Irene Vartanoff

Jen Lowenthal feels a surprise instant attraction to NASA scientist Howard Bluestein as he auditions at the theater in small town New Avalon, Ohio. Trying to keep her mind off having just left her daughter at college, when Jen has a little too much to drink that night, she kisses Howard. She’s just visiting the town and they’ll never meet again, so that’s all right, right?

Months later, Jen is back and acting in the theater alongside Howard. He wants to rehearse dating with her, claiming his concentration on his scientist career has made him rusty. Jen, long divorced, hasn’t dared to date in years, but she wants a personal tour of the Cleveland NASA center for her secret writing research that only Howard can provide. They make a deal and start their dating rehearsals.

Then it gets complicated. When another actor vies with Howard for Jen’s attention, hot words are said. Are Jen and Howard rehearsing dating, or dating for real after all? And will revealing the truth to Howard about her secret career as a best-selling thriller writer cause a problem?

If you like sweet, closed-door romances about romantic chances with new loves a little bit later in life, then you’ll like this heartwarming and funny story.