UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS Cover Reveal!
So, do you all remember “West Elm Caleb?” He was the guy who was pulling the same dating moves on loads of women in New York—essentially romancing them and ghosting. A bunch of the women he ghosted kiki’d on TikTok, and then he became a hashtag. Yeah, fuck that guy. But it got me thinking about what it would be like for a guy who had been painted as a “bad boyfriend” on social media to try to date again. Or just try to figure out his life so he didn’t make the same mistakes.
At the same time I was thinking about that, I was considering why so much dating advice in general, but specifically for heterosexuals, is aimed at women. Honestly, it’s something that I’ve been thinking about since writing NOT THE GIRL YOU MARRY. But then I made a joke about wanting to write a dating advice book for straight men, called Ten Things Not to Do if You Ever Want to See a Naked Girl Again. Now, I’m not qualified to write this book. But a therapist might be. And, then I thought, “what would happen if that therapist had done everything right and had her whole life explode anyway?”
And that’s where UNREALISTIC EXPECATIONS was born. As for the cover, I could not be more pleased with what the Berkley art department and illustrator Eric Davila came up with:
Here’s the blurb:
There are a lot of things that can go wrong on an author’s publication day, but breaking up with her long-term boyfriend might just be top of Jessica Gallagher’s list. She also didn’t expect to run into her old crush, Galvin Baker, the very next day. When Jessica goes into crisis mode about the PR nightmare, she proposes the first solution that comes to mind: fake dating. Luckily, Galvin seems game.
Galvin Baker is used to being a constant disappointment, which is why he can’t—and won’t—commit to a relationship. Unfortunately for him, his last girlfriend used her vast social media power to make sure everyone knows how much Galvin “underperforms.” Fake dating for Jessica’s book promotion seems like the perfect cover—and maybe she can teach him something along the way.
Hookups “for science” and some seriously sweet gestures later, Jessica and Galvin’s fake dates are feeling more authentic than any previous relationship did. Have they replaced unrealistic expectations with unexpected realness?
UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS comes out on September 26, and is available for pre-order everywhere you buy books!
Also, don’t forget that we’re sailing on DANGEROUS TIDES this summer! I just put the finishing touches on my novella for the collection TO WIN A WITCH’S HEART. If you followed me for Formula 1 content and/or Lewis Hamilton thirst, you are not going to want to miss this. I mean…
Sign up for updates on the Kickstarter so you’ll know exactly when the project drops!
One more thing! On March 24, I will be appearing on Fated Mates Live at The William Vale Hotel in Brooklyn, NY. If you’re in the area (or up for a trip), please come! I’ll be with Sarah MacLean, Jen Prokop, Adrianna Herrera, Joanna Shupe, Mila Finelli, and Tessa Bailey! There will be cocktails! Tickets include $10 for use at the on-site bookstore, Word!
Everything else I’m working on is still a secret, but hopefully I’ll be back with some updates soon!