New Release + Release Blitz: Someday by Willow Aster

 

Someday by Willow Aster is now live!

 

From childhood best friends to high school sweethearts…to a relationship so broken it seems impossible to fix…

I’ve loved Sofie Copewell for as long as I can remember.

She was all I ever wanted.

We said someday we’d have a family together and raise them on our ranch in Landmark Mountain.

She was my home. My forever.

I spent my whole life chasing her, hanging on her every word, and lighting up when she smiled at me.

And I never had a single doubt that she felt the same way.

Until she left and didn’t come back…

For eight years.

Now she’s returned, and I’m resentful and want answers.

Answers to why she left without a goodbye, taking all our dreams with her.

But as angry as I am and as much as I fight it, the electricity between us is still as strong as it was before.

And when I get the answers I’m looking for, I realize that she never stopped loving me either.

I want to believe our someday is now, but can I trust her not to leave again?

Someday is book two in the Landmark Mountain series, but each book can be read as a standalone.

The content warnings for Someday are the discussion of child and domestic abuse, and the death of a parent.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/44kgZSc

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/42H3SKi

 

Meet Willow

Willow Aster is a USA Today Bestselling author and lover of anything book-related. She lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband, kids, and rescue dog.

Connect with Willow

Website: www.willowaster.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6863360.Willow_Aster

Amazon: https://bit.ly/WillowAster

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willowasterauthor/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/870978829643191/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowaster/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WillowAster

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@willowaster1

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/willow-aster

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/WillowAster/_created/

Cover Reveal + Pre-Order: Plays Well With Others by Lauren Blakely

PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS BY LAUREN BLAKELY

Release Date: July 12th

Cover Design: Y’all That Graphic

Photographer: Ren Saliba

Model: Shawn Jame

Genre/Tropes:

Fake dating

Best friends to lovers

He falls first

Cinnamon roll hero turns alpha in the bedroom

Equal opportunity accidental nudity

Horny baking

Extra spicy!!

Complete standalone

Plays Well With Others by #1 NYT bestselling author Lauren Blakely, is coming July 12th

Make sure to pre-order this all-new fake dating, best friends-to-lovers romance TODAY!

Amazon ➜ https://amzn.to/3PnugVL

Audible ➜ https://amzn.to/46bg6wZ

(Narrated by Erin Mallon & Teddy Hamilton

Add to your TBR

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60619760-plays-well-with-others

Blurb

Am I fake dating my best friend? Hear me out…

So I’m throwing myself a breakup party, a glittery fete where I envision I’ll lift a glass and celebrate being free and single again.

What I actually do: Drink too much champagne and blurt out to my best guy friend that I’d really like to get back on the horse.

But what I truly don’t expect is Carter’s answer – he volunteers as tribute.

With his sinful brown eyes and too-good-to-be-true body it’d be no hardship for me to say yes, though I certainly don’t want him to feel obligated to, um, service me, just because my failed, loveless marriage was a s-e-x desert.

But since the charming and confident pro football star owes five public dates to his dating app sponsor, we make a deal to help each other out.

Pretty soon, our public how to date lessons turn into, ahem, very private ones. And I’m a star student, graduating quickly from flirty banter and lingering looks to toe-curling, sheet-grabbing, mind-blowing hours of physical education.

The problem? Turns out learning to date again feels a lot like the real thing. Can our friendship withstand all these late-night bedroom sessions?

Especially since I’m suddenly longing for my best friend and there’s nothing fake about my feelings…

About Lauren Blakely:

You can find Lauren on TikTok at @laurenblakelybooks! A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good, and witty. Lauren likes dogs, cake, and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.

Connect w/Lauren:

Website: laurenblakely.com

NL Signup: http://laurenblakely.com/newsletter

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks

Instagram: http://instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks

Twitter: http://twitter.com/LaurenBlakely3

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenblakelybooks

Cover Reveal + Pre-Order: Lunamare by Pepper Winters

 

Pepper Winters has revealed the gorgeous cover for Lunamare!

Releasing: June 27, 2023

Cover Design: Cleo Studios

 

“Is it true…that you pulled a lion from the ocean and fell in love with him?”

ASLAN

The sixteen-year-old boy named after a lion.

A boy with his entire life ahead of him.

A boy running from a terrible secret.

All it takes is one awful night to change everything.

One secret, one smuggler, one boat, one storm.

And he wakes in an entirely different existence.

Staring into the ocean-blue eyes of his twelve-year-old rescuer.

