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• A court has put a temporary block on the merger of Nexstar and Tegna.
• The local TV rivals are barred from combining operations until an antitrust lawsuit is settled.
• California AG Rob Bonta is among politicians opposing the merger, which he called “illegal.”

A federal judge in California has blocked the merger of local TV giant Nexstar and its rival, Tegna, until an antitrust lawsuit is settled.

US District Court Chief Judge Troy L. Nunley on Friday issued a preliminary injunction that forbids Nexstar and Tegna from combining operations during the legal dispute with California Attorney General Rob Bonta and seven other state attorneys general.

The companies had previously received approval for the merger, reportedly worth $6.2 billion, from the Federal Communications Commission and the US Department of Justice last month. Nexstar and Tegna closed the deal on March 19, immediately after the DOJ announced early termination of its antitrust review.

Friday’s preliminary injunction follows a temporary restraining order granted last month in a challenge brought by satellite TV company DirecTV.

Describing the injunction as “a critical win in our case,” Bonta said: “This merger is illegal, plain and simple. The federal government may have thrown in the towel, but we’ll keep fighting for consumers, for workers, for affordability, and for our local news.”

Nexstar, the largest owner of local broadcast television stations in the country, said it would appeal the decision.

“This pro-competitive transaction will make local stations stronger and support continued investment in local journalism and fact-based news. We will appeal today’s decision and look forward to presenting our case on its merits before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals,” it said in a statement.

• Sarah Hayles developed a facial injury following a routine surgery when she was 26.
• She had five years of traumatic testing before a doctor helped her “move on” with her life.
• The mom of two is raising awareness that appearances don’t — and shouldn’t — matter.

This interview is based on a conversation with Sarah Hayles, 44, a mining engineer from Queensland, Australia. It has been edited for length and clarity.

In August 2008, at 26, I had routine surgery to remove a pterygium. It’s a tiny, non-cancerous growth on your eye, sometimes known as “surfer’s eye,” which, if left unchecked, could have affected my vision.

As soon as I woke up from the anesthesia, I knew that something wasn’t right. It was incredibly painful, but there was also a dullness in the area, and my eyeball seemed to move more slowly.

At first, it wasn’t too noticeable. But, as the weeks and months went by, my eyelid started to droop, and the eye began to turn.

I had an emergency MRI

I had repeated checkups that turned up nothing and was eventually referred to a top eye specialist in Brisbane, about 600 miles from my home in the Australian outback. He finally saw me in April 2010.

Within 15 minutes, he arranged an MRI for that same night. I asked what he thought could be wrong, and he said it could be something as serious as a brain tumor or multiple sclerosis.

It was absolutely terrifying, but they found no evidence of a tumor and, after two years of testing, ruled out MS. To this day, I still haven’t been diagnosed with anything.

All I know is that I’ve been poked and prodded by doctors and consultants who have performed every test under the sun. Some were traumatic, such as being zapped with electricity to check for nerve damage and a lumbar puncture to analyze my spinal fluid.

The appearance of my eye deteriorated over time. I used to look in the mirror as a 30-something and think it was very noticeable. Still, compared to how it appears now, it wasn’t.

A kind doctor gave me good advice

The experience put me through the wringer. I refused to have my photo taken and thought nobody would want to date or marry me.

Then, in 2013, I saw a kind, grandfatherly doctor who all but held my hand during the appointment. He said that I was beautiful, healthy, and strong, and I needed to find a way to be OK with it.

His advice put an end to all the onerous testing and waiting for definitive results that never came. “I can do this and move on,” I thought to myself.

I had no psychotherapy or counseling, but I did my own research by reading books about having a positive mindset. Slowly, I became more confident.

I met my husband, Brian, 45, a diesel fitter, through mutual friends on Facebook in 2015. It was a whirlwind romance, and we got engaged and married in less than a year.

I’m so glad I have children

Our relationship taught me so much. Focusing on appearances is BS. If you do, you can easily miss the person within.

I’d always wanted to have kids, but in the years immediately following my injury, I changed my mind. I didn’t think I’d have the strength to deal with their school friends pointing at me.

Now that Brian and I have Jack, 8, and Astrid, 6, I can’t imagine life without them. In fact, I think they’ve indirectly benefited from what happened to me.

I’ve raised them not to judge people by the way they look. “It’s all about how someone behaves and how they make you feel,” I say.

