3 Spicy New Romances with Black Leads

Out of Office

This scorching contemporary from Cunningham (Penetration Testing) follows workaholic hotel manager Genevieve “Gen” Raymond, who lives by the mantra “Diligence. Ambition. Drive” and owes her entrepreneurial spirit to her overbearing mother, Lissette. After overseeing the successful opening of a new Tropics Hotels location in Panama City, she’s on track to the promotion of her dreams. First, however, comes a long-overdue two-week vacation in Colón, Panama, where she hopes to turn her sensual daydreams about her driver and crush, Adrián Nicolas, into reality. The sexual tension is very much mutual, and as they embark on a fling, Gen permits herself to let go, explore the beaches, immerse herself in Panamanian culture, and maybe even open her heart. Adrián, too, used to put work above all else, but after a personal tragedy, he’s reevaluated his priorities—and he hopes to remind Gen of what she’s been missing while focused on her job: namely self-care and human connection. Will Adrián and Gen be able to reconcile their values and find lasting love? Cunningham makes the answer to that question believable and swoony, showing how Gen and Adrián balance each other out. The off-the-charts chemistry and gorgeous tropical setting will make this a hit with romance lovers and armchair travelers alike. (Apr.)

Fake It till You Make It

London (Consuming Logan) takes readers to a quaint small town in this adorable series launch, introducing locals with big personalities and their lovable scene-stealing pets. When Amarie Walker’s ancient car breaks down, leaving her stranded in Service, W.Va., she discovers that fate has landed her in a great place to start over after leaving her cheating fiancé. Though she’s unable to update and print a resume, she lands a job with local veterinarian Eli Calvary through sheer force of will, insisting she can help save his family business with her savvy understanding of digital marketing and social media. The grouchy and technophobic Eli is attached to his late father’s analog systems, but he reluctantly takes on Amarie with some encouragement from his mother, Leah, who sees Amarie’s potential. A relentless matchmaker, Leah also sees the possibility of a love connection for her closed-off son. Amarie soon wins over the entire town—and she’ll have readers just as invested as she grows into the most confident version of herself. Obstacles arise when Amalie’s ex-fiancé shows up alongside Eli’s ex-wife, but for the most part London keeps things light. The cast is majority Black, making this a welcome addition to the predominantly white small-town contemporary romance canon. London is sure to win fans. Agent: Latoya Smith, Art House Literary. (Apr.)

Correction: A previous version of this review incorrectly identified the book as the author’s debut.

The Good Ones Are Taken

A lopsided love triangle animates this disappointing rom-com from McCoy (Zora Books Her Happily Ever After). Months after a bad breakup, curvy tax attorney Maggie Felize Jones makes a dating profile hoping to find her “prince charming”—but all she turns up are proverbial frogs. Thankfully, she has support from Garrett, who, after 20 years of friendship, knows her better than anyone and agrees to be both a sounding board and a protector through the online dating process. The chemistry between Maggie and Garrett is obvious to everyone, making it clear from the get-go who her endgame romance will be, even though Maggie is in denial. Then she meets heart surgeon Blake at the gym, and thinks she may have found love the analog way. But Maggie’s a foodie (indeed, much of the novel is focused on her exploration of different cuisines) and health-conscious Blake frets over her eating, striking a blow to her confidence. When, inevitably, Garrett professes his love, Maggie’s world spins out of control. She must decide between new romance with Blake or taking a chance on Garrett without hurting either man. The result is a sweet yet predictable friends-to-lovers romance that doesn’t reach the same heights as McCoy’s previous offerings. This is for diehard fans only. Agent: Jamiscoe Chambers-Black, Andrea Brown Literary. (Mar.)