cover image The Backup Bride Proposal

The Backup Bride Proposal

Jaci Burton. Berkley, $9.99 mass market (320p) ISBN 978-0-593-43965-4

Burton heads back to Oklahoma’s Red Moss Vineyards in her sparkling fourth Boots and Bouquet romance (after The Accidental Newlywed Game). Spunky Mae Wallace loves her job planning beautiful vineyard weddings, but her view on the actual marriage part has been forever soured by her cheating ex-fiancé. When cowboy turned actor Kane August, in town to shoot a movie at the vineyards, crashes a wedding while trying to get the lay of the land, Mae (who doesn’t recognize the celebrity) boots him out, leaving Kane intrigued by her combination of beauty and snark. As Kane’s costar is tied up on another film, Mae gets roped into the production as her stand-in. Slowly and reluctantly, Mae falls for the charming actor—but can she open her heart enough to trust him? Burton makes the romance’s build incredibly satisfying, with skillful plotting, charming characters (including cameos from previous series heroines), and plenty of steam. This is a crowd pleaser. Agent: Kimberly Whalen, Whalen Agency. (Apr.)