Not in Love · #2
Problematic Summer Romance
What is wrong meets what feels right in this romance set in Italy by the New York Times bestselling author of Deep End.
Maya Killgore is twenty-three and still in the process of figuring out her life.
Conor Harkness is thirty-eight, and Maya cannot stop thinking about him.
It’s such a cliché, it almost makes her heart implode: older man and younger woman; successful biotech guy and struggling grad student; brother’s best friend and the girl he never even knew existed. As Conor loves to remind her, the power dynamic is too imbalanced. Any relationship between them would be problematic in too many ways to count, and Maya should just get over him. After all, he has made it clear that he wants her gone from his life.
But not everything is as it seems—and clichés sometimes become plot twists.
When Maya’s brother decides to get married in Taormina, she and Conor end up stuck together in a romantic Sicilian villa for over a week. There, on the beautiful Ionian coast, between ancient ruins, delicious foods, and natural caves, Maya realizes that Conor might be hiding something from her. And as the destination wedding begins to erupt out of control, she decides that a summer fling might be just what she needs—even if it’s a problematic one.
The series
In a landscape where romance often follows predictable paths, this series carves out its own space by intertwining sharp wit with the charged realities of ambition and rivalry. At its heart are characters who defy easy labels—brilliant minds immersed in biotech and food science, caught between corporate battles and unexpected connections that refuse to be boxed in.
Read full series description
The story pulses with the vibrant energy of start-up culture, where innovation meets personal stakes. Here, love isn’t declared in grand gestures but discovered in stolen moments amid tension and negotiation. Relationships unfold with nuance—flawed, tentative, and deeply human—reflecting the complexities of modern romance against a backdrop of professional intrigue.
What sets this series apart is its honest exploration of boundaries, both emotional and ethical, as characters navigate loyalty to themselves and to those they care about. The writing blends humor and heart, capturing the messy dance of attraction when desire and duty collide. Themes of self-discovery, trust, and resilience emerge naturally, inviting readers into a world where chemistry is as much intellectual as it is emotional.
With a tone that balances warmth and cleverness, this story invites readers to linger in the space “not in love” yet undeniably drawn together—an irresistible tension that feels fresh and real. It’s a thoughtful, layered take on romance that resonates long after the last page, offering both the thrill of connection and the complexity of holding back.
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