A Crazy Kind of Love

Marlowe’s sophomore novel, a contemporary romance that lacks the paranormal element of Some Kind of Magic but shares its focus on ordinary women hooking up with rock stars, is pure cotton candy. Photographer Josie Wilder is an incompetent paparazza: she stalks celebrities around New York City in hopes of a juicy or salacious photo, but instead takes artful pictures of everyday happenings. Jo has an artist’s eye for capturing moments, but not for the sensational, and all the missed opportunities infuriate her sleazy editor, Andy. When Jo meets Micah Sinclair, a famed musician and notorious flirt, the attraction is instant, but she wonders whether he’s really interested in a regular Southern girl like her; maybe he just wants free publicity. As Jo gets sucked deeper into Micah’s world and gets to know his family and friends, she learns that Micah is a genuinely nice guy. The crux of this romance is not whether or not they can make a relationship work, but Jo’s job angst: Andy instructs her to mine her relationship with Micah for tabloid gold, or else. Her best friend, Zion, adds humor to the daily shenanigans and spectacle with his own flamboyant love life as Jo figures out what she wants. This fluffy summer read is enjoyable, but not memorable. Agent: Jane Dystel, Dystel & Goderich Literary. (Dec.)