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May 6, 2014

BLOOMSBURY’S NEW “IF ONLY” Young Adult ROMANCE LINE . . . and FREE BOOKS!




By Amy Finnegan — Reader, Young Adult Author, and Bookshop Talk Host

Bookshop Talk is thrilled to announce the launch of Bloomsbury’s new young adult romance novels! In a recent edition of Publishers Weekly, Editorial Director Cindy Loh said this about the “If Only” line: “Every novel in the series provides a different ‘what-if ’ situation and fills in the blank. A hallmark of the line will be humor, which isn’t to say that every book will be a comedy, but there will be light moments in each novel. And every novel will be aspirational and ‘clean teen’ – suitable for readers as young as 12.”

The first two books in the “If Only” line are now available! Here is a bit about each:

WISH YOU WERE ITALIAN by Kristin Rae: The summer before senior year of high school. It’s supposed to be one of the biggest summers of her life, but Pippa is headed to an art program she has no interest in. The one saving grace is it’s in Italy. And when the opportunity strikes, she decides to ditch the program and travel Italy accomplishing her own list of goals. Things like swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, eating a whole pizza in one sitting…and falling in love with an Italian boy!

As she explores the famous cities of Rome and Pompeii, Pippa finds herself falling for two boys: a local guy she knows is nothing but trouble and a cute American archaeology student who keeps disappearing and reappearing at the strangest moments. Will Pippa find her true love before her parents find out the truth about her summer program?

“A charming and addictive read. Devour this delicious treat like a double scoop of gelato.” — Lindsey Leavitt, author of Going Vintage and Sean Griswold’s Head


FOOL ME TWICE by Mandy Hubbard: 

Mackenzie and Landon were the perfect couple . . . until he dumped her and broke her heart. Fast-forward a year and they're back where they first met—Serenity Ranch and Spa, where they are once again working together for the summer. Talk about awkward.

Then, Landon takes a nasty fall and gets amnesia. Suddenly, he’s stuck in the past—literally. His most recent memory is of last summer, when he and Mack were still together, so now he’s calling her pet names and hanging all over her. It's the perfect chance for revenge. The plan is simple: keep Landon at arm’s length, manipulate him so he’s the one falling love, and then BAM, dump him. There’s just one problem: Mack can’t fall for Landon all over again.

The If Only romance line is all about wanting what you can't have, and Mandy Hubbard's hilarious break-up/love story is sure to captivate anyone who has ever wished for a second shot at love.

“For everyone who has lost in love and longed for an epic do-over, Fool Me Twice is laugh-out-loud, feel-good fun.” —  Jennifer Echols, author of Forget You and Dirty Little Secret


I’ve read both books myself and can highly recommend them! I’m also particularly excited for the launch of the “If Only” line because my own debut novel is the third book in the line and will be on shelves October 7, 2014. Here is a bit about that book, too:

NOT IN THE SCRIPT by Amy Finnegan: Millions of people witnessed Emma Taylor’s first kiss—a kiss that needed twelve takes and four camera angles to get right. After spending years performing on cue, Emma can’t help but wonder if any part of her life is real anymore . . . particularly her romances. She’s been burned by heartthrobs (and the press) one too many times, but there’s something about Emma’s co-star on her new TV show Coyote Hills that is irresistible. Jake Elliott is gorgeous, smart and actually cares about Emma’s charitable foundation. But she’s sworn off on-set relationships. They always end badly . . . don’t they?

This third novel in the deliciously fun If Only romance line proves that the best kinds of love stories don’t follow a script.

“A delicious, behind-the-scenes-like peek into all things young love and Hollywood. Irresistible.” — Deb Caletti, author of Honey, Baby Sweetheart and The Last Forever


And now for the FREE BOOKS part of this post!!

Bookshop Talk will give three lucky winners their choice of one of the first three titles in the “If Only” line (the first two titles will ship immediately, and NOT IN THE SCRIPT will ship in October*). And one GRAND PRIZE WINNER will receive ALL THREE titles! The winners will be announced here on Bookshop Talk next Wednesday, May 14. Here’s how you can enter:





*Winners outside of the continental US will receive a digital Amazon gift card to purchase the e-book for the equivalent dollar amount of the prize they won.