Let It Breathe

This charming romp from Fenske (The Fix Up) evokes the best of romantic comedy, with its witty characters and wacky but realistic situations. Reese Clark has been taking care of others for most of her adult life, whether it’s her madcap family; her ex-husband, Eric; or Eric’s best friend Clay Henderson, who disappeared from her life when he entered rehab almost four years ago. When Clay shows up as the construction manager for Reese’s winery expansion, the two agree to avoid temptation—but as things get more complicated at the winery and in Reese’s life, temptation becomes harder to resist. The practical insights into the wine-making business and the struggles of being a recovering alcoholic are cleverly mixed in with the emotional insights of reinventing your personal life without sacrificing your personality. The controlled chaos of potential sabotage, Reese’s grandfather’s barely legal agricultural interests, and a groin-butting alpaca form the perfect backdrop to the comparatively calm (and inevitable) relationship between Clay and Reese. Agent: Michelle Wolfson, Michelle Wolfson Literary Agency. (Mar.)