Church Girl

A sheltered woman forges her own path in this formulaic opposites-attract romance from Simone (the Rose Bend series). Aaliyah Montgomery has always done what her conservative Christian parents want her to do, including agreeing to marry a man chosen by her bishop father. But after secretly applying and getting into the University of Chicago’s visual arts program, she sees a chance for a different life and flees her wedding for the big city. Her estranged cousin Tamara, whom her parents deemed a “bad influence,” offers her a place to crash while Aaliyah pursues her degree. She’s determined to pull her weight in the household, however, and applies for a nannying job. Divorced bad boy tattoo artist Von Howard is looking for a babysitter but when he interviews Aaliyah he sees that “innocence radiates from her” and worries about bringing her into his seedy world. Plus, it’s probably unwise to hire someone he’s so attracted to. But when the sitter he hires ghosts him, he’s left with no other options. Close proximity heats things up between the leads, but is a relationship worth the potential fallout? Aaliyah’s growing bond with Von’s daughter is endearing, but the predictable bad-boy/good-girl dynamic feels stale. Only diehard Simone fans need apply. Agent: Rachel Brooks, Bookends Literary. (Nov.)