The roommate pact

Ashley's banter-filled standalone sequel to Would You Rather puts a cute spin on the friends-with-benefits trope. Emergency room nurse Claire Harper, 31, comes home every day exhausted but happy from her 12-hour shift. Life with her two roommates, grad student Reagan and fireman Graham, is good, though she wishes she were in a relationship. Wine glass in hand, Claire muses about the dearth of datable guys, leading her into a pact with Graham that they'll hook up at 40 if nothing better turns up, just to satisfy their sex drives. Adrenaline junkie Graham is in no rush for a relationship himself, preferring camping, climbing, and mountain biking to checking in with a significant other at home. Then a climbing accident leaves Graham seriously banged up and, as Claire helps nurse him back to health, they realize just how much they already mean to each other. But will either be brave enough to make their feelings known? Claire and Graham's chemistry jumps off the page, and Ashley surrounds them with charming friends (including some familiar faces for series fans), family, and a tiny dog named Gertrude. Friends-to-lovers fans are sure to be pleased. Agent: Kimberly Lionetti, BookEnds. (Aug.)