NERIDA

The twelve-year-old girl named after a sea nymph.

A girl with lofty dreams and absolute faith that she’ll achieve them.

All it takes is a bright, sunny morning to change everything.

One boy clinging to wreckage, one sea cradling him close, one chance at keeping him safe.

He’s illegal and unwanted.

She’s stubborn and so sure.

He’s lost absolutely everything.

And she’s found the only thing she ever wanted.

They begin as rescued and rescuer.

Slowly growing from twelve and sixteen.

He’s not allowed to touch her.

She’s convinced he is the one.

But as each day dawns on his illegal existence, Aslans’s secrets creep ever closer, the death he ran from hunts ever faster, and the darkness that he can’t get free of finally finds him.

And it costs him…

everything.

A true coming-of-age story that spans a lifetime. This book deals with heavy subjects and it is advised you check the Content Warnings on the Author’s website.

Lunamare is a tangled romance that fans of The Ribbon Duet will love. Combining the beautiful drama of Nicholas Sparks with the brutality of dark romance, Pepper Winters has created a tale of soulmates, secrets, cruelty, and heart-wrenching love.

 

Pre-order your copy today!

Amazon: Coming Soon!

Apple Books: https://apple.co/42hbd30

Nook: https://bit.ly/3nF6R6O

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3NoHLmG

Google Play: https://bit.ly/3oP5JhO

 

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3mGLx0p

 

Pre-orders on Apple Books, Google Play, Nook, and Kobo will drop two days earlier (25th June).

Don’t forget to pre-order if you read on these sites as once it’s live, Lunamare will only be available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.

Audio, Paperback, & Hardback will release June 27th.

 

Meet Pepper


Pepper Winters is a multiple New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller.

After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an multiple #1 Apple Books bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Romance Thriller.

Pepper currently has close to 40 books released in nine languages. She’s hit best-seller lists almost 40 times, is a self-confessed hermit, yoga convert, has a house rabbit, six horses, and a long suffering husband.

To learn more about Pepper please visit: www.pepperwinters.com where she regularly posts videos of behind the scenes writing, horses, books, and more.

Connect with Pepper

Website: www.pepperwinters.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7151973.Pepper_Winters

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Pepper-Winters/e/B00EWT0DJ8

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pepperwintersbooks

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1511645192400372

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pepperwinters/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PepperWinters

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pepperwintersbooks

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/pepper-winters

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pepperwinters/_saved/

Other: https://pepperwinters.com/category/peppers-blog/

Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/pepperwinters

Cover Reveal + Pre-Order: Someday by Willow Aster

Willow Aster has revealed the gorgeous cover for Someday!

Releasing: June 29, 2023

Cover Design: Emily Wittig Designs

From childhood best friends to high school sweethearts…to a relationship so broken it seems impossible to fix…

I’ve loved Sofie Copewell for as long as I can remember.

She was all I ever wanted.

We said someday we’d have a family together and raise them on our ranch in Landmark Mountain.

She was my home. My forever.

I spent my whole life chasing her, hanging on her every word, and lighting up when she smiled at me.

And I never had a single doubt that she felt the same way.

Until she left and didn’t come back…

For eight years.

Now she’s returned, and I’m resentful and want answers.

Answers to why she left without a goodbye, taking all our dreams with her.

But as angry as I am and as much as I fight it, the electricity between us is still as strong as it was before.

And when I get the answers I’m looking for, I realize that she never stopped loving me either.

I want to believe our someday is now, but can I trust her not to leave again?

Someday is book two in the Landmark Mountain series, but each book can be read as a standalone.

The content warnings for Someday are the discussion of child and domestic abuse, and the death of a parent.

Pre-order your copy today!

https://amzn.to/43xJ6No

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/42H3SKi

Meet Willow

Willow Aster is a USA Today Bestselling author and lover of anything book-related. She lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband, kids, and rescue dog.

Connect with Willow

Website: www.willowaster.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6863360.Willow_Aster

Amazon: https://bit.ly/WillowAster

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willowasterauthor/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/870978829643191/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowaster/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WillowAster

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@willowaster1

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/willow-aster

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/WillowAster/_created/

New Release + Double Release Blitz: Limited Edition Husband and Manhandled by Lauren Blakely writing as L. Blakely

LIMITED EDITION HUSBAND & MANHANDLED by Lauren Blakely writing as L. Blakely

Release Date: May 3rd

Tropes: M/M romance / Sports Romance / Fake Marriage / Friends-to-Lovers

NEW RELEASE AND SURPRISE RELEASE ALERT!

