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The Champagne Crush

by Caroline O’Connell

(Les Femmes Series)
Publication date: September 16th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

For fans of The Paradise Problem, a slow-burn romance about a socialite in over her head in a high-stakes job promoting a new sparkling wine with a difficult boss who wants to see her fail—despite the electric sparks flying between them.

Catherine Reynolds has enjoyed a life of luxury, but her diplomat parents have cut her off financially, leaving her flat broke. She is determined to turn things around and gain her independence—so, when an old family friend offers her a lifeline as a PR consultant for his sparkling wine company, she jumps at the chance. But working with Chris McDermott, the company’s sexy, stubborn president, is anything but easy.

A purist at heart, Chris clashes with Catherine’s glitzy marketing flair; still, the chemistry between them is undeniable. As they travel from New York to Napa, Paris, and the Champagne region of France, their partnership blossoms amid high-stakes industry rivalries and a launch that could make or break them.

When sabotage threatens to shatter their dreams, Catherine must dig deep to prove her worth. With the dazzling unveiling of their new sparkling wine in Bordeaux in jeopardy, will she and Chris overcome the challenges of the past and present to secure their future—and find love in the process?

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Enjoy this peek inside:

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Black Tie dinner at Plaza Hotel in NYC,

fundraiser to benefit the California Sparkling Wine Producers in Napa, CA

Sean gestured to the bottle in the ice bucket on the table. “One strong benefit of sparkling is the affordable price, compared to a bottle of French champagne that costs two or three times as much. Granted most sparkling wines don’t have the complexity of champagne, but that’s not necessary for every occasion.”

Chris agreed. He was glad Sean made the point.

“Have an idea for the documentary finale,” Ken said. “How about a sabering and pyramid of flutes? That was quite dramatic at the Spago party for the Oscars.” A reminder Chris would like to forget. The second cork popping off and barely missing the celebrity guests was a drama he didn’t want to repeat.

“All good ideas,” Kevin said. “May call on some of you for on-camera interviews before we wrap.”

Chris was full by the time the dessert of Valrhona chocolate mousse with whipped cream and berries was served. He devoured it anyway. He noticed Catherine hadn’t eaten with the gusto of others at the table. She and Vanessa only sampled their dishes. Must be some party protocol.

While after-dinner coffee was offered, Doug stepped to the mic and introduced the head of the UC Davis Sparkling Winemaking Program, who thanked everyone for their support and described how the money raised would benefit their research and scholarships.

“Now it’s time to end the suspense and find out how much these rare bottles are worth,” Doug said. “Please welcome our celebrity auctioneer, Trevor Jones.” Trevor walked onstage to loud applause. Doug piped in, “You’re clapping now, but if you don’t bid generously, you could be on the receiving end of his jokes.” That drew guffaws. The crowd was getting rowdy after a few glasses of good wine, just the thing to bid up the prices.

Trevor took the microphone. “Good evening, folks.” He went into a short monologue recapping the day’s events and cracking jokes at the expense of high-profile guests. He closed with, “Let’s take the plunge. We have many exceptional bottles to auction off to reach our goal. Please open your wallets and bid with abandon.”

There were other things Chris wanted to pursue with abandon, starting with Catherine’s bare back. Her slinky dress was killing him. Unaware of his train of thought, she was in an animated conversation with Will.

The bidding became heated, and Chris directed his attention to the stage. As each lot was auctioned off, Chris and Ken jotted down notes in the margins of their programs and bantered back and forth about the prices they were fetching. Unlike the blind tasting, this process was highly visible. Chris assumed some buyers were making winning bids for the prestige and bragging rights, as much as for the unique bottles and contribution to the cause. In this case, glitz overrode substance. He said as much to Ken—not grasping he was about to fall into the same quest to be victorious.

