The author Lauren Blakely is back in the small-town setting readers loved, and the momentum from her previous book proves this series is more than a one-hit wonder. Her earlier title, It Seemed Like a Good Idea, debuted on the USA Today bestseller list in its first week, which makes the arrival of the next installment especially welcome. Fans who enjoyed the blend of heart-tugging moments and witty banter will recognize the familiar rhythm of Darling Springs, a town where community life and romantic possibilities collide in the most charming ways.
The new novel, I’ve Got a Crush on You, is scheduled for publication on August 4, 2026, and it centers on Chloe, a dog trainer whose life takes an unexpected turn after an impulsive encounter. The setup is classic romantic comedy territory: an accidental hookup that later becomes complicated when the stranger returns as her landlord and co-conspirator in town events. Along the way, dogs, a TV spotlight on a doggy daycare, and a charity dance rehearsal provide both obstacles and opportunities for chemistry to ignite.
What to expect from the story
At the heart of the book is a scenario that feels both modern and timeless: a protagonist juggling career ambitions while navigating messy romantic signals. Chloe’s profession as a dog trainer brings celebrity clientele and public opportunities, including the veterinary-level pressure of a doggy daycare turning into a set for a show. Meanwhile, the man from her one-night encounter—Sawyer—has become entangled in town life as her landlord and eventual partner for a fundraiser dance. The plot leans into playful friction: closed-door rehearsals, sudden proximity, and the push-pull of pretending nothing happened while their attraction becomes impossible to ignore. The book explores themes of public reputation, second chances, and how professional stakes complicate personal feelings.
Characters, stakes, and the small-town stage
This installment deepens the series’ focus on community dynamics and career ambition. Chloe’s dog-related business is growing, and that growth brings powerful windows of opportunity, including celebrity bookings and media attention. The stakes are practical as well as emotional: a profitable client list can make or break her plans, and working with Sawyer forces a frequent overlap of professional and private life. The fundraising dance is more than a plot device—it becomes a crucible where rehearsals, spark-filled moments, and misconnections test the characters’ true priorities. Throughout, Blakely balances romantic tension with a portrait of a woman determined to build a life on her own terms.
Chloe: ambition, heart, and a leash
Chloe is drawn as a determined protagonist whose sense of humor softens her hard edges. Her work as a dog trainer is both practical income and passion, and the novel shows how modern creatives juggle side hustles with day jobs. An important element is how public exposure—TV crews at a doggy daycare, high-profile clients—can catapult a small business into new territory. Yet the emotional center of her arc is learning to accept vulnerability. The story frames Chloe’s history with her ex and her reflexes around trust in a way that feels authentic without overshadowing the book’s lighter rom-com tone. Through dance rehearsals and late-night strategy sessions, readers see her settle on what she truly wants.
Sawyer: seriousness, surprises, and the dance card
Sawyer arrives as the foil to Chloe’s sunny pragmatism: ordered, efficient, and initially tight-lipped. His role as landlord of the new doggy daycare adds everyday friction—unexpected encounters, conflicting schedules, and the pressure of a business in the public eye. Yet the novel layers in surprises, including a secret persona and an avid fandom that humanize him and add comic relief. When Chloe blackmails him into partnering for the charity dance, their rehearsals become a proving ground for mutual attraction and vulnerability. The chemistry develops in ways that are both inevitable and amusing, with the charity event serving as the turning point where private feelings risk spilling into the town square.
Why readers should pre-order and what comes next
For readers who followed the first book to its bestseller debut, this sequel promises the same combination of laughter and sigh-worthy romance. I’ve Got a Crush on You is positioned to be a crowd-pleaser for those who enjoy character-driven romantic comedy set against a lively small-town backdrop. The novel’s mix of showbiz-adjacent dog training, community fundraising, and dance-floor intimacy offers plenty of moments primed for sharing and discussion. The book’s visual presentation is credited as well: Cover and internal design © 2026 by Sourcebooks / Cover art and design by Yordanka Poleganova. If you like clever banter, pets with personality, and slow-burn attraction, pre-ordering ensures you don’t miss Chloe and Sawyer’s next steps in Darling Springs.
