Into the Woods

Holliday (Canadian Boyfriend) spins a winning romance that convincingly chronicles its leads’ transition from misunderstood coworkers to friends with benefits to lovers. On the eve of her 40th birthday, dance instructor Gretchen Miller seeks to avoid a midlife crisis by making two resolutions: 1) open a new and improved dance studio, and 2) quit dating altogether. She’s tired of the apps and unhappy with the person she becomes while unintentionally trying to please men. When she’s offered a chance to spend a month as an artist in residence at Wild Arts summer camp, she thinks the time away from men and her phone will be a great way to kick off her dating ban. Enter rock star Tennyson “Teddy” Knight, who comes to Wild Arts aiming to write a revenge solo album after the breakup of his band. When the two meet at the airport, Teddy assumes Gretchen is a devoted fan and rudely ignores her attempts at conversation. Gretchen in turn assumes that Teddy is a stuck-up narcissist. But as they spend more time together in the wilderness, they find common ground in their difficult childhoods and discover intense chemistry. Gretchen decides it’s fine for hooking up with Teddy to be her last hurrah before she swears off men forever—as long as neither of them catches any feeling. The characters have great banter, the sex scenes sizzle, and Gretchen’s later in life coming-of-age arc makes for a strong emotional center. Readers will be swept away. (Jan.)