Wade Rouse goes for the gold...plus a book giveaway

We are so excited to celebrate the publication of Wade Rouse's novel, That's What Friends are For! Wade has been part of our world for a long time, first as our Go-to-Gay, and later as Viola Shipman, who has given us a lot of great female-centered stories (and some cozy holiday ones). We adore Wade and are so glad to have him back today to talk about all things Golden Girls. Melissa loved That's What Friends are For and calls it "a big-hearted comfort read." Check out her review. Thanks to HarperCollins, we have THREE copies to give away!

Wade Rouse is a #1 internationally bestselling author of 21 books, including his latest novel and first under his own name, That’s What Friends Are For (2026)—a "Golden Girls"-inspired tale already hailed as a most anticipated book by the New York Post. Previously writing under the pen name Viola Shipman to honor his grandmother, Wade’s work has been translated into nearly 30 languages, optioned for film, and featured on NBC’s Today Show, Good Morning America, and in The Washington Post. A finalist for the Goodreads Choice Award in Humor and a former People reporter, Wade holds a master’s in journalism from Northwestern University. When he isn't mentoring aspiring writers or hosting his popular "Wine & Words with Wade" series, he divides his time between Saugatuck, Michigan, and Palm Springs, California. (Bio adapted from Wade's website.)

Visit Wade online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram

Synopsis:
Theodore Copeland has created a fabulous life in the desert oasis of Palm Springs, where he shares a fabulous pink mid-century home with three fabulous friends: Barry, a former actor still clinging to his youth, his hair, and the memory of the dream role that killed his career; Ron, an uprooted Christian from the Midwest with a big heart but no one to give it to; Sid, who, after coming out late in life, has never found love. Teddy is the caustic, unspoken leader of “The Golden Gays”—the foursome’s monthly drag tribute to The Golden Girls. Despite their foibles and bickering, they have turned their golden years into a golden era.

But the harmony of their desert enclave becomes a carousel of emotional baggage when Teddy’s estranged sister, Trudy, shows up on their doorstep, her dramatic teenage granddaughter in tow. While Teddy keeps Trudy at arm’s length, she manages to wheedle her way into the lives of the Golden Gays, until the real reason for her visit is revealed and the secrets they’ve all been keeping from each other unravel faster than a hastily stitched hemline.

A novel that gives thanks to “old” friends, That's What Friends Are For proves that while family may be the tie that binds, it’s the chosen family that truly keeps us together. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

"By turns hilarious, tender, and devastating, Rouse’s novel explores what it means to be the sandwich generation of gays today — caught between those who paved the way for equality, those who are too young to credit them, and a world that seems increasingly hostile." 
— Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Wade Rouse has written the most unabashedly joyful novel you'll read this year, a rip-roaringly funny ode to found family, Palm Springs, drag, and Bea Arthur. But beneath all the wigs and the California sunshine, That’s What Friends are For is also a poignant study of survival--of what it means to persevere in a world hell-bent on bringing you down, and a celebration of the friends who always have our backs." 
— Grant Ginder, author of The People We Hate at the Wedding

Which Golden Girl are you most similar to in personality?
I love this question as so many of us loved The Golden Girls and felt drawn to a certain character, just like we did when we watched Sex and the City or Friends. I am a total Dorothy (who surrounds herself with a lot of Roses, Blanches and Sophias). Like Bea Arthur in the show, I’ve used humor my whole life as a way to make friends and also keep people at a safe distance. And I can give someone a wicked side eye. Humor can unite, bring people in, allow you to make friends; and yet it can also protect you from getting hurt. Dorothy and I have that in common, and yet our wit, sarcasm and good-natured needling are also our deeply personal ways to show love. 

P.S.: My husband Gary is a total Rose (who used to be a total Blanche): Sweet, a caretaker, delightfully daffy yet incredibly wise, and he is always irritatingly, wonderfully positive, the perfect balance to my Dorothy. 

Tell us one of your favorite Golden Girl quotes.
This is a tough one as there are so many, and I use a lot of GG quotes in the novel. My favorite is one that I use at a key moment in the novel that sums up both Teddy (who is similar to Dorothy) and me: “The bottom line is, in life sometimes good things happen, sometimes bad things happen. But, honey, if you don’t take a chance, nothing happens.” 

