The Boy Toy

August 10, 2020
Marsh (Long Way Home) delivers an enchanting interracial rom-com between a stuttering stunt man and a dialect coach in Melbourne, Australia. White stunt man Rory Radcliffe hopes to help his former speech therapist open a center for underprivileged kids, but to make a meaningful financial contribution, he’ll first have to land the latest job his agent’s put him up for: as the host of a reality show. To prepare for his first ever speaking audition, he’s assigned to work with dialect coach Samira Broderick—who also happens to be his recent one-night stand. Indian divorcee Samira refers Rory to her cousin so that she can resume her liaison with the hunk who’s 10 years her junior. Samira’s only in Melbourne for six months, making a long-term relationship impossible (despite what her meddling mother might say), and the no-strings-attached arrangement suits Rory just fine. Confident they’re on the same page, Samira and Rory begin spending as much time together outside of the bedroom as they do between the sheets—and things quickly get complicated. Marsh eschews intense drama in favor of slow-burning anticipation, drawing readers in with vivid descriptions, witty dialogue, and a fleshed out depiction of Indian family culture. The result is a winning romance. Agent: Kim Lionetti, Bookends Literary.