Cure for the Common Breakup Read online

  Praise for Beth Kendrick’s Novels

  Cure for the Common Breakup

  “Beth Kendrick has reminded me once again exactly why I love her books so much. Cure for the Common Breakup is packed with humor, wit, and a lot of heart. A charming and exceptionally entertaining story! I can’t recommend this book highly enough.”

  —Jane Porter, national bestselling author of The Good Wife

  “Beth Kendrick has written a sharp, sassy, surprisingly emotional story that will make readers laugh out loud from page one and sigh from the heart at the end. Light and lovely perfection!”

  —Roxanne St. Claire, New York Times bestselling author of the Barefoot Bay series

  “Utterly delightful! Summer Benson will charm and disarm her way into the hearts of readers as easily as she does the residents of Black Dog Bay.”

  —Meg Donohue, USA Today bestselling author of All the Summer Girls

  The Week Before the Wedding

  “Kendrick proves she is the leader of the pack when it comes to fashioning cheekily clever love stories, and her latest will delight readers with its delectably acerbic wit and charmingly complex characters.”

  —Booklist (starred review)

  “In an engaging story about matters of the heart, Kendrick perfectly captures the struggle between who we really are and who we want to be. With its endearing characters and page-turning plot, this novel balances humor and emotion in a way that begs it to be read in one sitting.”

  —RT Book Reviews (41/2 stars)

  “A delightful romp with depth.”

  —Heroes and Heartbreakers

  The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service

  “Graced with a stellar cast of captivating characters (including an adorable pack of scene-stealing canines) and written with both sharp wit and genuine wisdom, Kendrick’s latest effervescent novel is a hopelessly, hopefully romantic treat.”

  —Booklist (starred review)

  “If the title does not grab your attention, Kendrick’s writing will . . . an engaging, thoroughly enjoyable tale of finding soul mates of the four-legged and two-legged varieties. . . . When you put this book down, you will have a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.”

  —RT Book Reviews (41/2 stars)

  “A charming tale about finding the perfect match . . . [a] heartwarming tale featuring a lot of laughs, love, and irresistible dogs.”

  —SheKnows Book Lounge

  “A really funny and fun book. Perfect for your summer reading.”

  —Dolce Dolce

  “Kendrick not only shines in portraying the subtleties of female friendships, but also at rendering the unbreakable bond between man (or woman) and dog. . . . Kendrick has a . . . talent for matchmaking: pairing her winsome heroine and her delightful group of canines in the service of a tale of nurturing one’s true calling and rekindling relationships.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “If you like dog stories, romance, a little kick to the characters, and a story with a happy ending, try this book. . . . A funny, pleasant story . . . [it] makes one want to go and seek out other Beth Kendrick books.”

  —Deseret News (Salt Lake City, UT)

  The Bake-Off

  “With her usual literary flair, Kendrick delivers a scrumptious literary confection expertly spiced with humor and seasoned with just the right dash of romance.”

  —Chicago Tribune

  “A warm, winning story about the complications of sisterhood—and the unexpected rewards.”

  —Sarah Pekkanen, author of Skipping a Beat

  “A sweet, fun, and entertaining look at family, love, and the perfect pastry. . . . Fans of women’s fiction, foodie fiction, and novels about sisters will delight in Kendrick’s descriptions, vivid characters, and fast-paced, hilarious dialogue. A book that often had me laughing aloud—and wiping away a tear at points. Recommended.”

  —Write Meg!

  “I absolutely loved this book. It is laugh-out-loud funny and you can’t help but love both sisters. Don’t be surprised if you want to try out the yummy-sounding recipes the author includes.”

  —Chicklit Club

  “This story is sweet like a great dessert—just the right amount of sugar and spice. It’s a story that celebrates both sisters and the therapeutic benefits of baking. . . . [Amy and Linnie’s] adventures in baking will make you laugh and warm your heart.”

  —News and Sentinel (Parkersburg, WV)

  “Wonderful! Kendrick manages to cook up a tender, touching, and very funny story about the complicated relationship of two sisters torn apart by their own stubbornness and brought back together by love and pastry. With a fresh plot and richly layered characters, The Bake-Off is a winner.”

  —Ellen Meister, author of The Other Life

  Second Time Around

  “Kendrick deftly blends exceptionally clever writing, subtly nuanced characters, and a generous dash of romance into a flawlessly written story about the importance of female friendships and second chances.”

  —Chicago Tribune

  “A touching and humorous look at love, loss, and literature.”

  —Booklist

  “Extremely engaging. . . . [Kendrick’s] characters were easy to fall in love with.”

  —Night Owl Reviews

  “Kendrick is an undeniably practiced hand at depicting female bonds.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “A funny, charming story about the power of female friendship, and a must read for all English majors, past and present.”

  —Kim Gruenenfelder, author of Wedding Fever

  The Pre-nup

  “In the exceptionally entertaining and wonderfully original The Pre-nup, Kendrick writes with a wicked sense of humor and great wisdom about the power of friendship, the importance of true love, and the very real satisfaction of romantic revenge done right.”

  —Chicago Tribune

  “The three female leads all captivate.”

  —Romantic Times

  “[A] highly entertaining story.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  “Clever, wise, and wonderful, The Pre-nup is Beth Kendrick at her best.”

  —Jane Porter

  “Witty, juicy, and lots of fun! Say ‘I do’ to The Pre-nup.”

  —Susan Mallery, New York Times bestselling author of Only His

  “A smart, funny spin on happily-ever-after!”

  —Beth Harbison, New York Times bestselling author of Always Something There to Remind Me

  Also by Beth Kendrick

  The Week Before the Wedding

  The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service

  The Bake-Off

  Second Time Around

  The Pre-nup

  Nearlyweds

  Fashionably Late

  Exes and Ohs

  My Favorite Mistake

  New American Library

  Published by the Penguin Group

  Penguin Group (USA) LLC, 375 Hudson Street,

  New York, New York 10014

  USA | Canada | UK | Ireland | Australia | New Zealand | India | South Africa | China

  penguin.com

  A Penguin Random House Company

  First published by New American Library,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) LLC

  Copyright © Beth Lavin, 2014

  Penguin supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized ed
ition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin to continue to publish books for every reader.

  REGISTERED TRADEMARK—MARCA REGISTRADA

  LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA:

  Kendrick, Beth.

  Cure for the common breakup/Beth Kendrick.

  p. cm.

  ISBN 978-1-101-63597-1

  1. Single women—Fiction. 2. Man-woman relationships—Fiction.

  I. Title.

  PS3611.E535C86 2014

  813'.6—dc23 2013049130

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  The recipes contained in this book are to be followed exactly as written. The publisher is not responsible for your specific health or allergy needs that may require medical supervision. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse reactions to the recipes contained in this book.

  Version_1

  for Chandra Years, a true friend

  contents

  Praise for Beth Kendrick’s novels

  Also by Beth Kendrick

  Title page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Cure for the Common Breakup recipe

  chapter 1

  chapter 2

  chapter 3

  chapter 4

  chapter 5

  chapter 6

  chapter 7

  chapter 8

  chapter 9

  chapter 10

  chapter 11

  chapter 12

  chapter 13

  chapter 14

  chapter 15

  chapter 16

  chapter 17

  chapter 18

  chapter 19

  chapter 20

  chapter 21

  chapter 22

  chapter 23

  chapter 24

  chapter 25

  chapter 26

  chapter 27

  chapter 28

  chapter 29

  chapter 30

  chapter 31

  chapter 32

  chapter 33

  chapter 34

  chapter 35

  chapter 36

  chapter 37

  About the Author

  Excerpt from New Uses for Old Boyfriends

  acknowledgments

  Thank you to . . .

  Danielle Perez, the best editor in all the land.

  Amy Moore-Benson, the best agent in all the land.

  Kimberly Camarillo, who patiently answered my endless questions about life as a flight attendant. (I’m sure I got some of it wrong. Blame me, not her!)

  Kresley Cole, my own personal Coach Taylor.

  Kresley Cole’s fabulous mom, who knows how to make an entrance.

  Marty Etchart, a good sport and a great writer.

  Jane Porter and Barbara Ankrum, for so many acts of grace and guidance that I cannot even begin to list them.

  Shannon Kinney, Heidi Padley, and the “Montessori Mom Mafia”: Michelle Elquest, Kami Mooth, Anna O’Brien, Cori Zdebel, Kim Nudi, Sarah Behof, and Betsy Etchart.

  As always, I owe boundless love and gratitude to my awesome family, especially Joe and Tai, who introduced me to the Delaware shore.

  chapter 1

  “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain speaking.”

  “He’s so hot.” Summer Benson nudged her fellow flight attendant Kim. “Even his voice is hot.”

  “Welcome to our flight from New York to Paris.” Aaron’s voice sounded deep and rich, despite the plane’s staticky loudspeaker. “Flying time tonight should be about seven hours and twenty-six minutes. We’re anticipating an on-time departure, so we’re going to ask you to move out of the aisles and take your seats as quickly as possible.”

  Summer leaned back against the drink cart in the tiny first-class galley. “Ooh, I love it when he tells me what to do.”

  Kim, a petite Texan with a sleek blond bob, rolled her eyes and started checking the meals that had arrived from catering. “Get a room.”

  “As soon as we get to Paris, we will,” Summer assured her. “And then we’re going to walk by the Seine and go to the Eiffel Tower and eat croissants. If it’s cheesy and touristy, we’re doing it. I actually packed a beret.”

  “I was wondering why you had two gigantic carry-ons,” Kim said. “That’s a lot of luggage for a three-day layover.”