Backup favorites would be: “Oh, honey, crying is for plain women. Pretty women go shopping.” And: “Do you know how many problems we have solved over a cheesecake at this kitchen table?” Oh, and one more! “Blanche: Dirk's nearly five years younger than I am. Dorothy: In what, Blanche, dog years?”

Which episode(s) of The Golden Girls is/are your favorite(s)?
“Isn’t It Romantic?”, an episode I bring to life in That’s What Friends Are For. It’s about Jean, a gay friend of Dorothy’s who comes to visit following the death of her partner. Jean develops feelings for Rose (Dorothy hasn’t told the women her friend i gay). The episode was very progressive for its treatment of a gay character; neither Jean nor her sexuality were at any points the butt of any jokes in the episode; instead she’s treated with respect. It also features a deeply moving conversation between Dorothy and her mother, Sophia, that I bring to life in the novel and reference in my letter to readers: 
Dorothy: “How would you react if you were told one of your kids were gay?”
Sophia: “Your brother Phil is gay? I knew it! When he was a kid we couldn’t keep him away from those Gladiator movies.”
Dorothy: “Ma, Phil is not gay.”
Sophia: “You mean you’re gay? What, your friend Jean is having some sort of membership drive?”
Dorothy: “Ma, I am not gay. I just wanted to get your reaction.”
Sophia: “I’ll tell you the truth Dorothy, if one of my kids were gay, I wouldn’t love him one bit less. I would wish them all the happiness in the world.”
That episode, in some small way, paved understanding not only for me but also for the acceptance of gay people when we needed it the most. In fact, my mother referenced that episode of The Golden Girls after I came out. 

If you could go back in time and cast yourself as a character on The Golden Girls, who would you be? (I'm talking about a new character here.)
Coco. (And, yes, I know he’s not completely new.) One of the main reasons I wrote this novel was my fascination with the character of Coco in The Golden Girls. Never heard of him? You’re not alone. In the original episode of The Golden Girls, there was a lead character named Coco, who was the women’s openly gay housekeeper and cook. He was removed from the show to make room for Sophia, who got an incredible response from early viewers. Sophia got the fulltime role, and Coco got cut. Some involved with the show blamed the kitchen: It was too small to have five people constantly featured in it, but I ask in the novel: Were audiences ready for a character like Coco? 

So I fictionalize the life of this actor and bring him to life as Barry, who had the role of a lifetime ripped away from him and share the struggle of a man trying to get that fame back his entire career. What must it have been like to be an out, gay actor in a time when Hollywood was still so closeted? What was it like to break the gay ceiling in Hollywood in the 1980s and then be broken by having it all taken away? I’ve never been prouder of bringing a character to life on the page and also bringing recognition back to a forgotten character. 

Who is your favorite regular supporting character on the show?
As a Southern boy at heart (I grew up in the Ozarks), I quite liked “Big Daddy,” Blanche’s father. He was charming and could spin a yarn with the best of my kin. 

What is your favorite Golden Girls item that you own? 
Where do I start? I love my GG Christmas tree ornaments, my GG caftan (which we will be wearing at many stops on my book tour), GG dolls (which are great companions to our Barbie collection), but I’m really in love with my latest GG item: Planters that honor each of the GG characters with a picture and one of their famous quotes. My publicist got me these after visiting Palm Springs for the first time. It was the perfect gift to celebrate the launch of That’s What Friends Are For and for our home in Palm Springs, where the novel is set. PS: I have a line of book-themed merchandise and gifts, including clothing (you customize the size and color) mugs, totes, coasters and buttons that celebrate the novel as well as all things Golden Girls, mid-century modern and Palm Springs fabulousness. Check it out here.

Thanks to Wade for chatting with us and to HarperCollins for sharing his book with our readers.

How to win: Use KingSumo to enter the giveaway. If you have trouble using KingSumo on our blog, enter the giveaway here. If you are still having issues, please contact us.

Giveaway ends March 8th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: I Came Back for You

By Jami Denison

Losing a child is the worst horror a person can endure, so it’s no surprise that mystery writers, challenged to raise the stakes as high as possible, often center their stories around missing or murdered children. Usually those children are literal children, though, and the action is fresh. Bestselling mystery author Kate White plays against these tropes in her latest offering, I Came Back for You. Bree Winters’s daughter Melanie was a college student ten years ago when she was murdered by a serial killer. But the killer has just died, and his deathbed confession revealed that Melanie was not one of his victims. Is ten years later too late to learn the real killer?

