Deborah Cooke: Author

And Another Five Star Review for Just for Tonight!

August 26, 2026

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Carpe Diem Café, Coming Soon, Contemporary Romance, My Books, New Release

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

Five star review for Just for Tonight, book three of the Carpe Diem Café series of small town contemporary romances by Deborah Cooke

Here’s all of Mary’s review, posted at Nook and at GoodReads:

“Can a one night stand turn into more?

I really enjoyed Jake and Mackenzie’s story. When they met at a conference in the big city and had a one night stand, they never expected to meet again in their small hometown of Empire, Canada. Both were committed to their careers and had no desire for something long-term.

Jake Cavendish wanted to get in and out of Empire as quickly as possible after he settled his father’s estate. But of course, complications arise, and when he discovers the woman he met before is actually Mackenzie, whom he knew from high school, it’s an unexpected bonus that they could get together again. Mackenzie enjoys their encounters too, and the sneaking around to keep their relationship a secret from family and friends, only adds to the excitement, but she has a vineyard to run so she doesn’t think this could ever turn into more. Eventually, real life intrudes and Jake has to figure out how to divide up the estate so everyone doesn’t hate him. And they both must decide if it would be possible to have a real relationship when they are both so focused on their careers. Their chemistry is great, but can they figure out a way to keep it going?

Since this is the third book in the Carpe Diem Café series, we get to see many of the other residents of Empire who are family and friends of Mackenzie and Jake, who are members of the most well-known feuding families in town. The relationships and businesses set up in the previous books are developing and turning Empire into a lovely book neighborhood to visit. It isn’t necessary to read the other books first, but it is nice to know all the background.”

Just for Tonight at Nook

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, and get your copy now.

Just for Tonight, book three of the Carpe Diem Café series of contemporary romances by Deborah Cooke

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.