Yes, I do get the occasional stare, especially from young children. Sometimes it’s awkward as their parents don’t know what to say, but I give them grace. Nobody is being malicious.

I want to normalize facial injuries

These days, I do a lot of keynote speaking about resilience and how I regained my confidence. I launched my Instagram account to help normalize issues like mine.

I know I could have allowed this facial injury to be something awful that ruined my life, or turned it into a positive. I’m glad I chose the latter.

• Social data shows more positive online sentiment toward Alix Earle than toward Alex Cooper.
• The social media stars have captivated the internet with their public feud for the past week.
• Neither star is really “winning” the spat, however.

Two of the biggest personalities in digital media, Alex Cooper and Alix Earle, are feuding, and the internet has a favorite.

Data from two social listening firms, Muck Rack and Sprout Social, showed higher negative sentiment toward Cooper than toward Earle since the public feud kicked off late last week.

That’s not to say anyone’s truly “winning” this clash. Earle has seen negative commentary about her increase since the feud began, and Cooper entered the dispute riding a prior wave of negative sentiment.

Sprout Social said negative sentiment around Cooper was already high before the spat began. The firm attributed this partly to some Hannah Montana fans being upset about the perceived quality of Cooper’s interview with Miley Cyrus, connected to the show’s 20th anniversary celebration.

“For these large female brands, there’s always going to be a lot of haters who want to pull them down,” said Jo Wang, GM of Pop Store, an AI commerce company that helps creators build online businesses.

Overall, though, it’s worth noting that the social listening firms found the sentiment for both Earle and Cooper was largely neutral.

A rep for Earle declined to comment, and reps for Cooper didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment.

How the recent drama started

The recent drama began last week when Earle — who used to work with Cooper’s company — reposted a critical TikTok about Cooper that called her an “ambulance chaser” for interviewing people at vulnerable times, among other accusations.

Cooper, 31, then posted a video calling out Earle, 25. She encouraged Earle to “say what you got to say about me,” to which Earle commented, “Okay on it!!”

Internet commenters have jumped to take sides. Some on social media have criticized Cooper for building an empire on sometimes-questionable advice for young women, while others have defended her as a successful businesswoman. Earle watchers have called her passive-aggressive, while others have praised her for not directly engaging.

People are looking for an escape from the politics and war-dominated news cycle, and Cooper and Earle are delivering it, said Juda Engelmayer, a crisis PR professional whose clients include Harvey Weinstein and Diddy. He said he thought online commenters were drawn to Earle because she presents as authentic and has a younger fan base that’s quick to show their support on social media.

The dustup isn’t that serious — so far — and could even benefit both by introducing them to a wider audience, he said.

“No one’s getting canceled for this,” he said. “This is just bringing name recognition.”

The social stars have a history

The social media frenzy surrounding the two women reflects their ability to command huge audiences and cut big business deals.

Earle, with more than 8 million TikTok followers, became famous for her get-ready-with-me videos in 2022 and is known for selling out products, including her new skincare line, Reale Actives.

Cooper founded the Unwell Network of podcasts, which includes her popular “Call Her Daddy” show. She’s one of the highest-paid podcasters, with a three-year, $125 million deal with SiriusXM. She also has an electrolyte beverage with Nestlé called Unwell Hydration.

In 2023, the Unwell Network signed Earle to host her own podcast, “Hot Mess,” but it ended after less than two years.

There’s been speculation that the two don’t get along — Earle took a slight jab at the situation in a 2025 interview — but this is the first time they are openly taking shots at each other.

• A doctor said he’s seeing a growing number of patients under age 45 with colorectal cancers.
• He recently treated a 22-year-old with stomach pain. She had a tumor so big it nearly blocked her colon.
• Symptoms of colon cancer can be subtle, so it’s crucial to know the right screening options.

The patient was 22 years old and a recent college graduate, suffering from inexplicable stomach pain.

She’d had the pain off and on for about a year and assumed it was stress-related. She finished her studies and spent a busy summer working at an animal shelter, preparing to apply to veterinary school.

When she saw a doctor, she was told to wait and see if the pain resolved on its own. But when it became so severe, she went to the emergency room. Scans found a tumor large enough to cause a near blockage of her colon. She had no family history of the disease.

It was colon cancer: a growing concern for younger patients, according to Dr. Marc Greenwald, who ultimately treated the patient and wrote a case study on her care.

