Praise for Nina Bocci
ON THE CORNER OF LOVE AND HATE
* A Goodreads “Most Anticipated Romance Novel of 2019” *
* A Hypable “20 Most Anticipated Summer Book Releases for 2019” Pick *
* A Bustle “21 New Rom-Com Novels to Spice Up Your Summer Reading” Pick *
“Romance at its finest with a colorful cast of characters and a couple to root for.”
—New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sylvain Reynard
“Emma’s everywoman appeal lends charm to the story, and her self-deprecating humor is a plus. This is a fun bit of fluffy entertainment.”
—Publishers Weekly
“I flew through On the Corner of Love and Hate. Written with wit, quick banter, and heartfelt moments, I wished and rooted for Emma and Cooper’s happily-ever-after, for that opposites-attract heat to smolder and catch fire. And Nina Bocci delivered!”
—Tif Marcelo, author of The Key to Happily Ever After
“Fans of Hallmark Channel rom-coms will flip over this sassy love story. … What follows is a rediscovered spark, steamy banter, and the art of finding love in unlikely places.”
—Woman’s World
“Impossible to read without smiling. On the Corner of Love and Hate is romantic fiction at its finest.”
—Lauren Layne, USA Today bestselling author of Passion on Park Avenue
“Bocci’s warm, romantic novel deals with love, friendship, and family ties. This page-turner is filled with quick, witty banter from likable characters living in a realistic small town. The character-driven novel will have readers rooting for the confused friends. Fans of Jill Shalvis will thoroughly enjoy this swoon-worthy story.”
—Booklist
“Fans of enemies-to-lovers rom-coms (such as Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game) will enjoy, as will political junkies.”
—Library Journal
“A delightful slow-burning romance that I adored!”
—Mia Sheridan, New York Times bestselling author of Archer’s Voice
“Charming. … Bocci puts her characters through an emotional wringer, but balances the pining and misunderstandings with humor and an overall uplifting message about community involvement, family and hope. Readers looking for a feel-good romance set in a diverse, quirky small town will be entranced by On the Corner of Love and Hate.”
—Shelf Awareness
“Plenty of wit and feisty characters. … If you’re looking for one last summer read, something comfortable and warm to help you settle in and get ready for even cozier reading this fall, you most definitely don’t want to miss On the Corner of Love and Hate, because it’s everything you’re looking for … and probably a little bit more.”
—Hypable (4 stars)
“With its picturesque cover and super cute (and clueless) hero and heroine, On the Corner of Love and Hate was an absolute joy to read. I can’t wait to see what entertaining story Nina Bocci has for her readers next.”
—Harlequin Junkie (4 stars)
“Nina Bocci is a wonderful storyteller. I love her characters. … On the Corner of Love and Hate is a delight with a cast of characters that you will adore. Brava, Nina Bocci.”
—Fresh Fiction
“Slow-burn romance with great banter and plenty of laughs!”
—Daily Waffle
ROMAN CRAZY
WITH ALICE CLAYTON
“A comedic and deliciously whimsical romp only this pair could deliver. Alice Clayton and Nina Bocci have struck gold.”
—New York Times bestselling author Christina Lauren
“I went CRAZY over Roman Crazy—this is simply a perfect romance!”
—New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst
“Remarkable, refreshing … Clayton and Bocci have written a tender love story … all nestled within a love letter to the beauty of Rome.”
—RT Book Reviews (four stars)
“There are books that make you laugh out loud, make you teary, make you hot and bothered, make you smile. And then there are books that make you want to crawl inside them and live within their pages. That’s what Roman Crazy is.”
—New York Times bestselling author Emma Chase
“Roman Crazy is a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about second chances, friendship, and the beauty of Rome. You won’t simply read this novel, you’ll devour it as Alice Clayton and Nina Bocci transport you to Italy and guide you on an unforgettable adventure.”
—New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sylvain Reynard
“Roman Crazy is a sexy, steamy slow burn. A visceral reading experience that takes you from the cobbled streets of Rome to the bedroom and everywhere in between. Get your fans out! Five stars of smolder.”
—New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting
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To the real Nana. I think I miss your laugh the most. I hope you’re having a beer with Pop Pop. Love, 6-pack
PROLOGUE
We ran across town, holding hands and laughing as we darted through yards. The warm summer night was sticky, the humidity heavy on our skin. Neighbors shouted over the crickets and the owls, yelling for us to get home. It was well past dinnertime, but we’d made each other a promise that we wouldn’t stop until it was safe. What exactly safe meant was another story.
We didn’t exactly have a plan. Who does when you’re ten and running away from home? The idea had formed after we’d read From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler together at the library. We had packed the essentials, just like Claudia and Jamie from the book: clean underwear, our life savings of eighteen dollars and forty-seven cents, a change of clothes, and pajamas.
“I brought some LEGOs in case we get bored,” I told him, holding up a plastic bag filled with a few dozen random pieces.
The tips of his ears turned bright pink. “I brought, uh, some books. You know, in case of boredom.” He opened his backpack to reveal a small library inside.
“Some?” I teased, zipping it back up for him. “Come on, we’ve got to get moving.”
The streetlights flickered on one by one, almost as if they were following us, lighting the way for our families, who were by now surely trying to find us.
“Do you think Emma is mad we ducked out on her party? She hadn’t gotten to the presents yet, and you know how much she loves opening them with an audience,” he asked, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
We’d skipped out on our friend Emma’s birthday party just after the cake had been served. It was the height of excitement, and no one except the birthday girl herself knew that we had scooted out the back door. But that was at least thirty minutes ago, and our dads would be at Emma’s to pick us up by now.
“I told her what we were doing. She was going to try to keep them distracted to give us more of a head start,” I explained.