★Ariel, Myah. When I Think of You. Berkley. Apr. 2024. 368p. ISBN 9780593640593. pap. $18. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

DEBUT Ariel’s debut is a swoon-inducing second-chance romance featuring college sweethearts who never really got over each other. Kaliya Wilson is a perpetually overlooked receptionist at a Hollywood movie studio. Her film degree and extensive knowledge of Hollywood are not enough to help her break into a hierarchical industry that runs on personal connections and is filled with nepo babies. She’s conflicted when her possible big break in the film industry is offered to her by Danny Prescott, the man who broke her heart. Danny, a Hollywood scion who accomplished a great deal during his time away from Kaliya, has never forgotten her. Their past successful collaboration makes him confident that she would be an asset to the film he’s making about his parents’ interracial love story. Secondary characters’ ulterior motives complicate Danny and Kaliya’s work, as well as their journey back to each other. Ariel explores the dynamics that underpin the entertainment industry and society in general and covers difficult topics, including grief and trauma, with a deft touch. VERDICT At turns humorous and heart-wrenching, with a smoldering sensuality that underlies even the most fraught of the protagonists’ encounters, this novel is highly recommended for all library collections.