Loathe at First Sight

ONE OF NPR'S BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR! “Bursts with humor, heart, and great energy. I loved it! Park is a hilarious new voice in women’s fiction.”—Helen Hoang, author of The Kiss Quotient “[A] punchy adult debut set in the world of video game design. Park makes tough topics go down easy by couching them in wry humor and lighthearted romance, and her fierce, snarky heroine is irresistible. This smart rom-com is a winner.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) In a debut perfect for fans of Jasmine Guillory and Sally Thorne, a junior video game producer finds herself getting closer and closer to the one person she hates most after a mass troll attack online almost ruins her life. Melody Joo is thrilled to land her dream job as a video game producer, but her new position comes with challenges: an insufferable CEO; sexist male coworkers; and an infuriating—yet distractingly handsome—intern, Nolan MacKenzie, aka “the guy who got hired because his uncle is the boss.” Just when Melody thinks she’s made the worst career move of her life, her luck changes. While joking with a friend, she creates a mobile game that has male strippers fighting for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Suddenly Melody’s “joke” is her studio’s most high-profile project—and Melody’s running the show. When Nolan is assigned to Melody’s team, she’s sure he’ll be useless. But as they grow closer, she realizes he’s smart and attractive, which makes Melody want to forget he’s her intern. As their attraction deepens, she knows it’s time to pump the brakes, even with her Korean parents breathing down her neck to hurry up and find a man. With her project about to launch, Melody suddenly faces a slew of complications, including a devastating trolling scandal. Could the man she’s falling hard for help her play the game to win—in work and in love?

"Bursts with humor, heart, and great energy. I loved it! Park is a hilarious new voice in women's fiction."--Helen Hoang, author of The Kiss Quotient In a debut perfect for fans of Jasmine Guillory and Sally Thorne, a junior video game producer finds herself getting closer and closer to the one person she hates most after a mass troll attack online almost ruins her life. Melody Joo is thrilled to land her dream job as a video game producer, but her new position comes with its share of challenges. Namely, an insufferable CEO and a team that consists of mostly male co-workers who make the term "misogyny" pale in comparison to their obnoxious comments. Then there's the infuriating--yet distractingly handsome--intern Nolan McKenzie, a.k.a. "the guy who got hired because his uncle is the boss". Just when Melody thinks she's made the worst career move of her life, her luck changes on a dime. While joking with a friend, she creates a mobile game that has male strippers fighting for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Suddenly, Melody's "joke" is her studio's most high-profile project--and Melody's running the show. When Nolan is appointed a key member of her team, Melody's sure he'll be useless. But as they grow closer, she sees he's smart and sexy, which makes Melody want to forget he's her intern. As their attraction deepens, she knows it's time to pump the brakes even with her Korean parents breathing down her neck to hurry up and find a man. But she's here to work--and nothing more. All she has to do is resist the wild thoughts coursing through her mind whenever Nolan is near. Easy . . . or so she thinks. With her pet project about to launch, Melody suddenly faces a slew of complications, including a social media trolling scandal that could end her career. She suspects one of her co-workers is behind the sabotage and is determined to find out who betrayed her. Could the man she's falling hard for help her play the game to win--in work and love?

"Pure fun! A hilarious rom-com that head-fakes you into tumbling headlong into a techno-zombie survival thriller propelled by banter and plenty of heart."—DAVID YOON, New York Times bestselling author of Frankly in Love Love is a battlefield in this hysterical debut, perfect for fans of Jenny Han. Nate Jae-Woo Kim wants to be rich. When one of his classmates offers Nate a ridiculous amount of money to commit grade fraud, he knows that taking the windfall would help support his prideful Korean family, but is compromising his integrity worth it? Luck comes in the form of Kate Anderson, Nate's colleague at the zombie-themed escape room where he works. She approaches Nate with a plan: a local tech company is hosting a weekend-long survivalist competition with a huge cash prize. It could solve all of Nate's problems, and she needs the money too. If the two of them team up, Nate has a real shot of winning the grand prize. But the real challenge? Making through the weekend with his heart intact... Additional Praise for The Perfect Escape "The Perfect Escape is just that—perfect. Filled with humor and heart, it won't let you go until you're smiling."—Danielle Paige, New York Times bestselling author of the Dorothy Must Die series and Stealing Snow "Effortlessly hilarious and super lovable. I hope this is the YA romcom of 2020."—Helen Hoang, USA Today bestselling author of The Bride Test and The Kiss Quotient "An adorable, laugh-out-loud YA romcom with a lovable hero and an action-packed zombie-themed escape room—what more could you want?"—Jenn Bennett, author of Alex, Approximately

