Love & Lattes

July 22, 2024
Days before starting an intense summer internship at the London-based Arrowmile electric vehicle manufacturer, ambitious 19-year-old Annalise Sherwood, who doesn’t “believe in love,” meets charismatic Lloyd, who’s a “ ‘love at first sight’ kind of guy.” Despite a quick connection and an amazing kiss, they part without making plans to stay in touch. But on her first day at Arrowmile, Annalise runs into Lloyd, who turns out to be the CEO’s son. To avoid distractions and the appearance of impropriety, Annalise refuses to date him. Even still, they end up hanging out together constantly anyway and, eventually, Annalise must untangle her priorities—and her feelings—or risk losing her opportunity to obtain everything she’s ever wanted. Though frothy on the surface, this seemingly straightforward workplace rom-com by Reekles (Beach Cute) digs into deeper examinations of caregivers and their actions’ effects on teens, as evidenced through Annalise’s drive to succeed to spite her absentee work-obsessed mother and Lloyd’s desire to escape his father’s expectations to chart his own course. The friction between the white-cued leads works to fuel their rivalry and slow-burning relationship in this satisfying and predictable romance. Ages 12–up.

September 1, 2024
An English girl finds herself caught up in a messy romance during a prestigious London internship. Anna Sherwood has put everything into getting a paid internship at electric vehicle manufacturer Arrowmile, including lying about the fact that she has only one year at the University of Leeds under her belt. She's determined to take full advantage of the opportunity in hopes of laying the groundwork for her future career. While out clubbing and drinking tequila shots with the 14 other interns during their icebreaker evening, Anna meets a cute stranger named Lloyd, and the mutual attraction is instantaneous. After a night of cheesy chips and an intoxicating kiss, they part ways, never expecting to see each other again. But on Anna's first day at Arrowmile, she discovers that Lloyd is CEO Topher Fletcher's son. He initially pretends not to know Anna, hurting her feelings. But when it turns out that Lloyd wants more, Anna pushes him away, afraid she'll be seen as using him to get ahead. Prickly, misguided, and prone to overwork, Anna shows growth and better self-understanding as she learns that she doesn't have to sacrifice love to get ahead. Lloyd reveals his own layers, remaining steadfast in his interest, despite Anna's barriers. The taut romantic tension becomes steamy and rewarding when they do get together. Lloyd is cued as biracial (Indian and white); Anna presents white. A satisfyingly textured office romance.(Romance. 15-adult)

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September 15, 2024
Grades 9-12 On a rare night when she decides to cut loose and have fun--her last hurrah before a life-changing internship--Annalise Sherwood, true type-A perfectionist, finds herself sharing a passionate kiss with a stranger. It's not until she starts her internship that she learns the boy she locked lips with, Lloyd, is actually the rich and spoiled son of the CEO of the company where she's interning. Oops! Reekles (The Kissing Booth, 2013) offers a classic enemies-to-lovers romance full of snappy banter and awkward encounters at the office and beyond as Annalise and Lloyd battle it out and inevitably connect in surprising ways, despite being from very different worlds. With multifaceted characters and plenty of laughs and feels, this nicely balances sweet and sour moments as the duo clumsily falls in love. While it's a tried-and-true formula, Reekles makes it shine. Readers looking for a sweet romance to make them swoon and giggle will want to add Love & Lattes to their shelves.

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