Love by the Book

Friendship can change your life just as profoundly as love.

Remy seems to have it all: her debut novel, drawn from the lives of her three closest friends, was an instant bestseller, and her publisher is eager for whatever comes next. But as pressure mounts to write a second book, the foundations of her own life begin to shift. One friend moves away, another starts a family, and a third reunites with the boyfriend everyone hates. Then a reckless one-night stand leaves Remy more adrift than ever, struggling with loneliness, heartbreak, and a crippling lack of inspiration.

Simone has built a life defined by independence. By day she’s a devoted kindergarten teacher; by night, a lucrative side hustle gives her the financial security she’s always wanted. She tells herself that her family is enough—but when the truth about her private life comes to light, their rejection forces her to confront how isolated she has become.

When Simone and Remy literally collide in a bookstore, their connection is anything but immediate. Simone is guarded, Remy emotionally unraveling, and both women are hiding painful secrets. Yet as their unlikely friendship deepens, each begins to offer the other something they didn’t realize they were missing: understanding, trust, and the possibility of starting over.

Warm, witty, and deeply heartfelt, Jessica George’s second novel is a moving celebration of female friendship, chosen family, and the transformative power of platonic love.