Cover

Praise

‘Sparkles on the page like champagne in the glass’

Milly Johnson, bestselling author of The Woman in the Middle

‘The kind of book you can’t put down but also want to last forever. Kelk’s signature wit and clever prose – along with her complicated, lovable characters – are at their very best here’

Emily Henry, bestselling author of Beach Read

‘As warm as a hug but as funny as a night out with the girls’

Laura Jane Williams, bestselling author of The Lucky Escape

‘Touching, hugely enjoyable and properly laugh-out-loud funny with a wonderful heroine that feels completely real … I loved every page’

Sophia Money-Coutts, bestselling author of Did You Miss Me?

‘As far as romcoms go, this really is the best of the best. Absolutely loved it. Five sparkling stars’

Lizzy Dent, bestselling author of The Summer Job

‘The friendships in this book are warm and real, the hero is incredibly, incredibly amazing and the romance is sizzing and tender … You will not want to miss your invite to this ball’

Cressida McLaughlin, bestselling author of The Cornish Cream Tea Wedding

‘An absolutely enchanting book – I loved it! The perfect balance between sparkly escapism and big-hearted realness’

Sophie Ranald, author of He’s Cancelled

‘Pure joy. Full of Lindsey’s trademark warmth and wit’

Alex Brown, bestselling author of A Postcard from Paris

‘Sparkling and gorgeously romantic’

Sarah Morgan, bestselling author of The Summer Seekers

‘Perfect, escapist fiction. Hilarious, and so true to heart. The sort of book that makes you realise life is always yours for the taking’

Lia Louis, bestselling author of Eight Perfect Hours

Dedication

For Juliette and Orlander,
who lent their names to this book
and deserve so much more.
Thank you.

CHAPTER ONE

‘Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there was a woman called Francesca who couldn’t be on time to save her life,’ Jess announced as I blew through the door of Suzette’s Café on Wednesday morning.

‘I’m so sorry,’ I said, giving her a quick hug before starting to unravel my many winter layers. After an unseasonably mild October, November was not messing around in Sheffield. ‘You know I hate being late but Stew said he’d drop me off but his dad called and he had to run and I missed the bus and—’

‘Fran.’ My best friend pushed a cup of coffee towards me, along with a white paper bag. ‘It’s fine, relax, I’m joking. Sit down, I ordered for you because I’m so nice.’ I dumped my tote bag on the table and smiled as she opened her own bag and inhaled. ‘What does she put in these bloody muffins? How are they so good?’

‘Best not to ask,’ I advised, glancing over to the counter where Suzette was fixing tinsel to the shelves with a threatening-looking staple gun. ‘Something we’re not supposed to be eating any more, like white sugar or stem cells or crack.’