReynoldsA hilarious middle-grade from justin a. reynolds that asks: What happens when five unsupervised kids face the apocalypse under outrageously silly circumstances?When twelve-year-old Eddie Gordon Holloway and his friends are left home from Beach Bash, aka the greatest party of the year, only to realize that everyone in town has disappeared without a trace, they do what any smart, responsible kids would do . . . have the best day ever!No parental supervision sounds fun for a while, but forever is a long time. And soon the gang starts to notice strange things happening around town, and they’re only getting stranger. They have to figure out what happened to their families. It seems like getting to the beach will answer all their questions . . . but the only problem is that some mysterious force seems determined to prevent them from making it there.Eddie knows this is a clear sign -- obviously they should be focused on having as much fun as possible for as long as possible. But everyone deals with the fear differently, and soon the friendships begin to fracture. Can Eddie find a way to get all his friends on the same page? And will they ever make it to the beach?
Same Time Next Year: The perfect heart-warming, hilarious and feel-good read
by Heidi Stephens'⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ This one blew me away''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Heidi's books never fail to pick me up''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Same Time Next Year will have you reaching for the tissues and laughing out loud in equal amounts! I flew through it, unable to put it down''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Absolutely brilliant from start to finish' TWO SISTERS. ONE CRUMBLING HOUSE. WHERE WILL THEY BE SAME TIME NEXT YEAR?Sisters Bel and Marie are poles apart. Whilst Marie is a free spirit who spurns alcohol, casual sex and material possessions, Bel needs all of those things just to make it through to lunchtime.When their mother dies suddenly, leaving them a rundown house on the Norfolk coast, they are unexpectedly thrown together. Because there's a condition: before they can inherit it, they have to live in it for one year - together.Marie invites some old friends to Orchard House to form a working party, and Bel is drawn to the devastatingly handsome, yet silent and brooding, Nick. The only problem is, they want entirely different things . . .If Bel can make it through the year unscathed, she'll consider it a success. But that means dealing with everything she's been sweeping under the rug for decades. Could it be time to leave the past behind and embrace the future? And in doing so, will the sisters finally find their way back to each other?Same Time Next Year is the hilarious, heart-warming and joyful new novel from award-winning author Heidi Stephens about love, life, hope, family and the importance of taking chances. Perfect for fans of Beth Moran, Milly Johnson, Lucy Diamond and Jill Mansell.Readers LOVE Heidi Stephens!'⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Witty with a real sense of warmth . . . If you want a great escapist book, this is perfect''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I ABSOLUTELY loved this book! It made me laugh and cry''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ The perfect read!''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Warm and real and honest . . . Genuinely could not recommend this book more''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I read it in one sitting''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ A five-star read that will make you fall in love again''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Perfect comfort reading''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ A delightful and addictive read that ventures beyond pure romance exploring the complexities of love, marriage, and self-discovery''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ One of my favourite reads!'
Same Time Next Year: The perfect heart-warming, hilarious and feel-good read
by Heidi Stephens'⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ This one blew me away''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Heidi's books never fail to pick me up''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Same Time Next Year will have you reaching for the tissues and laughing out loud in equal amounts! I flew through it, unable to put it down''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Absolutely brilliant from start to finish' TWO SISTERS. ONE CRUMBLING HOUSE. WHERE WILL THEY BE SAME TIME NEXT YEAR?Sisters Bel and Marie are poles apart. Whilst Marie is a free spirit who spurns alcohol, casual sex and material possessions, Bel needs all of those things just to make it through to lunchtime.When their mother dies suddenly, leaving them a rundown house on the Norfolk coast, they are unexpectedly thrown together. Because there's a condition: before they can inherit it, they have to live in it for one year - together.Marie invites some old friends to Orchard House to form a working party, and Bel is drawn to the devastatingly handsome, yet silent and brooding, Nick. The only problem is, they want entirely different things . . .If Bel can make it through the year unscathed, she'll consider it a success. But that means dealing with everything she's been sweeping under the rug for decades. Could it be time to leave the past behind and embrace the future? And in doing so, will the sisters finally find their way back to each other?Same Time Next Year is the hilarious, heart-warming and joyful new novel from award-winning author Heidi Stephens about love, life, hope, family and the importance of taking chances. Perfect for fans of Beth Moran, Milly Johnson, Lucy Diamond and Jill Mansell.Readers LOVE Heidi Stephens!'⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Witty with a real sense of warmth . . . If you want a great escapist book, this is perfect''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I ABSOLUTELY loved this book! It made me laugh and cry''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ The perfect read!''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Warm and real and honest . . . Genuinely could not recommend this book more''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I read it in one sitting''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ A five-star read that will make you fall in love again''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Perfect comfort reading''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ A delightful and addictive read that ventures beyond pure romance exploring the complexities of love, marriage, and self-discovery''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ One of my favourite reads!'
