As Good as New

In the fourth entry of the Something New series, Dawson (The Name of the Game) captures the small romantic moments that make a relationship work. Serious and smart Penelope Watkins, chief operating officer of the Chicago commercial real estate firm Donovan Corporation, has loved her best friend’s brother, NFL football player Evan Donovan, since she was in kindergarten. When they were teens, their heart-to-hearts turned into make-out sessions that quickly escalated—and led to him breaking her heart. Now that a concussion has ended Evan’s pro career, he’s sunk into a drunken depression. Anger and lust are beautifully intertwined as Penelope confronts him, shattering the 15-year silent pact never to be alone together, which they’ve observed at all of the Donovan gatherings. No one believes playboy Evan will settle down, not even Penelope. Skillfully weaving backstory into their current lives, Dawson has developed full-blown characters, spot-on dialogue, and realistic emotions. Agent: Courtney Miller-Callihan, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates (Apr.)