The Rachel Experiment

To secure a possible promotion, Rachel Bai uproots her comfortable life in New York City for a chance to prove herself in San Francisco. On her first night in her new city, she meets a charming stranger in a bar and, feeling bolder than usual, proposes a one-night stand. After their fluke encounter, the last thing Rachel expects is to see Luke Trudeau again at a party. When they realize they could help each other’s career aspirations, they agree that maintaining a strictly-business relationship shouldn’t be too hard, even as they spend more time together. Although Rachel and Luke’s romance starts off sultry, it forgoes maintaining that romantic steam and instead sprinkles in familiar rom-com moments. The plot has a hasty pace as it tackles Rachel’s inner conflict alongside her difficult but realistic dynamics with her sister and parents. Those who’ve read the first from the series, The Year of Cecily, will be delighted by the significant involvement of established characters in this novel as well.