Recommendations based on "Maple, Spice, and Everything Nice (previously Published As Like Cats and Dogs)"

A New York Times Notable Book of 2023A New York Times Books Review Best Romances of 2023 pick • Apple Books’ Best Books of the Month • Amazon Best Books of the Month Editor’s Pick, Romance • An NPR “Books We Love” • Library Journal Romance Pick of the Month • LibraryReads Hall of Fame: June 2023 • Publishers Weekly Best Romances of 2023Casey McQuiston meets The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in this mid-century grumpy/sunshine rom-dram about a scrappy reporter and a newspaper mogul’s son "‘for Newsies shippers,’ [that] absolutely delivers” (Dahlia Adler, Buzzfeed Books).“A spectacularly talented writer!” —Julia QuinnNick Russo has worked his way from a rough Brooklyn neighborhood to a reporting job at one of the city’s biggest newspapers. But the late 1950s are a hostile time for gay men, and Nick knows that he can’t let anyone into his life. He just never counted on meeting someone as impossible to say no to as Andy.Andy Fleming’s newspaper-tycoon father wants him to take over the family business. Andy, though, has no intention of running the paper. He’s barely able to run his life—he’s never paid a bill on time, routinely gets lost on the way to work, and would rather gouge out his own eyes than deal with office politics. Andy agrees to work for a year in the newsroom, knowing he’ll make an ass of himself and hate every second of it.Except, Nick Russo keeps rescuing Andy: showing him the ropes, tracking down his keys, freeing his tie when it gets stuck in the ancient filing cabinets. Their unlikely friendship soon sharpens into feelings they can’t deny. But what feels possible in secret—this fragile, tender thing between them—seems doomed in the light of day. Now Nick and Andy have to decide if, for the first time, they’re willing to fight.

An interior designer who is never without the perfect plan learns to renovate her love life without one in this new romantic comedy by Ashley Herring Blake, author of Delilah Green Doesn’t Care.For Astrid Parker, failure is unacceptable. Ever since she broke up with her fiancé a year ago, she’s been focused on her career—her friends might say she’s obsessed, but she knows she’s just driven. When Pru Everwood asks her to be the designer for the Everwood Inn’s renovation, which will be featured on a popular HGTV show, Innside America, Astrid is thrilled. Not only will the project distract her from her failed engagement and help her struggling business, but her perpetually displeased mother might finally give her a nod of approval.However, Astrid never planned on Jordan Everwood, Pru’s granddaughter and the lead carpenter for the renovation, who despises every modern design decision Astrid makes. Jordan is determined to preserve the history of her family’s inn, particularly as the rest of her life is in shambles. When that determination turns into some light sabotage to ruffle Astrid’s perfect little feathers, the showrunners ask them to play up the tension. But somewhere along the way, their dislike for each other evolves into something quite different, and Astrid must decide what success truly means. Is she going to pursue the life that she’s expected to lead or the one that she wants?

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A small-town sweetheart and an emotionally unavailable bad boy try to find some common ground in this chemistry-filled romance from the author of The Cheat Sheet and When in Rome. A POPSUGAR AND CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR Annie Walker is on a quest to find her perfect match—someone who complements her happy, quiet life running the local flower shop in Rome, Kentucky. But finding her dream man may be harder than Annie imagined. Everyone knows everyone in her hometown, and the dating prospects are getting fewer by the day. After she overhears her latest date say she is “so unbelievably boring,” Annie starts to think the problem might be her. Is it too late to become flirtatious and fun like the leading ladies in her favorite romance movies? Maybe she only needs a little practice . . . and Annie has the perfect person in mind to be her tutor: Will Griffin. Will—the sexy , tattooed, and absolutely gorgeous bodyguard—is temporarily back in Rome, providing security for Amelia Rose as excitement builds for her upcoming marriage to Noah Walker, Annie’s brother. He has one personal objective while on the job: stay away from Annie Walker and any other possible attachments to this sleepy town. But no sooner than he gets settled, Will finds himself tasked with helping Annie find the love of her life by becoming the next leading lady of Rome, Kentucky. Will wants no part in changing the sweet and lovely Annie. He knows for a fact that some stuffy, straitlaced guy won’t make her happy, but he doesn’t have the heart to say no. Amid steamy practice dates and strictly “educational” tutoring lessons, Annie discovers there are more layers to Will’s usual stoic attitude. As the lines of their friendship become dangerously blurred, Annie reconsiders her dream guy. Maybe her love life doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be real.  Look for all of Sarah Adams’s When in Rome books: WHEN IN ROME • PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT • BEG, BORROW, OR STEAL (Coming Soon!)