Same Time Next Year: The perfect heart-warming, hilarious and feel-good read
by Heidi Stephens'⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ This one blew me away''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Heidi's books never fail to pick me up''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Same Time Next Year will have you reaching for the tissues and laughing out loud in equal amounts! I flew through it, unable to put it down''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Absolutely brilliant from start to finish' TWO SISTERS. ONE CRUMBLING HOUSE. WHERE WILL THEY BE SAME TIME NEXT YEAR?Sisters Bel and Marie are poles apart. Whilst Marie is a free spirit who spurns alcohol, casual sex and material possessions, Bel needs all of those things just to make it through to lunchtime.When their mother dies suddenly, leaving them a rundown house on the Norfolk coast, they are unexpectedly thrown together. Because there's a condition: before they can inherit it, they have to live in it for one year - together.Marie invites some old friends to Orchard House to form a working party, and Bel is drawn to the devastatingly handsome, yet silent and brooding, Nick. The only problem is, they want entirely different things . . .If Bel can make it through the year unscathed, she'll consider it a success. But that means dealing with everything she's been sweeping under the rug for decades. Could it be time to leave the past behind and embrace the future? And in doing so, will the sisters finally find their way back to each other?Same Time Next Year is the hilarious, heart-warming and joyful new novel from award-winning author Heidi Stephens about love, life, hope, family and the importance of taking chances. Perfect for fans of Beth Moran, Milly Johnson, Lucy Diamond and Jill Mansell.Readers LOVE Heidi Stephens!'⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Witty with a real sense of warmth . . . If you want a great escapist book, this is perfect''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I ABSOLUTELY loved this book! It made me laugh and cry''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ The perfect read!''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Warm and real and honest . . . Genuinely could not recommend this book more''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I read it in one sitting''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ A five-star read that will make you fall in love again''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Perfect comfort reading''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ A delightful and addictive read that ventures beyond pure romance exploring the complexities of love, marriage, and self-discovery''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ One of my favourite reads!'
Sandwich: A Novel
by Catherine Newman“Sandwich is joy in book form. I laughed continuously, except for the parts that made me cry. Catherine Newman does a miraculous job reminding us of all the wonder there is to be found in life."—Ann Patchett, New York Times bestselling author of Tom Lake“A total delight.”—Kate Christensen, author of The Great Man and Welcome Home, StrangerFrom the beloved author of We All Want Impossible Things, a moving, hilarious story of a family summer vacation full of secrets, lunch, and learning to let go.For the past two decades, Rocky has looked forward to her family’s yearly escape to Cape Cod. Their humble beach-town rental has been the site of sweet memories, sunny days, great meals, and messes of all kinds: emotional, marital, and—thanks to the cottage’s ancient plumbing—septic too.This year’s vacation, with Rocky sandwiched between her half-grown kids and fully aging parents, promises to be just as delightful as summers past—except, perhaps, for Rocky’s hormonal bouts of rage and melancholy. (Hello, menopause!) Her body is changing—her life is, too. And then a chain of events sends Rocky into the past, reliving both the tenderness and sorrow of a handful of long-ago summers.It's one precious week: everything is in balance; everything is in flux. And when Rocky comes face to face with her family’s history and future, she is forced to accept that she can no longer hide her secrets from the people she loves.
