A Bookish Story

⭐️  An Indie Book Buzz pick for February 2026
⭐️  A Top Indie Favorite February 2026

He trashed romance.

Now he's secretly the man behind the biggest love story in the country.

And she's the woman hired to take the credit.

Ever since Lucia Milagros "Luci" Santana called off her engagement, her enormous Hispanic family has treated her like a community project. Between her tio's daily check-ins, her abuelita's unsolicited dating advice, and enough homemade food to feed a small army, there's nowhere to hide—not even in the backyard she-shed she's reluctantly calling home.

Then she lands the opportunity of a lifetime.

The job?

Pretend to be the author of the country's most beloved romance novel.

The problem?

She can't stand the book.

And the real author?

Ryan Brady—a broody literary darling who once went viral mocking romance novels and the people who read them.

The novel he secretly wrote under a pen name has become a cultural phenomenon. But when a national appearance threatens to expose him, Ryan needs someone else to step into the spotlight.

Someone believable.

Someone charming.

Someone willing to live a lie.

Enter Luci.

Suddenly she's the face of the book. The voice behind the interviews. The woman taking credit for a story she didn't write.

But secrets have a way of surfacing.

I'm in love with Luci and Ryan! The unique premise of A Bookish Story hooked me from the get-go, and even the need for sleep couldn't pry it out of my hands. This is the most fun I've had reading a romcom in forever. Luci and her family will steal your heart and Ryan is to die for, the cinnamon roll hero we've been craving for a long time. Do NOT miss this one! ~ Darynda Jones, NY Times bestselling author 

Readers are loving Ryan and Lucy's slow burn wholesome romance:

"I just sat and read this whole thing with the good book feeling only great books can bring to my soul. i loved every moment of it and both couldn't stop reading but then also didn't want it to end."

"I love this book, particularly the exploration of the different types of love and how it manifests for different people."

"As a romance reader whose hubby teases me about it being just 'corn.' I loved this book."

"This book resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt the need to diminish themselves to be loved. It offers a sense of being seen and empowered, making it a compelling read for those seeking a romance that prioritizes emotional authenticity and personal growth."