Trust Me on This

Dennie Banks is a feature writer determined to land a career-making interview with Alec Prentice at a publishers' conference. Her target proves elusive as she pursues him through the hotel, unaware that Alec is actually an undercover government agent working on a case. While Dennie chases her story and Alec tracks his mark, they repeatedly cross paths with two other hotel guests: a professor selling a book and a suspicious executive. The four become entangled in a web of misunderstandings and assumed identities at the conference. Their professional goals collide with growing romantic tension as Dennie and Alec work at cross-purposes. The story moves through the hotel's venues - from conference rooms to restaurants to elevators - as each character pursues their own agenda. The novel explores themes of trust, truth, and authenticity in both journalism and relationships. It considers how people present themselves to the world versus who they really are, all while maintaining the light touch of a romantic comedy.

Readers view this as a light romantic comedy with snappy dialogue, though not as strong as Crusie's other works. Many describe it as a quick beach read. Readers appreciated: - Fast-paced banter between characters - Newsroom setting details - Chemistry between the leads - Humor throughout - Short length for a quick read Common criticisms: - Plot feels rushed and underdeveloped - Supporting characters lack depth - Romance develops too quickly - Predictable storyline - Less memorable than other Crusie books Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (12,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (200+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Fun but forgettable" - Goodreads reviewer "The dialogue saves an otherwise thin plot" - Amazon reviewer "Needed more time to develop the relationship" - Goodreads reviewer "Perfect for a rainy afternoon but don't expect depth" - Amazon reviewer

Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James A newspaper journalist and legal expert face off against each other amid romantic tension and professional rivalries.

Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie A divorced editor navigates a newsroom romance with her younger coworker while a dog brings them together.

Something About You by Julie James A female prosecutor and FBI agent work through past conflicts during an investigation that turns into a newsroom scandal.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne Two publishing house executives compete for a promotion while their mutual antagonism transforms into attraction.

Talk of the Town by Karen Hawkins A reporter follows a celebrity story in a small town and becomes entangled with the local police chief who blocks her investigation.

🌟 Jennifer Crusie wrote "Trust Me on This" while teaching at Ohio State University, drawing from her experiences in academia. 📰 The newsroom setting in the novel was inspired by Crusie's early career as a journalist before becoming a romance writer. 💑 The book is one of Crusie's "screwball comedies," a style that pays homage to classic 1930s romantic comedy films featuring rapid-fire dialogue and mistaken identities. 🏆 Before writing romance novels, Crusie earned a PhD in feminist literary criticism and wrote her dissertation on women's adventure fiction. 🎯 The novel's central themes of trust and deception were influenced by con artist stories and films, particularly "The Sting," which Crusie has cited as a favorite movie.