Greenwald, the chief of colorectal clinical services and surgeon-in-chief at North Shore University Hospital in New York, told Business Insider that while colon cancer cases are decreasing in older adults, they’re on the rise in people under 45 as a growing number of young cancer patients are showing up at his hospital.

“There’s no doubt that we’re seeing more people,” he said. “The problem is that a lot of the symptoms are somewhat subtle. If there are new symptoms for somebody, regardless of age, they should seek medical attention.”

Here’s what Greenwald said everyone should know about the symptoms and your options for cancer screening that could catch the disease in time for effective treatment.

Colon cancer symptoms that everyone should know

Decades ago, colon cancer cases in young people were rare.

Stomach pain and indigestion in 20- or 30-something patients would often be attributed to irritable bowel syndrome or dismissed as a minor ailment.

Today, colon cancer is the top cause of cancer-related death in people under 50, prompting doctors and patients alike to be on high alert for possible symptoms.

Most concerning is that in early-onset colon cancers, symptoms may be subtle or may not appear at all until the cancer has advanced.

Greenwald said his 22-year-old patient likely developed the tumor in her colon as a teenager, and it may have continued to grow unnoticed for years.

“The most dangerous misconception is that I have no symptoms, so I must be fine,” he said. “That is really the wrong attitude because if colorectal cancer is caught before symptoms occur, your chance of a cure is much higher than if you wait for symptoms.”

How to get tested for colon cancer

Early onset cases of colon cancer include patients in their 40s, 30s, and as young as their 20s. That’s a problem because there are currently no screening guidelines for people under 45.

Colonoscopies, recommended starting at age 45, help detect cancer and also prevent it by removing any existing polyps or abnormal growths that can develop into tumors.

If you’re too young for a regular colonoscopy, it’s even more crucial to monitor any changes in your health and seek early screening if necessary.

Greenwald said patients can sometimes postpone or avoid a colonoscopy because they’re anxious about the procedure or colonoscopy prep (although a Business Insider reporter previously shared that it’s easier than you might think).

There are also less-invasive alternatives to colonoscopies, such as stool tests that can be collected at home and mailed to a lab. Blood tests for cancer are currently under development, too, although their reliability can be mixed.

If you have symptoms, even minor ones like a change in bowel habits or digestion, it’s important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible and find a testing option to rule out cancer.

“If you’re not going to do a colonoscopy, do something to get screened,” Greenwald said.

This article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your qualified physician or healthcare provider.

• OnlyFans has an amazing business model: It sells subscriptions to user-generated porn.
• That means the company generates enormous profits.
• But those profits aren’t enough to entice mainstream investors, so OnlyFans has struggled to find a buyer.

OnlyFans is an internet business marvel: low costs, huge profits, nonstop growth. But every time it goes looking for mainstream capital, it runs into the same problem: Investors are scared of buying into a porn company.

Our newest reminder of this tension comes from the Financial Times, which reports that OnlyFans’ parent company is close to an investment deal with Architect Capital that would value it north of $3 billion — down meaningfully from previous targets.

It’s one of a series of data points about OnlyFans’ difficulty in attracting investors. In 2022, it took a run at going public via a SPAC deal that never materialized. In 2025, it was trying to sell itself for $8 billion.

Details and deal structures keep changing in all of these would-be transactions — now the company is reportedly talking about selling a minority investment instead of a controlling stake, for instance. The fact that owner Leonid Radvinsky died in March from cancer has also complicated sales talks. I’ve asked OnlyFans and Architect Capital for comment.

But the main throughline is that many mainstream investors have looked at OnlyFans’ numbers, which describe an amazing business, and concluded that they’re better off staying away. The reputational, regulatory, and legal risks of owning a user-generated porn subscription business have convinced them it’s not worth it.

And again, you can’t overstate just how impressive OnlyFans’ numbers are, which you can see for yourself in British filings. In 2024, it posted a staggering pretax profit of $684 million on revenue of $1.4 billion; people familiar with the company’s business tell me those numbers spiked again in 2025.

As I noted a couple of years ago, that performance comes because OnlyFans is built on a simple and effective business model: “It has connected one of the internet’s favorite things (porn), with one of its favorite content strategies (getting users to create all of its content, for free), and one of its favorite monetization strategies (payments and subscriptions).”

And that made OnlyFans incredibly lucrative for Radvinsky, who took out $700 million in dividend payments in a single year.