As seen on The Today Show! One of the best fall reads! “A cinematic, charming heart-squeeze-of-a-book that has found its way to my Ultimate Comfort Reads shelf.” —Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author From the author of the “genuinely funny” and “delightful” Loathe at First Sight (NPR), a young Korean American woman’s journey to finding a new career and new love means learning to embrace the awkward and unexpected—exploring familial expectations, finding your voice, and unimaginably falling for your childhood rival. When investment banker Jessie Kim is laid off in a virtual meeting and then overhears why (“she’s already being overpaid anyway for a woman” and “Asians are worker bees, not someone who can drum up new deals”) she delivers an “eff you guys” speech and storms out. After moving back home to Tennessee to live with her loving but meddling mother and father, she runs into her childhood nemesis—golden child Daniel Choi—at the local Asian grocery store. The smart, charming lawyer appears to have it all...while Jessie has nothing. Jess begrudgingly accepts Daniel’s help to relaunch her long abandoned Korean cooking YouTube channel: HANGUK HACKS, showcasing easy meal prep for busy professionals. But just as she discovers Daniel’s life isn’t as perfect as it seems and there’s more to him than meets the eye, he shows up for a life-changing business opportunity, and their rivalry is back on . . . “A funny, lovely mother-daughter story. And then there’s Daniel—yummy Daniel—and great food. Settle in and enjoy!” —Susan Elizabeth Phillips, New York Times bestselling author “So We Meet Again is a hilarious read. What can go wrong when, after a quarter-life crisis, you move back in with your hyper-competitive parents? This comeback story will charm you from beginning to end.” —Madeleine Henry, author of The Love Proof and Breathe In, Cash Out

Named a best romance of the year by Entertainment Weekly Named a most anticipated romance by Oprah Daily, Marie Claire, BuzzFeed, PopSugar, and more! “There was no romance novel more fun this year than this extremely witty enemies-with-benefits confection.” —Entertainment Weekly The author of the “hilarious...joyful, elegant” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) To Have and to Hoax returns with an effervescent, charming, and swoon-worthy novel about a man and woman who never agree on anything—until they agree to a no-strings-attached affair in this Regency-era romp. The widowed Diana, Lady Templeton and Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham are infamous among English high society as much for their sharp-tongued bickering as their flirtation. One evening, an argument at a ball turns into a serious wager: Jeremy will marry within the year or Diana will forfeit one hundred pounds. So shortly after, just before a fortnight-long house party at Elderwild, Jeremy’s country estate, Diana is shocked when Jeremy appears at her home with a very different kind of proposition. After his latest mistress unfavorably criticized his skills in the bedroom, Jeremy is looking for reassurance, so he has gone to the only woman he trusts to be totally truthful. He suggests that they embark on a brief affair while at the house party—Jeremy can receive an honest critique of his bedroom skills and widowed Diana can use the gossip to signal to other gentlemen that she is interested in taking a lover. Diana thinks taking him up on his counter-proposal can only help her win her wager. With her in the bedroom and Jeremy’s marriage-minded grandmother, the formidable Dowager Marchioness of Willingham, helping to find suitable matches among the eligible ladies at Elderwild, Diana is confident her victory is assured. But while they’re focused on winning wagers, they stand to lose their own hearts. With Martha Waters’s signature “cheeky charm and wonderfully wry wit” (Booklist, starred review), To Love and to Loathe is another clever and delightful historical rom-com that is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Evie Dunmore.

