Two Houses

Bibra debuts with a sparkling, hilarious rom-com about rival art auctioneers. The Gupta family’s New York City auction house, Loot, has focused solely on Indian art and antiquities since its opening more than 30 years ago, but daughter Priya Gupta wants to expand the business. To do so, she’ll have to convince her skeptical father to introduce contemporary art from other cultures into their catalog. To earn her father’s respect as an auctioneer and to prove herself worthy of taking on future projects featuring a more diverse array of artists, Priya sets out to convince wealthy Harrison Richmond to sell his family’s valuable and extensive art collection. But competing for the sale is her arch nemesis since childhood, Gavin Carlyle of Carlyle’s auction house, Loot’s direct competitor. Harrison invites them both to spend nine days at a house party at his Long Island estate, after which he’ll make his decision. The already simmering chemistry between Priya and Gavin comes to a boil in close quarters, resulting in laugh-out-loud banter and sensitive heart-to-hearts that will make readers swoon. This enemies-to-lovers tale hits all the right notes. Agent: Jana Hanson, Metamorphosis Literary. (Nov.)