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AudioBook information:
Author: Jodi McAlister
Narrated by: Sofia Lette, Sen Mitsuji
Release date: July 27, 2026
Audiobook Duration: 11 h 1 min
Summary: The author of the “brilliant” (Library Journal) An Academic Affair proves that the best love stories start with a pop with this sizzling romance about a recently separated single mom who’s absolutely not looking for another relationship…only to fall for the younger owner of her favorite wine bar.
Fiona Fisher thought she had it all: a loving husband, three kids, and a life far away from the suffocating expectations of her family. But when her husband reveals that he’s leaving her for his secret second family, Fiona is left devastated and humiliated.
Satoshi Tsukamoto wants it all. He’s the owner of a popular wine bar, and he’s studying for the hardest test in the world: the Master Sommelier exam. There aren’t enough hours in the day for anything else—except maybe for Fiona, his favorite customer, and the woman he’s absolutely, catastrophically in love with.
On paper, Fiona and Satoshi make no sense. He’s eight years younger than her and has no time for romance. She’s a single mother and doesn’t know if she’ll ever be able to trust anyone again. But how can Fiona resist when Satoshi suggests they give into their mutual attraction and let off some steam? And how can Satoshi resist when the woman he adores is finally within his grasp—even if they’ve agreed to keep things casual?
The perfect read for fans of Jasmine Guillory and Abby Jimenez, A Study in Sparklingproves that Jodi McAlister truly is “a writer to watch” (Booklist).
Reviews:
“This carefully crafted and effervescent contemporary romance balances a woman’s inner journey with a tender love story.”
—Kirkus (starred review)
“This refreshing standalone, a Tasmania-set contemporary from McAlister, revitalizes the friends-with-benefits trope…Steamy moments build quickly, even as subplots explore what’s next in both characters’ lives: a challenging sommelier exam for Sato and a new career in writing for Fiona. The fun, spicy dynamic between the appealing leads keeps the pages flying. Readers are sure to root for these two.”
—Publishers Weekly
“McAlister pours out a bubbly and delightful happily-ever-after.”
—Library Journal
“In this expansion of the world that began with An Academic Affair, Jodi McAlister flawlessly combines wit, steaminess, and heartwarming family dynamics to deliver an engrossing romance that’s a testament to her skillful storytelling. This is a book you’ll want to sink into.”
—Lydia San Andres, author of Only Friends
“A beautiful champagne pop of a novel, this is romance at its finest.”
—Nina Kenwood, author of The Wedding Forecast
About the Author:
Jodi McAlister, PhD, is an author and academic from Kiama, Australia. She is the author of An Academic Affair and the Marry Me Juliet trilogy. She is currently a senior lecturer in writing, literature, and culture at Deakin University in Melbourne and is the president of the International Association for the Study of Popular Romance. For more, visit JodiMcAlister.com.au or find her on Instagram @JodiMcAlister.