Bree has moved on literally if not figuratively. Divorced from Melanie’s father Logan (he cheated on her after their daughter died), Bree has moved to Uruguay with her fiancé Sebastian. They live on a farm and she takes freelance book editing projects. But one night, while Sebastian is out of town, Logan shows up. He gives her the news that Melanie’s killer has died claiming he didn’t kill her, and invites her back to Melanie’s college in upstate New York, where he is funding a scholarship in Melanie’s name. Desperate to learn the truth about what happened to her daughter, Bree agrees.

With a ten-year gap from the murder to the story, author White is challenged to create tension and suspense in the novel. It’s a very talky book—it starts with Logan showing up in the middle of the night at Bree’s house and explaining everything that’s happened with Melanie’s killer’s anti-confession. Later Bree needs to explain things to Sebastian, then there’s meetings with college officials and police officers. White has a habit of breaking chapters in the middle of these conversations to create suspense, but the emotion feels artificial.

Bree’s emotional stakes are well-developed, though. She still has messy, complicated feelings for Logan, and when his fiancée shows up, things get sticky. And her feelings about Melanie are complicated by the fact that the two were not close many times during the young woman’s life, including at the time of her death. Unfortunately, Bree’s distance from Melanie means it’s impossible for readers to get a strong feeling for the character, and that lessens interest in who really killed her.

The mystery itself is well plotted, almost a locked room story, with a limited number of characters who could have killed Melanie. Could it be her ex-boyfriend Jack, whom Melanie had dumped just prior to her murder? Or her English professor, who seems too interested in other college co-eds? As Bree investigates, the danger seems close. Ultimately, White provides a master class in misdirection, setting up one character as a perfect red herring while still giving readers the clues they need to solve the mystery.

With most mystery protagonists being younger women with younger children, it was refreshing to read a book featuring an older heroine with an adult daughter with a private life of her own. While I Came Back For You has a few missteps, it’s still an enjoyable read. 

Thanks to Megan Beatie Communications for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Kate White:
Have You Seen Me?
Such a Perfect Wife
The Wrong Man

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Book Review: No Matter What

By Sara Steven

Roz and Vin can’t look each other in the eyes anymore, let alone share a bed. It’s been a year since they survived a traumatic car accident and their marriage hasn’t been the same. But Roz has held out hope they can fix things…until she discovers Vin signed a new lease. So she does what any soon-to-be-divorced-Brooklynite would do: sign up for figure drawing class.

Between her determined attempts to improve her skills in class every Friday and adventures with her best friend Raffi, she can almost ignore Vin’s impending move out date and his footsteps in their previously unoccupied guest room. But it would all be a lot easier if Vin wasn’t Raffi’s older brother, and she didn’t still find him incredibly, debilitatingly attractive and kind.

So kind, in fact, that he offers to let Roz draw him. What is she supposed to say? It’s probably better than her original plan of finding some random male model online, and she needs all the practice she can get. Plus, that’s sure to make a separation easier right? Focus on every detail of your estranged spouse’s body while drawing them in the nude. But after the year they have spent avoiding each other and their struggles in the aftermath of the accident, it feels good to see and be seen by one another again.

As Roz works to better herself as an artist and capture the wholeness of the person she fell in love with, will they both be able to draw upon the feelings they buried deep inside to finally heal together? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

No Matter What provided an honest look into the breakdown that can happen when a traumatic event occurs within a marriage. I’ve heard it said (and have witnessed it myself) that sometimes, relationships can’t survive the trauma. And when Vin puts the lease on the fridge for all to see, Roz is convinced that there is no coming back. 

The way the story unfolds happens in a way that feels as though you’re talking with a good friend. I like the author’s writing style–the way the reader really gets to see the root of each character, often by way of dialogue and thought process. Roz comes off as tough and no nonsense, with a soft inner to her that only Vin seems to really get and understand. She knows that Vin can’t seem to communicate well, but the little he says speaks volumes. They’ve been able to get by that way for the entirety of their relationship, until the tragic events of last year forces them to really look at everything in a whole new way. 

