Dolly All the Time

Bestseller Monaghan (It’s a Love Story) takes on the fake-dating trope in this heartening summer romance. Single mom Dolly Brick returns to Whitfield, R.I., for a few weeks each summer to help her father at their family’s business, the Brick Fish House. This year, after a fire breaks out in her childhood home, she agrees to stay longer to assist with cleanup. Hardworking Dolly reckons with her place in the family as she works with her father; cares for her brother, who has schizophrenia; and tries not to resent her more easygoing younger sister, Patsy. Meanwhile, Stewart Whitfield, the handsome but hapless heir to the famous, old-money family for whom the town is named, faces personal and professional challenges after a very public breakup with his fiancée. After Dolly helps Stewart with a flat tire, their photo is printed in the tabloids and he proposes a PR relationship to improve his public image, offering a hefty payout. Through fake-dating, the pair open up about their vulnerabilities and family struggles, strengthening their bond and boosting Dolly’s confidence. Monaghan’s sunny tale expertly balances the joy of falling in love with the realities of making difficult life decisions, dealing with anxieties, and managing stress. Throw this one in the beach bag. (May)