Limited Edition Husband by #1 NYT bestselling author Lauren Blakely, writing as L. Blakely, is NOW LIVE and FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

* ALSO *

Lauren loves surprising her readers! MANHANDLED is NOW LIVE ALSO! This will be Lauren’s FINAL M/M romance of 2023!

Make sure to grab these all-new standalone sports M/M romances TODAY!

LIMITED EDITION HUSBAND

A fake marriage, friends-to-lovers, M/M romance

Grab your copy TODAY

Read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited

✦ Amazon ➜ https://amzn.to/3LrgaPM

✦ Audible ➜ https://amzn.to/44rboKD

MANHANDLED

A friends to lovers M/M romance

Grab your copy TODAY

Read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited

✦ Amazon ➜ https://amzn.to/42kw3y8

✦ Audible ➜ https://amzn.to/42dH7hb

Pre-order the audio, it’s coming on May 10th!

LIMITED EDITION HUSBAND

Blurb

A fake marriage standalone MM romance from #1 New York Times Bestselling author Lauren Blakely writing MM romance as L. Blakely…

One night with no strings was supposed to be the plan.

After barely escaping my last train wreck of a romance, I’ve got a new dating goal—play it cool.

I stick to that strategy when I bump into a charming Brit I met once before. He’s newly out and eager for all the things he’s never done, so I make the helpful suggestion we jet off to the city of sin for the night, then say goodbye.

But instead, thanks to a bet and some bourbon, we’re saying I do.

And in the morning I’m asking myself what the hell have I done? But we’ll just undo the holy matrimony right this stinking second.

Except, the pics of our nuptials are splashed all over the Internet–the pro football player eloped!

Great, just great.

Now, my agent says we need to stay Mister and Mister until the brouhaha blows over.

Thirty days as fake husbands with the sexy, irresistible guy who’s determined to prove that he’s nothing like my ex?

My bruised heart can handle that as long as I don’t fall for my husband.

And I won’t. When we split for real, he’ll be an ocean away.

Contents include: A sarcastic, romance-phobic American football player, a charming and dirty-minded young British businessman, white-hot first times, dangerous decisions, and a sexy, witty, emotional fake marriage, first times M/M standalone sports romance!

About Lauren Blakely:

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible

Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s

sexy, sweet, and witty. She also writes USA Today bestselling LGBTQ romance.

With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York

Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than 100 times, with

more than 60 titles on the USA Today Bestsellers list alone. She’s sold more than 5 million books. A Brown University graduate, Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.

Connect w/Lauren:

Website: laurenblakely.com

NL Signup: http://laurenblakely.com/newsletter

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks

Instagram: http://instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks

Twitter: http://twitter.com/LaurenBlakely3

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenblakelybooks

New Release + Release Blitz: Fluke by Adriana Locke

FLUKE BY ADRIANA LOCKE

Release Date: April 10th

Genre/Tropes: Fake ex-husband / Small Town Romance / Friends to Lovers / One Bed / He Falls First

Fluke, an all-new small-town romance, by USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke is NOW LIVE!

Grab this fake ex-husband, small-town romance TODAY!

https://amzn.to/41iOJ0I

Add to Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61946841-fluke

Blurb:

SEEKING AN EX-HUSBAND

I need a fake ex-husband.

Let me explain …

I may have let it slip to my new co-workers that I have an ex-husband. Now they’re fascinated with the details, specifically with him.

Why wouldn’t they be? He’s gorgeous, has exceptional skills in the bedroom, and is determined to win me back.

But there’s a problem. He doesn’t exist.

The bigger problem? I have to produce him to save my job.

This is where you come in.

I’m seeking someone to play a smitten ex-husband for two weeks. You’ll need to remember our love story—details matter when it comes to romance! Please be prepared to travel in-state at a moment’s notice. We may be in close proximity and sharing a bed may be required.

One more thing—kisses are required for optics as necessary.

If this sounds interesting or, at the very least, entertaining, let me know.

Signed,

Your Future Ex-Wife

Buckle up for a steamy adventure between friends-turned-lovers in this new “fresh twist on a favorite trope!” take on fake dating, close proximity, and romance in the workplace from USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Locke.

About the Author:

USA Today Bestselling author, Adriana Locke, writes contemporary romances about the two things she knows best—big families and small towns. Her stories are about ordinary people finding extraordinary love with the perfect combination of heart, heat, and humor.

She loves connecting with readers, fall weather, football, reading alpha heroes, everything pumpkin, and pretending to garden.

