Love Is an Open Book

This light, heartwarming outing from Blumberg (Second Tide’s the Charm) finds romance author Mia Brady struggling with writer’s block while trying to draft a friends-to-lovers book, the final in her bestselling series. In her personal life, Mia has sworn off romance between friends ever since her former best friend turned brother-in-law, Ted, broke her heart back in college. Meanwhile, Gavin Lane, Ted’s college roommate, has been crushing on Mia since he found her crying over Ted at their apartment door. Though he’s never acted on his feelings, over the past 10 years they’ve become close friends. Now Gavin suggests she beat her writer’s block by acting out romance tropes with him and seeing which ones might actually work. Blumberg uses this cute but familiar premise to create a fluffy will-they-won’t-they that dances along the line between friendship and romance. Unfortunately, Mia occasionally comes across as frustratingly emotionally immature, especially in response to Gavin’s effusive professions of love. Still, the vibe is breezy and the metafictional nods to romance tropes add some fun. Readers looking for an easy, G-rated beach read will be pleased. Agent: Rachel Brooks, BookEnds Literary. (Aug.)