`Irresistible' Sunday Times bestseller Katie Fforde Take a trip to New York and the best little bakery in Brooklyn for bagels, bakes, and more than a sprinkle of romance!

In the close-knit community of Chesapeake Shores, Maryland, Susie O'Brien and Mack Franklin's "not dating" claim befuddles everyone, especially since the two spend every spare minute together. Susie's thrilled when their friendship finally heats up. Then, just when happily-ever-after seems within reach, Mack loses the job he loves and Susie faces a devastating diagnosis. But O'Briens always unite in a crisis. Even her cousin Jess, Susie's rival for most of their lives, becomes her staunchest supporter—especially when Mack's former lover comes to town. The stakes are higher than ever before, but Susie's definitely up to the challenge…as long as Mack's right there by her side.

‘Irresistible’ Sunday Times bestseller Katie Fforde Take a trip to the best little bakery in Brooklyn, where there’s more than a sprinkle of romance and a slice of pie makes it feel like home! When Sophie Bennings arrives in New York, love is the last thing on her mind. Still reeling from a painful break up, she throws herself into her work as a food editor on a top-notch magazine. Columnist Todd McLennan is everything that Sophie wishes she didn’t want. Like the gorgeous bakery below her Brooklyn apartment, he’s as tempting as the delicious cupcakes on display. Surely a little of what you fancy can do you good? As Sophie and Todd get to know one another, a love of food isn’t the only passion they share. In the city that never sleeps, has Sophie finally met the man of her dreams…?

Fans of Robyn Carr's Virgin River series will love this small town, feel-good romance! Paris Haynes has spent most of her life running from one bad relationship to the next. Three years ago, determined to put her past behind her, she moved to Sapphire Bay and began to rebuild her life. Working with Kylie in the flower shop has given her a sense of purpose, a reason to live the kind of life she's always dreamed about. When she hears about the cottages that are being remodeled on Anchor Lane, she can hardly contain her excitement. She proposes a plan so outrageous, so out of her comfort zone, that she's sure it will fail before it begins. Richard Dawkins lost his leg in Afghanistan and nearly lost his son. Moving to Sapphire Bay has given him more than a place to call home. He has new friends, a steady job, and a state-of-the-art prosthetic leg that's transformed his life. Helping to turn the cottages on Anchor Lane into small, thriving businesses will be his way of giving back to the community. But when he discovers Paris has been given the keys to the first cottage, he knows he's in trouble. With her over-the-top positivity, she's everything he doesn't need, and the only person who could change his life forever. THE FLOWER COTTAGE is the first book in The Cottages on Anchor Lane series and can easily be read as a stand-alone. All of Leeanna's series are linked. If you find a character you like, they could be in another novel. Happy reading! Other Novels by Leeanna Morgan: The Protectors: Book 1: Safe Haven (Hayley and Tank) Book 2: Just Breathe (Kelly and Tanner) Book 3: Always (Mallory and Grant) Book 4: The Promise (Ashley and Matthew) Book 5: Coming Home (Mia and Stan) Book 6: The Gift (Hannah and Brett) Book 7: The Wish (Claire and Jason) Book 8: Country Love (Becky and Sean) The Protectors Boxed Set: Books 1-3 The Protectors Boxed Set: Books 4-6 Sapphire Bay: Book 1: Falling For You (Natalie and Gabe) Book 2: Once In A Lifetime (Sam and Caleb) Book 3: A Christmas Wish (Megan and William) Book 4: Before Today (Brooke and Levi) Book 5: The Sweetest Thing (Cassie and Noah) Book 6: Sweet Surrender (Willow and Zac) Sapphire Bay Boxed Set: Books 1-3 Sapphire Bay Boxed Set: Books 4-6 Santa's Secret Helpers: Book 1: Christmas On Main Street (Emma and Jack) Book 2: Mistletoe Madness (Kylie and Ben) Book 3: Silver Bells (Bailey and Steven) Book 4: The Santa Express (Shelley and John) Book 5: Endless Love (The Jones Family) Santa's Secret Helpers Boxed Set: Books 1-3 Return To Sapphire Bay: Book 1: The Lakeside Inn (Penny and Wyatt) Book 2: Summer At Lakeside (Diana and Ethan) Book 3: A Lakeside Thanksgiving (Barbara and Theo) Book 4: Christmas At Lakeside (Katie and Peter) The Cottages on Anchor Lane: Book 1: The Flower Cottage (Paris and Richard) Book 2: The Starlight Café (Andrea and David) Book 3: The Cozy Quilt Shop (Shona and Joseph) Book 4: A Stitch in Time (Jackie and Aidan)

