Greta Gets the Girl

Hidden identities and complicated pasts animate this steamy but circuitous sapphic romance from bestseller Marr, a follow-up to Toni & Addie Go Viral. Romantasy writer Kaelee Carpenter wants to focus on her career over her relationships, but seeks stress relief and physical affection on an elite, members-only, hookup app, where she uses a fake name. Greta Clayborne, the editor who recently acquired Kaelee’s debut—and whom she has never met in person—is still healing from a broken engagement when she joins the same app, also with a fake name, prioritizing her independence and privacy with vetted one-night stands. Without discovering their professional entanglement, the women embark on a high-heat affair that immediately has both questioning their insistence on keeping things casual. When their connection is revealed and the two work together to save Kaelee’s book from her estranged family’s attacks, they’re forced to choose between salvaging their professional relationship or giving in to the undeniable chemistry. The pacing of their romance feels off, with little buildup followed by a tedious, drawn out will-they/won’t-they. The ample sex scenes are the real draw, as the characters build trust, explore, and indulge in over-the-top dirty talk. Readers in it solely for the spice will be pleased, but others will be frustrated. (Jan.)