Savor It: A Novel
by Tarah DeWittUSA TODAY BESTSELLER! "An absolutely delightful treat to savor! Relatable, sexy, and beautiful." —Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love DeceptionA LibraryReads May 2024 pick!Most Anticipated by USA Today, Culturess, The Nerd Daily, GoodreadsSummer won't last forever. Sage Byrd has lived in the coastal town of Spunes, Oregon (not to be confused with Forks, Washington) her entire life. She's learned to love her small world, with the misfit animals on her hobby farm, and her friendships with the town’s inhabitants. But when her 5-year relationship ends and her ex, town-golden-boy Ian, suddenly gets engaged, Sage needs a win—something that will convince everyone to stop pitying her all the time, and to put Ian in his place. The Festival of Spunes, the town’s annual summer competition, would be the perfect opportunity. She just needs a partner.Fisher Lange was a hotshot chef in New York City until the loss of his sister left him numb, grieving, and responsible for his teenage niece Indy. When Fisher loses his Michelin star along with his love of cooking, his boss sends him and Indy to Spunes on a much-needed summer sabbatical to consult on a restaurant opening. But when clashes with the townspeople threaten his last chance to redeem himself and a kiss with his new neighbor Sage leads to dating rumors, a strategic alliance might just be the best way to turn things around.A deal is struck. Sage will improve Fisher’s image in the eyes of the town and remove the roadblocks he is facing with the restaurant, and Fisher will be Sage’s partner for the competition. But as their pact quickly turns into steamy rendezvous, emotional wounds begin to heal, and the pair tries to savor every moment, they start to realize that summer is racing by much faster than they would like... Filled with spicy summer fun, small-town charm, and Big Feelings, this highly anticipated romcom is Tarah DeWitt’s best yet. "Simply unputdownable. A top read for me this year!" —Elsie Silver, USA Today bestselling author of Flawless "DeWitt’s sprightly narrative is by turns funny and red-hot, as Sage and Fisher, who share a love of puns, develop some serious chemistry... This is a charmer." —Publishers Weekly
Say Hello to My Little Friend
by Jennine Capó CrucetScarface meets Moby Dick in this groundbreaking, darkly comic novel about a young man's attempt to capitalize on his mother's murky legacy - a story steeped in Miami's marvelous and sinister magic.Failed Pitbull impersonator Ismael Reyes - you can call him Izzy - might not be the Scarface type, but why should that keep him from trying? Growing up in Miami has shaped him into someone who dreams of being the King of the 305, with the money, power, and respect he assumes comes with it. After finding himself at the mercy of a cease-and-desist letter from Pitbull's legal team and living in his aunt's garage-turned-efficiency, Izzy embarks on an absurd quest to turn himself into a modern-day Tony Montana.When Izzy's efforts lead him to the tank that houses Lolita, a captive orca at the Miami Seaquarium, she proves just how powerful she and the water surrounding her really are -permeating everything from Miami's sinking streets to Izzy's memories to the very heart of the novel itself. What begins as Izzy's story turns into a super-saturated fever dream as sprawling and surreal as the Magic City, one as sharp as an iguana's claws, and as menacing as a killer whale's teeth. As the truth surrounding Izzy's boyhood escape from Cuba surfaces, the novel reckons with the forces of nature, with the limits and absence of love, and with the dangers of pursuing a tragic inheritance. Wildly narrated and expertly rendered, Say Hello to My Little Friend is Jennine Capó Crucet's most daring, heart-breaking, and fearless book yet.Praise for Jennine Capó Crucet'This is definitely a young writer to watch for-sassy, smart, with an unerring ear for a community's voices, its losses, its over-the-top extravagances, and its poignant struggles to understand itself in a new land' JULIA ALVAREZ, author of In the Time of Butterflies'Jennine Capó Crucet is a wonderful writer... wise and honest... furious and funny' LAUREN GROFF, author of Fates and Furies and Matrix'Jennine Capó Crucet is an electrifying new talent-she's funny, she's smart, and she knows how to tell great stories' CURTIS SITTENFELD