Hailing from a tiny town in the Midwest, Adriana spends her free time with her high school sweetheart (who she married over twenty-five years ago) and their four sons (who truly are her best work). Her kitchen may be a perpetual disaster, and if all else fails, there is always pizza.

Learn more at adrianalocke.com.

Connect w/Adriana:

Website: https://adrianalocke.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoradrianalocke

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/booksbyadrianalocke

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authoralocke

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoradrianalocke

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8379774.Adriana_Locke

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ivy7xd

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/adriana-locke

Newsletter Signup: http://bit.ly/NewsletterAddy

Excerpt Reveal + Pre-Order: Fluke by Adriana Locke

FLUKE BY ADRIANA LOCKE

Release Date: April 10th

Genre/Tropes: Fake ex-husband / Small Town Romance / Friends to Lovers / One Bed / He Falls First

Fluke, an all-new small-town romance, by USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke is coming April 10th!

CHECK OUT AN EXCERPT BELOW!

Pre-order this fake ex-husband, small-town romance TODAY!

https://amzn.to/3lXPwFr

Add on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61946841-fluke

EXCERPT

“Do you check your email?” she asks.

“Yeah.”

“Have you checked it today?”

“Uh, no. I’ve been working all day.”

She clears her throat, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. “May I ask you to let me see your emails, please?”

Excuse me?

I press my lips together, curiosity getting the best of me, and pull my phone out of my pocket.

“Jess?”

“No, you may not see my emails.”

Her hands go to her hips. “Please?”

“What are you up to, Pip?”

She reaches for my phone in a quick, bold move. Unfortunately for her, I’m quicker. I hold it up in the air and effectively out of her reach.

“Please, don’t look at them. At least not with me standing here,” she says, hopping a whole foot off the ground to try to reach the device.

I chuckle. “What did you do?”

“Give it to me.” She hops again. “Now.”

“Not a chance.” I swipe the screen and find my email app as she tries to tug my arm down. “Will you stop it?”

“Jess,” she says, fake crying. She stops hopping. “Wait.”

I laugh at her little pout. “You are so fucking cute.”

“I hate you.”

“You do not.”

The app opens, and I scan my inbox. It’s the third message from the top that catches my attention.

Plum, Pippa Re: SEEKING AN EX-HUSBAND

Blurb:

SEEKING AN EX-HUSBAND

I need a fake ex-husband.

Let me explain …

I may have let it slip to my new co-workers that I have an ex-husband. Now they’re fascinated with the details, specifically with him.

Why wouldn’t they be? He’s gorgeous, has exceptional skills in the bedroom, and is determined to win me back.

But there’s a problem. He doesn’t exist.

The bigger problem? I have to produce him to save my job.

This is where you come in.

I’m seeking someone to play a smitten ex-husband for two weeks. You’ll need to remember our love story—details matter when it comes to romance! Please be prepared to travel in-state at a moment’s notice. We may be in close proximity and sharing a bed may be required.

One more thing—kisses are required for optics as necessary.

If this sounds interesting or, at the very least, entertaining, let me know.

Signed,

Your Future Ex-Wife

Buckle up for a steamy adventure between friends-turned-lovers in this new “fresh twist on a favorite trope!” take on fake dating, close proximity, and romance in the workplace from USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Locke.

About the Author:

USA Today Bestselling author, Adriana Locke, writes contemporary romances about the two things she knows best—big families and small towns. Her stories are about ordinary people finding extraordinary love with the perfect combination of heart, heat, and humor.

She loves connecting with readers, fall weather, football, reading alpha heroes, everything pumpkin, and pretending to garden.

Hailing from a tiny town in the Midwest, Adriana spends her free time with her high school sweetheart (who she married over twenty-five years ago) and their four sons (who truly are her best work). Her kitchen may be a perpetual disaster, and if all else fails, there is always pizza.

Learn more at adrianalocke.com.

Connect w/Adriana:

Website: https://adrianalocke.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoradrianalocke

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/booksbyadrianalocke

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authoralocke

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoradrianalocke

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8379774.Adriana_Locke

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ivy7xd

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/adriana-locke

Newsletter Signup: http://bit.ly/NewsletterAddy

New Release + Release Blitz: Cauldrons Call by Kristen Proby

Cauldrons Call by Kristen Proby is now live! 

Cauldrons Call, by New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby, is the highly-anticipated second book in The Curse of the Blood Moon series.
 
