This Is Not a Meet Cute

A disastrous meet-cute forces a sunshiney event planner and grumpy hotel exec to work together—and to rethink their first impressions when sparks begin to fly.

LA-based event planner Caroline Dunne has always believed in a good meet-cute, and secretly hopes the universe has one waiting for her—maybe even with the impossibly handsome stranger she spots on her first day in the D.C. office. Unfortunately, that stranger turns out to be Smith Collier, the stern ex–Navy SEAL who runs her company’s hotel division—and their first encounter ends with him yelling at her, spilling coffee all over her favorite cashmere sweater, and demanding she move to D.C. for the next ten months. So, not very cute after all. . . .

Once in D.C., half of Caroline’s life is spent catering to the glamorous but manipulative CEO’s impossible demands, and the other half is spent under Smith’s relentless scrutiny. Except soon her clashes with Smith feel suspiciously like flirting, and as meetings, travel, and hotel openings continue to throw them together, Caroline discovers someone else entirely beneath his cold exterior—a caring, fiercely loyal single father who’s quickly becoming her favorite part of each day.

Smith is definitely not her meet-cute. But if Caroline were to trade her dream of the perfect rom-com for something far messier—and much more real—could he be even more?

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs