French Holiday

Ready (The Fall in Love Checklist) whisks readers to the South of France for a saucy enemies-to-lovers romance. Merry DeLuca is in desperate need of a getaway after her best friend and secret crush, Leo, marries her sister. She takes off for a three-month stay at a chateau in Annecy, France—only to arrive and find that Leo’s insufferable friend, travel documentarian Noah Wright, is also staying on the estate. Merry is there looking for a meaningless fling with a French stranger, while Noah is there searching for the father he’s never known. The pair have never gotten along, partly because Noah has always been smitten with Merry and, aware of her feelings for Leo, has kept her at arm’s length as self-preservation. As they learn to coexist, their chemistry and connection become undeniable, but Noah has no interest in merely being Merry’s guy. Little does he know that Merry’s falling so hard she’s stopped thinking about Leo entirely. Ready paces their slow-burning romance perfectly, making the buildup as tantalizing as it is torturous. The lush backdrop, ample humor, and dollop of mystery surrounding Noah’s parents only add to the charm. This is a winner. (Apr.)