Breena has known Giles all her life—and has loved him for nearly as long. Linked by the ties of family and coven, Breena has had a lifetime to discover everything there is to know about him. His intelligence and specialization in crystals and gems are truly things to admire, but it’s how he smiles at her that really makes her cauldron bubble. Too bad he’s completely oblivious.
 
Giles isn’t as oblivious as Breena thinks he is. A powerful witch, he’s spent most of his life hiding his true feelings from her, but he can’t ignore the fact that she’s hurting and plagued by the same nightmares that haunt him every night. So, getting her to move in with him so he can do just that seems like simple common sense. The hard part will be resisting the way Breena makes him feel.
 
But evil has invaded their world, and it has the power to kill every witch in Salem.  Breena has no time to wallow in what might have been and Giles’ desire to protect her is stronger than the power contained in his crystals . Together they must lift the curse of the blood moon before time runs out. If they can’t, the people Breena loves the most are all in danger. It will take every skill she’s honed as a witch to protect what’s hers and the man who cast a spell on her heart.
 
 
Will they have time to kindle their love for each other, or will the clock run out at the hands of fate?

  Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/403UBuL

Apple Books: https://bit.ly/3BDbRN0

Nook: https://bit.ly/3FS59FD

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3Ym1hDX

Audible: https://amzn.to/3JRSiFs

Narrated by: Sebastian York & Samantha Brentmoor

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3FuL5rf

  

Tracey’s Review

For those of you unfamiliar with Kristen Proby’s paranormal romances, I am here to tell you that it is time to come aboard! And if you’ve visited Kristen’s characters in haunted New Orleans, then you know that she can write creepy and intriguing with the best of them. CAULDRONS CALL, the second book in The Curse of Hallow’s End series, keeps the thrills, chills, and love coming, and is a perfect continuation of this series in all the best ways.

I love witchy reads, and Kristen, so was already invested in this series from the beginning. All of this, along with engaging characters, the whisper of time travel, and the ongoing storyline make for a book that I did not want to put down, and which has me super-excited for SALEM’S SONG, Lorelei’s and Xander’s story, and the wrap-up to the series. If you love Kristen and you love paranormal romance, do not miss out, jump into The Curse of Hallows End and enjoy! ❤️

Meet Kristen


Kristen Proby has published more than forty titles, many of which have hit the USA Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists. She continues to self publish, best known for her With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux series, and is also proud to work with William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins, with the Fusion and Romancing Manhattan Series. 

Kristen and her husband, John, make their home in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana with their two cats and dog.

 

Connect with Kristen

Website: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6550037.Kristen_Proby

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2BD4vfq

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BooksByKristenProby/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/684662744993031/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenproby/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kristenprobyauthor

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kristen-proby

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/handbagjunkie/

New Release + Release Blitz: Toe the Line by Penelope Ward

Title: Toe the Line
Author: Penelope Ward
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Trope: Friends-to-Lovers
Release Date: February 27, 2023
BLURB

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a friends-to-lovers story spanning more than a decade…

At first, I thought I’d hate spending the summer with Archie Remington—the conceited son of my parents’ friends.
What I knew about Archie: he was gorgeous, pre-law, and had always treated me like I didn’t exist when we were younger.
When our families bought a house together on an island in Maine, he and I were forced to share a bathroom.
The boy I remembered was now a full-grown man—but with the same attitude.
After a rough start, Archie and I unexpectedly started getting along one day and eventually became friends. We shared secrets and bonded during our morning jogs. I discovered that Archie had a wild spirit and that he struggled to conform to his father’s expectations.
Things were cool until I had to go and ruin it, getting drunk one night, and blurting out my fantasy—involving him.
I took it back, but it was too late. Archie had heard me loud and clear. After that, we never quite knew how to toe the line.
When that summer came to an abrupt and shocking end, I headed back to college, unsure if anything would ever be the same again.
Across the miles over the years, he and I stayed in touch as friends, but fate and timing always kept us from becoming more.
You know the saying: If two people are meant to be, they’ll find their way back to each other?
Let’s just say Archie came back into my life in a way I would’ve never expected.
And this time, my heart would really be put to the test.
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
AUTHOR BIO
Penelope
Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling
author of contemporary romance.

She grew up
in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a
television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son,
and beautiful daughter with autism.

