The first bookcase is now halfway into position, and I’m sweating and breathing hard. I realize with horror that the sounds I’m making are mildly pornographic, and I try my best to stifle them. I push again and flinch at the piercing shriek of the wheels.

“You know what, Brandon?” “That’s also not my—”

“If I’m annoying you so much, you could help me.”

He huffs again, this time in disbelief. “Why would I do that?” “Because I’d be done faster.” I give the bookcase one last shove and straighten, wincing. “One down, one to go.”

Ryan watches me as I head over to the next bookcase. His arms are folded across his stupid brawny chest, the expression on his face half grumpy toddler and half smirking douchebag. Like he knows he could push the shelf into place with little to no effort, but he’d rather watch me break my back.

And that’s exactly what he does. The wheels aren’t as squeaky on this one, but they’re stiff. With each shove, my feet scrabble on the polished wood floor, and I’m cursing under my breath by the end—but he doesn’t move a muscle.

My simmering frustration spikes into red-hot anger. It’s like he enjoys seeing me struggle. Like he wants to humiliate me.

Or . . .

I twist around to see his face: lips parted, pupils dilated, eyes focused on my butt. He straightens and glances away.

“Were you staring at my ass?” I snap.

“You wish.” His eyes flick to my chest for a half second before sliding away.

Heat sizzles down my spine—the heat of rage, I tell myself.

Pure, scorching rage.

I march toward him, steam practically coming out of my ears, and he stumbles back, bumping against the shelves behind him. He thinks he’s the only one who can back someone into a bookcase?

He’s towering above me, so I grab his lanyard and tug him down to my level. His eyes flash with surprise and something else—red and hot—and I realize what I’ve done: his mouth is inches from mine.

“You have something to say?” His voice is a husky rumble.

I can’t meet his eyes; I’m breathing hard, fixated on his mouth, that full lower lip. “I hate how tall you are.”

“Do you?” His tone is mocking. Like he’s thinking, Liar. “Yes,” I snap. “I hate how you always look down on me.” “Want me to get on my knees?”

Fury zings through me, and I clench my thighs together.

“What I want,” I say, “is for you to stop staring at me like you can’t decide if you want to kill me or fuck me.”

His eyes flash with heat. “Too bad,” he whispers.

He’s looking at me with blatant hunger, like he’s daring me to pull him the rest of the way down. Just a couple of inches and his mouth will be on mine. My grip tightens on his lanyard. And for a split second, I think, Why not?

A burst of laughter sounds from his side of the store—like a bucket of cold water hitting me. I release his lanyard. He straightens up.

Taking a step back, I smooth my hair and attempt to pull myself together, knowing there’s nothing I can do about my flushed cheeks. Flushed from anger—it must be. The alternative is too awful to even consider.

When I look up, he’s smirking again, like he knows how much he rattled me. Like this is all part of his strategy to crush me into oblivion.

“I think you should go,” I say, lifting my chin.

“Yeah,” he says, releasing a dark laugh. “I would have if you hadn’t—”

“Just go.”

His jaw clenches, and he turns and stalks away, and I’m involuntarily staring at his butt, at the way his worn jeans hug everything just right—

“My sister was right about you,” I call after him, and he pauses. “You’re just a basic run-of-the-mill asshole.”

His body goes rigid for one second, then two. But he doesn’t turn around, doesn’t reply. He just keeps on walking, disappearing behind the new bookcase-wall and into his store.

Excerpted from BATTLE OF THE BOOKSTORES by Ali Brady, published by Berkley, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC. Copyright © 2025

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About Until Next Summer: Two former best friends each find love at an adults-only summer camp in this romantic and nostalgic novel that proves “once a camp person, always a camp person.”

If you can’t tell by our author photo above, Ali Brady is actually two people! In addition to being co-authors, we’re also BFFs—so it probably isn’t a surprise that we LOVE books that feature strong female friendships. 

While our books fall into the beach read and romance category, they all have strong elements of sisterhood and friendship, including our latest novel, UNTIL NEXT SUMMER. It tells the story of Jessie and Hillary, former camp best friends who come together to help save their beloved camp, and their friendship (both finding love along the way).  

Here are a few of our favorite books that really capture the power of strong female friendships. 

Just For The Summer by Abby Jimenez 

While this romance novel focuses on the story of Emma and Justin (Toilet King, forever!) there is a second strong love story in the novel: the friendship between the leading lady and her BFF Maddy. These two women are more like sisters than friends, and the way they support each other through the ups and downs of love and life is so beautiful, it may have made us shed a tear or two!

