Back to September Read online

  Building a bridge between two worlds can be tricky.

  Hannah Shephard likes her life, her job, and her perfectly cozy apartment around the corner from her shop. She’s never been one to take big risks and would much rather stay in on a Friday night with a warm cup of decaf and her favorite mystery novel, so why do her friends insist she needs more? Plus, Hannah has bigger problems to focus on. She’s in trouble. Well, her bookstore is, and if she doesn’t find a way to bring in some more cash, she’ll be closing the doors of A Likely Story for good.

  When world famous romance novelist Parker Bristow accepts her request to come in for a signing, Hannah might finally be able to drum up some much-needed attention and save the shop. What she didn’t anticipate was an unexpected evening and a woman she wouldn’t soon forget. A real romance is off the table. Parker is flashy, sought after, and Hannah is just, well, Hannah. But for Parker, it seems like Hannah might be a safe place to fall. The question is, what kind of falling are they doing?

  Reviewers Love Melissa Brayden

  “Melissa Brayden has become one of the most popular novelists of the genre, writing hit after hit of funny, relatable, and very sexy stories for women who love women.”—Afterellen.com

  Love Like This

  “I really have to commend Melissa Brayden in her exceptional writing and especially in the way she writes not only the romance but the friendships between the group of women.”—Les Rêveur

  “Brayden upped her game. The characters are remarkably distinct from one another. The secondary characters are rich and wonderfully integrated into the story. The dialogue is crisp and witty.”—Frivolous Reviews

  Sparks Like Ours

  “Brayden sets up a flirtatious tit-for-tat that’s honest, relatable, and passionate. The women’s fears are real, but the loving support from the supporting cast helps them find their way to a happy future. This enjoyable romance is sure to interest readers in the other stories from Seven Shores.”—Publishers Weekly

  “Sparks Like Ours is made up of myriad bits of truth that make for a cozy, lovely summer read.”—Queerly Reads

  Hearts Like Hers

  “Hearts Like Hers has all the ingredients that readers can expect from Ms. Brayden: witty dialogue, heartfelt relationships, hot chemistry and passionate romance.”—Lez Review Books

  “Once again Melissa Brayden stands at the top. She unequivocally is the queen of romance.”—Front Porch Romance

  “Hearts Like Hers has a breezy style that makes it a perfect beach read. The romance is paced well, the sex is super hot, and the conflict made perfect sense and honored Autumn and Kate’s journeys.”—The Lesbian Review

  Eyes Like Those

  “Brayden’s story of blossoming love behind the Hollywood scenes provides the right amount of warmth, camaraderie, and drama.”—RT Book Reviews

  “Brayden’s writing is just getting better and better. The story is well done, full of well-honed wit and humour, and the characters are complex and interesting.”—Lesbian Reading Room

  “Melissa Brayden knocks it out of the park once again with this fantastic and beautifully written novel.”—Les Reveur

  “Pure Melissa Brayden at her best…Another great read that won’t disappoint Brayden’s fans. Can’t wait for the rest of the series.”—Lez Review Books

  Strawberry Summer

  “This small-town second-chance romance is full of tenderness and heart. The 10 Best Romance Books of 2017.”—Vulture

  “Strawberry Summer is a tribute to first love and soulmates and growing into the person you’re meant to be. I feel like I say this each time I read a new Melissa Brayden offering, but I loved this book so much that I cannot wait to see what she delivers next.”—Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

  “Strawberry Summer will suck you in, rip out your heart, and put all the pieces back together by the end, maybe even a little better than they were before.”—The Lesbian Review

  “[A] sweet and charming small-town lesbian romance.”—Pretty Little Book Reviews

  First Position

  “Brayden aptly develops the growing relationship between Ana and Natalie, making the emotional payoff that much sweeter. This ably plotted, moving offering will earn its place deep in readers’ hearts.”—Publishers Weekly

  Praise for the Soho Loft Series

  “The trilogy was enjoyable and definitely worth a read if you’re looking for solid romance or interconnected stories about a group of friends.”—The Lesbrary

  Kiss the Girl

  “There are romances and there are romances…Melissa Brayden can be relied on to write consistently very sweet, pure romances and delivers again with her newest book Kiss the Girl…There are scenes suffused with the sweetest love, some with great sadness or even anger—a whole gamut of emotions that take readers on a gentle roller coaster with a consistent upbeat tone. And at the heart of this book is a hymn to true friendship and human decency.”—C-Spot Reviews

  “Read it. Embrace it. Do yourself a favor and provide it to yourself as a reward for being awesome. There is nothing about this novel that won’t delight any reader, I can guarantee this.”—FarNerdy Book Blog

  Just Three Words

  “Another winner from Melissa Brayden. I really connected with Hunter and Sam, and enjoyed watching their relationship develop. The friendship between the four women was heart-warming and real. The dialogue in general was fun and contemporary. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, hope it will be about Mallory!”—Melina Bickard, Librarian, Waterloo Library (London)

  “A beautiful and downright hilarious tale about two very relatable women looking for love.”—Sharing Is Caring Book Reviews

  Ready or Not

  “The chemistry is off the charts. The swoon factor is high. I promise you this book will make you smile. I had such high hopes for this book, and Melissa Brayden leapt right over them.”—The Romantic Reader Blog

  Back to September

  Brought to you by

  eBooks from Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com

  eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  Please respect the rights of the author and do not file share.

