’Tis the Season

Gracen’s third contemporary featuring the Harrison siblings (after Someone like You) is her best yet, the story of a straitlaced, high-profile businessman and the shy but charming nanny to his three kids. Unlike most of the Harrisons, eldest child Charles Harrison III has always toed the line, and after his well-publicized divorce, he’s not sure love is for him. Lisette Gardner, who’s overcoming her own painful history, has always been in love with her employer but is determined not to show it, thinking he couldn’t possibly reciprocate her feelings. At Charles’s surprise 40th birthday party, Charles realizes that his feelings for Lisette go far beyond the boundaries of employer/employee, and after a few post-party drinks, he makes a move. But their relationship may not survive the differences between their worlds, Charles’s snobby father, and Lisette’s insecurities. Gracen skillfully takes a common setup far past its usual limits to deliver a story that will tug hard at the heartstrings and make readers root for a happy ending. In particular, readers will fall in love with Lisette, whose anguish about aspects of her past rings all too real. Agent: Stephany Evans, FinePrint Literary. (Oct.)