★Sebastian, Cat. We Could Be So Good. Avon. Jun. 2023. 384p. ISBN 9780063272767. pap. $18.99. LGBTQIA+ ROMANCE

Sebastian (The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes) turns her considerable talent to the Manhattan of the late 1950s with her latest novel. City beat reporter Nick Russo has worked for everything he has, using a newspaper internship to escape his rough Brooklyn neighborhood. As a gay man in his mid-20s, he learned the hard way not to put too much trust in anyone else. He’s initially exasperated beyond belief with his latest work colleague, yet he can’t help himself from rescuing Andy Fleming from every ridiculous scrape in which the man finds himself. Andy seems to be living a charmed life, but then his bride-to-be leaves him for another man. Reluctant to return to his own neighborhood, he moves in with Nick temporarily. When their not-so-easy friendship turns into something else, however, both men will have to decide how much they’re willing to fight for the happy ending they deserve. VERDICT Fans of the author’s books will absolutely not want to miss this one. This sweetly angsty novel about two people finding themselves and figuring out a way forward together will appeal to anyone who enjoys reading opposites-attract romances with found family subplots.