Rule #1: There is no lifeguard on duty.
Since her mom died three years ago, nineteen-year-old Zosia Easton’s been treading water. Living at home. Community college. Same old Saturday nights. So when her father breaks the news he’s taken a job transfer—and by the way, it means renting out the house that’s been her refuge—a summer in Tokyo feels like it just might be a chance to start swimming again.
Rule #2: Beware of unexpected currents.
Finn O’Leary has spent God knows how many years trying to drown out his past. Juvenile detention. Bad decisions. Worse choices. He’s managed to turn it around – MIT, Dean’s List, a sexier-than-thou body with a smile to match – at least on the surface. When his mom asks him to spend the summer with her, Tokyo seems as good a place as any to float through the summer.
Rule #3: Swim at your own risk.
Lies We Live
Ella Ingraham is a best-selling novelist. She's also a murderer. At least that's what most of the world thinks after her ex brought a tabloid frenzy and a civil suit down on her for "negligence" following the stillbirth of their unplanned child at eight months. Her cross-country drive is meant to be an escape, and Horatio, AR is just another random exit off the highway. Until she meets Josh Devereaux.
Josh Devereaux – seductive, charming and hot, hot, hot – is a part-time farmer, full-time tech genius holed up in his hometown after a few years in New York turned him into someone else. Someone worse. His closetful of skeletons has been locked up tight since he returned to Arkansas, right along with his heart. He knows Ella could unlock both – and what a bad idea that would be.
Ella has no intention of getting involved with Josh, but as one date turns into more, feelings surface Ella hasn't felt in years -- like hope. As their relationship grows, Josh knows he should tell Ella the truth about his past. If only the lie wasn't so much easier to believe.
Truths We Tell
Ella Ingraham almost falls for Josh Devereaux's easy charm and effortless smile. God knows, she wants to. He's made her feel more than anyone has in a long time, both in and out of bed.
But one phone call changes everything. Especially when the truth about Josh is on the other end of that call.
Now Ella isn’t sure which is worse – Josh lying to her about his past, or the fact she can’t stop thinking about him anyway. Not that he’s making it easy.
Josh wants to make things right and he has a plan for stopping her ex's slander campaigns against her before her next big book release. Even Ella has to admit it's a better plan than she -- or her lawyer -- have come up with. For the plan to work, though, Ella has to not only rely on Josh but trust him. Implicitly.
Ella knows she’d be a fool to trust him a second time. So why is her heart trying to convince her otherwise?
Acknowledgments
Shine. A. Light. :)
It doesn’t matter how many books I publish – every time I get to the end I can’t help thinking, “Wow. It’s a real book.” It truly is exciting, humbling, and nerve-racking every single time. And with every book I’m so grateful for the readers who’ve taken the chance on my stories. If you’re reading this, that’s you, so thank you, thank you, thank you!
It really does take a team to put a book out in the world, at least for me, and I’m super lucky to have a great crew on my side.
Stina Lindenblatt and Samantha Brown, your feedback is always awesome and thank you for helping me to make Claire and Greyson’s story so much better.
Bev Katz Rosenbaum, your developmental edits were the kick I needed to get rid of a crappy backstory and embrace the rom com.
Brianna Lebrecht, someday when I write a book I will take a firm stance on the Oxford comma! This is not that book and I am ever grateful for your detailed editing.
Linda Russell of Sassy, Savvy, Fabulous PR, thank you for your support in making this release a success. I couldn’t/wouldn’t do it without you.
Sarah Hanson of Okay Creations, I love this cover and your vision for this series! Thank you so much.
My early reviewers and ARC team members, sending a book out into the world honestly scares the pants off me every time, but your enthusiastic support for Claire and Greyson’s story has been amazing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
All of my British friends who weighed in on authentic slang for “holy shit”, you are awesome and Claire’s voice is so much better for your input.
Finally, thank you to my husband for your encouragement always. And to my son, who asks me every day how my writing has gone and offers to give me a chance to squeeze in another half hour of words before dinner – in exchange for iPad time, of course. I’m on to you, but I know your support is genuine and I appreciate it.
About the Author
Brenda is a displaced New Yorker living in the English countryside. She writes novels about teens and twenty-somethings kissing. Her characters do other things, too, but there's always kissing.
When she's not writing, Brenda enjoys hiking, running and reading. In theory, she also enjoys cooking, but it's more that she enjoys eating and, try as she might, she can't live on Doritos alone.
For more info about Brenda and her books, visit www.brendastjohnbrown.com.
I’d love to hear from you! Find me online here:
@bstjohnbrown
BrendaStJohnBrownAuthorPage
brendastjohnbrown.com
A Brit Unexpected (Castle Calder Book 2) Page 22
