A rising movie star reunites with his high school prom date, now a personal stylist, in this delightful rom-com for fans of forced proximity, second chances, and celebrity romance.
This has to be a joke. Stylist Marley Kamal has waited years for the chance to be a private shopper for a major celebrity. But finding out that her first big client is the guy she went to prom with—and slept with and was promptly ghosted by—seems like the universe is mocking her. Because Nikhil Shamdasani is back, about to star in a major movie, and is more drop-dead hot than ever . . . at the worst possible time.
Marley’s only weeks away from an elective double mastectomy and breast reconstruction that’s supposed to save her life. But this surgery is going to change things in more ways than she can possibly imagine. For one, Nik is so eager to have her as his stylist, he’s offered to stay in her home and take care of her while she recovers. Now Marley is about to learn that as the door to her old life closes, something—or rather someone—else will enter . . . if she’s ready to let him in.
Content Warning: Prior family member death from breast cancer (aunt). Main character has a cancer-causing genetic mutation and undergoes surgery during the book. Workplace racism and micro-aggressions.
“There’s just so much collective love and healing in Just Playing House, it felt like a warm hug. This romance has squee-worthy caretaking, smart and talented main characters, and realistic celebrity antics. This book is in my top five movie star romances of all time. I loved the wholesome vibe, and can’t wait to reread it again.”― Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
“Heron’s characters are lovingly drawn and richly layered.”―Kirkus
“Heron incorporates a timely discussion of racial inequities in Hollywood and sensitively handles Marley’s medical status . . . readers looking for a breezy contemporary with closed-door sex scenes will be well pleased.”―Publishers Weekly
“Just Playing House is an utter delight.”―The Culturess
JUST PLAYING HOUSE is out JULY 2, 2024 by Forever, Grand Central Publishing.
Farah Heron 