Without meaning to, Raffi has become the center of their relationship, and what they’ve focused on for so long. Vin doesn’t know how to express his loneliness and need for his wife, and Roz doesn’t know he’s lonely. At the start of everything, Roz seeks a way to become more than the small circle of her husband and brother-in-law, coincidentally taking a figure drawing class in a space inhabiting the building where Vin plans to move to. It becomes a much-needed distraction for her in a time of pain and uncertainty. She expresses it in real-time, without a lot of flowery words and descriptions. Maybe some of it is to show Vin that she can move on, too. That as much as it kills her, that she will ultimately survive the change. 

Maybe things aren’t really as they seem, as Roz soon learns. And Vin never had a chance where his communication skills are concerned–but he’s trying, with chapters dedicated to the proof of that. It was nice to see the change in both characters, who aren’t perfect at all, but together they are perfect for each other. I rooted for them, but I loved that Roz ventured out and tried to make the best of a potentially terrible situation. It was a sweet, heartbreaking, humorous, and hopeful experience.

Thanks to Random House for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Cara Bastone:
Promise Me Sunshine
Ready or Not
Call Me Maybe

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A promising new path for Sofia Ramirez Castillo...plus a book giveaway

We're pleased to welcome Sofia Ramirez Castillo to CLC to talk about her debut novel, Every Step of the Way. She has a lot to say and we are here for it! This sounds like a powerful, emotional story that you'll definitely want to pick up. Thanks to Sofia, we have one copy to give away!

Sofía Ramirez Castillo was born and raised in San José, Costa Rica, and has been chasing big dreams ever since. At sixteen, she moved to the U.S. and successfully pursued a career in professional wrestling. Along the way, she fell in love with storytelling, languages, and a life built around movement. Now based in Orlando, Florida, she's a sign language interpreter with a master's degree, an aerial arts enthusiast, and an avid backpacker who's explored over 30 countries. She's also a firm believer in books, adventure, and a little bit of magic. Visit Sofia on Instagram.

Synopsis:
Noah thought she had her future mapped out—with Derek by her side, music in her veins, and a love she believed could survive anything. But when Derek begins to unravel under the weight of secrets and self-destruction, Noah finds herself fighting for someone who’s already slipping out of reach.

When her life, and everything she dreamed of, collapses, she turns to the one person who has always been her anchor: her grandmother. In the stillness of that familiar home—surrounded by old photographs, lingering melodies, and gentle wisdom—Noah begins the slow, tender work of piecing herself back together.

But grief has many faces, and healing is rarely simple. As time moves forward and the past refuses to stay buried, Noah must confront heartbreak, identity, and the quiet strength it takes to choose hope when the world feels unrecognizable.

A story of love, loss, and the courage to begin again, Every Step of the Way is a deeply emotional journey about the people who shape us, the memories that haunt us, and the healing we find when we return to where it all began. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

"If you’re someone who loves an emotional rollercoaster filled with heartbreak, resilience, and hope and especially if you love a powerful grandmother bond this one deserves a spot on your shelf. Please pick this up. You won’t be disappointed." - Ashley (Amazon)

"A debut novel that masterfully encapsulates the different stages of grief, self discovery, and serves as reminder that there is a light at the end of the tunnel." - Yoshi (Amazon)

In one sentence, what was the road to publishing like for you?

It was both challenging and exhilarating; I stepped into entirely new territory and had to learn every aspect of writing and publishing from scratch without guidance, but knowing I gave it my absolute best made the journey infinitely more rewarding.

How is Noah similar to or different from you?
Writing Noah was a terrifying process because she was the only character brave enough to challenge who I am and what I believe about myself. She is vulnerable and deeply empathetic, which are qualities that do not come easily to me, so stepping into her headspace required me to respond in ways that felt true to her journey rather than how I might instinctively react.

While I have experienced loss and heartbreak, I have thankfully never faced some of the circumstances Noah endures. That gray area forced me to imagine her reality with care and compassion. In doing so, I began to understand her more fully, and writing from that place of empathy became easier.

We differ in meaningful ways. Noah often doubts herself and feels insecure when faced with difficult choices, whereas I have worked hard to develop a strong sense of identity and direction. I am a planner by nature, making decisions with intention and logic, especially in times of stress. That makes me dependable in emergencies, but not always the most comforting presence.

Despite our differences, we share stubbornness, courage, and a sense of adventure. I admire Noah’s ability to give herself grace; to grieve openly and lean on her support system. That openness is something I am still learning to embrace. Through her, I’ve realized the value of slowing down and appreciating a quieter life filled with music, warm cups of tea, and moments of gratitude for all that I’ve built.

