Sweet Surprise

Fiona and Mike are the classic contemporary romance novel couple: impossibly good-looking, successful in their chosen fields, and universally adored. Each of them has overcome a troubled background, and each feels intrinsically flawed and undeserving of love and happiness. With the help of the obligatory spunky best friend for the heroine and wisecracking buddy for the hero, the two are able to acknowledge their overwhelming mutual attraction. With such a clichéd start, one might expect a twist or a surprise reveal, but this saccharine love story, the fourth set in the small town of Sweet, Tex. (after Something Sweeter), devotedly follows the formula without deviation. The faultless characters, implausible dialogue, meddling Texas mama, and dull, straightforward plot will put off readers who might have been hoping for a little challenge or emotional complexity along with their sugary romance. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon literary Agency. (Jan.)