Don’t Tell Me How It Ends // A Novel

A floundering twenty-something whos sworn off romance finds herself roped into her meddling sisters matchmaking business in this sparkling debut romcom that asks:Can we protect ourselves while falling in love?

A sharp, funny, feel-good love story about bad dates, big feelings, and one deliciously slow-burning love.Nikki Payne,USA Todaybestselling author ofThe Princess and the P.I.

Kaia Harper may not have a plan for her life, but she knows what she won’t be doingfalling for somebody’s dusty son, promising forever. She’d rather spend the summer after college having disappointing one-night stands and watching crime show reruns. At least she wont be caught off guard since she already knows how all those stories end.

But when her very pregnant and newly single sister calls for help, Kaia reroutes, stumbling back home to suburban Connecticutand into the business plan of her sister’s new matchmaking company. Kaias views on love remain as bleak as her career prospects, but if becoming the inaugural client can distract her from existential questions like “What am I even doing with my life?”,Kaia can suffer through a few bad dates and call it a favor.

When Ro Jackson finds Kaia stalled on the side of the road, he isnt put off by her attitude. His steady disposition is Kaias opposite and makes him exactly what she needsa friend in town who can handle her just as she is. But as Ro talks Kaia through a summer of failed matches, she finds herself drawn to more than just his poetic outlook and friendship.

Kaia hadnt seen this one coming, but as she and Ro grow closer, shell have to decide whats more important: needing to know the end of every story, or jumping into the unknown.

Adrienne Thurmanwrites romance and commercial fiction where gloriously unlikable women get their happily ever aftersor the revenge plot of their dreams. As a BIPOC creator, she writes stories with a diverse cast of characters that make her readers feel seen.She is also the author of the picture bookNo Way, Wash Day.

• Publisher: Dial Press Trade Paperback
• Publish Date: April 14, 2026
• Pages: 320
• Language: English
• Type: Paperback
• EAN/UPC: 9780593978986
• Dimensions: .9 X 5.1 X 0.6 inches | 0.45 pounds
• BISAC Categories: Romance