If Every Step of the Way was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
This might be a biased answer, but when I first began developing these characters five years ago, I had a very clear vision of the kind of chemistry they needed to have. Like many authors, I dream of seeing my story adapted for the screen, and as a lifelong film lover, my answer could easily change depending on the latest performance that moves me, there is so much extraordinary talent out there.

However, when Taylor Swift released the All Too Well (10 Minute Version) short film, I was struck by the chemistry between Sadie Sink and Dylan O’Brien. Their portrayal balanced fairytale romance with real-life tension in a way that felt deeply authentic. The film’s shifting timelines between past and present also mirror the emotional structure of my novel, which made their dynamic feel especially aligned with Noah and Derek’s story.

While it would be a dream to see Sadie and Dylan bring these characters to life, what matters most to me is that whoever is cast captures that same palpable chemistry that they had, because at its heart, this story is about the fragile, powerful connection between two people and how it can shift over time.

In all honesty though, if Every Step of the Way ever became a film, I think I would probably pass out. It would be the greatest honor and a completely unreal, dream-come-true moment. I will keep crossing my fingers for that one!

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
Do I really have to pick just one?

Okay, fine! The most recent book I read and highly recommend is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I finished it last month, and Taylor Jenkins Reid’s portrayal of Hollywood glamour, and the sacrifices required of women in that era, was exquisite.

More broadly, there are three books I will always recommend and return to again and again.
First and foremost is The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. I first read it at twelve and have revisited it at least fifteen times since. Each reading impacts me differently. It’s the only literary work that has truly grown alongside me; a story for adults disguised as a children’s book, filled with lessons that leave me speechless every time. My favorite characters are the Drunkard and the Lamplighter. They break my heart every single time. 

Secondly, I recommend We Are Okay by Nina LaCour. Before reading it, I mostly gravitated toward murder mysteries, but Nina’s portrayal of grief and fractured family dynamics stayed with me for days. This novel was a major inspiration for my own book. The bond between the protagonist and her grandfather mirrored my love for my grandmothers and reinforced the importance of portraying elderly characters with dignity and depth. Too often, society overlooks them, and I wish more stories highlighted their wisdom, humor, and immeasurable value.

Lastly, for readers who love mystery, The Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton is unforgettable. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, such a brilliant and inventive story!

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it? 
Oh my! I could listen to Jane Fonda narrate a phone book and still be mesmerized. I admire her not only for her incredible talent, but for everything she stands for. She is deeply inspirational.

Whether she’s promoting the importance of fitness and mobility (I did all of her workout videos during COVID and couldn't get out of bed for a week, she is unbelievably strong), showing up for climate action through peaceful protest, or advocating for female empowerment, she commits to everything with her whole heart. She embodies conviction and purpose in a way I find profoundly motivating.

I would be honored to have her narrate my hypothetical TV series. And have you seen her performance alongside Lily Tomlin in Grace and Frankie? Absolutely ICONIC. I am a Jane Fonda fan through and through.

If we were to visit you right now, what places would you take us to see?
Here in Orlando? Oh, I would have a full itinerary ready.

First, I’d take you to Disney's BoardWalk. It feels like a hidden gem, while most visitors gravitate toward the parks or Disney Springs, the BoardWalk has a whimsical charm that makes me feel like I’ve stepped into a fairytale every time.

Then we would go kayaking in one of Florida’s beautiful springs or lakes. There’s something incredibly peaceful about being on the water, surrounded by nature, it’s one of my favorite ways to slow down and reconnect.

I would also get us tickets to the Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre for a nostalgic movie night under the stars, and, of course, we’d have to see a performance by Cirque du Soleil. I have been obsessed with the circus and performance arts for as long as I can remember. Whenever I travel, I always research local arts events. There is something magical about live performance that makes every place feel more alive.

And for the cherry on top, we’d end the day with a local bookstore tour, making cozy coffee shop stops along the way. How does that sound?

Thanks to Sofia for chatting with us and for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use KingSumo to enter the giveaway. If you have trouble using KingSumo on our blog, enter the giveaway here. If you are still having issues, please contact us.