A social media influencer is shipped off to a digital detox summer camp in this funny coming-of-age story, perfect for fans of Jenny Han's The Summer I Turned Pretty and Love and Gelato. Sunny Song's Big Summer Goals: 1) Make Rafael Kim my boyfriend (finally!) 2) Hit 100K followers (almost there...) 3) Have the best last summer of high school ever Not on Sunny's list: accidentally filming a PG-13 cooking video that goes viral (#browniegate). Extremely not on her list: being shipped off to a digital detox farm camp in Iowa (IOWA??) for a whole month. She's traded in her WiFi connection for a butter churn, and if she wants any shot at growing her social media platform this summer, she'll need to find a way back online. But between some unexpected friendships and an alarmingly cute farm boy, Sunny might be surprised by the connections she makes when she's forced to disconnect.

"I was hooked from the very first page!” – Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of In a Holidaze "This book is a delight." – New York Times Book Review A National Bestseller and winner of the Lambda Literary Award for Best Lesbian Romance! Featured on Shondaland, Oprah Mag, Bustle, The New York Times Book Review, Buzzfeed, POPSUGAR, Entertainment Weekly, Washington Post, NPR, Culturess, Vulture, and more. Named one of the Best Romances of 2020 by Washington Post, Bustle, and Buzzfeed! With nods to Bridget Jones and Pride & Prejudice, this debut is a delightful queer rom-com about a free-spirited social media astrologer who agrees to fake a relationship with a grumpy actuary until New Year’s Eve—with results not even the stars could predict! After a disastrous blind date, Darcy Lowell is desperate to stop her well-meaning brother from playing matchmaker ever again. Love—and the inevitable heartbreak—is the last thing she wants. So she fibs and says her latest set up was a success. Darcy doesn’t expect her lie to bite her in the ass. Elle Jones, one of the astrologers behind the popular Twitter account Oh My Stars, dreams of finding her soul mate. But she knows it is most assuredly not Darcy... a no-nonsense stick-in-the-mud, who is way too analytical, punctual, and skeptical for someone as free-spirited as Elle. When Darcy’s brother—and Elle's new business partner—expresses how happy he is that they hit it off, Elle is baffled. Was Darcy on the same date? Because... awkward. Darcy begs Elle to play along and she agrees to pretend they’re dating. But with a few conditions: Darcy must help Elle navigate her own overbearing family during the holidays and their arrangement expires on New Year’s Eve. The last thing they expect is to develop real feelings during a faux relationship. But maybe opposites can attract when true love is written in the stars? "Everything I want from a rom-com: fun, whimsical, sexy." – Talia Hibbert, USA Today bestselling author of Get a Life, Chloe Brown

In his debut novel, YouTube personality and author of We Should Hang Out Sometime Josh Sundquist explores the nature of love, trust, and romantic attraction. On his first day at a new school, blind sixteen-year-old Will Porter accidentally groped a girl on the stairs, sat on another student in the cafeteria, and somehow drove a classmate to tears. High school can only go up from here, right? As Will starts to find his footing, he develops a crush on a charming, quiet girl named Cecily. Then an unprecedented opportunity arises: an experimental surgery that could give Will eyesight for the first time in his life. But learning to see is more difficult than Will ever imagined, and he soon discovers that the sighted world has been keeping secrets. It turns out Cecily doesn't meet traditional definitions of beauty--in fact, everything he'd heard about her appearance was a lie engineered by their so-called friends to get the two of them together. Does it matter what Cecily looks like? No, not really. But then why does Will feel so betrayed? Told with humor and breathtaking poignancy, Love and First Sight is a story about how we relate to each other and the world around us.

