Let’s Call a Truce

In Buchanan’s hot but bumpy debut, coworkers try to balance a sizzling attraction with responsibilities at work and home. Nine months after her husband’s death, stay-at-home mom Juliana must reenter the job market to support her two school-age daughters. She needs something flexible enough to accommodate her responsibilities as a newly single parent, so she’s thrilled when her lovely and understanding former supervisor offers her a job in HR at an architecture firm. Not everyone is so sympathetic; she overhears handsome architect Ben make some exasperated comments about working mothers that boil her blood. Fast forward two years, and the pair are still workplace nemeses whose relationship is defined by sarcasm and sniping. When they’re assigned a joint project close to the CEO’s heart, however, working close together soon leads to a steamy affair. It’s a familiar office romance setup, but Juliana’s actions, first in her often immature feud with Ben and then in their secret relationship, come across as especially inappropriate given her role in human resources. Still, Ben is an appealing hero, the realistically drawn child characters add charm, and Juliana’s determination not to give up on love while maintaining her sense of self will strike a chord with readers of Susan Mallery and Kristan Higgins. For diehard enemies-to-lovers fans, this will do in a pinch. (Jan.)