Love interest A novel

Gilmore's confident debut rom-com features a pair of ambitious but appealing young careerists. Despite having an English mother, Nashville-raised Casey Maitland hasn't traveled much beyond the South. Taking a finance job at a Manhattan magazine publisher was an adventure, but she's ready to go bigger by earning a transfer to her company's London office. That job feels out of reach, however, when new hire Alex Harrison takes the lead position on a project she'd been eyeing for herself. Unaware that Casey wanted his job, Alex doesn't understand her initial animosity to him, but puts that aside to focus on the project's success and winning approval from his estranged father, the company's CEO. Inevitably forced to collaborate, Casey discovers there is much more depth to Alex than his flirty persona initially suggested, while Alex is impressed with Casey's ability to bring people together. Gilmore adds some welcome realism to this workplace romance, and refreshingly avoids using coincidence or luck to propel Casey and Alex to their professional and emotional wins. This should earn the author many fans. Agent: Melissa Edwards, Stonesong. (Oct.)

DEBUT In this engaging enemies-to-lovers romance, Casey Maitland works in the finance department of LC Publications, a magazine publishing company. She realizes that most people (including her artsy parents) view accounting as a boring, stop-gap job, but she appreciates the stability of numbers. Deciding to shake up her career a little, she applies for the flashier project manager position in a new company endeavor and is disappointed when the job goes to Alex Harrison, the son of the company's chairperson. Casey is prepared to hate Alex, just on principle. And she does--at first. A childhood filled with rejection has taught Alex to keep everyone at arm's length and give them the version of himself that they want and expect. He doesn't feel that pressure with Casey, though. When Casey is assigned to work directly with Alex, the long hours and constant contact reveal the Alex behind the mask, whom Casey finds extremely attractive. VERDICT The couple are likable, fully developed characters with believable, interesting backstories. Their steamy chemistry and witty banter will have readers cheering for their eventual happy ending.--Heather Miller Cover