Have We Met?

Baker’s heart-wrenching and addictive debut follows a 27-year-old Black woman as she learns to regain hope and trust in the wake of her best friend’s death. After Joelle dies, Cori Evans drives from Houston to their hometown of Chicago. Her car breaks down upon arrival, and while waiting for repairs, she visits her cousin Tiwanda and gets drunk. Later, she finds a dating app on her phone that she doesn’t remember installing, and it tells her that her soulmate is one of four people from her past. A series of serendipitous meetings with them ensues. There’s Justin, a fellow UT alum, but he’s married; Anthony, her high school sweetheart, is a selfish lover; and Devin, a nonbinary art teacher with whom things go swimmingly until Cori demonstrates an interest in Cory, a bisexual man who makes Cori jealous by bringing around his ex. Then she finds a package left behind by Joelle, which contains clues to the mysterious app, which, when it reveals her fourth match, brings tension to her new friend group. As Cori pursues love, Baker shines in engaging portrayals of friendships old and new. Readers are in for a treat. (July)