When your soul mate is the man you loathed at first sight...Book Two in Sarah Ready's Soul Mates in Romeo series sparkles with tension and a delicious helping of swoon-worthy romance. Veronica Diaz loves her career, her friends and the great outdoors - she has no room in her life for men. In fact, she knows there are only two types of men in the world: players and wanna-be players and she wants nothing to do with any of them. So when a psychic informs Veronica that her fated soul mate is Frederick Knight "The King of Players," Veronica does what any sensible woman would do - she runs. A twist of fate lands Veronica in the depths of a pitch-black cave system with a man she's never met and can't see. As Veronica and Sam struggle to survive they open up, share their secrets, and risk their lives for each other. Soon Veronica starts to wonder if maybe not all men are players, and maybe she can trust Sam enough to fall in love. The only problem: Sam is actually Frederick Knight. The man Veronica swore she'd never, ever, ever love. In fact, she loathed him at first sight. And if they make it out of the cave alive, and Veronica sees him for the first time, she'll loathe him again. Won't she? But maybe, sometimes you can only see who someone really is when you can't see them at all? And maybe you can only fall in love when it's not at first sight? "This will easily and unequivocally be one of your top reads this year." By Bookaddict (Chasing Romeo, Book 1 in the Soul Mates in Romeo Series)

Make Up Break Up, the sparkling and heartfelt romantic comedy debut from Lily Menon Love, romance, second chances, fairy-tale endings...these are the things Annika Dev believes in. Her app, Make Up, has been called the “Google Translate for failing relationships.” High efficiency break-ups, flashy start-ups, penthouses, fast cars...these are the things Hudson Craft believes in. His app, Break Up, is known as the “Uber for break-ups.” It’s wildly successful—and anathema to Annika’s life philosophy. Which wouldn’t be a problem if they’d gone their separate ways after that summer fling in Las Vegas, never to see each other again. Unfortunately for Annika, Hudson’s moving not just into her office building, but into the office right next to hers. And he’ll be competing at the prestigious EPIC investment pitch contest: A contest Annika needs to win if she wants to keep Make Up afloat. As if it’s not bad enough seeing his irritatingly perfect face on magazine covers when her own business is failing. As if knowing he stole her idea and twisted it into something vile—and monumentally more successful—didn’t already make her stomach churn. As the two rival app developers clash again and again—and again—Annika finds herself drawn into Hudson Craft’s fast-paced, high velocity, utterly shallow world. Only, from up close, he doesn’t seem all that shallow. Could it be that everything she thought about Hudson is completely wrong? Could the creator of Break Up teach her what true love’s really about?

Conceited. Harlot. Easy. Addict.A-list Hollywood actress, Scarlett, has been called every name in the book. Most she's earned with her attention-seeking antics, high-maintenance personality, and bed-hopping. But even the most glamorous and sought-after actress can have a vulnerable center hidden beneath the glittery exterior. Years in the spotlight have battered Scarlett into a woman she no longer recognizes. Hitting rock bottom in a humiliating public display finally wakes her up to the disaster her life has become. It's time for Scarlett to hang up her stage name, move somewhere no one will find her, and start over as plain old Michaela Hudson.If there's one thing mechanic Keith Benson hates, it's a rich woman who thinks the world should bow at her feet. Someone like that hot mess of an actress Scarlett who can't take a breath without wanting her adoring fans to shower her with love. Pretentious women make him sick. But he finds a doozy when he comes to the rescue of a stranded motorist. Within five seconds, the gorgeous Michaela rubs him the wrong way. He wants no part of her, no matter how his body responds. Unfortunately, she moves onto his block and quickly befriends his siblings. He has enough problems, including an abusive father bent on screwing up Keith's life. The last thing he needs is an uppity neighbor he hates but can't get off his mind.While settling into her new life is smoother than Michaela feared, it's not all sunshine and smiles. She's always worried someone will discover her true identity, and she can't stop thinking about the grouchy neighbor she angered after long her first night in town. While she hopes to remain anonymous for as long as possible, she can't avoid Keith forever. With a little work, they develop a tentative friendship, which turns complicated once they give into the scorching heat between them.As they cautiously grow closer, Keith's problems bleed into Michaela's issues, wreaking havoc on an already tenuous connection. Is there any chance for the disgraced Hollywood star and the man who loathes her?

