Mom Com

From Mather (Hunting November) comes a delicious second-chance romance that, despite its title, delivers more heartfelt feels than it does laughs. The quaint coastal town of Haverberry Cove, Mass., was once the setting of all of Maddi DeLuca’s dreams, including taking over her father’s bakery and growing old with her childhood best friend turned on-and-off teenage fling, Wilder Buenaventura. Then, at 17, she got pregnant with Wilder’s friend’s baby and fled to California. Now, 10 years later, Maddi’s home with her son, Spencer, for the reading of her father’s will. She’s unprepared for the bombardment of emotions that the small town brings­—grief, resentment, embarrassment, and guilt—or the pain of seeing Wilder again. For Wilder, Maddi is the one that got away, and he feels horrible that he wasn’t there for her when she needed him most. When this reunited duo learns that they’ve co-inherited the bakery—with the stipulation that, to keep it, they must both work there full-time for a year—they may finally have the chance to face their past and work out their lingering issues. The result is a heartfelt tale about learning to forgive both oneself and others. Readers will not want to miss Maddi and Wilder’s second chance at love. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (Nov.)