Chasing the Clouds Away

Bestseller Macomber (Must Love Flowers) delivers a heartwarming tale of love between a wealthy but cynical man and a struggling but optimistic woman. Chase Furst, heir to a Chicago banking empire, is disgruntled when his first-class flight to Seattle seats him next to chatty and upbeat Maisy Gallagher, whose ticket was unexpectedly upgraded. Though Chase is rude to her in transit, Maisy offers him a ride after the car he booked doesn’t show up at the airport and shows him kindness when he reveals that he’s in Seattle to arrange the funeral for his late estranged mother. Endeared by Maisy’s compassion, Chase stays in touch with her upon returning to Chicago, and their bond deepens over phone calls and text messages. Their romance develops quickly despite warnings from their respective families about the differences between their class backgrounds. Maisy’s family-run jewelry store in Seattle is floundering, and when financial crisis looms, Chase struggles with whether to provide help despite Maisy’s insistence on independence. Macomber imbues the grumpy/sunshine trope with an impressive amount of authenticity and makes Chase falling for Maisy’s positivity palpable and believable. This one charms. Agent: Celeste Fine, Park, Fine & Brower. (Apr.)