  “One bag’s half full of scandalous lingerie,” Summer replied. “I left the other half empty so I can buy more scandalous lingerie.” She frowned at a snag in her silky black nylons. “These eight-hour flights are hell on my stockings. This pair was my favorite, too. They’re all lacy at the top. Hand-embroidered.”

  Kim’s jaw dropped. “You’re wearing thigh-highs? All the way to Paris? Do you hate yourself? Do you hate your veins?”

  “When I’m on a flight to Paris with my boyfriend, I don’t wear support hose. Not now, not ever.”

  “And do you hate your feet?” Kim glanced down at Summer’s patent leather stilettos. “I don’t have a ruler with me, but I’m guessing those heels are higher than two and a half inches.” She shook her index finger. “Airline regulations.”

  “Airline regulations also state that we have to wear black shoes and black tights with a navy uniform,” Summer said. “That doesn’t make it right. Besides, France has laws against ugly shoes. You can look it up.”

  “You’re going to be begging for flats by the time you’re through with the salad service,” Kim predicted.

  Summer had to admit that her coworker had a point—international first-class service didn’t offer a lot of downtime. Between distributing hot towels, drinks, place settings and linens, appetizers, salads, entrées, fruit and cheese, dessert, coffee, cordials, warm cookies, and finally breakfast, a sensible flight attendant would wear comfortable footwear.

  Summer had never been accused of being sensible.

  “The only thing more high-maintenance than the meal service is me,” she said. “I refuse to be hobbled by a few plates of lettuce.”

  Kim ducked out of the galley with a pair of plastic water bottles. “Hang on. I’m going to go check if the pilots want anything before takeoff. Want me to say hi to your boyfriend?”

  “Sure, and ask if he has any M&M’s. I forgot to bring a fresh supply, and he knows I’m an addict.”

  Two minutes later, Kim returned from the flight deck, walking as fast as her polyester pencil skirt permitted. “I just saw Aaron!”

  “Score.” Summer held out her palm as Kim handed over a bag of candy. “He truly is the best boyfriend ever. I’ll have to keep him around for a while.”

  “For a while? How about forever?” Kim clutched Summer’s forearm and gave her a little shake. “He has a diamond ring for you!”

  Summer pulled away and braced both hands on the narrow, metal-edged countertop.

  “It’s gorgeous!” Kim squealed. “He was showing it to the first officer when I opened the door.”

  Where was an oxygen mask when you needed one? Summer inhaled deeply, smelling stale coffee grounds and the plummy red wine Kim had just uncorked for a passenger.

  “I . . .” She waited for her emotions to kick in. She should laugh. Cry. Faint dead away. Something.

  “He’s going to propose in Paris! How romantic.” Kim looked as though she might faint dead away. “A guy like him, with a ring like tha
t . . . God, you’re so lucky.”

  All at once the emotions kicked in. Complete, overwhelming terror, served up with a side of denial. “Slow down—slow down.” Summer sagged back against the counter. “This is crazy. I mean, Aaron and I have a great time together, but we’ve certainly never talked about marriage.”

  “Well, why else would he buy a diamond ring?”

  “Maybe it’s for his mom. Or his sister.” Summer scrambled for any plausible explanation. “Maybe he’s carrying it for a friend, like a drug mule for Cartier. He’s not proposing—he’s just smuggling!”

  “No way. You should have seen his face.” Kimberly clasped her hands beside her cheek. “He looked so nervous. It was adorable.” Her rapturous expression flickered for just a moment. “He made me promise not to tell you. Oops.”

  “Oh my God,” Summer rasped.

  “I know!”

  “Oh my God.” She grabbed the nearest bottle of wine and took a swig. “Don’t serve that.”

  “You know where you should go?” Kim’s eyes sparkled. “There’s a great little boutique hotel right off rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Hotel de la something. I’ll Google it. Super-swanky, super-secluded.” She shook her head. “I guess wearing thigh-highs and four-inch heels was a good call, after all.”

  Summer took another bracing sip of wine and wiped her lips on the back of her hand. “I can’t believe this.”

  “Me, neither!” Kim planted her hands on her hips. “We’ve all been drooling over Aaron Marchand for years, and you get to spend the rest of your life with him? Not fair. You’ve landed the unlandable bachelor.”

  “Well . . .” Summer realized, as she forced herself to release her death grip on the wine bottle, that her hands were shaking. “I haven’t landed him yet. I mean, this ring is still speculation and hearsay at this point.”

  “Pfft. I know an engagement ring when I see one.” Kim pursed her lips in a little pout. “One less tall, dark, and handsome man for the rest of us.” She sighed, then frowned at Summer. “Wait. Why are you freaking out?”

  “I’m not freaking out.” Summer straightened up and cleared her throat. “But, you know, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. He hasn’t actually asked. I haven’t said yes.”