The Book Proposal

Starred review from February 20, 2023
Writer’s block leads to romance in Micciche’s adorable metafictional debut. Romance author Gracie Landing struggles to complete her second book, but inspiration comes from an unexpected place when her high school crush, attorney Colin Yarmouth, offers her the devastating details of his recent breakup with a woman he calls Elle to use as a plot point. Colin’s goal is to get a bit of revenge: he’ll let Gracie air his cheating ex’s dirty laundry in hopes that she’ll happen across the book one day—but he never considers that Gracie and Elle might know each other. Due to a nickname mix-up, Gracie doesn’t realize that Colin’s ex is a power player in the publishing industry until she’s already made the woman the villain in her story, a move that threatens to end her career. This twist causes a rift in the budding relationship between Gracie and Colin. To win her back, Colin will have to take a page from the best romance heroes. The author lays on the humor by putting her charming characters in squirmingly awkward situations. With witty banter and a clever, self-aware plot, this romantic gem marks Micciche as a writer to watch. Agent: Elizabeth Copps, Copps Literary.