September 27, 2021
Beharrie (Awakened by the CEO’s Kiss) delivers an ambitious story of magic, romance, and healing from past trauma. Gaia Anders has been escaping into romance novels since she was a preteen in the foster care system. As an adult, she both writes and reads the genre—and, through some magic she does not understand, the stories she writes during the day become vivid dreams that she can manipulate at night. Whatever changes she makes while sleeping miraculously appear on the page the next day. Gaia’s best friend’s younger brother, Jacob Scott, has always nursed a crush on Gaia, “fascinated by the way her mind worked, by her unconventional sense of humor.” Now Gaia’s finally seeing the workaholic do-gooder for the man he’s grown into. When Jacob starts starring in Gaia’s dreams, the pair develop an intense nocturnal connection—but can their romance survive in the waking world? Anxious Gaia’s difficult background and social awkwardness will endear her to many readers, but all should be warned that they’ll need a high tolerance for secondhand embarrassment to make it through some of her misadventures. This quirky paranormal rom-com is sure to find an audience. Agent: Courtney Miller-Callihan, Handspun Literary.
October 1, 2021
A romance novelist stumbles on the man of her dreams, but she must reckon with reality before finding her own happy ending. After spending a childhood in foster homes, Gaia Anders is overdue for a miracle. So, just as she enters adulthood, Gaia develops an extremely unusual ability: When she writes romantic stories during the day, she lives them that night in her dreams: "Every word, every detail came to life whenever she fell asleep." Not only that, but any tweaks she makes in her dreams automatically write themselves into her stories. Gaia uses her magical gifts to write authentic and heartwarming romance novels that wind up on bestseller lists. It works like a charm for more than a decade--until she bumps into her best friend Seth's brother, the perennially busy Jacob Scott. They share a kiss and part ways, but their encounter is far from over: Jacob begins to share Gaia's dreams. While they titillate and excite each other in intense dreams, their actual conversations force them to face several truths. Gaia is struggling with a deep-seated fear of abandonment, and Jacob has been miserably unhappy since taking over the reins of his father's business. Jacob and Gaia must learn what it means to fight for their individual dreams if they are to have a real future together. The paranormal element in this love story is mostly fun and sometimes muddling, but Beharrie weaves her best magic when she unpacks the ways the protagonists' minds and hearts work. Jacob and Gaia's interactions are consistently compelling, and their internal struggles evoke empathy. But Seth's sharp disapproval of Gaia's closeness with Jacob, which throws a wrench into several relationships, is inadequately explained, the reasons for his outburst deeply unconvincing. Gaia's relationship with romance novels allows Beharrie to tug at the threads of the genre's long journey through changing times and doff her hat to its many charms. A sweet reminder of the connections between love and magic.
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November 1, 2021
Bestselling romance author Gaia has a secret. Her dreams shape her novels. At her longtime best friend's party, she has a hot make-out session with his younger brother, Jacob, whom she hasn't seen in years. Then she realizes that Jacob has now entered her dreams. Workaholic Jacob is burning himself out trying to keep his dad's company afloat. His brother doesn't want any part of it, and Jacob made a promise to his now deceased mother to help. He can't believe the wild dreams he is having about Gaia. When he seeks her out, they realize they are having shared dreams. He begins to accept her unusual gift, and she helps him make needed changes in his life. Beharrie's dreams-into-books idea is clever and the best-friend's brother trope is especially appealing as enacted by Jacob and Gaia. Rom-com fans who like a little magic may enjoy this one, and debut romance author Beharrie is an author to watch.
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