cover image Not Quite Crazy

Not Quite Crazy

Catherine Bybee. Montlake Romance, $12.95 trade paper (343p) ISBN 978-1-5039-5173-0

Bybee’s satisfying sixth installment in her Not Quite Series (after Not Quite Perfect) is a contemporary fairy tale. After the untimely death of Rachel Price’s best friend, Emily, Rachel takes custody of Emily’s son, Owen. Owen’s paternal grandparents, whom he’s never met, seek custody of him, but Rachel and Owen forestall those efforts by moving to the suburbs outside of New York to be closer to them. On a snowy commute home from New York City, Rachel comes to the aid of handsome Jason, whose car has ended up in a ditch. Their attraction is immediate and mutual, but when Rachel discovers that Jason is Jason Fairchild, the CEO of Fairchild Charters, where she works in marketing, she refuses to engage in a workplace romance. Determined to woo Rachel, Jason spends lots of time with her and Owen, even introducing them to his family. Rachel becomes increasingly fascinated by Jason, as his kindness and charm extend to coming to her house to hang Christmas lights. This fast-paced story features credible characters whose appealing relationship is built upon friendship, mutual respect, and sizzling chemistry. Agent: Jane Dystel, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret Literary. (Mar.)