No place like you A novel

After a string of failures and bad decisions, Fable Oaks finds herself back in her tiny hometown of Fern River, where she's renovating an old A-frame that belonged to her late grandfather. As the house falls apart around her, Fable feels lost and unsure of how to pick herself up. Driven away by a rough past, Theo, Fable's former best friend and high school rival, has also returned to Fern River. He is desperate to prove to Arthur, his boss at the local veterinary clinic, that he's ready to settle down there. When a misleadingly romantic picture of Theo and Fable circulates, Theo decides to let his boss believe that Fable is his girlfriend, as it's evidence that he is serious about staying in Fern River. Theo then approaches Fable with his sexy smirk and a fake-dating scheme, and she reluctantly agrees to play along, with the stipulation that he helps fix the A-frame. As Fable and Theo lean into the charade, their fake relationship blurs into something real, forcing them to confront old hurts and the feelings that have long connected them. VERDICT Meadows's sequel to Give Me Butterflies, featuring a second Oaks sister, is a must-read, full of flirty banter and reflections on grief and childhood trauma.--Rachel Hedderman

Childhood friends who grew apart reunite in a fake-dating scheme that brings up all-too-real feelings. Fable Oaks feels adrift. She's back home in Fern River, a small town in the Pacific Northwest, living in her beloved, departed grandfather's falling-apart A-frame. She dropped out of college and hasn't been able to find a job or a relationship that really sparks a fire inside her. Her former best friend turned school rival, Theo Nikolaou, has also returned to their hometown. Family trauma led him to leave years ago, but now he's ready to put down roots--especially if he gets a chance to buy the veterinary clinic where he works. He just has to prove to his boss that he truly means to stay put. When a rumor circulates that he's dating Fable, Theo decides to lean into it to show his commitment to sticking around. At first, Fable doesn't want to play along, but when Theo offers to help fix her house, she gives in. Theo knows just how to nettle Fable, but as their mutual teasing becomes increasingly flirtatious and they rediscover their friendship, they each wonder what this relationship could look like if it were real. Populated with lovable side characters and oozing small-town charm, this spicy-sweet, low-stakes romance is the epitome of cozy. Heavier subjects like Fable's grief and Theo's history with an abusive father are approached with care but not examined much beyond the surface level. Fable and Theo's closest friends and family know about the fake-dating plan, so there's no big tension or drama. Instead, the focus is on these characters, who everyone knows should be together, finally figuring that out for themselves and finding the confidence and vulnerability to open themselves up to love. Super cute and comfy. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.