Pleased with the competitive bidding, Trevor congratulated the crowd on their good taste. The lots were fetching higher prices than anticipated. After forty-five minutes, one final bottle remained. “Well folks, you’ve risen to the occasion. The California Sparkling Wine Producers thank you,” Trevor said. “And now we have a special surprise for our last bottle.” The crowd drew quiet. “The high bidder on this rare Trianon 1952 vintage jeroboam will also receive a two-night stay at romantic Les Crayères in Champagne and a gourmet dinner for two in their Michelin-starred restaurant, along with a private tour of the kitchen and toast with the chef.”

When Catherine stood up, Chris figured she was going to the ladies’ room, so he was taken off balance by Trevor’s next words. “Catherine Reynolds, representing Trianon, has agreed to join the winning bidder in a toast and to lead off the first dance of the evening.” He beckoned her to the stage.

Did I say I wanted a woman full of surprises? Uh-oh. He’d be damned if anyone else was getting this prize. He was feeling awfully possessive at the moment.

They were off and running. A number of attractive men participated in the early bidding, including Chris, Patrick Tournelle, Will Frost, and even Sean Dunlavy. When the dollar figure exceeded $4,000, the bidding contest narrowed to only two: Chris and Will. Trevor chided the combatants. “Looks like we have a horse race, ladies and gentlemen. Miss Reynolds, would you care to weigh in on the contest?”

All she murmured was, “I’m glad they’re supportive of the cause,” which prompted twitters.

When Chris made it clear he planned to bid whatever it took, his friend Will bowed out. Finally. Do I have to broadcast my interest any louder?

“Fair warning,” Trevor announced, indicating the bidding was about to stop, and the gavel came down. “Sold to Chris McDermott for $5,000.”

Amid applause, Chris walked onto the stage, shook hands with Trevor, and enfolded Catherine in a warm embrace that sent cameras flashing. Doug Barr joined the trio to pose for photos. A waiter materialized with four glasses of champagne that they sipped while the stage was being cleared.

The band took their places. Vanessa stepped up to the microphone and started performing her signature version of “Knocks Me Off My Feet.”

“I believe this dance is mine,” Chris whispered in Catherine’s ear, before he whisked her onto the dance floor.

“You sure know how to make a splash,” Catherine said. “Hope this doesn’t appear like we’re fraternizing.”

“All for the cause,” Chris murmured, holding her possessively close. She felt so good in his arms while they moved in time to the music. Vanessa sang the refrain, and he caught the message of the song—a love so strong it made you weak.

Other couples joined them on the dance floor, and Chris steered Catherine to a less conspicuous spot in an alcove behind one of the pillars. “About that bare back,” he murmured and pulled her closer in his embrace.

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Also check out Caroline’s other book, Affordable Paris Hotels!
Your Ultimate Guide to a Perfect Trip to Paris is the must-have resource for travelers who want charm, comfort, and location—without the luxury hotel price tag.

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About Author Caroline O’Connell:

CAROLINE O’CONNELL has written five travel guides and numerous travel articles for magazines, newspapers, and websites. Her Romance In Paris guide has won widespread praise: “There is no better person to guide you through Paris than Caroline” — Peter Greenberg, the Travel Detective, radio host, and Travel Editor on CBS-TV. And Library Journal raved — “Reading this breezy but informative guide to Paris is like having a series of conversations with a well-traveled friend…”

Her debut novel, THE CHAMPAGNE CRUSH: A Romance Novel (Spark Press), is due out on September 16, 2025.

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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Firelight Days

by Savannah Pryce

Publication date: August 3rd 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

When wildfires force an evacuation in her small town, baker and loner Penny Ridgeman seeks refuge at the only place she feels safe – Jack Olsen’s family ranch in Eastern Oregon. For years, Penny has seen Jack as just a friend – even if he is, inconveniently, the most attractive man she knows. But just like you shouldn’t mix-up salt and sugar in a cake, she believes that mixing love and friendship is a recipe for disaster.

Jack has always admired and respected Penny’s need for solitude. And, as the town handyman, builder, and cat-in-a-tree-rescuer, he prides himself on being able to fix and figure out anything. But he can’t understand why Penny holds herself back in her work. He can’t see what’s behind those stubborn, thick walls she keeps up. And he can’t work out, for the life of him, why suddenly he can’t stop thinking about her.