With over two
million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author
of over twenty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen
languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
AUTHOR LINKS
OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Excerpt Reveal + Pre-Order: Toe the Line by Penelope Ward

Title: Toe the Line
Author: Penelope Ward
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Trope: Friends-to-Lovers
Release Date: February 27, 2023
BLURB

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a friends-to-lovers story spanning more than a decade…

At first, I thought I’d hate spending the summer with Archie Remington—the conceited son of my parents’ friends.
What I knew about Archie: he was gorgeous, pre-law, and had always treated me like I didn’t exist when we were younger.
When our families bought a house together on an island in Maine, he and I were forced to share a bathroom.
The boy I remembered was now a full-grown man—but with the same attitude.
After a rough start, Archie and I unexpectedly started getting along one day and eventually became friends. We shared secrets and bonded during our morning jogs. I discovered that Archie had a wild spirit and that he struggled to conform to his father’s expectations.
Things were cool until I had to go and ruin it, getting drunk one night, and blurting out my fantasy—involving him.
I took it back, but it was too late. Archie had heard me loud and clear. After that, we never quite knew how to toe the line.
When that summer came to an abrupt and shocking end, I headed back to college, unsure if anything would ever be the same again.
Across the miles over the years, he and I stayed in touch as friends, but fate and timing always kept us from becoming more.
You know the saying: If two people are meant to be, they’ll find their way back to each other?
Let’s just say Archie came back into my life in a way I would’ve never expected.
And this time, my heart would really be put to the test.
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EXCERPT
Copyright © 2022 Penelope Ward

Mixing alcohol with nostalgia, it turns out, is not always the wisest choice.
When Archie and I returned to the house that night, we didn’t know what to do with ourselves. Neither of us was tired enough to sleep. But the alcohol from the beers at the beach and the wine he’d opened once we got back home was going to my head fast. I could no longer be trusted with my words.
Archie took out the chocolate cake he’d made earlier and placed it on the counter. We both began eating it—with our bare hands. It was a mess, and I likely had chocolate all over my face. So this is how it ends, huh? I suppose it could be worse.
“I had so much fun tonight,” he said with his mouth full. “You?”
“It was awesome. Reminded me of the old days.” I licked chocolate off the corner of my mouth.
Archie’s eyes fell to my lips. “Seven years ago sometimes feels like yesterday, and other times like forever ago, doesn’t it?”
When I felt my eyes starting to well up, I knew that was my cue. I never wanted to leave Archie’s side, but I needed this weekend to be over before I lost it in front of him. “Anyway, we’d better go to bed,” I told him. “We both have early flights in the morning.”
I hopped down from my stool and rushed over to the sink to wash my hands. I hadn’t intended to make eye contact with him again because I didn’t want him to notice my eyes. Then again, he was a little drunk, too, so not sure how perceptive he would be.
Then I felt his presence nearby.
“I have so many regrets,” he said from behind me.
I turned to face him and swallowed. “Regrets about what?”
He had chocolate cake on his face, but somehow he’d never looked hotter.
“Everything,” he whispered. “With you.” He paused. “What we did and what we didn’t do. The way that summer ended. Everything.”
“Why are you bringing this up now?”
“Because I’m fucking drunk, I guess. I don’t know.” He pulled on his hair. “You look so goddamn beautiful right now.” His eyes were hazy as he murmured, “It hurts to look at you.”
My tears felt ready to fall. I couldn’t let that happen. “Keep that shit to yourself,” I muttered.
“We never talk about it, Noelle. We talk about everything else except the massive elephant in the room—the things we did that summer, what almost happened before—”
“Stop.” I sniffled. “You’re only bringing it up because you’re drunk. This is not a healthy way to discuss anything.”
“Maybe.” Archie leaned against the center island and placed his head in his hands. He went silent for a long time. “You were with Shane for like…forever. I thought you were gonna marry that guy. And I thought you were happy. I never thought you’d break up with him.” He looked down at the floor. “I kept waiting and…”

Waiting? He was waiting for things to end between Shane and me?

“I’m sorry…” He shook his head. “You’re right. I need to stop.”
Nothing good could come of two people with a ton of unspoken baggage trying to work things out while drunk. I could’ve poured out all of my feelings. I could have chosen to complicate his already-complicated life—turned it into a goddamn soap opera. But I loved him too much. I loved him. So I wouldn’t do that.
“Goodnight, Archie. Get some sleep.”
I left him standing in the kitchen next to a chocolate cake that looked like it had been ravaged by wild animals.
Then I went to my room and cried myself to sleep.
AUTHOR BIO
Penelope
Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling
author of contemporary romance.

She grew up
in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a
television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son,
and beautiful daughter with autism.

With over two
million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author
of over twenty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen
languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
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