The Best I Never Had - by Amy Buchanan (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

They staged a romance, faked a breakup, and this time around, anything can happen--even something real.

Thea Pappas has always been the storm in her own life--fiery and unpredictable--traits that led her and her younger sister, Addy, through a series of foster homes. But with Addy's whirlwind engagement, Thea is determined to be the perfect maid of honor, even if she finds it odd that she hadn't heard of the fiancé until the ring was on Addy's finger. She believes she can survive a week in the Blue Ridge Mountains with a group of strangers without causing any trouble.

But upon arrival, Thea realizes these aren't strangers. Among the familiar faces is Owen Hayes--the man who, three years ago, paid her to pretend to be his girlfriend at a family wedding. Now, he's looking at her with the same panicked expression.

Owen's life has always been about control--managing his mother's matchmaking schemes, his family's expectations, and the career path he never truly chose. Thea was his one rebellion, a beautiful lie that ended with a "heart-destroying" fake breakup. Now, with his younger brother's wedding underway and his mother on the prowl, Owen begs Thea to reprise their roles. One week. Same fake breakup. No feelings.

But as old sparks reignite and the lines between pretense and reality blur, Thea and Owen will have to choose: carry on their greatest performance yet or admit the truth--that it was never fake at all.

Review Quotes

"The Best I Never Had is a wonderfully tender, swoony, and steamy second chance love affair. Thea and Owen sizzle with unresolved chemistry (and boy do they fix it!), set against a stunning setting, all the delightfully fun hijinks of wedding planning, and a vibrant cast of characters. This book is also a love letter to eldest daughters and women who feel like they're always a little bit too much, and promises that they are so deserving of their beautiful happily ever afters!" - Mallory Marlowe, USA Today Bestselling Author of Love and Other Conspiracies

"A complicated, layered heroine, deliciously sultry spice, and a heartwarming ending that feels completely earned? Must be an Amy Buchanan novel! THE BEST I NEVER HAD had me engrossed from beginning to end, with one of the freshest takes on fake dating I've ever read." -Katie Naymon, author of YOU BETWEEN THE LINES

"Deliciously hot, poignant, and brimming with tenderness, Amy Buchanan is at her best in this smart, sexy romp that paints a deeply romantic portrait of love, identity, and the family we choose for ourselves." -Heather McBreen, author of WEDDING DASHERS

"A truly beautiful, funny, steamy story that turns the fake dating trope on its head in all the best ways." -Sarah T. Dubb, author of BIRDING WITH BENEFITS

"Amy Buchanan has written another hit!! With a sister's wedding, a secret, and a fresh twist on fake dating, THE BEST I NEVER HAD had all the vibes of my favorite 90's romcoms! A pure delight from start to finish, filled with so much tenderness, swoon, and heat!!" - Naina Kumar, USA Today Bestselling Author of Flirting with Disaster

"THE BEST I NEVER HAD is a fun twist on two of my favorite tropes, fake dating and second chance romance. With a hilarious cast of secondary characters, a dreamy forced proximity setting, and some serious steam, this is a must read for any rom com fan." --Falon Ballard, USA Today Bestselling author of CHANGE OF HEART

"Amy Buchanan shines incandescently bright in her sophomore novel THE BEST I NEVER HAD. Perfect for fans of Tessa Bailey. Thea and Owen's chemistry is sizzling off the page. I wanted to give them each a hug as the burden of being the stronger older siblings were often too great to bear. Buchanan writes delicious sexual tension, hilarious romcom hijinks, and such an endearing and emotional tribute to sisterhood. This book is one I'll find myself returning to when I need a good laugh and cry." -- Danica Nava, USA Today Bestselling Author of LOVE IS A WAR SONG

About the Author

Amy Buchanan has had a lifelong love affair with romance. After decades of devouring love stories written by others, she decided to share the ones pinging around in her own brain. She writes spicy contemporary romances with relatable heroines, swoonworthy heroes, and loving found families.

She lives in Central Florida with her three littles, two pups, and one husband. On top of writing, she uses her Masters in Higher Education Administration to run a scholarship foundation for first-generation college students. When not working, she trolls travel sites for luxury rentals outside of her budget and-poorly-trains for half-marathons.