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| Hello, there! Dream of writing a book? Do it, and be persistent—even if it takes 42 tries! That’s the message flight attendant-turned-bestselling author T.J. Newman recently gave to her legions of fans. But no matter what your dreams are, there’s one thing you don’t have to try at: finding your next great read, since we’ve got you covered. Plus, vote for your favorite enemies-to-lovers couple in this week's ask! |
 | The Bookends |
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| There’s something irresistible about fake dating (and fake marriage) stories. We can’t help but root for the pair who start out agreeing with the utmost reluctance to spend time together, only to find that proximity makes all those prickly feelings soften. |
| In The Bookends, we pick an exciting new release and pair it with an older title readers will also love. This week: |
 | | Unfortunately Yours | | Natalie is finally ready to take the world by storm after losing her job and fiancé. But to claim her inheritance, which she needs to start her business, she has to get married. Fortunately, vineyard owner August is up for a sham marriage. So what if she can’t stand him? It’s only temporary… right? | | Add to reading list |
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 | | The Spanish Love Deception | | | Catalina desperately needs a date for her sister’s wedding in Spain to appease her family. So, she resorts to taking her colleague, Aaron, aka the guy who makes her blood boil. For three days, they’ll pretend to be lovey-dovey in this slow burn romance that simmers with chemistry. | | Add to reading list |
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| See the rest of the weekly top 10. |
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 | eBook Deal of the Week! |
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 | | To Be Wolves: $0.99 until 6/14! | | Travel back to ancient Rome in this historical novel (Book Two in the Vesta Shadows series) telling the story of chief Vestal Virgin Pomponia, a valued member of Caesar’s inner circle, who must fight for her people and for her beloved friendship. | |
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 | Guess The Writer |
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- Her bestselling book encourages women to unleash their inner cheetah.
- She will be played by Sarah Paulson in the TV version of her life story.
- She co-hosts a podcast with her wife, who is a soccer champion.
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| Answer in footer |
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 | The Introduction |
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| The Art of Rom-Com Writing with Christina Lauren |
The Authors
Best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings write under the name Christina Lauren and are the authors of The True Love Experiment, The Soulmate Equation, The Unhoneymooners, and more. The duo joined podcaster Kelly Reynolds from Boobies & Noobies to chat about The True Love Experiment, the writing process, and much more.
The Book
Felicity “Fizzy” Chen is a beloved romance novelist with a problem: she’s never actually been in true, swoon-worthy love. Connor Prince, a documentary filmmaker and single father, also has a problem: he’s tasked with creating a reality TV show even though it’s not his “thing.” So when Fizzy agrees to be the lead in his dating show, they both expect sparks to fly. What they didn’t anticipate? Sparks flying with each other.
Kelly Reynolds: So often we kind of try to put ourselves into a box to meet specific standards that other people have done and it's worked for them. And we then think, oh, well, if it worked for them, that must be what I need to do for myself. And not everything works for every writer.
Lauren Billings: The only way the book gets written is however you do it. Like, you could write your entire book on Post-it notes and it's still a book at the end. You know, you could write your entire book on your phone and it's still a book at the end.
Christina Hobbs: You can write a chapter on your computer, you can write a chapter in a notebook, you can write a chapter on your phone, you can write a chapter in text messages to your best friend. And once you put those together, they still read the same, you know, so don't worry about how the book gets done.
Listen to the full Q&A with Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings here!
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| Bookmarks |
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| Critical Love |
| The award-winning author of bestsellers Razorblade Tears and Blacktop Wasteland is back with more crime fiction set in the American South. Kirkus proclaimed: “The novel crackles along with each new clue and obstacle,” while Stephen King wrote that “the body count is high and the action pretty much nonstop.” |
 | | All the Sinners Bleed | | Titus is the first Black sheriff in his Virginia county, an already tricky situation. And soon after he takes office, two murders shock the community. As Titus investigates, he discovers a serial killer who may have connections to a local church, and grapples with a right-wing group wanting to celebrate the town’s Confederate history. This novel of race, violence, and justice is one you won’t be able to put down. | | Add to reading list |
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| The Big Debut |
| This timely workplace story from newcomer Cecilia Rabess is about a budding romance between a Black woman and her white male colleague. Set against the political backdrop of 2016, it’s being praised as a “fascinating, complicated, discussion-worthy debut” by Kirkus, with an ending a reviewer for the New York Times called “one of the best I’ve read in years.” |
 | | Everything’s Fine | | Jess is the sole Black woman on her floor at Goldman Sachs. When her white, conservative colleague Josh (who she knows from college) shows interest in her, she gives in to their chemistry. But as election season heats up, she questions whether their political differences are too vast to make a relationship work. | | Add to reading list |
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 | Book Club Breakout |
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| Internationally bestselling author of the Geek Girl series is back with an irresistible tale about one woman whose life is upended when she realizes she can control time. Uplifting, sweet, and unpredictable, Cassandra in Reverse is the June ‘23 pick for Reese’s Book Club, with Reese Witherspoon herself calling it, “a time-twisting delight.” |
 | | Cassandra in Reverse | | There’s nothing Cassandra Penelope Dankworth likes more than order, predictability, and habit. So when she’s dumped by her boyfriend and fired from her job, she’s totally thrown off course. That is, until she discovers she can go back and change the past. One small rewind at a time, Cassandra tries to fix what went wrong and, in the process, learns that “want” and “need” are two different things. | | Add to reading list |
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| Bookworld |
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💖 Simon & Schuster UK is launching the first BookTok creator house and we’re seriously hoping for some real-life rom-com shenanigans.
👀 The title sequence for Good Omens Season 2 is here and it’s filled with gorgeous details and Easter eggs!
✍️ Noah Baumbach, director of Marriage Story (and Greta Gerwig’s hubby), is working on his first book: a memoir! |
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| PS: Products you purchase through our links may earn Likewise a commission. |
