Nora Hamilton, middle-aged romance channel screenwriter and mom of two, is shocked when she finds out her latest script is not only going to be <em>made</em>, it will be filmed on location at her old home—and forty-year-old actor Leo Vance is cast as the character based on the ex-husband who broke her heart. After filming wraps, Leo isn’t ready to head home, so he strikes up a deal with Nora to pay her a thousand dollars per day to stay for an extra week. It’s the kind of money she can’t turn down. This turned out to be such an enjoyable read. (Closed door.)

Sparks fly between a former child star trying to make it as a Hollywood studio exec and a respected cinematographer in this soaring enemies-to-lovers romance. Jane has long lived by the mantra “fake it till you make it,” which is how a little white lie sends her and her nemesis Dan to the East Coast to try and convince a pop superstar to write their movie’s theme song. Their lodging is on Long Island with Dan’s wholesome family of five brothers, plus his happily married parents. While there, Jane makes the unpleasant discovery that her rival is actually a great guy. I took this down in one delicious gulp. Don’t miss the author’s note where she reveals her surprising inspiration. (Briefly open door.)

In this smart, sweet, and soulful tale, a big-hearted, deeply loyal woman named Dolly returns to her coastal hometown for the summer to help her struggling family. But their struggles go from bad to worse when a house fire damages their roof, and they need cash, fast. When Dolly crosses paths with Stewart Whitfield, handsome local “royalty” who has struggles of his own, an unconventional solution to both their problems presents itself: they’ll fake date for the summer and everybody will be happy. But then Dolly catches feelings. I loved the irrepressible Dolly, her rapport with her bestie, the slow-burning love story, the family fish business. This one goes down easy in the best sense. (This is the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club June 2026 selection.)