The Art of Almost Losing It
(The Richmond Brothers, #3)
By: Alina Jacobs
Publication Date: August 4, 2026
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance
Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/254533085-the-art-of-almost-losing-it
Synopsis:
There comes a time in every almost-thirty-year-old woman’s life when getting kidnapped off the street is preferable to admitting that the hot, rich boyfriend you’ve been bragging about for months does not, in fact, exist.
Yes, it’s terrifying being stuffed in the trunk of a Mercedes, but I would rather be locked in a stranger’s penthouse than sleeping on the floor of my parents’ apartment like the loser daughter I am.
Honestly?
It’s nice to get some alone time. And my own bathroom.
He bribes me with money not to call the police.
I scream at him for forcing me to go to brunch as his prisoner at the hottest restaurant in New York.
Now everyone in my parents’ aggressively posh Manhattan neighborhood thinks we’re dating.
Buckle up, buddy.
I have a full wedding itinerary to attend, and congratulations—you’re my fake boyfriend.
Unfortunately, my kidnapper is the worst fake boyfriend in the history of fake boyfriends.
He’s mean.
Aloof.
Emotionally unavailable.
And deeply offended by how much time I spend on my phone.
Meanwhile, I’m trying to ignore how yummy he smells, all muscular and tall as he fumes next to me in bed, furious because I asked him when the sexy portion of the kidnapping is going to happen.
It’s a fair question, though, right?!? I thought kidnapping came with benefits!
Guess my kidnapper didn’t want me that much after all.
Men lying about their desire for a relationship. Story of my life.
Now I’m trapped.
He’s miserable.
And somehow, this is starting to feel dangerously like a relationship.
Purchase:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4xufxeN
“Dani!” I unlock the door.
“Damn, he really did kidnap her—she’s locked up in here and everything,” Connor stage-whispers.
“Dani!” I bellow, throwing the door open.
“Oh my god, finally.” She waves. There’s an empty bottle of wine on the coffee table in the seating area and a half-empty one beside her on the nightstand. “Gimme,” she says drunkenly, rolling over on the bed.
“How did you order pizza?” I rage at her. “How? I took her phone from her.”
Finn silently points to the cell phone beside her on the bed.
“God, you suck at kidnapping, dude.”
“That’s what I’ve been telling him.” Dani peers drunkenly at us. “Ooh, is this a gang-bang situation?”
“No—I told you, we are not having sex.”
“Then why did you even kidnap her, dude?”
“You fucking—” Grayson hisses at Spencer.
“That”—Dani lists to the side and almost falls off the bed—“is what I wanna know. Inquiring minds wanna… inquire.”
“How much have you drunk?” I demand.
“Not enough. Need greasy carbs. Get me a towel,” she orders one of my brothers. “I don’t want grease on the bedspread. Pizza smells so good, and it’s still nice and hot.”
“You had a phone on you this whole time?” I scream at her as Finn comes back with a bath towel. “That’s my good towel.” I snatch it from him.
“You can’t be acting like that at the engagement party,” Dani warns me as she pulls a slice of pizza out of the box.
“Why didn’t you call the cops?” I yell at her. “You see?” I tell Grayson, gesturing to Dani. “She’s crazy. This is not my fault.”
“You kidnapped her. It is, in fact, your fucking fault.”
“Yeah. This one’s on you.”
Ding-dong!
“I hope that’s my Chinese food.” Dani stuffs a slice of pizza in her mouth.
About Alina Jacobs
If you like steamy romantic comedies with a creative streak, then I'm your girl!
Architect by day, writer by night, I love matcha green tea, chocolate, and books! So many books…
Sign up for my mailing list to get the free novella, AFTER HIS PEONIES, along with special bonus content, giveaways, and more!
http://alinajacobs.com/mailinglist.html
Blitz-Wide Giveaway (INT) Ends August 16th
Prize: Paperback copy of The Art of Almost Losing It
Link to Enter Giveaway: https://gleam.io/4J7fG/the-art-of-almost-losing-it-blitz
My obsession with reading started over 30+ years ago when I went to my first Scholastic Book Fair and found R.L. Stine's Fear Street series. Later, I came across Anne Rice's novels at my public library when I was fourteen when my obsession with vampires started. I was the girl who preferred to be a vampire over a princess any day. My husband says I would leave him a heartbeat for a vampire that looked like Spike or Angel (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) or Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries. (It's true, though, and he's accepted it.)
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