March 6, 2023
In this multiple-tissue contemporary romance, Matthews (End of the Night Girl) explores the bond between sisters, the role of social media in society, and the way medical debt can cripple an entire family. Jodie Boyd’s family is paralyzed with grief after Jodie’s outgoing older sister, Bree, an influencer, dies of cancer. Adding to the stress, they are responsible for her enormous medical bills. Jodie takes on extra hours at the car rental job she detests but then is offered a deal: agree to publicly complete the bucket list Bree posted on social media and Bree’s Instagram sponsor will pay off the debt. Shy, passive, and social media–averse Jodie reluctantly agrees and heads to New York to take on the nerve-racking assignments—the most intimidating of which is “fall in love.” Luckily, her high school crush, Kelly Wong, who abandoned Jodie at prom but whom she’s always carried a torch for, reenters her life and makes that task a bit easier. Matthews creates myriad tear-jerking moments and puts a fresh spin on the somewhat tired bucket list trope. Fans of Josie Silver and Cecelia Ahern will be taken by this story of joy after grief. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary.