Stuck with a feckless boyfriend, an aging kitchen, and a high-stress, low-yield job, plus-size protagonist Savvy Sheldon decides to redo her life. Meeting with her handsome contractor—someone she is embarrassed to have inadvertently insulted in the past—makes her realize that her priorities are all wrong; she must first look to caring for herself. A debut #ownvoices romantic comedy from part-Black, part-Thai author McCoy; with a 75,000-copy first printing.

DEBUT When Savannah "Savvy" Sheldon's boyfriend leaves her because he wants an "upgrade," Savvy turns his hurtful comments into her own personal mission. As a biracial Black woman whose Thai mother worked endlessly to provide for her, Savvy has struggled to strike her own life balance despite having a job that pays well and friends and family who support her. She moves on with a new haircut and workout routine, finally starts the kitchen renovation she's dreamed about for years, and finds a new romance with handsome carpenter Spencer Morgan. But her plans are put to the test as stress from her new job promotion rises and Savvy's ex parades around his new girlfriend. VERDICT Savvy and Spencer's romance arc is delicious and steamy, but does share page time with the large cast of Savvy's friends and family as they too find love and purpose. A promising debut perfect for fans of Farrah Rochon's The Boyfriend Project.—Elizabeth Gabriel, Milwaukee P.L.

McCoy's swoon-worthy debut centers on finding love from the inside out. Savannah "Savvy" Sheldon believes she has the makings of a perfect life with her long-term boyfriend, Jason—until he suddenly dumps her because he wants an "upgrade." Incensed by his negative comments on her lifestyle and her body, Savvy decides to "reclaim her sexy" and show him what he's missing. As part of this life makeover, she decides to redesign her kitchen. She's not expecting the intense attraction she feels to her detailed and attentive contractor, Spencer Morgan. As she renovates both the kitchen and her life, things start looking up for her health, her job, and her budding romance with Spencer—though untimely and unsavory run-ins with Jason threaten to derail her. McCoy populates Savvy's world with a diverse cast of immediately endearing friends and family, especially besties Joan and Maggie, who reinforce positivity and love for Savvy and help her prioritize the things that make her happy. With a focus on heartbreak and reflection, Savvy's story has every flavor of love. McCoy is sure to win fans. Agent: Veronica Park, Fuse Literary. (Mar.)