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley 

A twenty-something woman who’s down on her luck and an octagenarian whose nudgy daughter insists she gets live-in help after a fall—you wouldn’t think these two would have much in common. But when the two take off on a cross-country road trip running from the law, a beautiful, unlikely friendship is born. We loved this multi-generational story of how these two women help each other face their pasts and figure out their futures. 

Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey

This story follows three best friends who grew up attending the same summer camp. When they learn that their beloved Camp Holly might have to close, they band together to save it–and come together as friends, too. We love how this story captures the complexity of decades-long friendships and how important they are. And obviously, we’re here for the summer camp vibes! 

The Summer List by Amy Mason Doan 

While we love second-chance love stories, there’s a special place in our heart for stories about second-chance friendships—including this one! BFFs Laura and Casey had a falling out 17 years ago, and when life brings them back together, they get pulled into a nostalgic scavenger hunt like the ones they did every summer growing up. As the game brings the two back together, the clues unravel a shocking secret that threatens to tear them apart again… 

One Last Summer by Kate Spencer

Another summer camp novel, this one follows thirtysomething Clara, who is struggling with career burnout, as she gathers with her friends for what might be the very last camp reunion. Clara has immediate sparks with her old camp nemesis/crush, Mack, but one of the most beautiful relationships in the story is between Clara and her very pregnant friend Sam. It’s a beautiful reminder that our strongest childhood friendships can grow with us during the ups and downs of adulthood. 

We hope this can help you find the perfect read featuring strong female friendships to enjoy this summer. Each one would make a great buddy read for you and your BFF. Happy reading!

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Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Ali Brady’s The Comeback Summer, which is out May 9th!

Hannah and Libby need a miracle. The PR agency they inherited from their grandmother is losing clients left and right, and the sisters are devastated at the thought of closing. The situation seems hopeless—until in walks Lou, an eccentric self-help guru who is looking for a new PR agency. Her business could solve all their problems—but there’s a catch. Whoever works with Lou must complete a twelve-week challenge as part of her “Crush Your Comfort Zone” program.

Hannah, whose worst nightmare is making small talk with strangers, is challenged to go on twelve first dates. Libby, who once claimed to have period cramps for four weeks straight to get out of gym class, is challenged to compete in an obstacle course race. The challenges begin with Hannah helping Libby train and Libby managing the dating app on her sister’s behalf. They’re both making good progress—until Hannah’s first love rolls into town, and Libby accidentally falls for a guy she’s supposed to be setting up with her sister.

Things get even more complicated when secrets come to light, making the sisters question the one relationship they’ve always counted each other. With their company’s future on the line, they can’t afford to fail. But in trying to make a comeback to honor their grandmother, are they pushing themselves down the wrong path?

FIVE
Libby

Hannah and I spent the weekend filling out our questionnaires so Lou and her team could analyze them before our meeting today, when she’ll officially assign our challenges.

It took hours.

There were hundreds of questions, from practical things like how many hours of sleep I get a night (seven on average, but preferably nine), if I remember my dreams (not usually), or if I’m superstitious (very).

It was like doing an inventory of my life—how I liked to play as a child (Barbie and Ken, falling in love), how my parents rewarded me back then (cartoons and candy), and how I reward myself today (buying a new book or a pastry).

I answered questions about my religious beliefs (culturally Jewish, but more spiritual than religious), how physically active I am on a scale of 0 to 10 (4 for me, probably an 11 for Hannah) and whether I get energy from being around people or being alone (definitely from people).

The second I hit submit, my stomach was in knots at the thought of strangers studying my answers. Analyzing my flaws.

It got even worse after Hannah had the not-so-brilliant idea for me to listen to Lou’s podcast—her show is not the gimmicky armchair psychology I thought it would be.

Lou—which I’m starting to suspect is short for Lucifer—digs into her guests’ lives, asking questions that gave me secondhand discomfort, just listening.

In a live Q and A with listeners, she made six out of seven people cry. And the only reason the seventh didn’t cry was because he started yelling at Lou, which is arguably worse.

I should have taken a page from Br’er Rabbit and pretended to love all the things that make me uncomfortable, like conflict, cleaning, exercise, and horizontal stripes. I should have lied.

But it’s too late now. Hannah and I are in the conference room, sitting opposite Lou, who looks sharp in a pink blazer and matching lipstick.

“Ladies,” Lou says, “I’ve run y’all’s answers through my system, and I’m so excited to share the results.”

Her eyes twinkle and my stomach tightens. I wonder what happened to Lou in her childhood that made her get such joy out of making people uncomfortable.

“Hannah, should we start with you?” Lou asks.

Hannah sucks in a quick breath, and I feel guilty enjoying this brief stay of execution, but not guilty enough to volunteer to go first.

“Based on your results,” Lou tells my sister, “you have great physical strength and endurance. You push yourself physically and aren’t afraid to go the extra mile.”

