April 10, 2023
An athletic trainer falls in love with a world-renowned pianist in this refreshing rom-com from Hubscher (If You Ask Me). After trainer Sophie Doyle’s decision to bench the Red Sox’s star pitcher costs the team the World Series, disgraced Sophie accepts a job at a New England boarding school where she is assigned to an apartment with three male roommates. With an undiagnosed injury to his hand, maestro Jonas Voss is now conducting the high school orchestra. Despite a rocky start followed by a series of misunderstandings, this adorable duo develops a sincere friendship, with Jonas’s quirks and grumpy demeanor making him lovably mysterious while Sophie is an affable open book. Sophie helps Jonas regain his ability to play, and Jonas encourages Sophie to stand behind her decisions. Unusually for a romance, this is told only from Sophie’s point of view, but Hubscher cleverly makes Jonas’s feelings clear beneath his often cryptic responses. Hubscher hits a home run with this sweet opposites attract story of new love healing old wounds. Agent: Sharon Pelletier, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.
May 1, 2023
In this closed-door romance, Sophie is the team trainer for the Boston Red Sox, which is her dream job, but when their loss of the World Series is blamed on her, she loses her job and her boyfriend. Her best friend comes to her aid and helps her secure a trainer job at a private boarding school in New Hampshire. Always optimistic, Sophie hopes this will be a fresh new start, but the only apartment she can find comes with roommates, including grumpy orchestra teacher Jonas. Even though Sophie doesn't know how to handle Jonas's hostile attitude, she finds herself drawn to him. As Sophie starts to find her way at the school, she's also dealing with the loss of the life she knew and being away from her ill father, who just moved into assisted living. While coming to terms with all of this, she discovers Jonas is also dealing with difficulties in his past. As the two grow closer, they seek to support each other's dreams. VERDICT Give Hubscher's latest (after If You Ask Me) to fans of enemies-to-lovers stories and those looking for humor in their romance.--Tegan Beese
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