REED

After years in stifling corporate architecture, Reed Berry is chasing his dream in Fairwick Falls: opening a cozy bookstore.

His plan? Design a bookstore that sparks wonder to honor his late grandfather.

The hitch? Pearl Bishop—his new assistant, and the human embodiment of a 'Do Not Touch' sign. She's all dark eyeliner, piercings, and attitude sharp enough to cut glass. His sunny, can-do attitude has her threatening to throw him out the nearest window.

Good thing he has his anonymous, late-night confidant—impossibly_bookish—to escape to.

His steamy, secret online crush gets him in ways Pearl never would.



PEARL

Pearl Bishop is nobody's idea of a sweet, small-town girl. She's all death metal tattoos, piercings, and black lipstick—a girl who's perfected the art of keeping people at a distance.

Especially good guys like Reed Berry.

He's her brother's best friend, her new boss, temporary roommate, and the poster boy for annoyingly cheerful. But the way he looks at her? Like she's the only woman who exists? It's messing with her carefully crafted armor.

But Pearl's got bigger problems, like scraping together enough cash to, you know, live? And her ancient neighbor/mortal enemy who is hell-bent on stopping both the bookstore and Pearl's allergen-free bakery dreams with red tape.

The only person who sees past Pearl's sarcasm and ink-stained armor is her online confidant, hemingway_cansuckit—a guy she's been swapping filthy, flirty messages with for months.

The man she's been falling for, text by text.
The man she's agreed to finally meet in person.

Featuring:
Black Cat / Golden Retriever (Opposites Attract)
Texting + Hidden Identity
Plus size FMC
Virgin MMC
Brother's best friend
Roommates (Forced Proximity)
Autism Rep