The Next Chapter

Riffing on rom-com classic Notting Hill, Kellogg (Just As You Are) offers up a sweet sapphic romance about growing into oneself. It’s an ordinary shift for Jude Thacker at the Next Chapter, the bookstore founded by her mother and known for having the largest selection of queer books in New York City. Then beautiful brunette Kat walks in, looking for the sapphic book that just knocked Jude’s socks off, and an armful of recommendations besides. It’s a flawless meet-cute, but Jude’s been in a holding pattern since her mother’s death and the collapse of her last serious relationship, and she isn’t sure she’s ready to put herself back out there. Meanwhile, Kat has a secret: she’s a former child star looking to rebrand—and come out to the public. Her agent wants her to get a nonfamous girlfriend to take to events (“Someone who can give you a little credibility, but won’t cause any issues when you upgrade... to someone with status”). Ever-obedient Kat thinks Jude is perfect—and Jude, unaware of Kat’s motives, thinks Kat is pretty perfect, too. When the truth comes out in devastating fashion, both women will need to summon the courage to choose each other. There’s a gentle coming-of-age feel to the heroines’ arcs and the largely queer supporting cast adds heart. This is a charmer. (June)