The smile that burst out of her was like sunshine. She wouldn’t have to leave the lights on in her apartment anymore. Never again.
“I love you, too.” Laughing, she collapsed against Hudson’s chest. He held her there, his arms strong and firm around her, as if he’d never let go.
It was summer and their future was ahead of them, brilliant and shining, a sculpture as yet unformed. Annika couldn’t wait to see what they’d build together.
acknowledgments
Words cannot express the delight I’m feeling while writing the acknowledgments section of my very first adult romance novel. I’ve dreamed of this moment since I was about nine years old, and it’s finally here!
I’d like to thank my editor, Eileen Rothschild, who made this happen by reaching out to my agent and asking if I’d be interested in writing an adult romance for her imprint. I don’t think I gave them the chance to finish the question before I was hopping around my office yelling, “YES PLEASE!” Thank you to my literary agent, Thao Le, who has seen me through many years and many phases of my career. Thank you to the whole fabulous team at St. Martin’s Griffin for making this book-shaped dream come true. Thanks also to my readers—the Facebook Swoon Squad in particular, who are so unrelentingly encouraging and enthusiastic about my work, and who treat One-Line Wednesday like it’s Christmas. You are a vital part of my writing life and I appreciate each and every one of you. Cupcakes for all!
A special thank-you to Anisha, who provided me with the idea that Annika could fantasize about spoiling the ending to Hudson’s book! Brilliant and petty and I love it!
And last but never least, thank you to my steadfast, loving husband who read so many, many drafts of this book and encouraged me to keep going even when I was ready to toss the whole thing into the fire. You are my sun, my moon, and all my stars.
about the author
LILY MENON has always been enamored of romantic comedies and happily-ever-afters in all shapes and sizes. Her very first love story, written at age nine, was about a handsome boy who wooed the heroine with books, chocolates, and a very fat puppy. Now Lily lives with her own handsome boy (who indeed wooed her with books, chocolates, and fat puppies) in the mountains of Colorado, where she spends her days dreaming up kissing scenes and meet-cutes. Visit her on the Web at www.lilymenon.com, or sign up for email updates here.
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contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
First published in the United States by St. Martin’s Griffin, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group
MAKE UP BREAK UP. Copyright © 2021 by Lily Menon. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Publishing Group, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
www.stmartins.com
The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:
Names: Menon, Lily, author.
Title: Make up break up: a novel / Lily Menon.
Description: First edition. | New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2021.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020037476 | ISBN 9781250761996 (trade paperback) | ISBN 9781250799951 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781250214478 (ebook)
Subjects: GSAFD: Love stories.
Classification: LCC PS3613.E4923 M35 2021 | DDC 813/.6—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020037476
eISBN 9781250214478
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First Edition: 2021