On the Corner of Love and Hate

April 8, 2019
Bocci’s diverting debut presents a romantic paradox as Emmanuelle “Emma” Peroni’s first-person narrative exposes one version of reality to readers and another to herself. The Hope Lake, Pa., civil servant spends an inordinate amount of time blasting her longtime friend and coworker Cooper Endicott for his lack of focus and follow-through, to say nothing of his flagrant flirtations with anybody in a skirt. Emma grew up as just one of the guys with Cooper and two other male friends, and she’s oblivious to her reasons for being so interested in scrutinizing Cooper’s love life, even while she laments that her own romantic prospects are nil. When he runs for mayor, Emma’s behind-the-scenes management of his campaign broadcasts her profound denial to everyone but her. It takes the intervention of an archnemesis to force Emma to examine the feelings she and Cooper have for one another. Emma’s everywoman appeal lends charm to the story, and her self-deprecating humor is a plus. This is a fun bit of fluffy entertainment. Agent: Kimberly Brower, Brower Literary & Management.

August 9, 2019

Irritating. Exasperating. Handsome. These are some of the words Emma Peroni would use to describe longtime friend and coworker Cooper Endicott. Unfortunately, he's also the best candidate to succeed Emma's father as mayor of Hope Lake, PA, in the upcoming election. Both Cooper and Emma believe that preserving the small-town charm and attracting tourists is preferable to rival candidate Kirby's big-box-store plans. But neither can stop needling the other long enough to work together. She's bossy and overachieving; he seems lazy, and his casualness about sex is practically cliché. Gradually, things shift as Emma reluctantly agrees to be his campaign manager and their feelings for each other deepen. VERDICT The main characters take some time to warm up to, but the fun story eventually carries readers along. Fans of enemies-to-lovers rom-coms (such as Sally Thorne's The Hating Game) will enjoy, as will political junkies.--Kathryn Howe, Saint John Free P.L., NB

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2019
Childhood friends Emmanuelle "Emma" Peroni and Cooper Endicott have a complicated history. After drifting apart in college, the former friends work together to rejuvenate the small town of Hope Lake, alongside Emma's father, who just so happens to be the Mayor. With a mayoral election coming up, and the retirement of Emma's father, Cooper seems like a natural person to run for office. He's smart, handsome, and comes from a political family; there's only one problem?his love life is a mess. Much to Emma's horror, her father suggests she is just the person to help Cooper's campaign get on track. Reluctantly, she agrees, and realizes she must deal with feelings that she thought she buried long ago. Bocci's warm, romantic novel deals with love, friendship and family ties. This page turner is filled with quick, witty banter from likable characters living in a realistic small town. The character-driven novel will have readers rooting for the confused friends. Fans of Jill Shalvis will thoroughly enjoy this swoon-worthy story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)