Deborah Cooke: Author

There’s a new 5-star review posted for Jake and Mackenzie’s story, this time at GoodReads:

Here’s all of Naomi’s review, posted at GoodReads:

“Just for Tonight (The Carpe Diem Café, Book 3) by Deborah Cooke is another wonderful return to the charming town of Empire, where unforgettable characters, emotional family dynamics, and swoon-worthy romance come together perfectly.
Mackenzie has built a life she loves. Intelligent, capable, and fiercely independent, she manages her family’s winery alongside her beloved Opa and isn’t searching for someone to complete her life.
Jake Cavendish returns to Empire carrying the weight of a difficult past. Raised under the harsh control of his demanding father, Patrick, Jake and his siblings grew up carrying emotional scars that shaped every aspect of their lives. After Patrick’s death, Jake returns to Empire to settle the estate, only to discover that his father’s carefully crafted image was little more than an illusion. Instead of an inheritance, Patrick left behind overwhelming debt, making Jake the unwilling bearer of bad news to his spoiled second wife, Candace, and her entitled children, who expected to inherit a fortune.
What follows is far more than a romance. It’s a moving story about breaking free from the damage inflicted by a toxic parent, learning to trust again, and discovering that happiness sometimes means returning to the place you least expected. Jake’s emotional journey is beautifully written, and watching him slowly let go of his father’s influence is both believable and deeply satisfying.
The chemistry between Mackenzie and Jake is effortless and heartfelt. Their relationship develops naturally through friendship, mutual respect, and shared vulnerability, making every step of their romance feel authentic. Deborah Cooke never rushes their connection, allowing readers to savor every meaningful moment.
Deborah Cooke has a remarkable gift for creating romances that are about far more than falling in love. She explores healing, forgiveness, resilience, and the courage to choose your own future despite the mistakes of the past. Just for Tonight is an uplifting, emotionally satisfying romance with memorable characters, wonderful family dynamics, and a love story that will leave readers smiling long after the final page.”

Just for Tonight is coming August 24 to retailers – it’s already locked and loaded. You can order the ebook from my online store, Hazel & Honeysuckle Press, with either cover, for delivery August 10.

I barely knew Jake Cavendish in high school. He was two years ahead of me—the golden boy everyone knew was destined to leave our small town of Empire behind. And he did.

So when we cross paths years later at a glamorous black-tie gala in Toronto, I’m not surprised he doesn’t recognize me. What does catch me off guard is the undeniable spark between us. One unforgettable night feels like the perfect escape. After all, our families have been feuding for generations, and there’s no future for us. Better to leave it as one perfect memory than risk getting hurt.

Then Jake returns to Empire to settle his father’s estate.

Suddenly, staying away from each other is impossible. Every stolen moment makes the attraction harder to resist, and our secret affair only raises the stakes. I’m committed to preserving my family’s vineyard, while Jake is chasing a partnership at one of Toronto’s top firms. Our lives are pulling us in opposite directions, and neither of us is looking for forever.

But somewhere between the laughter, the late-night conversations, and the stolen kisses, this stopped being just a fling.

Falling for the enemy was never part of the plan. Yet the more I get to know Jake, the more I wonder if everything I believed about our families—and about him—has been wrong. The only question is whether we’re willing to risk everything for a love neither of us saw coming.


Coming August 24.

Order from my online store and get your copy August 10:

Pre-order the ebook:

Just for Tonight has an alternate illustrated cover, too, so you can choose.

Pre-order the ebook with the turquoise cover:

Order from my online store and get your copy August 10:

Order for August 24 delivery:

Jake and Mackenzie’s story will be available in trade paperback with both covers. The book interior will be the same in both editions.