"With its sizzling chemistry, rich detail, and compelling action, Jody Hedlund has once again raised the bar."--MISTY M. BELLER, USA Today bestselling author on Calling on the Matchmaker After her brother's entanglement with an Irish gang threatens their family's safety, Alannah Darragh flees St. Louis and her troubled past, seeking refuge as a maid for the affluent Shanahan family. Alannah's resolve to avoid romance is tested by the undeniable attraction she feels for Kiernan Shanahan. Determined to maintain her position and the safety it provides, she vows to resist the pull of her heart despite the growing bond between them and their undeniable chemistry. In the wake of a devastating fire, Kiernan Shanahan sees a shrewd opportunity to invest in a clay mine and brickyard to aid the city's rebuilding. To secure his venture, he seeks a wealthy bride with a substantial dowry. However, the matchmaker he consults has different plans. As danger looms and Alannah fights to keep her brother safe, Kiernan's protective instincts draw them closer, but a future together seems too far out of reach. It will take a miracle--or a wager with the wily matchmaker--to form a match between the unlikely couple.Award-winning author Jody Hedlund presents a sweeping addition to her Irish matchmaking series with sizzling chemistry and closed-door romance for fans of the marriage of convenience trope, Mimi Matthews, and Elizabeth Camden.

Standing Between Stephanie and Her Dream Is One Hundred Pounds of Lovable Trouble It should have been so simple for Stephanie Pink: Meet up with Agnes Wharton in a small town in California, retrieve the reclusive author's valuable new manuscript, and be promoted to a full-fledged literary agent. But Agnes's canine companion, Sweetness, decides to make a break for it before Stephanie can claim her prize. Until Agnes has Sweetness safely back at home in Eagle Cliff, Washington, Stephanie will never set eyes on the manuscript she needs to make her dreams come true. When Stephanie tracks the runaway mutt to a campground, she meets Rhett Hastings—a man also on the run from a different life and a costly mistake. Rhett agrees to help Stephanie search for the missing dog...thus launching a surprising string of adventures and misadventures. Once Sweetness gets added to the mix, it's a recipe for love and loss, merriment and mayhem, fun and faith in the backwoods of the Pacific Northwest.

Birthday Wishes When a group of friends devise a plan to turn Smitten, Vermont, into the country’s premier romantic getaway, Natalie finds her own true love along the way. With the local lumber mill closing, residents wonder if their town can stay afloat. Then four friends and local business owners—Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese—decide the town is worth saving. How will they do it? They’ll turn Smitten into a honeymoon destination! In "Birthday Wishes" by Colleen Coble, Natalie Mansfield must persuade alderman Joe Smitten to agree with their plan to save the town, putting aside her dislike for him—until she discovers he's not the man she thought he was. Excerpted from Smitten, a novel in four parts written by Christian Fiction’s most popular romance novelists—and real life BFFs! Love Between the Lines Summer, fall, winter, and spring, Smitten is a place for love  . . . and mystery. But will Tess ever find herself a partner in crime? There’s a secret in Grandma Rose’s attic—a forgotten set of dog tags belonging to her first love. But David Hutchins was killed in action and never returned to town, so how did his dog tags end up in the Grandma’s attic? It’s a romantic mystery fit for a town like Smitten, Vermont, which has been working hard to reinvent itself as a destination for lovers. Rose’s three granddaughters—Tess, Clare, and Zoe—vow to investigate, though their mother, Anna, warns against digging up the past. But will they all be distracted by mystery men of their own before the puzzle is resolved? In Love between the Lines, bookstore owner Tess recruits widower Ryan to help her solve her family riddle. She’d like to recruit him as leading man in her own story, but she’s convinced he’s out of her league. But does Ryan have a few secrets thoughts of his own to reveal? Excerpted from Secretly Smitten. Love by the Book The century-old Gentlewoman's Guide to Love and Courtship is no ordinary book club choice. But for the little book club in Smitten, Vermont, it might be their best book yet! This book club selection reads like a mystery to Heather. But when Paul comes back into her life, their mystery leads to romance. Heather is the Smitten Book Club's most devoted mystery-genre reader, a single mom, and the resident organic gardener. When she discovers a decades-old tome at a library sale, she thinks it might hold clues leading to buried gold—exactly what one of the members needs to keep her home. She can't resist a mystery that could lead to treasure. Paul and Heather have history—history she would rather forget. But when he comes back to his hometown of Smitten, he's determined to put down roots. He soon becomes the architect behind a town community garden and enlists Heather's help there in exchange for his own help looking for hidden gold. As they dig into the earth and the clues, they discover something amazing: lasting love. Excerpted from Smitten Book Club.