Say Hello to My Little Friend
by Jennine Capó CrucetScarface meets Moby Dick in this groundbreaking, darkly comic novel about a young man's attempt to capitalize on his mother's murky legacy - a story steeped in Miami's marvelous and sinister magic.Failed Pitbull impersonator Ismael Reyes - you can call him Izzy - might not be the Scarface type, but why should that keep him from trying? Growing up in Miami has shaped him into someone who dreams of being the King of the 305, with the money, power, and respect he assumes comes with it. After finding himself at the mercy of a cease-and-desist letter from Pitbull's legal team and living in his aunt's garage-turned-efficiency, Izzy embarks on an absurd quest to turn himself into a modern-day Tony Montana.When Izzy's efforts lead him to the tank that houses Lolita, a captive orca at the Miami Seaquarium, she proves just how powerful she and the water surrounding her really are -permeating everything from Miami's sinking streets to Izzy's memories to the very heart of the novel itself. What begins as Izzy's story turns into a super-saturated fever dream as sprawling and surreal as the Magic City, one as sharp as an iguana's claws, and as menacing as a killer whale's teeth. As the truth surrounding Izzy's boyhood escape from Cuba surfaces, the novel reckons with the forces of nature, with the limits and absence of love, and with the dangers of pursuing a tragic inheritance. Wildly narrated and expertly rendered, Say Hello to My Little Friend is Jennine Capó Crucet's most daring, heart-breaking, and fearless book yet.Praise for Jennine Capó Crucet'This is definitely a young writer to watch for-sassy, smart, with an unerring ear for a community's voices, its losses, its over-the-top extravagances, and its poignant struggles to understand itself in a new land' JULIA ALVAREZ, author of In the Time of Butterflies'Jennine Capó Crucet is a wonderful writer... wise and honest... furious and funny' LAUREN GROFF, author of Fates and Furies and Matrix'Jennine Capó Crucet is an electrifying new talent-she's funny, she's smart, and she knows how to tell great stories' CURTIS SITTENFELD
Say Hello to My Little Friend: A Novel
by Jennine Capó Crucet&“Say Hello to My Little Friend is a masterclass in pace and precision. Crucet can make you cry before you&’ve even realized you&’ve become invested and make you laugh even through the hurt. Brilliant.&” —Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, National Book Award Finalist of Chain Gang All Stars Scarface meets Moby Dick in this groundbreaking, darkly comic novel about a young man&’s attempt to capitalize on his mother&’s murky legacy—a story steeped in Miami&’s marvelous and sinister magic.Failed Pitbull impersonator Ismael Reyes—you can call him Izzy—might not be the Scarface type, but why should that keep him from trying? Growing up in Miami has shaped him into someone who dreams of being the King of the 305, with the money, power, and respect he assumes comes with it. After finding himself at the mercy of a cease-and-desist letter from Pitbull&’s legal team and living in his aunt&’s garage-turned-efficiency, Izzy embarks on an absurd quest to turn himself into a modern-day Tony Montana. When Izzy&’s efforts lead him to the tank that houses Lolita, a captive orca at the Miami Seaquarium, she proves just how powerful she and the water surrounding her really are—permeating everything from Miami&’s sinking streets to Izzy&’s memories to the very heart of the novel itself. What begins as Izzy&’s story turns into a super-saturated fever dream as sprawling and surreal as the Magic City, one as sharp as an iguana&’s claws, and as menacing as a killer whale&’s teeth. As the truth surrounding Izzy&’s boyhood escape from Cuba surfaces, the novel reckons with the forces of nature, with the limits and absence of love, and with the dangers of pursuing a tragic inheritance. Wildly narrated and expertly rendered, Say Hello to My Little Friend is Jennine Capó Crucet&’s most daring, heart-breaking, and fearless book yet.
