category: 
tag(s): 
Sweetheart
Author: Cookie O’Gorman
Publication date: April 25th 2024
Genres: Romance, Young Adult
Sweetheart (suh-weet-hart): Someone who is kind, friendly, and/or lovable. For reference, see Scarlett Kent.
Seventeen-year-old Scarlett Kent likes the idea of love—in theory. She’s just never had time for romance. Voted Most Likely to Succeed, founder of a youth mentoring program, and an aspiring professional violinist, Scarlett has goals—and a list of “firsts” she’d like to complete before graduation.
One thing that’s not on her list: Falling for Sam Bishop.
Flirtatious jocks who sleep through class aren’t her type—no matter how good Sam looks in his jersey. But when her car breaks down, Sam stops to help…which leads to an unexpected offer.
Sam volunteers to help Scarlett complete her list. In return, she’ll help him win back his ex.
It’s a sweetheart deal that should benefit everyone.
But between kissing lessons and pretend dates, Scarlett realizes Sam is the perfect fake boyfriend. And if she’s not careful, he could be her first real heartbreak.
This book features two souls who’re meant to be, one fake arrangement, so many heart-melting kisses and answers the question:
What happens when a perfectionist falls for a player?
an excerpt
I never knew changing a tire could be romantic.
Or so hot.
Watching Sam work with tools was something else. I couldn’t take my eyes off him as he gripped the wrench, demonstrating how to loosen a lug nut. Or when he lifted his hand to wipe the sweat from his brow. Or when he looked at me expectantly.
“Now, you try,” he said.
I nodded. “Okay.”
As he passed me the wrench, our fingertips brushed.
It was the lightest of touches. Completely unintentional. A few seconds, and it was over.
But that didn’t matter.
I felt the sweep of his fingers long after we separated. Shaking it off, I tried to focus. Sam had started on one lug nut, and I placed the wrench over the next. But when I went to turn it, the thing wouldn’t budge. I gritted my teeth and moved forward to get more leverage. It didn’t matter.
The sucker just would not move.
“Problem?” Sam asked.
“No,” I muttered, “it’s just stuck. I’ve got it.”
“You sure, Kent? Your face is turning red.”
“That’s because it’s hot in here.”
And because he’d suddenly moved closer, leaving only a few inches between us.
“I’m good,” I repeated.
As Sam looked over my shoulder, I could feel his breath hitting my neck. “The tires on these older models can be tough. If it’s rusted, you might be too small to get it.”
I scoffed. “Have you seen my thighs?”
“Yeah,” he said, voice sounding rougher for some reason. “I’ve seen them.”
“Then you know I’m not small, Bishop.”
He laughed quietly.
Getting frustrated with the dumb nut that wouldn’t turn, I gave up and whipped around to face him. Unfortunately, this put us in even closer proximity. His blue eyes blazed with amusement. “What are you laughing at?” I asked.
“You,” he said.
“Why? Because I can’t do something you made look so easy?”
“No.” Sam held my gaze. “I’m laughing because you’re too stubborn to ask for help.”
He leaned forward even as I stuttered a protest.
“And because you’re right. Your thighs aren’t small. They’re perfect.”
“I…what did you just say?”
Sam sighed and wrapped his arms around me from behind, placing his hands over mine on the wrench. “You heard me, Kent. Now, work with me, and let’s change this tire. Like you said, it’s hot.”
Yeah, because you keep breathing on my neck, and you’re wrapped around me like a freaking blanket.
Sam barked a laugh, and I realized I’d said it out loud.
Oh well, I blamed the heat.
Cookie O’Gorman Bio: Cookie O’Gorman writes YA & NA romance to give readers a taste of happily-ever-after. Small towns, quirky characters, and the awkward yet beautiful moments in life make up her books. Cookie also has a soft spot for nerds and ninjas. Her novels ADORKABLE, NINJA GIRL, The Unbelievable, Inconceivable, Unforeseeable Truth About Ethan Wilder, The Good Girl’s Guide to Being Bad, The Kissing Challenge (YA novella), WALLFLOWER, CUPCAKE, FAUXMANCE, and BOOKWORM are out now! She is also the author of NA sports romances The Best Mistake, The Perfect Play, The Sweetest Game, and The Total Knockout. Her newest release SWEETHEART came out on April 25, 2024!
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter / Bookbub
a giveaway
Leave a Reply