Things They Do For Love

Get wrapped up in August new releasees about love from a variety of perspectives – suspenseful, dramatic, awkward, funny, nostalgic and surprising.

1. Lost You by Haylen Beck

Three years ago Libby's husband left her and their infant son Ethan. Being a single parent did not fit well with her plan to be a writer. But things are finally looking up. She published her first novel and she's taking her son on a needed vacation. However, she can't stop this nagging feeling of being watched and worry of something happening to Ethan. She panics every time he wanders out of view. Libby's never told anyone what happened when he was born.

Just three days into their vacation, Libby's fears come true. Ethan is missing. Hotel cameras show that he walked off holding a woman's hand. Not long after the search begins police find the woman, but she refuses to release Ethan. The woman says she's his mother.

This becomes a psychological suspense story of stolen identity and surrogacy gone wrong. Who is the real mother?

“Lost You is both utterly compelling and completely terrifying—the kind of book that, every time you think you have it figured out, hits you with another twist you didn’t see coming.”—Rob Hart, author of Potter's Field

Reserve

2. Love at First Like by Hannah Orenstein

Jewelry shop co-owner, Eliza just learned her ex is engaged. This gets her thinking and trying on engagement rings. Eliza accidentally posts one a picture of herself wearing an engagement ring to the store's Instagram account, which has 10,000 followers. Turns out her "engagement" is good for business and sales increase.

She decides to continue the ruse and looks for a pretend fiancé. On paper and in real life Blake seems like a good fit. However, Eliza is drawn to someone else. Things get complicated. She struggles to decide if she wants to stay in love online or try for love in real life.

"There is no one who writes about modern relationships with more humor or insight than Hannah Orenstein. Love at First Like is a delight.”

—Dana Schwartz, author of Choose Your Own Disaster

3. Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

Cassie is a Texas firefighter who's an expert at dealing with other people's emergencies. She's not quite prepared for her own emergency when her estranged and ailing mother asks her to uproot her life and move to Boston. To make matters worse the Boston firehouse is not happy to have a "lady" firefighter join the crew.

The only bright spot is the gorgeous rookie who doesn't seem to mind the addition of Cassie. But love is not on Cassie's to do list and she can't shake the advice of her former chief to never date another firefighter.  Her resolve starts to slip as she weighs the risks of falling in love.

“Center gives readers a sharp and witty exploration of love and forgiveness that is at once insightful, entertaining, and thoroughly addictive.” ―Kirkus, starred review

4. All the Flowers in Paris by Sarah Jio

In present day Caroline wakes up in a Paris hospital and learns she's been living a sad, reclusive life. She has no memory of her past. Slowly she starts to remember a man and a young child, but the memories are very vague. She also has a feeling she may be in danger.

In Nazi-occupied Paris, a young widow named Céline is working in her father's flower shop trying to build a life for her daughter. She's also hoping to find love again. Then a ruthless German officer discovers her Jewish ancestry and Céline is forced to play a dangerous game to keep her loved ones safe. Céline must fight back to save her daughter.

Caroline realizes her apartment harbors dark secrets when she finds Céline’s letters tucked away in a closet. She may have more in common with Céline than she could have ever imagined.

“Sarah Jio weaves past and present in this eminently readable novel about love, gratitude, and forgiveness. I tore through the pages!”—New York Times bestselling author Christina Baker Kline

 5. The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood