| She’s supposed to be a small-town girl… …He’s billed as America’s biggest heartthrob. What could possibly go wrong? How about everything? Tiny Bernie Sawrey is perfectly happy fixing carburetors until her stepmother ambushes her with a blind date. The catch? It’s with movie star Garrett Lomas, Bernie’s secret celebrity crush and the reason she’s haunted the drive-in alone her entire adult life. There’s just one teensy problem: Bernie’s about as Hollywood-ready as a rusty muffler. But when her dad’s garage faces financial ruin, suddenly playing Kokomo’s answer to the girl-next-door doesn’t seem so impossible, if it will help. How hard can it be to fake being normal for a few weeks? Meanwhile, Gabe Lomas thought being his identical twin’s stunt double only involved driving race cars—not impersonating him at charity events in small-town Indiana. But when the movie studio execs set up the deal and Garrett’s fiancée says no way, Gabe trades his helmet for a fake smile and a very real problem. |  |
The problem? Bernie Sawrey, all five-foot-nothing of her, with enough quirk and innocence to charm the grumpiest producer. That’s the problem.
Gabe is falling for her hard, only she thinks he’s his famous brother.
And she just might be falling for him too.
Now he’s caught between protecting his brother’s career and protecting his own heart. Because telling Bernie the truth might send her racing away—but not telling her guarantees he’ll lose her when she finds out.
Return to 1973 Kokomo, Indiana, where the cardinal in the sycamore knows that love—like a good engine—runs best when all the parts are genuine. A sweet, hilarious tale of mistaken identity, small-town charm, and finding love when you’re not even being yourself.
You will enjoy this sweet, quirky tale of secret twists, because sometimes the best love stories start with a little white lie and maybe a bit of motor oil.
Gabe is falling for her hard, only she thinks he’s his famous brother.
And she just might be falling for him too.
Now he’s caught between protecting his brother’s career and protecting his own heart. Because telling Bernie the truth might send her racing away—but not telling her guarantees he’ll lose her when she finds out.
Return to 1973 Kokomo, Indiana, where the cardinal in the sycamore knows that love—like a good engine—runs best when all the parts are genuine. A sweet, hilarious tale of mistaken identity, small-town charm, and finding love when you’re not even being yourself.
You will enjoy this sweet, quirky tale of secret twists, because sometimes the best love stories start with a little white lie and maybe a bit of motor oil.
Genre: Sweet Romantic Comedy
Release Date: August 4, 2025
Release Date: August 4, 2025
Click here to get your copy!
Interview with Jennifer
#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
There were two, sort of. The first I think was subliminal. The song, “Bernadette” by the Four Tops begins with the lead singer, Levi Stubbs, singing out the name—Bernadette! So, I wanted the book to start with someone shouting out her name, as well. Turned out to be her stepmother. I didn’t know then if they’d end up being close or if she’d be a bad influence on Bernie. But I knew hearing her name like that would make her cringe and want to hide.
The other inspiration comes from the year this book was set in—1973. We’d moved from Kokomo the year before and I worked hard to get enough money to pay for my first airplane ride back home. I called everyone I could to get together with them. One person was Jim Barnett. We’d been friends since I was in fifth grade and he was in sixth—he went steady with my best friend.
Anyway, Cheryl and Jim had long since broken up and moved on so when he asked me out, I didn’t think anything about it. He took me to the Kokomo Speedway. Going back over fifty years of memories, I could really only say it was loud. Also, Jim and I had fun but decided we made better friends than a romantic couple. That’s why he’s in the book dedication.
There were two, sort of. The first I think was subliminal. The song, “Bernadette” by the Four Tops begins with the lead singer, Levi Stubbs, singing out the name—Bernadette! So, I wanted the book to start with someone shouting out her name, as well. Turned out to be her stepmother. I didn’t know then if they’d end up being close or if she’d be a bad influence on Bernie. But I knew hearing her name like that would make her cringe and want to hide.
The other inspiration comes from the year this book was set in—1973. We’d moved from Kokomo the year before and I worked hard to get enough money to pay for my first airplane ride back home. I called everyone I could to get together with them. One person was Jim Barnett. We’d been friends since I was in fifth grade and he was in sixth—he went steady with my best friend.
Anyway, Cheryl and Jim had long since broken up and moved on so when he asked me out, I didn’t think anything about it. He took me to the Kokomo Speedway. Going back over fifty years of memories, I could really only say it was loud. Also, Jim and I had fun but decided we made better friends than a romantic couple. That’s why he’s in the book dedication.
#2. How long did it to finish writing this book?
I’m thinking about four months. I met up with my friend Jen Crosswhite who gave me the idea about Gabe on the car roof. Then in March we went back east on a special bucket list trip and I wrote in the evenings there. Finished soon after I got home. So, yeah, about four months.
I’m thinking about four months. I met up with my friend Jen Crosswhite who gave me the idea about Gabe on the car roof. Then in March we went back east on a special bucket list trip and I wrote in the evenings there. Finished soon after I got home. So, yeah, about four months.
#3. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
I’m a sucker for a good HEA. And well-done romcoms deliver. I also found I missed the Kokomo of my youth. It’s not perfect and anyone doing a deep dive can find things I wish had never happened. But it was a great place to grow up. So I write about it, bring the colors and flavors I remember back to life, and share them with my family.
I’m a sucker for a good HEA. And well-done romcoms deliver. I also found I missed the Kokomo of my youth. It’s not perfect and anyone doing a deep dive can find things I wish had never happened. But it was a great place to grow up. So I write about it, bring the colors and flavors I remember back to life, and share them with my family.
#4. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
Yes. Okay, I pretty much love them all. But there are two you might not consider.
The first is Debbie LePre. She is named for a sweet friend of mine who passed away after an incredibly valiant fight against cancer a month before I started the book. I thought her name sounded like one that would fit the character, so with her family’s permission, I named Gary’s fiancé after my friend.
The second is Roberta, Bernie’s stepmother. I had a stepmother and wanted to give her a tribute for all the ways she worked to make us all a family. I didn’t put her in the dedication because the last book I have planned for this series is Along Comes Mary and I’ll be dedicating it to her—Mary Elaine Fortner Goodell England. 😊
Yes. Okay, I pretty much love them all. But there are two you might not consider.
The first is Debbie LePre. She is named for a sweet friend of mine who passed away after an incredibly valiant fight against cancer a month before I started the book. I thought her name sounded like one that would fit the character, so with her family’s permission, I named Gary’s fiancé after my friend.
The second is Roberta, Bernie’s stepmother. I had a stepmother and wanted to give her a tribute for all the ways she worked to make us all a family. I didn’t put her in the dedication because the last book I have planned for this series is Along Comes Mary and I’ll be dedicating it to her—Mary Elaine Fortner Goodell England. 😊
#5. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
Always an aha moment that points straight to God. Even if they don’t agree with me, at least I want them to think and ask God about it. If it opens eyes to Him, draws someone closer to Him, then I’ve done what He’s called me to do.
Always an aha moment that points straight to God. Even if they don’t agree with me, at least I want them to think and ask God about it. If it opens eyes to Him, draws someone closer to Him, then I’ve done what He’s called me to do.
#6. How did you name your characters?
Well, the female main character is easy. Her name is in the title of the book—yep, I come up with the title first. I choose a song from the 1960s-early 1970s that has a girl’s name in the title. I ask questions about: What is the song about? What images does it put in my brain? Or even what play on words could I make? (Check out Cracklin’ Rosie for an example of the latter 😉)
Then I need the male main character’s name. So, I remember names from kids I went to school with, look up popular names for babies born the same year as my character, and listen to oldies music (With Shilo, I changed a name after Three Dog Night’s “Eli’s Coming” came on the radio as I was starting that book. So he became Eli and will be in Walk Away, Rene later this year.)
Well, the female main character is easy. Her name is in the title of the book—yep, I come up with the title first. I choose a song from the 1960s-early 1970s that has a girl’s name in the title. I ask questions about: What is the song about? What images does it put in my brain? Or even what play on words could I make? (Check out Cracklin’ Rosie for an example of the latter 😉)
Then I need the male main character’s name. So, I remember names from kids I went to school with, look up popular names for babies born the same year as my character, and listen to oldies music (With Shilo, I changed a name after Three Dog Night’s “Eli’s Coming” came on the radio as I was starting that book. So he became Eli and will be in Walk Away, Rene later this year.)
#7. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
I shared about my friend, Debbie. I think she’d get a kick out of a character being named for her. She enjoyed my books and had a great sense of humor.
I shared about my friend, Debbie. I think she’d get a kick out of a character being named for her. She enjoyed my books and had a great sense of humor.
#8. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, friends.
Hmm, let’s see. I’ve been married to the same sweet grumpypants for over forty-five years. We have three daughters who are all married to wonderful husbands that I love enough to adopt, and they’ve produced three amazing grandchildren ranging from a senior in high school to kindergarten. I think the youngest is going to be an author. She was taking her mother’s paper towels and folding them to make “books.” Next, she wrote and illustrated them. Then she took them to school and put them in the class library where her classmates can check them out. My daughter didn’t know about the school part until parent/teacher conferences. Lately she’s gotten very interested in my books so for Christmas I made her a book of blank pages. I included call-out clouds so she could write what her characters say in the illustrations, and a bunch of stickers and things. She got started filling pages on Christmas Day.
Hmm, let’s see. I’ve been married to the same sweet grumpypants for over forty-five years. We have three daughters who are all married to wonderful husbands that I love enough to adopt, and they’ve produced three amazing grandchildren ranging from a senior in high school to kindergarten. I think the youngest is going to be an author. She was taking her mother’s paper towels and folding them to make “books.” Next, she wrote and illustrated them. Then she took them to school and put them in the class library where her classmates can check them out. My daughter didn’t know about the school part until parent/teacher conferences. Lately she’s gotten very interested in my books so for Christmas I made her a book of blank pages. I included call-out clouds so she could write what her characters say in the illustrations, and a bunch of stickers and things. She got started filling pages on Christmas Day.
#9. If you could change one thing in your life, past or present, what would it be?
That one’s a little private. Let’s just say I wouldn’t have had to say good-bye to so many I love.
That one’s a little private. Let’s just say I wouldn’t have had to say good-bye to so many I love.
#10. What one piece of advice would you like to give readers?
Go with your gut when reading and reviewing. Don’t let someone else who doesn’t see the book the same as you change your mind. I know, that sounds weird. But if you like a book and someone else doesn’t, does that change your initial impression? And if you don’t like a book and someone else loves it, are you going to suddenly like it? Okay, if it were one of mine, I’d hope for a second chance, but really, there’s only one book ever published that was meant for every person on the earth and to be honest, there are plenty of those who don’t like it. Even when you have available about every type of translation known to man.
So, it’s fine how you feel about a book. And if you think it deserves a one star, give it. Only write out concrete facts why in your review—with kindness and respect. Never give a one star without an explanation.
Go with your gut when reading and reviewing. Don’t let someone else who doesn’t see the book the same as you change your mind. I know, that sounds weird. But if you like a book and someone else doesn’t, does that change your initial impression? And if you don’t like a book and someone else loves it, are you going to suddenly like it? Okay, if it were one of mine, I’d hope for a second chance, but really, there’s only one book ever published that was meant for every person on the earth and to be honest, there are plenty of those who don’t like it. Even when you have available about every type of translation known to man.
So, it’s fine how you feel about a book. And if you think it deserves a one star, give it. Only write out concrete facts why in your review—with kindness and respect. Never give a one star without an explanation.
#11 Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
My life verse is Isaiah 41:13. It has seen me through so much and only becomes dearer as I get older. I pray daily for Jesus to hold my hand because of that verse.
My life verse is Isaiah 41:13. It has seen me through so much and only becomes dearer as I get older. I pray daily for Jesus to hold my hand because of that verse.
More from Jennifer
As I put this series together in my head, certain books were right there, laid out, easy to have a handle on them. But with Bernadette, I knew two things: she was a tiny spitfire, and the first line of the book had to be someone calling out her name. Why? Because that’s the way the Four Tops started the song that was my inspiration. Sort of. Actually, that is the only thing I used from the song.
I also wanted to introduce my readers to other places I remembered in Kokomo during the 1970s. I’d only been to the Kokomo Speedway once, and all I could remember was that it was loud. It was my one and only date with a longtime friend who had been an on-again, off-again boyfriend of my best friend. After we moved to Arizona, I had a chance to go back home for a few weeks before my senior year. Cheryl and Jim were no longer an item, but I’d been friends with both. Jim asked if I wanted to go to the races and I agreed. Can’t remember if we took his motorcycle or not, but I did ride with him once or twice on that trip. The funny thing is, we knew we were better as friends, and especially with the long distance between us, that was all either of us wanted. We remained friends for many years before we lost contact—I got to meet his wife and daughters, and he met my husband.
About the time I was starting this book, as the plot ideas were coming together, one of my sweet sisters from our Bible study group succumbed to cancer. Debbie was a sweet light, and I wanted to honor her. I asked her family if I could use her name in the story and they agreed.
Finally, I think every girl remembers the first boy to ask her to go steady. The thing is, I’m not sure who it was. From kindergarten through fourth grade, I went to school with the Richardson twins. Both were sweet and funny. Mike was the more outgoing, Mark was quieter.
I remember one time going to their house and making Christmas ornaments from straws after we learned how in school.
One day I got a phone call. I’d learned to tell them apart in person, but on the phone, not so much. I got asked to go steady. My dad had already informed me that ten-years-old was too young, so I blamed it on Dad and declined.
A few minutes later, I got a second phone call. Again I was asked to go steady and had to say no. The thing is, I never knew who asked first!
After that year we moved across town though I kept in touch with my friends. It was only about two-three years later that I learned Mike had died from an accident. It wasn’t my first intro to death, but it was concerning someone my own age.
It’s been almost sixty years since I last saw Mike Richardson, but I still remember him with fondness. Another reason I had twins in this story. If only I knew which twin had asked me to go steady first.
I also wanted to introduce my readers to other places I remembered in Kokomo during the 1970s. I’d only been to the Kokomo Speedway once, and all I could remember was that it was loud. It was my one and only date with a longtime friend who had been an on-again, off-again boyfriend of my best friend. After we moved to Arizona, I had a chance to go back home for a few weeks before my senior year. Cheryl and Jim were no longer an item, but I’d been friends with both. Jim asked if I wanted to go to the races and I agreed. Can’t remember if we took his motorcycle or not, but I did ride with him once or twice on that trip. The funny thing is, we knew we were better as friends, and especially with the long distance between us, that was all either of us wanted. We remained friends for many years before we lost contact—I got to meet his wife and daughters, and he met my husband.
About the time I was starting this book, as the plot ideas were coming together, one of my sweet sisters from our Bible study group succumbed to cancer. Debbie was a sweet light, and I wanted to honor her. I asked her family if I could use her name in the story and they agreed.
Finally, I think every girl remembers the first boy to ask her to go steady. The thing is, I’m not sure who it was. From kindergarten through fourth grade, I went to school with the Richardson twins. Both were sweet and funny. Mike was the more outgoing, Mark was quieter.
I remember one time going to their house and making Christmas ornaments from straws after we learned how in school.
One day I got a phone call. I’d learned to tell them apart in person, but on the phone, not so much. I got asked to go steady. My dad had already informed me that ten-years-old was too young, so I blamed it on Dad and declined.
A few minutes later, I got a second phone call. Again I was asked to go steady and had to say no. The thing is, I never knew who asked first!
After that year we moved across town though I kept in touch with my friends. It was only about two-three years later that I learned Mike had died from an accident. It wasn’t my first intro to death, but it was concerning someone my own age.
It’s been almost sixty years since I last saw Mike Richardson, but I still remember him with fondness. Another reason I had twins in this story. If only I knew which twin had asked me to go steady first.
 Jennifer Lynn Cary | Historical Christian Romance author and three-time Selah Award nominee, Jennifer Lynn Cary, likes to say you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can’t take the Hoosier out of the girl. Now transplanted to the Arizona desert, this direct descendant of Davy Crockett and her husband of forty-plus years enjoy time with family where she shares tales of her small-town heritage and family legacies with their grandchildren. She is the author of The Crockett Chronicles series, The Relentless series, and The Weather Girls trilogy, as well as the stand-alone novel, Cheryl’s Going Home, her novella Tales of the Hob Nob Annex Café, and her split-time novels The Traveling Prayer Shawl and The Forgotten Gratitude Journal. Her current spin-off series, The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue, contains standalones with a common thread. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize of
a $50 Amazon Gift Card and an eBook copy of the book!!
a $50 Amazon Gift Card and an eBook copy of the book!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 26
Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 27 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 28
Texas Book-aholic, March 29
Blossoms and Blessings, March 30 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 30
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 31
Blogging With Carol, April 1
Stories By Gina, April 2 (Author Interview)
Simple Harvest Reads, April 3 (Guest Review from Donna)
She Lives to Read, April 4
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, April 5 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, April 5
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, April 6
Pause for Tales, April 7
Books, Books, & More Books, April 8 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 27 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 28
Texas Book-aholic, March 29
Blossoms and Blessings, March 30 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 30
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 31
Blogging With Carol, April 1
Stories By Gina, April 2 (Author Interview)
Simple Harvest Reads, April 3 (Guest Review from Donna)
She Lives to Read, April 4
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, April 5 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, April 5
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, April 6
Pause for Tales, April 7
Books, Books, & More Books, April 8 (Author Interview)
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