The Best I Never Had: A Novel

The Best I Never Had: A Novel*Please note: If you are pre ordering a signed copy of this book, it will not be available for in store pickup or shipped until 08 24 2026. Personalizations may be left in notes during checkout. Please call the store if you have any questions (404)748 1840 They staged a romance, faked a breakup, and this time around, anything can happeneven something real. Thea Pappas has always been the storm in her own lifefiery and unpredictabletraits that led her

*Please note: If you are pre-ordering a signed copy of this book, it will not be available for in-store pickup or shipped until 08/24/2026. Personalizations may be left in notes during checkout.  Please call the store if you have any questions (404)748-1840

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.