Between Friends & Lovers

Talia Hibbert meets Carley Fortune in this swoon-worthy story of love and friendship in the age of social media—where what you see might not be all you get. To her countless Instagram followers Josephine Boateng is the dazzling Dr. Jojo—and her opinions on health, growth, and self-love matter. Her message: be smart (she has a medical degree after all), be significant, and do not put up with foolish men. But behind the camera, Jo's story is more complicated—she finds her influencer career underwhelming; her potential career in medicine overwhelming, and she's hung up on her best friend, nepo-baby and romcom heartthrob Ezra Adelman. When Ezra shows up to his thirtieth birthday party with her childhood bully on his arm, however, Josephine realizes that it's time to take her own advice and prioritize herself for once. No one is more shocked than Malcolm Waters when his debut novel turns him into a critic's darling. When he's invited to a swanky penthouse party to discuss turning his book into a film, he knows rubbing elbows with the elites of entertainment will be great for his career. The only problem: he's not good with people, and even worse at networking. Just when he's about to throw in the towel, he's rescued by none other than Dr. Jojo. He's been following her on social media for years, and she's even more impressive in real life. And to his bewilderment, the feeling is mutual. But in a world where the lines between private and public are as blurred as those between friendship and love, can they risk it all for something real?

Shirlene Obuobi is a Ghanaian American cardiologist, cartoonist, and author who grew up in Chicago, Illinois; Hot Springs, Arkansas; and the Woodlands, Texas. She appeared on Good Morning America to promote her debut novel, On Rotation and is a regular contributor to the Washington Post. When she isn't in the hospital, she can be found drawing comics, writing on her phone, and talking to everyone who will listen about women's heart health.