Recommendations based on "Year of Living Blonde"

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?

Two feuding second-grade teachers (and neighbors) find themselves teaming up in this new rivals-to-lovers romance set in Rome, Kentucky—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Rule Book and Practice Makes Perfect.Emily Walker hates having her carefully crafted world disrupted by anyone, most of all her legendary nemesis, Jack Bennett. He’s the opposite of the wonderful heroes she dreams up in her double life as a romance writer, which is why Emily was perfectly happy when Jack left Rome, Kentucky, mid-school year with his fiancée. The last thing Emily saw coming was Jack’sreturn at the start of the summer after calling off the wedding and ending his relationship, but he’s here to stay—as her colleague and her neighbor.Jack is glad to be back, eager to renovate his house and work on the next mystery novel under his bestselling pen name. But when he realizes he’s now neighbors with the one woman who has always pushed his buttons, he discovers something he’s even more excited about—thwarting Emily and her petty plans to sabotage his return.With their chemistry-fueled animosity at an all-time high, Emily accidentally sends an email to their school’s principal that could reveal her secret literary side hustle. She needs to steal back her manuscript, and Jack—she hates to admit—is just the man to help her. Surprisingly, he agrees. Will their unlikely alliance put an end to their rivalry? Or could it lead to a steamy plot twist they never saw coming?Look for all of Sarah Adams’s When in Rome books:WHEN IN ROME • PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT • BEG, BORROW, OR STEAL (Coming Soon!)

The world could do with a little more kindness and positivity and random acts of singing, don’t you think?Dear Reader, My name is Penelope, and while I may not be a real-life princess, I’ve been told I possess a certain fairy-tale heroine quality. I wield optimism as my weapon of choice, don amazing shoes and vintage hats whenever possible, and speak in musical references. All of which perfectly qualifies me to succeed in my new role as a marketing intern at the historic Darling House theater on the island of Skymar.Only . . . it seems this internship position is going to be a LOT bigger than I thought. The Gray family, who owns the theater, has been stuck in a rut of darkness ever since the loss of their matriarchs. Now all that’s left is a dying theater, a reclusive grandfather, three siblings, and an adorable seven-year-old girl who desperately needs some pixie-dust magic.So that’s what this story is about. My plans to save the theater! (Plans that, somehow, keep being stolen by a local competitor.) And an anonymous online theater troupe. And two single brothers who may be vying for this American girl’s heart . . . until they’re not (or maybe they just want me for my ideas too). And a dream job offer that will require me to make a truly heart-wrenching decision. I may not excel at finishing stories, but I promise to see this one through to its happily ever after.Positively,Penelope“What do you get when you combine a lovable heroine with characters who have mastered the art of witty banter? A charming read.” —Sheila Roberts, USA TODAY bestselling author Witty, hilarious, and heartwarming contemporary romance A sweet, kisses-only romance An epistolary novel written mostly in emails and texts Stand-alone novel, but a companion to Authentically, Izzy Book length: approximately 110,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs

The New York Times bestselling author of Lonely for Only You and A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime concludes her sensational One Week Girlfriend series with this sexy story of two college kids with nothing in common but a bunch of baggage and a burning attraction.“As always, Monica Murphy gives us such great characters, giving them such depth and emotions that it’s hard not to love them from the minute you meet them on the page.”—Cocktails and Books Over. That about sums up everything in my life. Suspended from my college football team and forced to cut back my hours at The District bar because of my crappy grades, I can’t keep turning to my sister, Fable, and her pro-football playing husband, Drew, to bail me out. I just can’t seem to find my own way. Weed and sex are irresistible temptations—and it’s messed up that I secretly hand over money to our junkie mom. A tutor is the last thing I want right now—until I get a look at her.Chelsea is not my type at all. She’s smart and totally shy. I’m pretty sure she’s even a virgin. But when she gives me the once over with those piercing blue eyes, I’m really over. But in a different way. I won’t deny her ass is killer, but it’s her brain and the way she seems to crave love—like no one’s ever given her any—that make me want her more than any girl I’ve ever met. But what would someone as seemingly together as her ever see in a screwed-up guy like me?Don’t miss any of Monica Murphy’s steamy One Week Girlfriend series:ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND • SECOND CHANCE BOYFRIEND • THREE BROKEN PROMISES • FOUR YEARS LATER

