Tropesick - by Lauren Okie (Paperback)

About the Book

"Katie Caruso is a completely normal twenty-five-year-old girl. At least, for the past eight years, she's tried to be. She likes glitter and sequins and flirting with cute boys at New York City bars. She's also a ghostwriter for Meredith Bradford, the best-selling romance novelist of all time. But then Tyler McNally walks back into Katie's life, and that bedazzled facade crumbles at her platform-sneakered feet. Katie and Tyler haven't seen or spoken to each other since the overdose death of Katie's older brother, a pitching prospect expected to go first in the MLB draft out of high school. Tyler was her brother's best friend, and Katie-naturally-was the girl next door. But now, Tyler is a sleeve-tattooed, Ivy League-educated aspiring literary fiction novelist, nine years sober . . . and Katie's writing partner for the summer. As genre conventions require, within a month, Katie and Tyler find themselves removed from Manhattan and instead writing their love story in "forced proximity" at Meredith's secluded Hampton estate. As the summer unfolds-and the tropes Katie and Tyler have written into their novel begin to play out in their own lives. And despite the years and circumstances that have kept Tyler and Katie apart, they can't help but fall back together. Call it love, fate, or magic itself: it's clear their love story is unfinished. This time though, they'll fight for their happy ending"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

In this lush, slow-burning romance, two childhood neighbors, connected by a shared tragedy, unexpectedly reunite to ghostwrite a love story for a reclusive author. Spending the summer at her secluded Hamptons estate, they soon discover that dozens of classic romance tropes, including the ones they're crafting on page, are mysteriously playing out in real life.

Katie Caruso is a completely normal twenty-five-year-old girl. At least, for the past eight years, she's tried to be. She likes glitter and sequins and flirting with cute boys at New York City bars. She's also a ghostwriter for Meredith Bradford, the bestselling romance novelist of all time. But then Tyler McNally walks back into Katie's life, and that bedazzled facade crumbles at her platform-sneakered feet.

Katie and Tyler haven't seen or spoken to each other since the overdose death of Katie's older brother, a standout MLB pitching prospect. Tyler was her brother's best friend, and Katie--naturally--was the girl next door. But now, Tyler is a sleeve-tattooed, Ivy League-educated aspiring literary fiction novelist, nine years sober . . . and Katie's writing partner for the summer.

As genre conventions require, Katie and Tyler soon find themselves removed from Manhattan and instead writing their love story in "forced proximity" at Meredith's isolated Southampton home. As the summer unfolds, the tropes Katie and Tyler have written into their novel begin to play out in their own lives. Call it destiny, fate, or magic itself: It's clear their love story is unfinished. This time, though, they'll fight for their happy ending.

Heart-wrenching and tender, Tropesick is a love letter to the romance genre. With a wink and a nod, Okie has packed the novel with readers' favorite tropes:

Grumpy/SunshineBrother's best friendGirl next doorForced proximityForbidden loveKissing in the rainGroveling heroSecond-chance romanceSlow burnOnly one bed

Review Quotes

"The Best Worst Thing is so sharp, sexy, and real. Every character feels like someone messy and raw and perfectly human. It's a refreshing novel with plenty of twists you don't see coming. Highly recommend this beautiful and redemptive debut!" -- Jamie Varon, author of Main Character Energy

"The Best Worst Thing is a stop-you-in-your-tracks kind of story--dazing and illuminating, filled with real, messy people figuring out what they want and deserve in the most heart-wrenching of circumstances. I inhaled every gorgeous word of Lauren Okie's prose. Absurdly sexy, psychologically rich, and joyously hopeful, Nicole and Logan's life-affirming love story will take permanent residence in your heart, and you'll be much better for it." -- Katie Naymon, author of You Between the Lines

"Lauren Okie's The Best Worst Thing squeezed my heart in the best possible way. It's a tender, honest and beautiful book." -- Amy T. Matthews, author of Someone Else's Bucket List

"A dynamic novel with so much heart, packed with adorable banter and very real and messy characters to root for; The Best Worst Thing has everything I love in a romance, and Lauren Okie's voice jumps off every page. A true delight of a read."

-- Natalie Sue, author of I Hope This Finds You Well

"With resonant prose and a full-hearted, unforgettable romance, Okie weaves a life's worth of humor and heartbreak, happiness and honesty into these pages. The Best Worst Thing is the best thing that's been on our bookshelves in a while." -- Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of The Roughest Draft

"The Best Worst Thing absolutely blew me away. It's sexy, complex, and raw, the perfect story of imperfect people in an impossible situation. Don't even get me started on the banter, which lands itself among the GREATS. Lauren Okie's writing is so ridiculously good that I had to put the book down a few times just to catch my breath. Consider me officially obsessed." -- Jessica Joyce, USA Today bestselling author of The Ex Vows

"The Best Worst Thing is read-in-one-sitting brilliance! The perfect blend of California summer romance, emotional depth, years of unresolved longing, and the constant sense of teetering on the edge of heartbreak. I loved every second!" -- Meg Jones, author of Clean Point

Okie perfectly captures everything from the heartache of infertility to the sweetness of falling in love with witty, sparkling prose. Searingly funny, heart-wrenchingly romantic, and painfully honest, The Best Worst Thing is a knockout debut. -- Kate Golden, USA Today bestselling author of If Not for My Baby

"There is much tension and suspense as Nicole's entire life changes. As in real life, finding the happily-ever-after isn't always easy, adding suspense and joy to Nicole's story, Okie's compelling first novel." -- Booklist