12 Books Published by Grand Central Publishing on AALBC — Book Cover Collage

The National Book Award-winning author of Felix Ever After delivers a beautifully tender story of two grumpy/sunshine, fake-dating actors navigating their love story both on and offscreen—perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Alexis Hall.

Logan Gray is Hollywood’s bad boy—a talented but troubled actor who the public loves to hate. Mattie Cole is an up-and-coming golden boy, adored by all but plagued by insecurities.

When Logan and Mattie are cast as leads in a new romantic film, Logan claims that Matt has "zero talent," sending the film’s publicity into a nosedive. To create positive buzz, the two are persuaded into a fake-dating scheme—but as the two actors get to know their new characters, real feelings start to develop.

As public scrutiny intensifies and old wounds resurface, the two must fight for their relationship and their love.

A heartfelt, hopeful, and nuanced story about identity, healing, and growth.

This heartwarming novel set in the idyllic small town of Firefly Lake explores the sisterly friendship between a group of women and offers a second chance at love, perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis and Jenny Hale.

Natasha Baldwin loves her life in Firefly Lake. As the top realtor and a woman with a good job and even better friends, she’s content. Yet, she harbors two regrets: not pursuing her dream career and the way things ended with Antonio Hayes. When an opportunity to showcase her passion for interior design arises, Tasha is excited but nervous, especially when she finds out her ex, Antonio, is her new project partner.

Working with Antonio is challenging, bringing back bittersweet memories and their undeniable chemistry. Supported by her girlfriends at their biweekly supper club, Natasha juggles her messy past with Antonio and the attention her project brings in town. As she stands on the brink of realizing the life and love she’s always wanted, a significant career opportunity presents itself, forcing Natasha to decide what she truly desires.

A Good Morning America Book Buzz Pick!
Book of the Month Club selection
NPR Best Books of 2022
Entertainment Weekly Best Romances of 2022
Washington Post 10 Best Romances of the Year
Women’s Health Best Books of the Year
Publishers Weekly Best Romance Books of 2022

Their love was supposed to last forever. But when life delivered blow after devastating blow, Yasmen and Josiah Wade found that love alone couldn’t solve or save everything.

It couldn’t save their marriage.

Yasmen wasn’t prepared for how her life fell apart, but she’s is finally starting to find joy again. She and Josiah have found a new rhythm, co-parenting their two kids and running a thriving business together. Yet like magnets, they’re always drawn back to each other, and now they’re beginning to wonder if they’re truly ready to let go of everything they once had.

Soon, one stolen kiss leads to another…and then more. It’s hot. It’s illicit. It’s all good—until old wounds reopen. Is it too late for them to find forever? Or could they even be better, the second time around?

Award-winning and bestselling "powerhouse" author Kennedy Ryan is at her absolute best in this compelling, scorching novel about hope and healing, and what it truly means to love for a lifetime (USA Today).

One woman learns to love again with the help of her supper club friends and the man next door in this delightful enemies-to-lovers small-town romance. The best meals, perfect company, and just enough sparks to make it complicated.

Serenity Wheeler’s Supper Club is about great friends, incredible food, and lots of dishing, but it’s definitely not for hooking up. However, inviting her friend’s brother, the ultra-fine, hazel-eyed Gabriel Cunningham to dinner seems like good manners, despite his knack for saying the wrong thing at the worst times, particularly about her cooking.

Gabriel can’t pinpoint why he and Serenity got off on the wrong foot. Perhaps it’s the small-town atmosphere or Serenity’s breathtaking beauty that leaves him tongue-tied. Or maybe it’s the undeniable attraction simmering between them. Despite the supper club’s focus on refreshments and camaraderie, Serenity and Gabriel sense something deeper brewing. Yet, Serenity hesitates to fall for Gabriel; trusting in love is a different game from cooking with it.

From the USA Today bestselling author of The Dating Playbook.

Successful pediatric surgeon London Kelley just needs to find some balance and de-stress. According to her friends Samiah and Taylor, what London really needs is a casual hookup. A night of fun with no strings. But no one—least of all London—expected it to go down at her high school reunion with Drew Sullivan, millionaire, owner of delicious abs, and oh yes, her archnemesis.

Now London is certain the road to hell is paved with good sex. Because she’s found out the real reason Drew’s back in Austin: to decide whether her beloved hospital remains open. Worse, Drew is doing everything he can to show her that he’s a decent guy who actually cares. But London’s not falling for it. Because while sleeping with the enemy is one thing, falling for him is definitely not part of the plan.

USA Today bestselling author K.M. Jackson delivers a hilarious road-trip rom-com perfect for fans of Meet Cute and When Harry Met Sally. Bethany Lu Carlisle is devastated when the tabloids report actor Keanu Reeves is about to tie the knot. What?! How could the world’s perfect boyfriend and forever bachelor, Keanu not realize that making a move like this could potentially be devastating to the equilibrium of…well…everything! Not to mention, he’s never come face to face with the person who could potentially be his true soulmate—her.

Desperate to convince Keanu to call off the wedding, Lu and her ride-or-die BFF Truman Erikson take a wild road trip to search for the elusive Keanu so that Lu can fulfill her dream of meeting her forever crush and confess her undying love. From New York to Los Angeles, Lu and True get into all sorts of sticky situations. Will Lu be able to find Keanu and convince him she’s the one for him? Or maybe she’ll discover true love has been by her side all along…

When a personal trainer agrees to fake date her client, all rules are out the window in this "fun, heartfelt, and totally relatable" romantic comedy (Abby Jimenez, NYT bestselling author of Life’s Too Short).

