Playing House

The sexual tension peaks but everything else falls flat in this contemporary romance novella from Lang (the Practice Perfect series). It doesn’t take much for unemployed Oliver to notice newly divorced Fay at a historical walkthrough in Upper Manhattan, and the two urban planners hit it off. Oliver poses as Fay’s boyfriend to stop a broker from hitting on her, but she tells him she only wants to be friends. However, after Fay invites Oliver to a few open houses in historical homes, sexual tension leads to a night of sex and casual conversation. When Fay learns Oliver is a candidate for a job at her firm, she must decide whether to continue their relationship or leave it as a tryst. Though Oliver and Fay’s relationship evolves from acquaintances to lovers in a natural and enjoyable way, the heavy usage of dialogue, quick conflict resolution, and lack of plot keep this romance from reaching its full potential. This quick story with lovable characters falls short in many respects. Agent: Tara Gelsomino, One Track Literary. (Aug.)