Behind Closed Doors

Rose (Inevitable) makes her traditionally published debut with a decadent dark romance that pairs caring and innocent second grade teacher Mia Darling with ruthless crime boss Jameson Knight, who has an endearing soft spot for his young daughter, Franny. The pair are thrown together after Mia saves Franny from shots fired during school pickup. Concerned for their safety in the face of his many enemies, Jameson insists on moving Mia into his fortress-like home in the elite gated community of Paradise Grove as Franny’s nanny and tutor. Mia initially chafes against her circumstances and balks at the restrictions Jameson places on her, but her love for Franny and lust for her mysterious new employer keeps her from bolting. Meanwhile, devoted dad Jameson falls deeply in love with Mia, leaving him willing to kill to protect her. Rose makes good use of the forced-proximity trope to bring her opposites-attract leads together, and it’s easy to sink into kindhearted Mia’s everywoman perspective on Jameson’s luxurious but dangerous world. Meanwhile, Jameson is sure to appeal to fans of morally gray romance heroes. Full of complex emotional entanglements, violence, and spice, this is sure to strike a chord with Rose’s fans. (Mar.)