Roommaid

An unusual living arrangement leads to love in this touching rom-com from Wilson (Just a Boy Friend). When Madison Huntington accepts a job as a private school teacher, her wealthy parents, who disapprove of this career path, cancel her trust fund and kick her out of their Houston mansion. Short on money and needing a place to live, a desperate Madison agrees to meet Tyler Roth, who’s looking for a roommate who, in exchange for a rent-free room in his penthouse apartment, is willing to do light cleaning and care for his anxiety-ridden golden retriever rescue while he’s traveling. Curiosity quickly turns to lust when Madison meets the hunky Tyler face-to-face. Tyler, who wants to ensure their relationship stays platonic so as not to complicate the arrangement, agrees to let Madison move in only after her aunt insists she’s practically engaged to her high school sweetheart, Brad—information a month out of date. The laughs are frequent, thanks mainly to spunky Madison’s complete lack of housekeeping acumen, and the chaste love story is achingly sweet as larger-than-life Tyler proves himself more than just a pretty face. A far-fetched final twist drums up some unnecessary last-minute drama, but readers will love the characters enough to forgive the theatrics. This is a treat. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary. (Oct.)