Giveaway ends March 3rd at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Virtually Yours

By Becky Gulc

Following her best friend’s passing, Chloe has been finding solace in the world through her VR headset, including going on virtual dates with the charming Blaine amongst the glittering skyline of Manhattan.

Everything seems to be perfect, except for the obvious, that Blaine is just an avatar she doesn’t know in the real world. As their chemistry grows, offering Chloe the escape she has been seeking, Blaine throws out the idea that Chloe should go to New York to find him. But going to New York will open more than just a search for the mysterious Blaine, as the city holds old wounds too with Chloe’s ex boyfriend Jimmy now living there. The memories of Jimmy, as well as of her friend Kerry, begin to come flooding back with each step closer Chloe takes toward New York City.

Deciding to go and find Blaine, Chloe finds herself reuniting with Jimmy and she is forced to ask herself the question of what it is that she really wants. (Synopsis courtesy of Bedford Square Publishers.)

I’ve read several of Anna Bell’s novels and I’ve enjoyed each one of them – Anna writes novels that instantly engage you, make you feel warm inside, and they’re also funny and modern! 

Virtually Yours is Anna’s latest release which centres on Chloe, someone who is struggling with the loss of her best friend Kerry. Chloe is avoiding real life as best she can, instead immersing herself in the ‘metaverse’ where she’s ‘met’ a lovely, warm man called Blaine. Together (in avatar format at least) they’ve been exploring New York (where he lives) and Chloe has become quite accustomed to their online dates and the pair are getting closer all the time.  However, one day the platform suddenly vanishes and with minimal information about ‘Blaine’, Chloe is resigned to the fact that she is unlikely to ever locate him in the real-world. With Chloe already having a ticket to fly to New York City (linked to her ex Jimmy's work transfer), she ultimately decides to throw caution to the wind, go over there and just see if Blaine is traceable, and if not, return to and enjoy a city she also briefly lived in years ago.

I loved this book! I was instantly transported to New York from the very beginning when Chloe and Blaine enjoy their virtual dates, with Blaine introducing Chloe to all the more recent ‘must-see’ locations since she last visited in-person years back. The opening chapters are also clever in that you don’t immediately know you’re reading about a virtual date at all, everything seems so real!

I very much warmed to Chloe and loved her adventures in New York, helped very much by the instant connection she makes with someone on the plane over to New York. Chloe’s journey felt very poignant, she’s someone that is stronger than she thinks. Whilst she may want to spend much of her time in bed, whilst she’s away she doesn’t. Through a mixture of cajoling, necessity and self-determination she does, in fact, get out there and maximises her time away. Even if this is largely driven by a mission to find Blaine, it becomes much more than this. 

Whilst grief is a key factor for Chloe and the plot, this was covered in a real and sensitive way but without becoming too dark. Yes there were tears, but also laughter and positive reflection. It felt very much like a healing journey for Chloe, a journey that she so very much needed to take. 

It’s many years since I’ve been to New York and it very much made me want to visit again and explore all these areas and places I’ve never heard of, as well as revisit the traditional tourist locations! In the meantime I feel like I’ve been back to New York in my head through reading this novel! Highly recommend this one, along with Anna’s other novels. 

More by Anna Bell:
The Insomniac's Guide to Love
Note to Self
The Man I Didn't Marry

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Spotlight and Giveaway: So, I Met This Guy

Today we are excited to feature Alexandra Potter's latest rom-com, So, I Met This Guy! It's a fun and adventurous story that readers are sure to enjoy. Thanks to Zibby Media, we have THREE copies to give away!

Maggie thinks she’s finally found the love of her life. Theo is charming, passionate, and crazy about her. So when Theo mysteriously disappears, Maggie certainly doesn’t expect that he’s gone for good—let alone stolen her life savings, heart, and self-esteem.

Now she’s living in a caravan in a muddy field in the middle of nowhere, left to pick up the pieces. When junior reporter Flick catches wind of the story, she decides that exposing the romance fraudster may be just the career break she needs.