Say You'll Be Mine: A Novel
by Naina Kumar&“I couldn&’t put down this page-turner. . . . The new When Harry Met Sally . . . a warm, smart, sexy, and absolutely charming debut.&”—Colleen HooverA teacher with big dreams joins forces with a no-nonsense engineer to survive an ex's wedding and escape matchmaking pressure from their Indian families. Their plan? Faking an engagement, of course.Meghna Raman defied her parents&’ wishes and followed her life&’s passion, becoming a theater teacher and aspiring playwright. When she discovers that her beloved writing partner, best friend, and secret crush, Seth, is engaged—and not to her—she realizes he&’s about to become the one-that-got-away. Even worse, he&’s asked her to be his best man. And worse than that, she&’s agreed. Determined to try and move on, Meghna agrees to let her parents introduce her to a potential match. Maybe she could marry the engineer that her parents still wish she&’d become.Grumpy engineer Karthik Murthy has seen enough of his parents&’ marriage to know it&’s not for him. He agreed to his mother&’s matchmaking attempts to make her happy, never dreaming he would meet someone as vibrant as Meghna. Though he can&’t offer her something real, a fake engagement could help Meghna soothe the sting of planning Seth&’s wedding festivities and Karthik avoid the absurd number of set-ups his mother has planned for him.As the two find common ground, grow protective of each other&’s hearts, and start to fall for the traits they originally thought they hated, an undeniable chemistry emerges. But soon, their expectations and insecurities threaten something that&’s become a lot more real than they&’d planned.Say You&’ll Be Mine is a delightful trip back to the heyday of swoony romantic comedies from the nineties, but with a deep and poignant look at the effects of culture and family in our most intimate relationships.
The Schlemiel Kids Save the Moon
by Audrey BarbakoffA joyous modern-day twist on a Wise Men of Chelm folktale written by a fresh Jewish voice filled with humor, some juicy Yiddish terms, and smart, savvy kids brimming with innovative solutions."An enjoyable, rollicking read. Fun by the light of the moon—or anytime." —Kirkus Reviews Oy, Chelm. Long known as home to the &“wisest&” people in Yiddish folklore. But what is Chelm like today? What if the kids were more clever than the rest of the townsfolk? When the misguided adults of modern-day Chelm believe the moon has plunged into the lake, it&’s up to the Schlemiel siblings to convince the grown-ups that their fears of a fallen moon are unfounded. Join Sarah and Sam in this hilarious twist on a classic Yiddish folktale as they use teamwork, innovation and patience to save the day...and night! Here is a book that will expand young readers&’ knowledge of Jewish culture beyond holidays, history, and the Holocaust.
Sealf-Care for Everyone
by Wang xxWe are so ordinary and so precious. Sometimes life feels dark and full of questions: Who am I? Where did I come from? Where should I go from here? But maybe it’s not that complicated. Let an ordinary seal and her little octopus friend remind you that everyone makes mistakes. That you can always lie down for a little while and do nothing. That there are many things we can’t control . . . and that’s okay. Your “inner seal” deserves every good thing, even on stormy days. Welcome to sealf-care.
Send in the Clowns: Humanitarian Clowning in Crisis Zones
by David Bridel Mike FuntSend in the Clowns presents interviews with twenty-four pioneering humanitarian and activist clowns and thought leaders working in hospitals, refugee camps, orphanages and war zones, and at the sites of street protests and locations of social unrest across the world.This book is built around interviews with some of the world’s leading practitioners of clowning for change, justice, and health outside of the entertainment mainstream, featuring artists and organizations including Patch Adams (US), the Dream Doctors Project (Israel), Clown Me In (Lebanon), and Doutores da Alegria (Brazil). Situating the topic in relation to indigenous and ritual clowning, investigating the various functions of the clown in early societies, and centering the discourse around interviews with key practitioners, the book explores a wide range of clown applications across the globe. This includes the special significance of the clown archetype in socially, politically, and culturally challenging situations, the successes and challenges of the art activists who are at the forefront of this movement, and the modern humanitarian clown’s relationship to original forms of clowning that can be traced back through history.This is a vital resource for anyone studying, teaching, or practicing clown work in applied contexts, from health care to conflict resolution.
Servo: Tales from the Graveyard Shift
by David GoodwinAn odyssey of drive-offs, spiked slurpees, stale sausage rolls and sleep-deprived madness.Most of us have done our time in the retail trenches, but service stations are undoubtedly the frontline, as Melburnian David Goodwin found out when he started working the weekend graveyard shift at his local servo.From his very first night shift, David absorbed a consistent level of mind-bending lunacy, encountering everything from giant shoplifting bees and balaclava-clad goons hurling cordial-filled water bombs from the sunroof of their BMW, to anarcho-goths high on MDMA releasing large rats into the store from their matching Harry Potter backpacks.Over the years, David grew to love his mad servo, handing out free pies and chocolate bars on the sly as he grew a backbone and became street smart. Amidst the unrelenting chaos, he eventually made it out of the servo circus - and lived to tell the tale.For anyone who's ever toiled under the unforgiving fluorescent lights of a customer service job, SERVO is a side-splitting and darkly mesmeric coming-of-age story from behind the anti-jump wire that will have you gritting your teeth, then cackling at the absurdity, idiocy and utterly beguiling strangeness of those who only come out at night.