Prudence Stewart is FINALLY getting her witch on at Agatha's Day School. Sadly, her love life isn't quite so charmed. Boy trouble is lurking, big-time: • First, there's Angelo, Pru's adorable crush-next-door. When he shows up at Agatha's, it spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E for Pru. Especially when it comes to... • Samuel, Pru's best bud and tutor in all things magical. For Angelo and Samuel, it was loathe at first sight. • And then there's Daniel, the bad boy with wicked talent -- who also happensto be the great-great-great-great-grandson of Pru's nemesis, Agatha herself. With all this boy drama, it's all Pru can do to prep for the national cheerleading competition -- the one that will bring her broomstick-to- spirit-stick with her former squad AND her boy-stealing ex-BFF. A little magic just might come in handy right now....

Instant New York Times bestseller! “A remarkable, breathtaking, earthshaking, poetic thrillride.” —Daniel José Older, New York Times bestselling author of Shadowshaper ​In this riveting, keenly emotional debut fantasy, a Black teen from Houston has her world upended when she learns about her godly ancestry and must save both the human and god worlds. Perfect for fans of Angie Thomas, Tomi Adeyemi, and The Hunger Games! “Make a way out of no way” is just the way of life for Rue. But when her mother is shot dead on her doorstep, life for her and her younger sister changes forever. Rue’s taken from her neighborhood by the father she never knew, forced to leave her little sister behind, and whisked away to Ghizon—a hidden island of magic wielders. Rue is the only half-god, half-human there, where leaders protect their magical powers at all costs and thrive on human suffering. Miserable and desperate to see her sister on the anniversary of their mother’s death, Rue breaks Ghizon’s sacred Do Not Leave Law and returns to Houston, only to discover that Black kids are being forced into crime and violence. And her sister, Tasha, is in danger of falling sway to the very forces that claimed their mother’s life. Worse still, evidence mounts that the evil plaguing East Row is the same one that lurks in Ghizon—an evil that will stop at nothing until it has stolen everything from her and everyone she loves. Rue must embrace her true identity and wield the full magnitude of her ancestors’ power to save her neighborhood before the gods burn it to the ground.

Passion, wealth, and murder come together in this unputdownable thriller from the New York Times bestselling “queen of romantic suspense” (Booklist) Linda Howard. Roanna Davenport grew up a wealthy orphan on her grandmother’s magnificent estate, Davencourt. There, she wanted for nothing—except to be loved by her cousin Webb. When he marries another, Roanna is devastated but life at Davencourt takes an even darker turn when Webb’s new wife is found bludgeoned to death. After the shocking murder, Webb leaves for Arizona, abandoning the privileged life that he had once believed was all he wanted. Years later, a grown-up Roanna walks back into his life to bring him home. He’s shocked that the mischievous sprite he had known in childhood has disappeared. Gone, too, is her passionate fire; in its place is ice that melted at his touch but Webb can’t help but be drawn back to Davencourt, to Roanna, and to the killer that once destroyed his life and waits only for the chance to finish the job. With Linda Howard’s signature “fast-paced, intricately detailed romantic suspense” (Fresh Fiction), Shades of Twilight will keep you riveted until the last page.