The pair embark on the road trip of their lives—from the glitz and glamour of Monte Carlo to the souks of Tangier—where unexpected twists, hidden secrets, and hard truths are revealed. And, as an unlikely friendship begins to blossom, they realize it’s not just about finding the guy, it’s about finding themselves. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

“So, I Met This Guy . . . is a madcap adventure through Europe as one young journalist and one defrauded woman team up to track down the romance swindler who changed the course of their lives. Flick and Maggie are an unlikely pairing who shine on the page, and the twist at the end is chef’s kiss. A perfect read for your next vacation!”
—Catherine Mack, author of Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies

“So, I Met This Guy . . . has everything I love: A con man, two spunky, clever women on a mission, a sparkling European chase, and a witty, empowering reminder that sometimes being scammed out of everything you have is exactly what it takes to find who you are.”
—Ann Garvin, author of I Thought You Said This Would Work

“Warm, witty, and wise, So, I Met This Guy will have you cheering for Maggie and Flick from the first page to the very last! An absolute triumph!”
—Mike Gayle, author of All the Lonely People

Credit: Alecsandra Dragoi

Yorkshire-born Alexandra Potter turned a lifelong dream of writing into a prolific career, starting with an English Literature degree and a journalism path that took her from London to Vogue in Sydney. Her debut novel, What’s New, Pussycat?, became an immediate bestseller in 2000; since then, she has authored fourteen books translated into over twenty-five languages. Her hit novel Confessions of a Forty-something F##k Up sold over a quarter of a million copies in the UK and was adapted into the major US TV series Not Dead Yet. After living in Los Angeles, Alexandra now resides in London with her husband and Bosnian rescue dog, where she spends her time offline, in nature, and navigating mid-life. (Bio adapted from Alexandra's website.)

Visit Alexandra online:

Website * Facebook * Instagram

How to win: Use KingSumo to enter the giveaway. If you have trouble using KingSumo on our blog, enter the giveaway here. If you are still having issues, please contact us.

Giveaway ends March 1st at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Pinky Swear

By Jami Denison

Domestic suspense is a pretty clean genre as far as thrillers go. The stories usually take place in upscale suburbs, with well-off moms married to executives who turn out to be hiding complicated secrets. The action occurs in luxurious homes or vacation locales. Most of the blood happens off-screen.

In her latest novel Pinky Swear, USA Today bestseller author Danielle Girard strays off this path. While her heroine, Lexi, does live in that upper middle class suburb, her adventures take her to the grimy parts of the inner city. Along the way she proves that a mother will do anything to fight for her child’s safety… even when that child hasn’t been born, and is being carried by another woman.

Lexi and Mara were best friends until a high school tragedy sent them in different directions. Fifteen years later, Lexi is mourning infertility and Mara is on the run from an abusive husband. When Mara offers to be Lexi’s surrogate, Lexi is overjoyed, even though it causes problems with her husband Henry.

But with less than a week until Mara’s due date with the baby girl they have nicknamed Goose, Mara disappears. At first, Lexi thinks they got their wires crossed about Mara’s doctor’s appointment. But when she finds Mara’s phone wiped, she realizes that Mara is gone—and so is Goose. With the clock ticking fast toward Mara’s due date, Lexi has to figure out where Mara went, and why. And the biggest question of all—did she even know her best friend at all? 

Her search takes Lexi from Colorado to Philadelphia, where she discovers that Mara had worked as a stripper and frequented dive bars. As she interviews people who knew Mara, Lexi holes up in sleazy hotels, holds her own in knife fights, and chases down bad guys. It makes for a gritty story that gets graphic at times, but Lexi is up for the challenge.

With the countdown to Mara’s due date giving the book a literal ticking time bomb, the main plot is breathlessly paced. Girard alternates this plot with scenes from Lexi and Mara’s senior year of high school, and their friendship with Cate, who drowned in Mara’s hot tub at the end of that year. This intercutting slows down the book and doesn’t really add any insight to the current mystery. Conversely, a subplot about a friend of Mara’s, who adopted a victim of her son’s school shooting, was touching while forwarding the action. 

Lexi herself is a bit of an enigma, so focused on finding Mara and her hopes and dreams for Goose that the rest of her seems lost. She’s left out of the action that takes place during senior year, a missed opportunity to make Lexi more three-dimensional. Still, the plot is so compelling that the focus is understandable. 

The heart of domestic suspense is the exploration of how far a woman will go for her family. Danielle Girard has taken the action out of the suburban home and into the streets to show a mother-to-be who’s willing to risk her own life to save her daughter. It’s a strong, fast-paced addition to the genre, perfect for readers who prefer authors who’ll go deep and graphic.   

Thanks to Wunderkind PR for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Danielle Girard:

White Out

The Ex

Grave Danger

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