Between Friends and Lovers

Love and mental health intertwine in this heartfelt romance from Obuobi (On Rotation). Dr. Josephine Boateng captivates her Instagram followers with approachable medical advice. Offline, she grapples with career uncertainty, exhausted by the medical industry’s bureaucracy and the absence of mental health support. Josephine’s life is complicated further when she confesses her feelings for her celebrity best friend, actor Ezra Adelman, at his 30th birthday party, and he doesn’t reciprocate. Seeking a quiet corner of the party to collect herself, Josephine stumbles upon awkward writer Malcolm Waters, who was invited by Ezra’s mother to discuss Ezra adapting his bestselling debut novel into a movie. Attraction sparks, and Josephine hopes for an easy one-night stand to get her crush on Ezra out of her system. But Malcolm doesn’t do casual and convinces Josephine to try dating. Their chemistry is undeniable, but the growing intimacy between them comes to a screeching halt when Josephine disappears after getting a distressing call from her estranged mother. Obuobi tactfully addresses Josephine’s mental health struggles and conjures the ideal supportive partner in swoony Malcolm. The narrative’s depth enhances rather than overshadows the protagonists’ believable bond. This layered romance is sure to win fans. Agent: Jessica Regel, Helm Literary. (July)