A Love Like the Sun

YA author Neilson (Deep in Providence) makes the leap into adult fiction with this sweet tale of best friends with a soulmate connection. Laniah and Isaac bonded in their youth over their mutual losses. Laniah’s father died when she was a teen and she has since become a self-proclaimed “hermit” to protect her heart. Meanwhile, Isaac was orphaned at 12 and neglected in foster care, but he’s now finding success as an internet-famous model and artist. When Isaac learns that Wildly Green, the natural beauty company Laniah and her mother have poured their hearts and souls into, may be forced to shutter, he first tries to offer the women money. They’re too proud to accept, however, so he comes up with a more radical scheme to save the company: he and Laniah will pretend to date for the summer, using Isaac’s rising fame to generate publicity. Laniah agrees, but she’s unprepared for the spotlight. As the pair navigate paparazzi and press releases together, the line between real and pretend blurs. The couple has serious chemistry, but some flashbacks to their past, exploring the history of their relationship, feel redundant and unnecessary. A moving subplot about Laniah trying to get a diagnosis for a mystery illness adds depth, though it sometimes jars with the frivolous fake dating scheme. Still, the pining and sexual tension throughout this slow-burn romance will keep readers hooked. Agent: Jess Regel, Helm Literary. (June)