Series in development with Starz & G-Unit Films and Television by 50 Cent and La La Anthony One of NPR's Best Books of 2018 An Amazon Best Romance of 2018 Pick An iBooks “Best of September” Pick A GoodReads Best of the Month pick for September One of Booklist's Top 10 Romance Debuts for 2018 One of BookBubs Best Fall Romances of 2018 Marlee thought she scored the man of her dreams only to be scorched by a bad breakup. But there's a new player on the horizon, and he's in a league of his own... Marlee Harper is the perfect girlfriend. She's definitely had enough practice by dating her NFL-star boyfriend for the last ten years. But when she discovers he has been tackling other women on the sly, she vows to never date an athlete again. There's just one problem: Gavin Pope, the new hotshot quarterback and a fling from the past, has Marlee in his sights. Gavin fights to show Marlee he's nothing like her ex. Unfortunately, not everyone is ready to let her escape her past. The team's wives, who never led the welcome wagon, are not happy with Marlee's return. They have only one thing on their minds: taking her down. But when the gossip makes Marlee public enemy number one, she worries about more than just her reputation. Between their own fumbles and the wicked wives, it will take a Hail Mary for Marlee and Gavin's relationship to survive the season.

The Social Network gets a romantic twist in this fresh and engaging new read from the author of Frat Girl, Kiley Roache. Experience the whirlwind ups and downs of college life in this authentic and entertaining new novel! When a notoriously difficult class for future entrepreneurs leads to three freshmen developing the next “it” app for dating on college campuses, all hell breaks loose… Type A control freak Sara lives by her color-coordinated Post-it notes. Rich boy Braden wants out from under his billionaire father’s thumb. Scholarship student Roberto can’t afford for his grades to drop. When the three are forced to work together in one of the university’s most difficult classes, tension rises to the breaking point…until, shockingly, the silly dating app they create proves to be the most viable project in class. Late nights of app development, interest from investors and unexpected romance are woven into a true-to-life college drama that explores what it means to really connect online and IRL.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE’S 100 BEST YA BOOKS OF ALL TIME The extraordinary, beloved novel about the ability of books to feed the soul even in the darkest of times. When Death has a story to tell, you listen. It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement. In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time. “The kind of book that can be life-changing.” —The New York Times “Deserves a place on the same shelf with The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.” —USA Today DON’T MISS BRIDGE OF CLAY, MARKUS ZUSAK’S FIRST NOVEL SINCE THE BOOK THIEF.

What would make your perfect man? That's the delicious topic heating up the proceedings at a certain table of professional women at their favourite restaurant. As the conversation picks up momentum, so do the quartet's requirements for Mr Perfect. And they write down a tongue-in-cheek list that's both funny and racy. The next thing Jaine Bright and her three girlfriends know, the List becomes an overnight sensation, grabbing the interest of local newspapers and television coverage. No one expected this avalanche of attention for something that began as a joke among friends. But the joke turns deadly serious when one of the four is murdered... The prime suspect in the case is the victim's boyfriend, one of a number of men who found the List sexist and offensive. But an impenetrable alibi gets him off the hook. Now, with the help of Jaine's neighbour, an unpredictable police detective, the puzzle must be solved - and time is running out as a deadly stalker targets the three remaining friends, and the dream of Mr Perfect becomes a chilling nightmare.

'Steaming hot chick lit ... Murphy is a laugh-out-loud, talented and insightful writer' Irish Independent Some Girls Do is a witty, sexy and warm-hearted serving of contemporary fiction that will have you hooked until the very last page. Claire Kennedy, aka internet sensation NiceGirl, is the anonymous author of a steamy sex blog. She's an expert at writing about sex, but little do her fans know that bookish Claire isn't quite as experienced in the bedroom as her online persona. But everyone makes stuff up on the internet, right? Except that NiceGirl attracts the attention of London publisher Mark Bell. Handsome, charming and successful, Mark is offering Claire the life she's always dreamed of - a steady relationship, the literary world of London and a hot book deal. But when Claire enlists the help of brooding artist Luca to brush up on her sex skills before she's discovered for a fraud, things begin to get complicated... Great sex, friendship AND love - can't a girl have it all?

A HOUSE WITH A SECRET An unanswered question: Who is the Creature in the Night? Bobby lives a reckless life smoking, drinking, and stealing cars in Dublin. So his mother moves thefamily to the country. But Bobby suspects their cottage might not be as quaint as it seems. Teens will be captivated by this spooky novel about the darkness that lurks in forgotten corners and tough teenagers.