And They Lived Happily Ever After

Beharrie (Awakened by the CEO’s Kiss) delivers an ambitious story of magic, romance, and healing from past trauma. Gaia Anders has been escaping into romance novels since she was a preteen in the foster care system. As an adult, she both writes and reads the genre—and, through some magic she does not understand, the stories she writes during the day become vivid dreams that she can manipulate at night. Whatever changes she makes while sleeping miraculously appear on the page the next day. Gaia’s best friend’s younger brother, Jacob Scott, has always nursed a crush on Gaia, “fascinated by the way her mind worked, by her unconventional sense of humor.” Now Gaia’s finally seeing the workaholic do-gooder for the man he’s grown into. When Jacob starts starring in Gaia’s dreams, the pair develop an intense nocturnal connection—but can their romance survive in the waking world? Anxious Gaia’s difficult background and social awkwardness will endear her to many readers, but all should be warned that they’ll need a high tolerance for secondhand embarrassment to make it through some of her misadventures. This quirky paranormal rom-com is sure to find an audience. Agent: Courtney Miller-Callihan, Handspun Literary. (Dec.)