  Back to September

  © 2019 By Melissa Brayden. All Rights Reserved.

  ISBN 13: 978-1-63555-577-6

  This Electronic Original Is Published By

  Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 249

  Valley Falls, NY 12185

  First Edition: November 2019

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

  Credits

  Editors: Lynda Sandoval and Stacia Seaman

  Production Design: Stacia Seaman

  Cover Design by Jeanine Henning

  By the Author

  Waiting in the Wings

  Heart Block

  How Sweet It Is

  First Position

  Strawberry Summer

  Beautiful Dreamer

  Back to September

  Soho Loft Romances:

  Kiss the Girl

  Just Three Words

  Ready or Not

  Seven Shores Romances:

  Eyes Like Those

  Hearts Like Hers

  Sparks Like Ours

  Love Like This

  Acknowledgments

  I can’t seem to get used to the mag
ic I encounter when walking into a bookstore. I don’t know if it’s the crisp smell of the books themselves, or the idea that there are thousands of stories and adventures lining the shelves, just waiting to be snatched up and explored. Maybe it’s all that creativity in one space, commingling and putting out the greatest energy ever. Whatever it is, I’m a big fan of the bookstore, and find the smaller shops have captured my heart exponentially. I hope A Likely Story will capture yours in a similar fashion. It was certainly fun spending my workdays there.

  I’m grateful for my writing community and all the colleagues who have become so much more than just that. With each conference, I learn so much from you. With each conversation, I take in something new and valuable that enriches my storytelling. You’re there for me when I have a rough writing day, and you cheer me on when I’ve had a particularly good one. I adore you all!

  To those hard at work at Bold Strokes books, I say thank you for your efforts, guidance, and professionalism. I love my job and the people I work with. I realize how lucky I am in that capacity.

  My editor on this book, Lynda Sandoval, is fantastic at phrasing things gently and rerouting me when I need it. She’s also my very favorite cheerleader, who threatens violence when she loves a portion of the book. I adore our partnership and am forever grateful for your influence. Similarly, Stacia Seaman is a rock star of details. Her copy editing leaves me in awe with every book.

  To my at home family, you make my life what it is. My hand is over my heart because you allow me to do what I do even when you sometimes need me to do the dishes. Thank you for holding my hand, making me laugh, and being my support system. I love you.

  Lastly, dear reader, you make me happy to open my email and social media each morning. I treasure your messages and the relationship we share. I remark every day how cool it is that we bond over stories and plots and characters. I hope to keep writing, and I hope you’ll keep reading. Let’s go on many more journeys together.

  For the Romantics

  Chapter One

  “Good morning, books,” I whispered reverently. This was the first sentence that passed from my lips each day when I arrived at work. I flipped on the lights of the bookshop early that Monday morning at eight a.m. sharp, held my breath, and counted to three. The overhead lights took about that long to flicker to full vibrancy, bringing the store and the thousands of stories that lined its shelves to life. Incredibly satisfying, that moment. I exhaled at the pleasant squeeze my heart received and smiled in greeting at the space, my favorite in all of the world. I ran my hand along the spines of the mystery section as I passed, my own little version of a hello hug. Not that I was a sap. I wasn’t. I just had a soft spot for books, even more than I had for people, and recognized the ability of books to change lives.

  Today was going to be a good day. A brief pat on the spine for general fiction as I walked. Something important was going to happen. I could feel it prickle my skin and warm my midsection, almost as if the premonition had blown in with the impending fall temperatures, encapsulating me and giving me energy. Strangely, I felt like bouncing around. It was still late August, but with the thermostat only expected to brush seventy that afternoon, I welcomed the glimpse of autumn ahead.

  I’d opened my bookshop, A Likely Story, eight years prior, snatching up the storefront in downtown Providence, Rhode Island, from an elderly man who’d been ready to close his flower shop and enter the glory years of golfing and fishing, having invested his retirement funds nicely. Because of the fair offer and quick close on the sale of the storefront, I’d gotten the shop for a steal, making me, Hannah Shephard, a small business owner for the first time at twenty-six years old. That felt like centuries ago now. I looked back in amusement at the idealism of that innocent youngster, who imagined the bookselling world at her feet.

