The Dating Charade

Did you know that the Goliath bird-eating tarantula is the biggest tarantula in the world? Meet spiders, hermit crabs, and other interesting invertebrates at the Smithsonian National Zoo in these first books reviewed by Smithsonian experts.

"[This] fun romance has something for everyone: a large and vibrant cast of characters, a bookish storyline, a cozy locked-boat mystery, a slow-burn love story, comedic hijinks, and a dash of thrills." --Library Journal STARRED reviewA laugh-out-loud rom-com wrapped in a whodunit, this high-seas adventure proves that sometimes the best love stories start with a little murder.Penelope Mae Dupont has one superpower: keeping her cool. Which is essential when you're the personal assistant to renowned mystery author Hugh Griffin. But when Pip organizes a luxury book cruise featuring The Fabulous Seven--a glittering cast of seven bestselling authors known for both their brilliance and their drama--her trademark composure starts slipping. One boat. Seven egos. Hundreds of fans. What could possibly go wrong?Well . . . murder, for starters.On day two, Hugh is found dead--and the cruise security team proves to be utterly incompetent. Stranded in the middle of the Atlantic with no help in sight, Pip realizes if anyone's going to solve the case, it'll have to be her. And so, with her friend and ally Nash, the dreamy Western author who's just as rugged as the cowboys he writes about, she puts her amateur sleuthing skills to the test.As Pip and Nash navigate an ocean of secrets, shocking twists, and one too many red herrings, she'll have to decide whether she's meant to stay behind the scenes--or finally step into the spotlight . . . and maybe, just maybe, find love along the way.In the world of mystery and love, sometimes you have to risk going overboard to find the truth.

"Another sparkling, laugh-out-loud romance!" --RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling authorShe's written dozens of smash hit romance novels. Too bad no one knows it.Aspiring author Bryony Page attends her first writers conference bursting with optimism and ready to sell her manuscript with long-shot dreams of raising awareness for her grandmother's financially struggling organization where she teaches ESL full-time. What she doesn't expect is to get tangled up with Jack Sterling, a jaded literary agent who will change everything. Their partnership begins with a devil's bargain: Bryony will ghostwrite for his talentless bestselling client if Jack will represent her real novel. But as deadlines loom and sparks fly during a traveling book tour that's always one breath away from disaster, Bryony realizes she's not just rewriting romance novels--she's living one.Don't miss the latest delightful laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from bestselling author Melissa Ferguson, a story of two seemingly mismatched hearts brought together by fate, proving that sometimes, the perfect love story is hidden in the pages of a well-loved book."Clever and adorable . . . brimming with warm humor and a lot of heart." --Rachel Linden, bestselling author"I loved this book!" --Sheila Roberts, USA TODAY bestselling authorThe Perfect Rom-Com is a kisses-only romance for fans of You've Got Mail with a HEA guaranteed!Tropes: - Grumpy/sunshine- Friends-to-lovers- Opposites attract- Forced proximity- Book about books- Writer FMC