Recipe for Second Chances

Cookbook author Rosen (Modern Freezer Meals) makes her fiction debut with this romantic foodie trip to Italy. Stella Park and Samuel Gordon met through mutual friends and started dating, but while Samuel fell head over heels in love, Stella was determined to keep her distance and protect her heart, having recently supported her heartbroken sister through a devastating divorce. This fear of intimacy led her to eventually break up with Samuel—a decision she’s regretted ever since. Now 10 years later, their friends Subrata and Luca are getting married in the Italian countryside, forcing the couple back into close proximity. Stella’s trip gets off to a less than stellar start when she loses her luggage, learns she’s been passed over for a promotion, and then finally sees Samuel again—with another woman. During a week of delicious meals, scenic tours, and wedding prep, Stella and Samuel are repeatedly pushed together on various errands, and there’s no denying their lingering chemistry. Will Stella continue to play it safe, or will she risk it all for the one that got away? Rosen makes the most out of the lush, romantic setting and her descriptions of food will have readers’ mouths watering. This is a treat. Agent: Wendy Sherman, Wendy Sherman Assoc. (Sept.)