From the publisher:
From USA TODAY bestselling author Chloe Liese, a clever and heartwarming rom-com that is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Annabel Monaghan about two best friends who must fake a relationship for their exes.
Thea and Alex have three things in common—they love food, they hate where they live, and they’re both divorced. Otherwise, they couldn’t be more different.
Thea’s never cooked a day in her life. Alex is a world-class chef. Alex resents feeling stuck in his hometown. Thea resents the town for not feeling more like home. Thea and her ex are in a contentious custody battle for their dog. Alex and his ex amicably coparent their daughter. Beyond a few friends in common, a couple small-world connections (welcome to life in a mid-size city), their lives look nothing alike. Fast forward two years, and they’re truly the best of friends. No one would ever know their friendship began as a lie…
Two years ago, their exes got together immediately following their divorces, and somehow, Thea and Alex found themselves spinning a spite-fueled story about being old friends and first loves. Two years later, what began as a ruse has grown into real friendship—just friendship, despite what friends and family seem to think. But when their exes invite them on a two-week, “two family” beach vacation—daughter and dog included—Alex and Thea start to wonder if this story they’ve spun might have gotten away from them, and if it’s led them to the last place they ever thought it could: a happy ending.
“A slow-burning love story keeps the pages turning…Friends-to-lovers fans won’t want to miss this.” ― Publishers Weekly
“The story features believable, fully developed characters, the dialogue is fun and realistic, the story surrounding the protagonists is interesting, and Alex and Thea’s slow journey to romance is both frustrating and delightful. Liese’s latest is a beautifully written slow-burn rom-com.” ― Library Journal (starred review)
https://bookshop.org/a/123058/9781668205471
This is one of the strongest friends-to-lovers romances I’ve read in a long time.
Divorced strangers Alex and Thea meet by accident at her ex-husband’s house—she’s there to pick up her dog, he’s there for his daughter—and quickly realize their exes are now together. They both lean into a fake backstory that they are long-time friends and first-time loves. The story traces two years of friendship born of that petty revenge, which gradually becomes something real. Their chemistry simmers beneath a foundation of trust, emotional safety, and deep care. It moves between past and present timelines with real skill, and the characters are written with genuine depth.
That’s what makes this work so well: we truly get the friendship. Alex—celebrity chef, devoted single dad—and Thea—quirky, kind-hearted bookstore manager—don’t rush into anything. They teach each other, support each other, and slowly rebuild their lives side by side. Their connection feels effortless, almost fated.
The pacing is beautifully grounded. Every hesitation, every small moment, every quiet shift in feeling is given space to breathe, which makes the eventual payoff feel completely earned. The tenderness here—especially in scenes like the bar, the bike ride, the dating apps, and the cuddling—lands harder than any big dramatic moment. What stands out just as much is the nuance in the side characters. No one is flattened into a villain—not even the exes. Everyone feels human, with their own motivations and flaws.
At its core, this is a story about second chances—not just in love, but in life. It’s a reminder that starting over in your 30s isn’t too late, and that healing can lead to something unexpectedly beautiful.
Warm, funny, and full of heart, this is a romance that lingers long after the final page. Highly recommended for anyone who loves slow-burn romance, found family, and stories that make you feel genuinely warm.
4/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
HAPPY ENDING by Chloe Liese. Gallery Books (April 14, 2026). ISBN: 978-1668205471. 384p.
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