Let’s compare that to Match Group, another internet business based on subscriptions and user-generated content, minus the porn: In 2025, the company behind dating apps like Tinder and Hinge posted similar pretax profits of $746 million — albeit on revenue of $3.5 billion. But investors value the company north of $8 billion.

That gap in valuation makes for a pretty easy read: If OnlyFans weren’t a platform best-known for adult content, it could be worth much more. Instead, it looks like it will remain a hugely profitable business with meaningful porn penalty.

• Emily Henry’s “Beach Read” is being adapted into a film for 20th Century Studios.
• Phoebe Dynevor and Patrick Schwarzenegger will star in the movie.
• While you wait for the movie to come out, you can read books that are similar to “Beach Read.”

The “Beach Read” movie is officially on the way.

Emily Henry’s romance debut tells the love story of writers January Andrews and Augustus Everett. The novel, published in 2020, was an instant hit, and Henry went on to write five more bestselling romance books. Several are being adapted into films, including “Beach Read.”

In April 2023, Deadline reported that Yulin Kuang, who cowrote the adaptation of Henry’s “People We Meet on Vacation,” released on Netflix in January 2026, would be adapting and directing the film version of “Beach Read” for 20th Century Studios.

Updates about the film have been sparse in the years since, but traction finally began to build in early 2026. In February, Deadline reported that “Bridgerton” star Phoebe Dynevor had been cast as January, and on Tuesday, the outlet announced Patrick Schwarzenegger, who starred in season three of “The White Lotus,” would play Gus.

Though the leads have been cast, 20th Century Studios has yet to announce when filming will begin or when the movie will premiere. Fans will have to wait a while before they can see Gus and January brought to life on the big screen, but they can read books similar to “Beach Read” in the meantime.

Read on to check out 15 books that are perfect for fans of “Beach Read.”

“People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry

Emily Henry’s second novel, “People We Meet on Vacation,” is just as delightful as its predecessor. The book swaps “Beach Read’s” enemies-to-lovers trope for friends-to-lovers.

No one expected Alex and Poppy to be friends, let alone best friends. Alex is a homebody who has a codependent relationship with his cat, while Poppy is a free spirit who writes a travel blog.

Despite all odds, Alex and Poppy have clicked since college, managing to keep their friendship alive after Poppy moved to New York City through an annual weeklong vacation. Then, after a decade of trips, they make a mistake they can’t take back, leaving their friendship in pieces. 

Two years later, they still haven’t spoken, and Poppy feels lost even as everything in her life falls into place. Fixing things with Alex feels like the key to it all, so she breaks their stand-off to see if he’ll go on a last vacation with her. 

When Alex says yes, Poppy knows it’s her last chance to make their relationship right. A reunion means they’ll both have to confront feelings for each other they don’t want to have, putting their friendship on the line once again. 

“The Unhoneymooners” by Christina Lauren

Christina Lauren’s New York Times bestseller stars Olive Torres, the unlucky twin who feels like she’s always living in her sister’s shadow.

Things change at her sister’s wedding, though. The entire wedding party gets sick, aside from Olive and Ethan Thomas, a groomsman she happens to loathe. The pair is given the chance to take the newlyweds’ 10-day honeymoon in Hawaii, and Olive agrees to go for the free trip despite her hatred of Ethan.

As the unlikely pair enjoy their surprise vacation, Olive finds herself feeling things for Ethan she never expected. Has her luck finally changed?

“The Wedding Party” by Jasmine Guillory

Every installment of Jasmine Guillory’s “The Wedding Date” series offers a steamy love affair, and the third book, “The Wedding Party,” is no exception. 

Theo and Maddie have never liked each other — though they share a mutual attraction that’s hard to ignore. Most of the time, they do their best to avoid each other, only hanging out when their best friend Alexa forces them to. 

When Alexa gets engaged and Theo and Maddie are both made members of the bridal party, they’re forced to spend time together, making it harder and harder to ignore the spark between them as the wedding looms closer.

Eventually, they give in to their temptation, swearing that they’ll end their secret affair the second Alexa says “I do.” What will Theo and Maddie do when they realize they’re falling for each other?

“The Hating Game” by Sally Thorne

Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman might both be assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing house, but that’s where their similarities end. Josh is as type A as they come, while Lucy approaches her life with excitement and colorful clothes.

It’s no secret that they hate each other, and their loathing only increases when they realize they’re up for the same promotion.

