New Romances #17

When Ginny grows envious of her friend Julie's glamorous, well-traveled life, she persuades her cautious husband Hal to accept a lucrative job offer from Julie's husband Carl in Los Angeles—a move that promises the excitement and elegance she's always craved. But as the couple settles into Carl's fast-paced world of constant parties and expensive outings, Ginny finds herself caught between her attraction to her husband's charming but demanding boss and the quiet life she's left behind.

Janet Lee has fallen into a habit of using tears to get her way with her boyfriend, but when he grows tired of her childish manipulation, she realizes that genuine maturity and a genuine smile might be what their relationship actually needs.

Meet Beth, the office girl whose flirtation tactics are legendary—she's always finding reasons to chat up the men around the workplace, stretching errands into long conversations and treating the watercooler like her personal social club. Her strategy is sharp: she knows where to find eligible men, but her overeager pursuit of romance on company time tends to backfire in the most unexpected way. See how this charming schemer's determination plays out when her boss finally has enough.

Dorrie has harbored a secret crush on her coworker Matt Deal for years, but when she finally catches his attention by pretending to share his passion for author Somerset Jones, she discovers how easy it is to keep lying—about the books she hasn't read, the concerts she doesn't love, the sailing that makes her seasick. As Matt falls deeper for the perfect girl she's invented, Dorrie realizes her sister was right: he's falling in love with someone who doesn't actually exist, and the weight of her deceptions grows heavier each day.

A young woman grows self-conscious about her height and adopts a slouching posture that undermines her appearance, but her cousin Amy helps her see that confidence and proper carriage can transform how others perceive her. "Watch Your Tongue!" reminds readers that the habits we develop—from our speech patterns to our posture—shape not just how we look, but how we're treated in romance and beyond.

Ceil Thorpe is a driven department store display designer who's built her career on ambition and looks, convinced she doesn't need love—until she meets Ben Williams, the charming new merchandising manager, and suddenly her heart becomes as important as her work. When her divided attention nearly costs her Ben's proposal, she must discover whether she can truly choose love over the career that's defined her, especially when a harrowing accident forces them both to confront what they really need.

Joan knows that a splash of the right color can transform an ordinary day—and catch someone's eye. When Paul notices how her vibrant wardrobe and clever fashion touches keep her looking cheerful and put-together, he's drawn to her knack for turning everyday items into stylish accessories. A lighthearted celebration of how a little ingenuity and color sense can make all the difference.

Once the most popular girl in town, Betty suddenly finds herself without a date—and she's desperate to figure out why. When she juggles multiple fraternity pins and escort dates in a bid to keep everyone happy, her carefully balanced game of hearts threatens to unravel at the country club dance. Will Betty learn that popularity built on deception comes with a price?