As the days stretch into quiet nights on the ranch, Penny and Jack start to see each other in a new light – one Penny is certain can only lead to getting seriously burned. With the world around them on fire and only each other for company, they find themselves in a whirlwind of emotions neither expected.

As the fire threatens to consume everything, Penny and Jack must decide whether to risk their friendship for something deeper… or will that go up in flames, too?

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Penny had never been in the car with Jack alone for this long. He’d given her rides here and there, of course, a ride home on a rainy day sometimes. But today, the energy felt totally different—of course, they were evacuating. She hadn’t seen him so pensive and on edge since right before he had broken up with Valerie a few years ago. She didn’t like it. She was used to seeing Jack as easily confident, relaxed, and always sure he could take care of anything. And she hadn’t realized until this second how much she’d come to just rely on that, even if they were just friends and saw each other for twenty minutes a day, usually.

He took a long drink from his bottle, relishing the cold washing down his suddenly dry throat. Was it possible that, deep down, maybe she had feelings for him? Was it possible that underneath it all, he actually had feelings for her?
Or was this just what happened to two people who happened to be stuck riding out a natural disaster together?

Penny decided there wasn’t just an elephant in the room between her and Jack. That was too small. It was more like a brontosaurus in the room. No matter how busy she kept herself, nothing distracted her enough from the big, fat, unavoidable presence growing larger and larger in her mind.
Jack.

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About Author Savannah Pryce:

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Savannah Pryce is a writer hailing from the beautiful Pacific Northwest. FIRELIGHT DAYS is her debut novel.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

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Faking the Pass

by Tru Taylor

Publication date: September 5th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Fake marry the smokin’ hot NFL quarterback who dumped me in high school? Hard pass.

…Or it would be, if my Hollywood disaster of an ex-fiancé wasn’t trying to destroy my career—and bankrupt me in the process.

Cue Presley Lowe.
Big-time quarterback. Bigger ego. Even bigger… contract.
The boy who broke my heart, then dared to somehow get even hotter with age.

He says a fake marriage will solve both our problems.
I say he’s lost his mind.

But I’m broke, blacklisted, and backed into a corner.
So now I’m wearing Presley’s ring, taking couple-selfies, and sleeping one wall away from the man who gave me my first heartbreak—and my last good kiss.

I pretend not to notice when he walks around shirtless.
He pretends he doesn’t remember exactly how I like to be kissed.

We’re both lying.
But it’s all temporary. Totally fake.

Right?

So why does every look he gives me scream mine?

And why am I starting to feel like there’s nothing I wouldn’t give to keep hearing him say, my wife?

What happens when your fake husband is also the boy you never got over?

Faking the Pass is a fun and flirty steamy small town romantic comedy ideal for fans of Pippa Grant, Lucy Score, Megan Quinn, Melanie Harlow, Lauren Blakely, and Abby Jiminez.

It’s the perfect next read for readers who love these tropes:

Fake Marriage
NFL Quarterback Hero/ high school ex
First love, second chance
Runaway Bride
One Bed / Forced Proximity
Tight-knit family of football-playing brothers
Swoon-worthy, heartfelt, slow burn romance

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Enjoy this peek inside:

At first I thought it was another nightmare.

My sleep had been plagued by them thanks to one of the worst days of my life being closely followed by a full bottle of wine and way too many pre-packaged snack cakes.

But then I came to full alertness and realized that no, there actually was an enormous man staring down at me.

And holding a bat.

Heart rocketing around my chest and hands shaking with adrenaline, I flung the covers back and scrambled to the other side of the bed, sliding off it and attempting to flee for my life from my would-be murderer.

Unfortunately, my left foot was still caught up in the blanket.

When I tried to run toward the attached bathroom, it tripped me.

As I fell forward, my forehead hit the door frame with a loud thwak, and I ricocheted back, landing hard on my butt.

There was movement in my peripheral vision as the intruder ran around the end of the bed, reaching me before I even had time to react.