Lucy decides she’s not going to let Josh intimidate her anymore, and soon, their fiery hate is turning into something else entirely. After years of fighting, how can either of them trust that this change of heart is real?

Sally Thorne’s debut is the enthralling workplace rom-com you’ve been waiting for, and you can stream the movie adaptation after you finish the book.

“Act Your Age, Eve Brown” by Talia Hibbert

Fans of Talia Hibbert will love “Act Your Age, Eve Brown,” the third installment of the Brown sisters series.

The novel follows Eve, who has always been more comfortable with chaos than order, as her purple hair makes clear.

It’s no surprise that constantly controlled Jacob Wayne doesn’t hire her to be the chef at his bed and breakfast — but it is a shock when Eve accidentally hits his car and breaks his arm.

To make amends, Eve lingers around the B&B, becoming a nuisance that Jacob is prepared to hate. His loathing soon turns to something else, warming a place inside him he didn’t know existed.

“Red, White, and Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston

The enemies-to-lovers trope gets a fresh twist in this delightful debut by Casey McQuiston, which has since been adapted into an Amazon film. “Red, White, & Royal Blue” follows Alex Claremont-Diaz, the son of the first female president of the United States.

As his mother begins her reelection campaign, Alex causes an international crisis when he gets into a public fight with his sworn nemesis, Henry, who happens to be the Prince of England. The two begin a fake friendship to appease their families, but they soon find themselves drawn to each other in ways they never expected.

As Alex and Henry grow closer, they’ll have to decide if they’re willing to put their families and political careers on the line for love.

“Shipped” by Angie Hockman

In Angie Hockman’s “Shipped,” Henley Evans and Graeme Crawford-Collins have been enemies from the day they started working together at a cruise line — though they’ve never met in person since Graeme works remotely. 

Their first IRL meeting comes in the form of a company trip to the Galápagos Islands, where they’ll both be competing for their dream promotion. Henley is prepared to do whatever it takes to crush Graeme, but her plan falls apart when she meets Graeme and discovers he’s nothing like she thought he was.

Her feelings for him threaten to ruin everything she’s been working toward — which might be the best thing that ever happened to her.

“The Viscount Who Loved Me” by Julia Quinn

Julia Quinn’s second “Bridgerton” book, “The Viscount Who Loved Me,” is a great fit for “Beach Read” fans. Plus, when you’re done, you can stream the Netflix series and check out Dynevor’s acting chops ahead of the film’s premiere.

When Anthony Bridgerton decides he’s finally ready to marry, he doesn’t anticipate any obstacles. After all, as Viscount Bridgerton, any lady of the ton should be thrilled to marry him.

To his surprise, there is one lady who doesn’t think Anthony is marriage material: Kate, the sister of the lady he hoped to marry.

Anthony is determined to win Kate’s approval, but Kate is focused on protecting her sister from a rake. As they continue to vex each other, Anthony and Kate find the tension between them turning into a different kind of heat.

“Heated Rivalry” by Rachel Reid

If you somehow missed the “Heated Rivalry” craze after the show dropped on Crave in 2025, reading the book is a great entry point to Rachel Reid’s series.

As two of the best professional hockey players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov have been pitted against each other for years. Shane, captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, is steadfast and reserved, while Ilya is cocky and unafraid to make enemies on the ice as captain of the Boston Bears.

The world expects them to hate each other, and on the ice, they do. Little does the world know, though, that Ilya and Shane have been finding ways to steal moments alone together since their rookie season. Their connection is addictive — and terrifying, as getting outed could cost them their careers.

As their feelings for each other grow and the stakes of getting caught rise, Ilya and Shane will have to decide whether what they have is worth the risk.

“Every Summer After” by Carley Fortune

If you loved the second-chance element of “Beach Read,” you’ll love “Every Summer After” by Carley Fortune.

Sam Florek was the center of Persephone (Percy) Fraser’s summers for six years. After her family bought a lake house on Barry’s Bay, Sam and Percy became inseparable, and their friendship blossomed into something all-consuming as they went from tweens to teens. At 17, when she pictures her life, all Percy sees is Sam.

Then, one mistake ruins it all, and Percy doesn’t return to Barry’s Bay — or see Sam — for a decade. When she’s finally accepted that there will always be a Sam-shaped hole in her life, his mother’s funeral brings her back to her beloved lake for one weekend — and face to face with the man she’s loved for nearly all her life.

