cover image How to Score

How to Score

Robin Wells, . . Grand Central/Forever, $6.99 (392pp) ISBN 978-0-446-61842-7

Wells's lighthearted contemporary romance sometimes strains for humor, but eventually hits the mark. Sammi Matthews thinks her lack of confidence is what leads her to clumsily injure her dates, sabotaging any chance of a relationship. She hires life coach Luke Jones to talk up her self-esteem over the phone, but it's not Luke on the other line. His brother, Chase, an FBI special agent, is covering for Luke (who's hiding from the mob in a witness protection program) and thinks what Sammi needs is less coaching and more basic training. After a series of sometimes humorous shenanigans involving dogs, coffee and collisions with antique hubcaps, the supposedly logical Chase finds himself head over heels for Sammi. Secondary characters like an accordion-playing wannabe rapper help this implausible tale win over fans of romantic comedies. (June)