I’m not sure if you’ve heard this before, but the internet is not always a reliable source of information. While I thought I was looking for a holiday-themed romance, I stumbled on Jennifer Crusie’s The Cinderella Deal, which, as it turns out, is not on my intended theme, but she is one of my favorite writers, so I dove in anyway.
The Cinderella Deal features Daisy Flattery, who gave up her teaching career to pursue art. Unfortunately, it’s not going well, which is why she accepts $1,000 to pose as Linc Blaise’s fiancé for 24 hours to help him land a coveted professorship at a private college with old-school values.
Although the whole fake-fiancé plot would usually give me a case of the eye-rolls, it works in Jennifer Cruise’s hands. This charmer of a novel takes us to the small town of Prescott, Ohio, where Linc and Daisy will accidentally fall in love, nudged along by the meddlesome locals. There’s also a homely yet irresistible dog named Jupiter who steals the show. Come for the romance, stay for the mutt.
Small-town-romance is its own sub-genre, and I can’t get enough of it. Check out Beth Labonte’s Automnboro books, Pumpkin Everything, and Maple Crush if you share my affection for love blooming in pumpkin patches and general stores.
Find your copy of The Cinderella Deal from your favorite retailer.
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