Sweater Weather

The bad boy and the golden girl have traded places… I'm back in Harvest Hollow after ten years to prove a point and to even a few scores. I've opened a new bar, and anyone expecting the old sweet and shy Jolie McGraw to be running it is in for a shock. I'm not the only one who's changed: when the sheriff comes to tell me I'm the prime suspect in the most ridiculous crime in town history, it's none other than Lucas Cole, the former star of my teenage stress dreams, wearing the badge. Seriously? The smack-talking punk I was forced to tutor in math is now one of the town's most upstanding citizens? This isn't what I had in mind for turning the tables on my former tormentors. I blow him off…until I meet the niece he's raising. I see so much of my younger self in her. But when I agree to help when she needs a woman in her life, Lucas uses it as a chance to build a case that he's the man I need in mine. That's a hard no. No to love. No to Lucas. But when Harvest Hollow's nosiest forces combine to push us together, I'm not sure my heart stands a chance. The Fall Back Plan is a small town, closed door enemies-to-lovers single dad romcom. You'll get swoony kisses and characters to root for but no spice. Perfect for fans of the Emily Henry/Abbie Jimenez vibe who prefer less heat. Tropes:

My best friend is back in town-and I refuse to let my pesky attraction to him ruin our friendship. Tripp Sharpe and I have been best friends since middle school. And when he moved away to go to medical school and become a doctor? We've kept up by texting, phone calls, and every funny reel we come across. I have one simple rule for myself: protect our friendship at all costs-even from myself. But when Tripp moves back to town, I can't ignore the attraction I feel. If it were anyone else, I'd just avoid him. But it's hard to avoid a guy who thinks we're still the same ol' besties we've always been. Or are we? It turns out some things have changed for him too. Maybe I'm imagining the long stares, the lingering touches, or the flimsy excuses to spend time together, despite his ridiculous schedule. And when Tripp asks me to show him how I like to kiss? It seems like I'm not the only one blasting through our friendship rules…

My best friend is back in town-and I refuse to let my pesky attraction to him ruin our friendship. Tripp Sharpe and I have been best friends since middle school. And when he moved away to go to medical school and become a doctor? We've kept up by texting, phone calls, and every funny reel we come across. I have one simple rule for myself: protect our friendship at all costs-even from myself. But when Tripp moves back to town, I can't ignore the attraction I feel. If it were anyone else, I'd just avoid him. But it's hard to avoid a guy who thinks we're still the same ol' besties we've always been. Or are we? It turns out some things have changed for him too. Maybe I'm imagining the long stares, the lingering touches, or the flimsy excuses to spend time together, despite his ridiculous schedule. And when Tripp asks me to show him how I like to kiss? It seems like I'm not the only one blasting through our friendship rules…

I live for happily ever afters. And I'm finally meeting my favorite romance author in person! Only, all this time, I thought author, Amelie De Pierre, was a woman. It turns out, Pierre Toussaint is the man behind the books that make me weak in the knees. He could be the consummate book boyfriend with his dreamy hazel eyes, strong jawline, and those black-rimmed glasses. Not to mention that accent. Oh, that French accent. When Pierre speaks, I feel like I'm curled in his arms on a riverbank being fed chocolate-dipped strawberries. Not Pierre's arms, of course. We barely just met. And I'm just me. And he's Pierre, internationally renowned romance author. Seeing Pierre in person has me stammering and blushing-two things I don't usually do. Imagine my surprise when I receive a call a few weeks after meeting Pierre-from his agent-proposing marriage. Not that I'd marry his agent. They want me to marry Pierre.

My requirements for a man are simple. Must love books. Must NOT love hockey. Which is why I will never be interested in my neighbor, the aloof and mysterious Felix Jamison, no matter how many books I see him hauling into his apartment. Unless he loses his pro hockey skates, I'm out. But then he shows up at my symphony concert. And I catch the sweet strains of Beethoven floating across the hall. Have I mentioned how incredible he looks in his game day suit? Still, my history with hockey is complicated. My older brother played, and let's just say he stole enough limelight to land a plane at midnight. I was forced to be a part of that world for so long, now that I have a choice, it's the last thing I want. But something tells me Felix is about to change my mind… Absolutely Not in Love is a closed-door hockey romcom with neighbor vibes between a bookish hockey goalie and a classical cellist, some forced proximity, and all the swoony chemistry! It's the seventh book in the Sweater Weather Sweet Romcom series, but all books in the series stand alone and can be read in any order.

Sometimes, all it takes to start a fire is a single match... Owen Larrabee is not my soulmate. He wasn't when I confessed my love to him on his wedding day, and he isn't now. I should probably say that I wasn't the bride when that happened. I don't have the best timing. He's got a temper, he's moody, and he has a history of being misunderstood and making big mistakes. I, on the other hand, make pumpkin cupcakes, spend my Friday nights curled up with a beloved romance novel, and long to be kissed in the rain. Owen is my best friend's older, off-limits brother and the only boy I ever thought I loved. Which is laughable because he only ever saw me as his kid sister's dorky friend. But that was a long time ago. And I'm over him. Mostly. Until he comes back to Harvest Hollow like some kind of hero, showing up just in time to pull me out of my burning house and make me feel all the things I told myself I'd never feel again. But I have questions. Why is Owen back? And does he remember our secret friendship or the day I've spent the last eight years trying to forget? I know better than to get hung up on Owen again. Especially now, when he's sworn off relationships and thinks romance is a farce. And I'm something of an expert-at least to the people who listen to my podcast, The Hopeful Romantic. Never mind that nobody would guess their local bookshop owner is the one doling out popular weekly relationship advice. Never mind that I'm basing all that advice on the hundreds (thousands?) of romance novels I've read over the years and not on personal experience. And especially never mind that Owen is making me question everything I believe about all of it. Can't Help Fallingis a best friend's brother, childhood crush, opposites attract sweet rom-com with plenty of sizzle but none of the steam.