Her words are true: my sister never breaks a sweat when we walk back from the grocery store, even when she’s carrying both our cases of LaCroix—Pamplemousse for me, Cerise Limón for her.

“You enjoy a good physical challenge, and you excel at mental challenges as well,” Lou says. “Your mind has an uncanny ability to analyze data and break it down, seeing patterns and making connections. It’s probably why you’ve got a penchant for true crime—if I had to guess, you solve the mystery before most people.”

Again, it’s accurate. When we read Verity for a book club, Hannah figured out the twist a good forty pages early.

“You tend to see the world in black and white,” Lou says, glancing down at her folder. “And shades of gray make you feel out of sorts. You have introverted tendencies—”

I stifle a laugh at the obviousness of this statement, and Hannah shoots me a dirty look.

“You keep your emotions close to your chest,” Lou continues. “It takes a lot for new people to get past the walls you put up. It’s for your protection, but it also keeps people out.”

I look at my sister, who is sitting up straight, her fingers nervously twitching in her lap.

“Since you excel in areas of mental and physical strength, there’s room for improvement with the other two categories: social and emotional. It feels safer to avoid connecting with other people, but it’s holding you back. Does that sound about right?”

Hannah nods ever so slightly, and Lou offers a sympathetic smile as she says, “To crush that comfort zone, your challenge will focus on interpersonal strength. You’re single, correct?”

“She is,” I say, answering for Hannah when she doesn’t do it fast enough.

“Perfect.” Lou rubs her hands together like she can’t wait for what’s next. “In this challenge, you will go on twelve first dates over the next twelve weeks.”

My face lights up as Hannah’s falls. There’s nothing I love more than love, and I’ve been telling Hannah for years that she needs to dive back into the dating pool—although for Hannah, it might feel more like a belly flop.

“You want me to date twelve men?” Hannah asks, dumbfounded.

“Not all at the same time,” Lou says, giving a musical laugh. “I’d suggest one date a week.”

“But . . .” Hannah says, and I can see her mind spinning as she tries to find the words to get herself out of this pickle. I resist my big-sister urge to save her, because I agree; this could be just what she needs.

“But feminism,” Hannah finally says. “A woman doesn’t need a man to complete her life.”

“I’m all for independent women,” Lou says. “But this isn’t about the other person, the man—or woman, if that’s what floats your boat. It’s about opening yourself to new people and possibilities. Knock those walls down, darlin’.”

Hannah looks at me, her eyes pleading for me to say something. So I do.

“She’s in.”

Beneath the table, Hannah tweaks the rolls on my side. I slap her hand away, keeping a smile on my face as Lou tells Hannah the details of her challenge, which isn’t so bad.

I know my sister would love to be in a relationship again. But like Lou said, she’s built a barricade around herself. Hannah has kept her heart under lock and key ever since that Jackass Who Shall Not Be Named abandoned her five years ago.

She’s gone on a handful of dates since then, and there was one guy from her running club who stuck around for a few months, but none of those other men could offer her what she had with her ex: history.

I’ve tried to tell her a connection like that takes time, but deep down, I know she’s afraid to get hurt again.

This could be the push she needs. Her chance to fall in love with someone tall and handsome and kind who treats her the way she deserves.

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In The Beach Trap, two best friends from camp learn they’re actually half-sisters and the revelation ruins the friendship. Fifteen years later, their father dies and tries to reunite them from beyond the grave with an unexpected inheritance: a run-down beach house in Destin, Florida. The two women soon realise the most difficult project they’ll face is not the massive home reno, but coming to grips with their shared past, and learning how to become sisters.

Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and it’s fun, summer-filled cover as it is now available to pre-order and add to your Goodreads!

When twelve-year-olds Kat Steiner and Blake O’Neill meet at Camp Chickawah, they have an instant connection. But everything falls apart when they learn they’re not just best friends—they’re also half-sisters. Confused and betrayed, their friendship instantly crumbles. 
 
Fifteen years later when their father dies suddenly, Kat and Blake discover he’s left them a joint inheritance: the family beach house in Destin, Florida. The two sisters are instantly at odds. Blake, who has recently been demoted from regular nanny to dog nanny, wants to sell the house, while social media influencer Kat is desperate to keep the place where she had so many happy childhood memories. 
 
Kat and Blake reluctantly join forces to renovate the dilapidated house with the understanding that Kat will try to buy Blake out at the end of the summer. The women clash as Blake’s renovation plans conflict with Kat’s creative vision, and each sister finds herself drawn into a summer romance. As the weeks pass, the two women realize the most difficult project they face this summer will be coming to grips with their shared past, and learning how to become sisters.

Will you be picking up The Beach Trap? Tell us in the comments below!

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