Written in the Stars

Siblings, spouses, and in-laws face an unpredictable and enticing path to love in McLane’s sweet but slow-moving ninth Cricket Creek contemporary (after Walking on Sunshine). Grace Gordon, who surprised herself and her family by making a fortune in cosmetics while living in England, travels to tiny Cricket Creek, Ky., to help her sister with her restaurant and be there when her brother’s wife, Mattie, gives birth. Caught in a storm, she is rescued by sexy brewmaster Mason Mayfield, who happens to be Mattie’s brother. His brewery needs a financial and marketing boost, and she’s just the one to provide it. Though Grace and Mason have some common ground (such as their love for country music and pork rinds) to support the bubbling attraction between them, complications loom large, including country boy Mason’s choppy relationship history and city girl Grace’s eagerness to modernize everything. While some of the dialogue alternates between contentless chitchat and voluminous exposition, McLane effectively captures the charming chemistry between Grace and Mason, as well as some sizzling sexy moments once the two join forces. Agent: Jenny Bent, Bent Agency. (Oct.)