Set for Life: A Novel
by Andrew EwellA wryly funny and moving novel that captures the complexities of marriage, art, friendship, and the fictions we create in order to become the people we wish to be.A creative writing professor at a third-tier college in upstate New York is on his way home from a summer fellowship in France, where he&’s spent the last three months loafing around Bordeaux, tasting the many varieties of French wine at his disposal, and doing just about anything but actually working on his long overdue novel. A stopover in Brooklyn to see his and his wife&’s closest friends—John, a jaded poet-turned-lawyer with a dubious moral compass, and Sophie, a once-promising fiction writer with a complicated past and a mysterious allure—causes further trouble when he and Sophie wind up sleeping together while John is out serenading Brooklyn coeds with poems instead of preparing legal briefs. But instead of succumbing to his failures as a teacher, writer, and husband, an odd freedom begins to bubble up. Could a love affair be the answer he&’s been searching for? Could it offer the escape he needs from the department chair, Chet Bland, who&’s been breathing down his neck? Relief from the gossip of colleagues and generational tension with students? Respite from embarrassment over his wife, Debra Crawford, and her meteoric rise as a novelist? His escapades might even make the perfect raw material for an absolutely devastating novel, which would earn him tenure, wealth, and celebrity—everything he needs to be set for life. If only he could be the one to write it. A brilliant case of art imitating life, Andrew Ewell&’s gem of a debut is a hilarious and poignant tour de force that asks who owns whose story, skewers the fictions created from our lives and others&’, and brings a whole new meaning to the phrase &“publish or perish.&”
Sex, Lies and Sensibility
by Nikki Payne&“Nikki Payne skillfully spins the tale of a well-known Jane Austen classic and makes it entirely her own. Thoughtful, hilarious, and smolderingly steamy.&”—Kristina Forest, author of The Partner PlotTwo sisters roll up their sleeves to run a dilapidated inn but must learn to work with the locals in this deliciously spicy novel inspired by Sense and Sensibility.There&’s never a good time to learn you are your father&’s secret child—especially not at the reading of his will. With their father&’s affairs laid bare and Nora&’s sensible reputation in tatters due to a viral video scandal, she and her free-spirited sister have nothing left but a rustic inn in the middle of nowhere and each other. What&’s more, they need to revamp the inn before Labor Day or they lose it all. Nora hasn&’t even knocked the traveling dust off last season&’s designer boots when she&’s confronted with three problems: 1. She really should have watched more HGTV.2. She hasn&’t seen another Black person for miles.3. A tall, dark stranger has already staked a claim on their property.Native Abenaki eco-tour guide Ennis &“Bear&” Freeman has seen hapless tourists come and go. When he spots two pampered city girls at his unofficial headquarters, he expects them to catch a flight out of the inhospitable coastal Maine backwoods within a week&’s time. But Nora, turns out, is made of sterner stuff. And as she rolls up her sleeves to breathe new life into the inn, she unwittingly reignites a flood of emotions inside of Bear that he had very intentionally suppressed.Their connection is electric, their desire palpable. But Bear&’s silence about his mysterious past might turn out to be the one thing that sends Nora packing.
Shake It Off!
by Vanessa Brantley-NewtonThe whimsical tale of a clever little goat who rises above everything that threatens to keep her downMeet a sweet, curious little goat, who loves to sing and climb on everything. Some neighbors find her annoying, but nothing can keep her down—even when she gets stuck in a well and it looks like she&’s doomed. When everyone has given up on her, the clever goat surprises them all by taking advantage of her precarious predicament to win the day!Inspired by Vanessa Brantley-Newton&’s own experiences with adversity, this playful story about persistence, determination, and thinking outside the box is sure to make readers cheer.