: Lucy Gamble grants a "sympathy sex" request to a dying coworker named Duke.
: Seeking a sense of family for her child, Lucy turns to Duke’s older brother, Vaughn Merrill. Key Themes & Features
: Kage is praised for creating "imperfect" characters who feel like real people. Vaughn is particularly noted for his depth, struggling with "survivor's guilt" while falling for the one woman he feels he shouldn't. Insta-Family by Linda Kage
: Reviews from Goodreads and Amazon describe it as "heart-breaking" yet "heart-warming," balancing intense grief with Kage’s signature humor.
is a contemporary romance that explores the messy, emotional intersection of grief and new beginnings. Released on December 8, 2021, the novel serves as a spin-off of the author’s popular Forbidden Men series, following Lucy Olivia—the daughter of Noel and Aspen from To Professor with Love . The Story: A Heartbreaking Setup : Lucy Gamble grants a "sympathy sex" request
: The story centers on Vaughn’s determination to be an involved uncle and the subsequent romantic tension as he and Lucy navigate their shared loss.
Readers from Milky Way of Books suggest that while some misunderstandings could have been avoided, the emotional impact makes the story feel like it could easily be adapted into a "Netflix series". Insta-Family by Linda Kage - Goodreads Vaughn is particularly noted for his depth, struggling
Critics and readers highlight several standout elements of the book: