If You Ask Me

While burning her ex-husband’s belongings, an advice columnist sets a fireman’s heart ablaze in this cute rom-com from Hubscher (Meet Me in Paradise). Reeling in the aftermath of her husband’s infidelity, Violet Covington uses her usually tame advice column as an outlet for her pain, becoming a viral sensation for her cutting answers. Firefighter Dez recognizes her suffering, as he too has been through great loss, and he’s more than happy to become her distraction. Both expect their relationship to be a temporary fling, but Dez’s chivalrous gestures and enduring patience will have readers crushing on him right alongside Violet, and Violet’s refreshing candidness and spontaneous personality captivate Dez just as much. But Violet’s still a mess, and when she accidentally outs her husband’s mistress by name in her column (a big no-no), she must get a grip on her grief before she loses her career, her best friend, and her first chance at true happiness. Hubscher alternates hilarity with probing explorations of healing and self-acceptance. It’s an uplifting, insightful treat.[em] Agent: Sharon Pelletier, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Mar.) [/em]