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From the author of Bad Reputation comes a smart and sexy second chance romance, where exes reunite to adapt a memoir, only to discover that after a decade apart, they might finally be ready for more. Working with your ex isn’t that bad an idea—not with artistic integrity on the line. Jaime Croft is determined to prove his directorial range, and Scarlett Arbuthnot’s biography is the perfect project. He once thought Scarlett was his perfect match too, but it’s been seventeen years. Surely he’s over it by now. Or maybe not. Scarlett is a grand master taking the chess world by storm. If she can handle that pressure, she can handle Jaime Croft. Even if that means working together in close quarters . . .and constant reminders of how she broke his heart. She didn’t do it without reason, but if he knew the details, he would despise her even more. As Jaime and Scarlett pore over her memoir, they unlock their own memories, and old feelings rise to the surface. But giving in means abandoning the walls they’ve built to protect themselves, and that’s a move neither one seems ready to make.
Publication Year: 2025
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Bold Moves is a second chance romance with some (sort of) forced proximity and workplace elements set in the worlds of chess and prestige television, against a back drop of the American opioid epidemic.
Scarlett is a woman who's been an island since she was a child. Except for maybe a couple years in high school when she and Jamie were together, until she ran away to a chess tournament in Japan. Now it's 17 years later and she's the hot shot maverick of the chess world with a best selling memoir and he's the filmmaker who wants to adapt it. And she can't say no.
I have strong feelings about Scarlett. It about ripped my heart out, 37 pages into the book, when Scarlett didn't share details with her friends because "no one cared about Scarlett that much." OOF. I felt it in my bones. There's a joy in this story of watching Scarlett realize that she's part of a community. Moreover, a community that cares about her and is proud of her and wants good things for her. Her journey takes time, and the timeline of this story gives it room to breathe.
Then there's Jamie. Jamie has never not loved Scarlett. Even in the darkest moments, he's loved her. Whereas Scarlett has made herself into an island, Jamie has made himself into a pillar. A pillar for his family, his community, bearing more weight than he should or needs to.
Their reconnection, as friends, lovers, community, is lovely and fun to read. I really appreciate how Barry's books map over larger themes, and is done so deftly.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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