Wrecked

February 18, 2013
Former Hollywood child stars trade friendship for romance in paranormal and romantic suspense author Walker’s first sweet contemporary. Former actress Abigale Applegate, dumped by her fiancé shortly before the wedding, devises a plan to wreck her life, including having “a torrid affair with a hot guy.” Her best friend and former co-star, Zach Barnes, has been in love with Abby for years; when he discovers Abby’s plan, he decides he’ll be the guy in question. Zach’s devotion to Abby only enhances the blazing passion with which he approaches their affair, and the sexy surprises—little gifts, sexting, a romantic weekend getaway—send their comfortable relationship into uncharted (and utterly hot) territory. While the stumbling blocks the two put in their own way can be frustrating, the end result is delightful. Walker (If You Know Him) ably demonstrates her skill with a contemporary scenario, inspired by real-world book Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith. Agent: Irene Goodman, Irene Goodman Agency.

March 15, 2013
When Abby's fiance dumps her weeks before the wedding, her best friend Zach wonders if it's finally time to risk everything and tell her how he really feels. Best friends Abigale Applegate and Zach Barnes were child stars of a hit sitcom in the '90s. Now in their early 30s, the two have left Hollywood behind for good, relocating to Tucson where Abby runs her own catering company and Zach owns a tattoo parlor. Abby attempts to control her life to the smallest detail, but her Grand Plan is derailed when her fiance dumps her. At first devastated, Abby comes to understand that she feels more disappointed that the plan failed than upset that Roger left her. Zach gives Abby a freestyle-approach journal, encouraging her to relax and live life a little more spontaneously. Abby comes up with a new goal list that includes some out-of-the-box tasks, one of which is to have a torrid affair. But once she sets the goal, she is disconcerted to realize the person she'd most like to fill the role of wild lover is none other than her best friend, Zach. Zach is happy to oblige, since he's secretly been in love with Abby as long as he's known her. The chemistry between them is suddenly scorching, but how do you explain to the girl you love that you want forever when it seems she's asked for a quick, hot fling? And has Zach jeopardized the very special something they already have for an uncertain chance at everything he wants? Walker's newest stand-alone title is compelling and will especially satisfy fans of the best-friend-risks-it-all-for-love storyline. There are a number of details that add interesting texture and layers to the plot--the free-form journal, for instance, as well as Abby and Zach's past as child stars--though some of these elements might have been fleshed out more and will occasionally leave the audience feeling as if some loose ends remain untied. Also, occasional egregiously vulgar language may turn some readers off. Overall, though, a successful romance and a good read. With its touching best-friends-to-lovers arc, the novel is both sexy and poignant.

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