  The store’s location was excellent, close to everything trendy and fun in downtown, but just off the beaten path by about two blocks, giving the shop its own quaint, away-from-the-hustle-and-bustle existence. The flower shop, Daisy Chain, had commanded a pretty steady business, and A Likely Story had followed in its footsteps…at least for the first few years I’d been in business. It would again, I told myself on the regular. That mantra had played like a broken record in my head this morning as I’d made the short walk to work from my apartment, only six and half blocks away. Things would be okay, I reminded myself again, while preparing the morning coffee with measured precision, taking each step in the process slowly to ensure the perfectly blended pot for my customers. Details mattered. If the coffee wasn’t amazing, then I had failed to do a key part of my job, which was bait people into the store with the amazing aroma of fresh coffee—made every two hours—so I could match them to their book. That’s right. I believed wholeheartedly that at any given moment, every human being had a book somewhere out there that was perfect for them and their headspace, if only they could find it. That’s where I came in. Call it my gift. But I know firsthand how effective the perfect match can be. I’ve had plenty of perfect matches in my thirty-four years: a self-help book about human imperfection when I was feeling introspective and less than amazing, or Stephen King’s dragon-slaying tale when my imagination was firing on all cylinders, or a fantastic Patricia Cornwell crime novel for a rainy night under a snug blanket. The key to a repeat customer was providing the ultimate escape, the perfect match, and so many had come to my store for that very reason. Fantastic coffee with a little bit of cinnamon helped grease the wheels, making my job easier.

  “Morning, Hannah!” I heard Kurt, my employee, call from the front of the store. “It’s cooler out, and I wore earmuffs. That might be premature, because I’m also wearing shorts, but I’m digging it.”

  “Morning right back. Today’s gonna be a good one.” I paused, then called again, “Shorts and earmuffs are maybe a weird thing to pair together, though.” I was being too practical again, and knew it. Best to let Kurt be Kurt. He was lovable enough.

  I hit Brew on the coffeemaker and headed to the front to greet him. Kurt had the morning shift most days, and Luna would be in midafternoon. I tried to work it so that I always had one employee in the shop in addition to myself, giving me time to take care of day-to-day upkeep, accounting, purchasing and, well, advertising, because we could definitely use new customer traffic. Our repeat clientele only went so far.

  “Anything special to get started on, or just prep for opening?” Kurt asked. We’d open at nine, but the shop wouldn’t pick up until close to eleven. I probably needed to do something about that.

  “Well, we do have a new display to stage.”

  “Oh, okay. I’ll get to it.” Kurt nodded a lot. “I like a good book tower.”

  I couldn’t hide my grin, aware of what was coming. “The boxes for the display arrived yesterday. You’re gonna enjoy what’s inside, if I’m not mistaken.” I tossed that tidbit of information over my shoulder, knowing full well he was about to lose his mind.

  He did a couple of shoulder rolls, his eyes scanning the room, as he pieced together my meaning. “No!” He looked up at me and paused midroll. “Is it Groffman’s new release? It is, isn’t it?” His hands moved to on top of his head. He rarely kept track of dates. Calendars were his kryptonite, which made surprises like today pretty simple to pull off. “I’ve been waiting on the new Groffman.”

  “No!”

  He nodded earnestly, his chestnut floppy hair dancing around. “Yes, yes, I have.”

  “You only say so every other hour, so I wasn’t sure.” I winked at him. “I held back the boxes from Luna last night. Thought you might want to create the display yourself. They also sent some art and signage. I propped it up in the back. Looks like an action-packed book.”

  He was listening at the same time he tore into the first box, eyes gleaming like a six-year-old presented with a new bike at Christmas. With that kidlike smile, he held up a hardback copy to me in victory.

  “Look at you two. I feel like it was meant to be,” I said, over yester
day’s receipts. “The perfect match.”

  “That’s it. I’m canceling all plans tonight. I had a curling match. Forget it.” He thumbed through the pages, seeming to inhale as he went. I completely identified. There was no smell as amazing as a brand-new book. No sound as breathtaking as the spine cracking for the first time.

  “Take one,” I told him. “On the house.”

  His eyes went wide, and if it was at all possible, his hair seemed to vibrate. “No, you don’t have to do that. I put some cash away.”

  “But I don’t want your cash. You’ve been here, what? Four years now? I can handle a free book when it’s clearly a match. The two of you together is a thing of beauty. No arguing, and lend it to your mom as soon as you’re done. She loves Groffman.”

  “Geez. Okay, but you’re pretty awesome.” He stared down at his new book happily.

  It was the least I could do. None of us were making much money these days. Not me on the shop’s bottom line, and not Kurt or Luna on their miniscule hourly checks. The only reason they worked here was because they loved the gig and the store as much as I did. I’d been able to offer them semiannual bonuses back in the more profitable days to help bolster their take-home, but not this year with the shop taking on water. We were all scraping by at best, adoring our jobs but watching the clock, wondering how much longer we had until A Likely Story shuttered for good. I wasn’t sure what I would do with myself if that happened. These four walls, these books were my life, my family, and I had no intention of ever saying good-bye.