Percy and Sam’s bond is as strong as ever when they reconnect, but all that’s unsaid between them is keeping them at a distance. With the story spanning the weekend and the summers of their youth, Percy and Sam will have to decide if it’s worth digging up their past for a shot at their future.

“Not in Love” by Ali Hazelwood

Rue Siebert feels like she owes everything to her career as a biotech engineer at Kline. She loves her work, the financial stability it brings, and the close friends she’s made at the company.

Everything she loves feels at risk when The Harkness Group walks into Kline, intent on taking over the company. Rue is ready to hate every member of the group — until she lays eyes on Eli Killgore, Harkness’ money man and the guy she had an almost-one-night stand with the night before.

Rue wasn’t part of Eli’s plans, but now that he knows she’s at Kline, he’s struggling to let her “no repeats” rule or his company’s objectives stand in the way of pursuing her. Soon, Rue and Eli give in to their attraction, agreeing to a no-strings-attached relationship that won’t compromise their loyalty to their respective companies.

The more time they spend together, the harder it is for either to remember why staying unattached was the best plan.

“Sweet Heat” by Bolu Babalola

The sequel to her debut novel, “Honey and Spice,” Bolu Babalola’s “Sweet Heat” asks whether true love really deserves a second chance.

At 28, Kiki Banjo already feels like she’s on the precipice of more change than she can handle when her ex-boyfriend Malakai walks back into her life. Three years after their breakup, which Kiki feels she barely walked away from, she and Malakai have to reunite to serve as the maid of honor and best man at their best friends’ wedding.

Kiki hopes she can get through the wedding season by avoiding Malakai, whom she’s disappointed to discover is as gorgeous, funny, frustrating, and talented as ever. When their career ambitions lead them to work on a joint project, she’ll have no choice but to reenter his orbit.

Kiki tells herself she can handle a few months of dealing with Malakai, but her heart might not be as ready to shut him out as her brain.

“Yours Truly” by Abby Jimenez

Jacob Maddox joining the staff at her hospital is the last thing Briana Ortiz needs in “Yours Truly” by Abby Jimenez.

Fresh off a divorce and caring for her sick brother, Briana has no time for the new doctor who is her competition for the Chief of Emergency Medicine job she deserves after 10 years of service. It doesn’t help that he makes the worst first impression, confirming all her suspicions about the supposed hotshot doctor.

Briana is sure she’ll loathe Jacob for the rest of their time working together, until he is shockingly kind to her when he finds her crying and sends her a letter that shows her he’s not the menace she thought. Briana and Jacob become pen pals and work friends, and then she finds herself rethinking everything about him when he gives her brother a kidney.

When Jacob asks her to pretend to be his girlfriend for a family wedding, Briana is more than happy to oblige. However, what will Briana and Jacob do when they realize there’s nothing fake about their feelings for each other?

“You Between the Lines” by Katie Naymon

Like “Beach Read,” Katie Naymon’s “You Between the Lines” also tells the love story of two writers with a complicated history.

Leigh has a serious case of imposter syndrome when she is accepted into an MFA program. She’s always loved writing, and she doesn’t think her sorority girl life has to be at odds with that. However, Leigh took it to heart when Will, her high school crush, told her that a poem she wrote was superficial.

So when Leigh arrives at her grad program and discovers that Will, who now goes by William, is in her cohort, she feels 16 and unsure of herself all over again. Beating William out for the program’s fellowship seems like the best way to get past her insecurities once and for all, and the competitive spark between them burns back to life instantly.

Yet there’s more to her history with William than Leigh wants to face — until he writes a poem that makes her realize she might not be the only one haunted by what they could have been.

“First-Time Caller” by B.K. Borison

Aiden Valentine is a love skeptic, which is a bit inconvenient considering he hosts the most popular romance hotline show in Baltimore, “Heartstrings.”

He needs something to make him believe in love again. The answer to his problems comes in the form of a call from a kid looking to help her mom find a boyfriend.

Lucie Stone is mortified when her daughter calls into “Heartstrings” on her behalf, but as she speaks to Aiden, she finds herself opening up about loneliness and her fears about dating. Her plight strikes a chord, and soon, Aiden’s network wants to help Lucie find love.

Aiden is tasked with helping Lucie date as Baltimore listens in. But as they share the radio booth several times a week, Aiden and Lucie find themselves drawn to each other when they’re supposed to be searching for her soulmate.