Unexpected

Rimmer (Before I Let You Go) showcases her talent with this sweet, lively contemporary set in New York City. Best friends since birth, habitual planner Abigail Herbert and commitment-phobic Marcus Ross know each other better than they know themselves. When Abby learns that an inherited condition is quickly diminishing her chances of carrying a pregnancy to term, she asks Marcus to help her conceive. Despite Abby’s plan to parent alone, Marcus realizes he wants to be more than just a sperm donor; he wants his child to know him as dad. When they learn how time-consuming artificial insemination is, they decide to go about it the traditional way, believing they will be able to keep their hearts out of the mix. However, neither is aware that the other is still affected by a kiss they shared months earlier. Their fun, loving longtime friends have already made bets about Abby and Marcus’s relationship remaining platonic, and the stakes are raised when the two start to have more-than-friendly feelings for each other. The ending is predictable but not clichéd, the flow is as smooth as the transition of the relationship, and the characters are wildly entertaining. This will delight fans of extremely modern romance. (June)