Chasing the Ring

This beachy romance from Rowe (Swoon) offers an ideal blend of heat and sweet. After preschool teacher Iris Benedetto discovers that her fiancé, Brandon, has been living a double life, she exposes him at the altar, quoting the sexts he sent to other women on his burner phone. A video of her outburst goes viral and she’s branded the “Horny Runaway Bride.” Meanwhile, NFL quarterback Roman Maguire is in Kauai for his cousin’s wedding, staying in a seaside bungalow—the exact bungalow where Iris and Brandon were supposed to be honeymooning. When Iris shows up for some R&R, not realizing that Brandon has canceled their reservation, Roman is charmed by the fact that Iris has no idea who he is, and invites her to stay. The pair agree to have a vacation fling, leading to a passion-filled week that ends in a dramatic argument due to the personal and professional pressures of returning to the real world. Readers will have no trouble rooting for Rowe’s first-rate leads to work things out. A stellar supporting cast of family and friends, especially Roman’s adorable four-year-old son Maverick, add heart. This emotionally satisfying contemporary is sure to charm. (Feb.)