SHE’S GOT CURB APPEAL. HE’S A FIXER UPPER...From New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting comes I Flipping Love You, a love story about flipping houses, taking risks, and landing that special someone who’s move-in ready.Rian Sutter grew up with the finer things in life. Spending summers in the Hamptons was a normal occurrence for her until her parents lost everything years ago. Now Rian and her sister are getting their life, and finances, back on track through real estate. Not only do they buy and sell houses to the rich and famous but they finally have the capital to flip their very own beachfront property. But when she catches the attention of a sexy stranger who snaps up every house from under her, all bets are off...Pierce Whitfield doesn’t normally demo kitchens, install dry wall, or tear apart a beautiful woman’s dreams. He’s just a down-on-his-luck lawyer who needed a break from the city and agreed to help his brother work on a few homes in the Hamptons. When he first meets Rian, the attraction is undeniable. But when they start competing for the same pieces of prime real estate, the early sparks turn into full-blown fireworks. Can these passionate rivals turn up the heat on their budding romance—without burning down the house?“Fun, sexy, and full of heart...Helena Hunting has done it again!”—USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow (on Shacking Up)

From the author of Pack Up the Moon comes a funny, romantic, and deeply moving novel about the unexpected rewards that come from life’s detours.Lark Smith has always had a plan for her life: find a fantastic guy, create a marriage as blissful as her parents’, pop out a couple of kids and build a rewarding career as an oncologist.Things aren’t going so well.For one, the guy didn’t work out. Theoretically, she’d love to find someone else, but it hasn’t happened. Two, she’s just been transferred out of oncology for being too emotional. (Is it her fault she’s a weeper?) Three, her parents just split up.Deviating from the plan was…well, not in the plan. A potential solution comes from the foul-tempered and renowned surgeon Lorenzo Santini (aka Dr. Satan). He needs a date this summer for his sister’s wedding. His ancient Noni wants to see him settled. In exchange, he could make a few introductions and maybe get Lark back into the field of her choice.As a sucker for old people and fake relationships, Lark agrees. Teeny problem—she instantly falls for his big, warm family. Especially his estranged brother.Meanwhile, Lark’s mom has moved in with Lark’s colorful landlady, Joy, and an unlikely friendship blossoms. The three women have a long summer and a big beautiful house on the ocean to figure out what’s next…and quite possibly learn that the best things in life aren’t planned at all.

"Responsibility" should be Nicole Keyes's middle name. After all, not many people would sacrifice their lives to run the family bakery and raise a younger sibling. But with Nicole's twin sister now blissfully married and her younger sis turning out more femme fatale than girl-next-door, super reliable Nicole is getting sick of putting everyone else's needs first! Enter Hawk. The deliciously sexy former NFL player offers Nicole a taste of the freedom she craves. Hawk may know the way, blindfolded, to her sweet spot, but Nicole's not about to let him get close enough to break her heart. Of course, she might not have a choice in the matter if Hawk's past keeps getting in the way of their present....

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.

All Along When Reese Mackenzie—Smitten, Vermont’s finest planner—falls for her best friend Griffen, she hatches a scheme to capture his romantic attention. She asks him to help her win back her old-flame, thinking the time pretending to be a couple will help him see her in a new light. But it turns out Griffen can see through “his favorite girl.”  Love Blooms Nursery owner Clare Thomas is tired of being called predictable. So she throws caution to the wind and hires the scruffy , good-looking guy who rides in on a motorcycle. Is trusting her instincts the most foolish thing she’s ever done . . . or the smartest? Happily Ever After Molly may not be the Smitten Book Club's biggest reader, but her new friend Gage seems to read her like an open book. When Gage Turner offers to help Molly with her failing business, Molly wonders if his motives are pure. After all, his business could easily absorb her customer base. But Gage has admired Molly for years and has been hoping for a way to connect with her. Will his efforts prove fruitful or will Molly's pride get in the way of her own happily ever after?

One month of fun. One month of no strings. What could go wrong?Sadie Tollard would rather curl up with a book than go out. She's a single mom, teacher, loving sister, and the one who is always taking care of others. She's used to being the responsible one, hell, she's been the "good" twin all her life, but Sadie is ready for a change. This summer, she wants to be the fun one. There's just one problem...Sadie has forgotten how to have fun.Roman Vance has a number one show on TV. He has a supportive family and amazing fans. He's living the life of a Hollywood star, even if it's not all he wishes for. He needs a break from his hectic filming schedule, and he finds it in a small town for a month.Sadie and Roman bump into each other, with a little help from their dogs who seem to be in cahoots to set up the perfect meet-cute, and they both immediately feel it. The spark.Roman offers to help Sadie check off items from her fun bucket list. He gets something to occupy his month off from filming and she re-learns how to be fun. It's a win-win situation, as long as they don't lose their hearts along the way. After all, everything they're doing is just for fun.Just For Fun is a spicy contemporary romance. It's a strangers-to-lovers, single mom meets a celebrity MMC. It's filled with super close families, supportive characters, and the idea that when you find the one, you can truly be yourself.