When it comes to personal training, Taylor Powell kicks serious butt. Unfortunately, her bills are piling up, rent is due, and the money situation is dire. Taylor needs more than the support of her new best friends, Samiah and London. She needs a miracle.

And Jamar Dixon might just be it. The oh-so-fine former footballer wants back into the NFL, and he wants Taylor to train him. There’s just one catch—no one can know what they’re doing. But when they’re accidentally outed as a couple, Taylor’s game plan is turned completely upside down. Is Jamar just playing to win … or is he playing for keeps?

• Entertainment Weekly: Best Books of Summer
• PopSugar: Best Summer Reads of 2021
• Buzzfeed: Romance Novels You Need to Read This Summer
• BookBub: Best Romance Books of Summer
• Washington Post: Romance Novels to Read This Summer
• Oprah Daily: Most Anticipated Romances of 2021

A witty rom-com that explores the "unique joys of strong female friendships and the particular struggles of Black women in the workplace, all within a great love story." —Jasmine Guillory, bestselling author of Party of Two
Samiah Brooks never thought she would be "that" girl. But a live tweet of a horrific date just revealed the painful truth: she’s been catfished by a three-timing jerk of a boyfriend. Suddenly Samiah-along with his two other "girlfriends," London and Taylor-have gone viral online. Now the three new besties are making a pact to spend the next six months investing in themselves. No men and no dating.
For once Samiah is putting herself first, and that includes finally developing the app she’s always dreamed of creating. Which is the exact moment she meets the deliciously sexy Daniel Collins at work. What are the chances? But is Daniel really boyfriend material or is he maybe just a little too good to be true?
"A smart, funny digital-age romance about real women living in the real world. Couldn’t put it down!" —Abby Jimenez, USA Today bestselling author of The Happy Ever After Playlist
*Cosmopolitan: Best Summer Reads 2020*O, The Oprah Magazine: Most Anticipated Romances of 2020*Book of the Month selection*LibraryReads selection*Buzzfeed: Romances to Read This Summer*PopSugar: Best New Books*Bookpage Most Anticipated Romance of 2020 *SheReads: Most Anticipated Reads of Summer 2020

Sometimes love can take you by surprise.

Kara Newell has a big-city life that needs a major shake-up. Her dedication as a social worker is unwavering, yet her heart tells her that there is more to life than just work. Kara gets the push she needs when she shockingly inherits a large estate on an island off the South Carolina coast. Now the charming town of Angels Landing awaits her … along with a secret family she never knew she had.

After surviving war, loss, and heartbreak, ex-marine Jeffrey Hamilton takes his position as sheriff of idyllic Cavanaugh Island very seriously. So he is the perfect person to watch over the beautiful, confident woman who has turned her new family’s expectations upside down-and stepped into the crosshairs of angry local residents.

But soon Kara becomes more than just a job to him, and he begins to need her in ways he never expected. As Kara and Jeffrey confront the town gossips together, they’ll learn to face their fears and forgive their pasts in order to find a future filled with happiness in Angels Landing.

Sometimes love is the simplest choice of all.

Still reeling from her husband’s untimely death, Deborah Robinson needs a fresh start. So she decides to pack up her family, box up her bookstore, and return to her grandmother’s ancestral home on Cavanaugh Island. The charming town of Sanctuary Cove holds happy memories for Deborah. And, after she spies a gorgeous stranger in the local bakery, it promises the possibility for a bright, new future.

Dr. Asa Monroe is at a crossroads. Ever since the loss of his family, he has been on a quest for faith and meaning, traveling from one town to another. When he meets Deborah, the beautiful bookstore owner with the warm eyes and sunny smile, Asa believes he has finally found a reason to stay in one place.

As friendship blossoms into romance, Deborah and Asa discover they may have a second chance at love. But small towns have big secrets. Before they can begin their new life together, the couple must confront a challenge they never expected …

A place to call home …

In New York City, attorney Devon Gilmore devoted all her time and energy to fast-track her career. She lost her boyfriend … but found herself with a surprise baby on the way. To begin a new life, Devon needs a place to settle down-a place like Cavanaugh Island, where the pace is slow, the weather is fine, and the men are even finer.

From the moment David Sullivan meets Devon, he knows he can’t fight the laws of attraction. Whether it’s helping fix up the old cottage she just bought on Cherry Lane or working together on a pro bono legal case, he can’t help feeling a little protective. But will the most eligible bachelor in town be ready for an instant family? Only if he can convince Devon to put her heart on the line one more time-for all time.

Home is where the heart is.

Architect Morgan Dane has always lived according to a plan, crossing off her achievements one by one. But when she’s offered her dream job-the restoration of historic Angels Landing Plantation on beautiful Cavanaugh Island-Morgan’s life takes an unexpected turn.

Carpenter Nathaniel Shaw once took a big chance on commitment-and lost. Needing the healing comforts of home, he returns to Haven Creek to join the family business. Nothing in the small town has changed-except for Morgan Dane. The wallflower he knew in high school has grown into a beautiful woman … and stirs feelings Nate isn’t sure he’s ready for.

Together Nate and Morgan find a happiness neither could have predicted. But when secrets from the past come to light, their budding relationship is threatened. Will they play it safe, or risk their hearts to build a life together?