Happy Publication Day – 20 July 2023

One ambitious businesswoman.

One irresponsible heir. 

A deal that will turn both their lives upside down… 

To grow her craft business, Nancy is in desperate need of two things: help and money. So when a potential investor she’s looking to impress recommends an assistant, she jumps at the chance to secure both.

Freddy Astley-Davenport is a notorious playboy with zero work experience. He’s poised to inherit his family’s estate in sunny Seashell Bay – but only if he can hold down a job for six months first. His plan is to take the assistant role in name only, then do the least work he possibly can.

Nancy has other ideas, though, and the pair butt heads from day one. However, as they argue, sparks begin to fly, and they soon discover exactly why opposites attract…

Journalist Margaret needs a vacation. 

After a difficult couple of years, some R&R is on the cards, and she’s taking her mom with her. Luckily, the office Quiz Night is coming up and the prize is an all-expenses-paid trip to Zanzibar. Good thing Margaret has never met a quiz question she didn’t like.

But Margaret has also never played against Jagger Villain. For the last six months, they have shared a desk and not a day has gone by when he hasn’t driven her to distraction.

The idea of sharing anything else with Jagger is unthinkable. But if she’s going get what she needs from this trip, Margaret might have to compromise.

Away from the office and in a tropical paradise, Margaret beings to wonder if her archnemesis maybe has some qualities.

I lie down for just a second…The next thing I see is the chiseled and extremely grumpy face of my billionaire client, Theo Barnes, looking down at me.

If I’m Goldilocks, he has all the grouchiness of three bears.I was overworked and overstressed juggling photographing his fleet of yachts with my other projects.Add in a super comfy bed on one of his yachts and I’m out.Now I’m about to be fired.

Except, we’re in the middle of the ocean and he’s looking at me like I’m the missing piece of a puzzle.Instead of getting the axe, he offers me an insane amount of money for a single day of work—an amount it’s really, really hard to say no to.But I should have.Because this bosshole wants me to be his pretend girlfriend for the afternoon.

The rules: no PDA, don’t get cornered by his mother and the deal is done once we dock.That first rule lasted about four minutes.This pretend girlfriend thing was supposed to be a one-and-done gig, but now his mother insists he bring a “nice” girl to a family wedding.

And Theo thought of me. A “nice” girl would have said no, but here I am, stuck with Mr. Cocky.It’s not all bad.There are those rule-breaking kisses. And the scorching sex.But sex has consequences.And Goldilocks has a surprise for her grumpy bear.

Welcome to the Lakeside Cottage . . . a place to escape, where friendship awaits . . .

When Beth, Koo and Lulu wake up in the same hotel room in Bath, wearing each other’s hen night attire, they are extremely confused – especially as they have never met before. But what begins that night is just the start of a week of surprises . . .

Beth has followed the traditional path in her relationship with Dale, and now their wedding is just days away – but is it really what she wants?

Koo‘s relationship with Judd has been anything but expected – especially by her family. Is she right to trust her instincts and go through with this marriage?

For Lulu, the big day approaching signifies nothing but heartache as the man she loves is marrying another. Should she fight for the happiness they both deserve?

The three women make a snap decision to escape to a beautiful Lake District cottage for one week, hoping that the gift of their new-found friendships will help them make the biggest decision of their lives.