This was it. Not only was I going to die on my un-wedding night, I would look grotesque in my casket with a purple, misshapen forehead and chocolate in my teeth.

“Rosie.”

The deep male voice repeated my name, causing me to look up.

“Rosie, it’s me. Presley Lowe. It’s okay, I’m not going to hurt you.”

He knelt beside me, removing my palm from my forehead. “Are you okay? Let me see it.”

Was I already dead?

Maybe that blow to the head had been harder than I realized.

But no, angels probably didn’t welcome you to the pearly gates with a baseball bat in hand—at least I hoped not.

“Presley?” I blinked at him several times. “Are you real? Or wait… is this… Hell?”

Of all people to see me at what was perhaps the lowest moment of my entire life, did it really have to be Presley Lowe?

The guy I’d swooned over pretty much every day of high school, who’d finally noticed me in our senior year and had given me the most blissful three weeks of my young life.

The same guy who’d casually ended it and then crushed my soul by referring to me as a “flaky theater freak” in front of all his cool jock friends.

And now I’d gone and proved every word of that label.

Again.

He chuckled. “I’m real, but thanks for the flattering assumption. How’s your head? Any double vision or nausea?”

My hand went back to my face, probing my forehead, which hurt like hell, even though I was apparently not in the underworld.

What was he even doing here?

“Um… no. There’s only one of you,” I said.

I studied Presley’s handsome face, fighting a combination of hangover brain fog and sleep inertia—with a little head trauma thrown in for good measure.

“Why are you here?” I asked. “Did Wilder send you with my luggage?”

His head jerked back, and his mouth quirked in a perplexed expression.

“What? No, I’m here because this is my house, my bedroom. Why are you here?”

The fog cleared entirely as I realized what had happened.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” I sputtered. “When Wilder said the house was unoccupied right now and that it was a family property, I thought it was like a vacation place or something. He didn’t tell me you lived here.”

Presley nodded, his own expression clearing. “Wilder let you in.”

“I had surgery a few days ago, and I’ve been staying at my parents’ house,” he explained. “Wilder probably didn’t tell you it was my place because he didn’t want you to worry about anything, and knowing him, he had a good reason for sending you here. Want to tell me what’s going on?”

“Not… particularly.”

I didn’t want to be in his presence—and look at that ridiculously gorgeous face, which had somehow gotten even more attractive over the years—a minute longer than necessary.

Getting to my feet, I staggered for a moment, trying to get my balance, before I began searching the floor for my belongings.

Presley reached out to steady me, placing a big hand on my shoulder. The warmth of it raised goosebumps all over my body.

“Go slow,” he advised. “You hit your head pretty hard there. In fact, you should probably sit down.”

Mortification heated my skin to scalding when I looked down at his hand on my bare arm and realized all I had on was the fancy bra and panties set I’d worn under my discarded wedding gown.

No wonder Presley was watching me so closely.

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About Author Tru Taylor:

Award-winning romance author Tru Taylor writes small town romance that’s hot and sunny (and a little bit funny.)

She runs on Coke Zero and dark chocolate, lives for lunches with her girlfriends, and drives to the town beach several times a week to watch the sun set over the water.

She loves LOVE and will attempt to turn any show or movie she’s watching into a romance whether it is one or not. Star Wars? A romance. Lord of the Rings? Clearly a romance. The Expendables? Okay, well not even Tru can redeem that one.

When she’s not writing, Tru enjoys watching movies and reading books with happy endings, spending time with her husband and two kids, and sneaking Hershey’s Kisses from the top shelf of the freezer throughout the day. (Top shelf because… two kids. Enough said.)

Tru is the author of the Eastport Bay small town romance series and loves living in a quaint New England town where she’s surrounded every day by the beautiful coastal setting you see brought to life in her books.

Visit her website at trutaylor.com where you can find a complete book list and get a free story! Join her VIP mailing list at https://bit.ly/TruTales for the latest book news, insider info, and fun freebies.

Tru loves to hear from her readers! Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, and email her at trutaylor@trutaylor.com

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.