Right Girl, Wrong Side

January 2, 2023
The Hatfields and McCoys get an update in this delightful rom-com from Baird (The Duplicate Bride). Evita Machado has been procrastinating telling her big, tight-knit family that she broke up with the boyfriend they all loved, and now it looks like she’s going to have to break the news on family vacation. That’s soon the least of her worries, however, when their Nantucket beach house is accidentally double-booked and the rowdy Machados find themselves sharing it with the stuffy Hatfields, the family of Evita’s mother’s fiercest business rival. Youngest son Ryan Hatfield has had a soft spot for Evita since they were lab partners in their high school chemistry class, and those feelings come flooding back now that they’re back in close quarters. Their chemistry is palpable, but they’ll have to work together to settle their families’ feud if they’re going to give their attraction the chance to bloom. Baird delivers a cast full of three-dimensional characters that readers will be happy to spend time with, and the vivid Nantucket setting adds to the charm. Readers will fall in love right alongside the hero and heroine. Agent: Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon Literary.

June 10, 2024

Having just gone through a breakup, Evita Machado can't wait to get to Nantucket for a weeklong vacation with her family. But when the Machados arrive, they discover the Hatfield family has already moved into their vacation house for the week. During high school, Ryan Hatfield was Evita's crush, but they couldn't date because of their mothers' bitter business rivalry. With neither family willing to leave, the two families spend the week sharing the house. Baird's (The Duplicate Bride) latest is a Hatfields vs. McCoys and Romeo and Juliet mash-up with a modern twist. Karla Serrato narrates the boisterous Machados, perfectly capturing their love and affection as well as the Hatfields' understated reserve. Although Evita and Ryan have not spoken in years, they quickly fall in love. Their instant relationship may strain some listeners' credulity, but the characters' personal growth and development are satisfying. Serrato's bubbly narration makes for a fun listen, perfect for anyone seeking a charming romance with a fairy-tale ending. VERDICT Baird's lighthearted novel, based on stories of famous feuding families, would be a welcome addition to any romance collection. For fans of Emily Henry, Allison Winn Scotch, and Jennifer Weiner.--Elyssa Everling

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