New Uses For Old Boyfriends

Cure for the Common Breakup

“Beth Kendrick has reminded me once again exactly why I love her books so much.
Cure for the Common Breakup
is packed with humor, wit, and a lot of heart. A charming and exceptionally entertaining story! I can't recommend this book highly enough.”

—Jane Porter, national bestselling author of
The Good Wife

“Beth Kendrick has written a sharp, sassy, surprisingly emotional story that will make readers laugh out loud from page one and sigh from the heart at the end. Light and lovely perfection!”

—Roxanne St. Claire,
New York Times
bestselling author of the Barefoot Bay series

“Kendrick's impeccable sense of comic timing and flair for creating unforgettable characters make this effervescent novel a smart bet for romance readers everywhere, while the novel's deft integration of the topics of family, friendship, and community ensure it can easily attract a broader readership as well.

—
Booklist
(starred review)

“Utterly delightful! Summer Benson will charm and disarm her way into the hearts of readers as easily as she does the residents of Black Dog Bay.”

—Meg Donohue,
USA Today
bestselling author of
All the Summer Girls

The Week Before the Wedding

“Kendrick proves she is the leader of the pack when it comes to fashioning cheekily clever love stories, and her latest will delight readers with its delectably acerbic wit and charmingly complex characters.”

—
Booklist
(starred review)

“In an engaging story about matters of the heart, Kendrick perfectly captures the struggle between who we really are and who we want to be. With its endearing characters and page-turning plot, this novel balances humor and emotion in a way that begs it to be read in one sitting.”

—
RT Book Reviews
(4
¹
/
₂
stars)

“A delightful romp with depth.”

—Heroes and Heartbreakers

The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service

“Graced with a stellar cast of captivating characters (including an adorable pack of scene-stealing canines) and written with both sharp wit and genuine wisdom, Kendrick's latest effervescent novel is a hopelessly, hopefully romantic treat.”

—
Booklist
(starred review)

“If the title does not grab your attention, Kendrick's writing will . . . an engaging, thoroughly enjoyable tale of finding soul mates of the four-legged and two-legged varieties. . . . When you put this book down, you will have a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.”

—
RT Book Reviews
(4
¹
/
₂
stars)

“Kendrick not only shines in portraying the subtleties of female friendships but also at rendering the unbreakable bond between man (or woman) and dog. . . . Kendrick has a . . . talent for matchmaking: pairing her winsome heroine and her delightful group of canines in the service of a tale of nurturing one's true calling and rekindling relationships.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“If you like dog stories, romance, a little kick to the characters, and a story with a happy ending, try this book. . . . A funny, pleasant story . . . [it] makes one want to go and seek out other Beth Kendrick books.”

—
Deseret News
(Salt Lake City, UT)

The Bake-Off

“With her usual literary flair, Kendrick delivers a scrumptious literary confection expertly spiced with humor and seasoned with just the right dash of romance.”

—
Chicago Tribune

“A warm, winning story about the complications of sisterhood—and the unexpected rewards.”

—Sarah Pekkanen, author of
Skipping a Beat

“A sweet, fun, and entertaining look at family, love, and the perfect pastry. . . . Fans of women's fiction, foodie fiction, and novels about sisters will delight in Kendrick's descriptions, vivid characters, and fast-paced, hilarious dialogue. A book that often had me laughing aloud—and wiping away a tear at points.”

—Write Meg!

“I absolutely loved this book. It is laugh-out-loud funny and you can't help but love both sisters. Don't be surprised if you want to try out the yummy-sounding recipes the author includes.”

—Chicklit Club

“This story is sweet like a great dessert—just the right amount of sugar and spice. It's a story that celebrates both sisters and the therapeutic benefits of baking.”

—
News and Sentinel
(Parkersburg, WV)

“Wonderful! Kendrick manages to cook up a tender, touching, and very funny story about the complicated relationship of two sisters torn apart by their own stubbornness and brought back together by love and pastry. With a fresh plot and richly layered characters,
The Bake-Off
is a winner.”

—Ellen Meister, author of
The Other Life

Second Time Around

“Kendrick deftly blends exceptionally clever writing, subtly nuanced characters, and a generous dash of romance into a flawlessly written story about the importance of female friendships and second chances.”

—
Chicago Tribune

“A funny, charming story about the power of female friendship, and a must-read for all English majors, past and present.”

—Kim Gruenenfelder, author of
Wedding Fever

The Pre-nup

“Witty, juicy, and lots of fun! Say ‘I do' to
The Pre-nup
.”

—Susan Mallery,
New York Times
bestselling author of
Only His

“A smart, funny spin on happily ever after!”

—Beth Harbison,
New York Times
bestselling author of
Always Something There to Remind Me

“In the exceptionally entertaining and wonderfully original
The Pre-nup
, Kendrick writes with a wicked sense of humor and great wisdom about the power of friendship, the importance of true love, and the very real satisfaction of romantic revenge done right.”

—
Chicago Tribune

Cure for the Common Breakup

The Week Before the Wedding

The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service

The Bake-Off

Second Time Around

The Pre-nup

Nearlyweds

Fashionably Late

Exes and Ohs

My Favorite Mistake

New American Library

Published by the Penguin Group

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A Penguin Random House Company

First published by New American Library,

a division of Penguin Group (USA) LLC

Copyright © Beth Lavin, 2015

Readers Guide copyright © Penguin Group (USA) LLC, 2015

Penguin supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin to continue to publish books for every reader.

REGISTERED
TRADEMARK—MARCA REG
ISTRADA

LIBRARY OF C
ONGRESS CATALOGING-I
N-PUBLICATION DATA:

Kendrick, Beth.

New uses for old boyfriends / Beth Kendrick.

pages cm

ISBN 978-1-101-63599-5

1. Single women—Fiction. 2. Man-woman relationships—Fiction. I. Title.

PS3611.E535N49 2015

813'.6—dc23 2014028502

PUBLISHER'S NOTE

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

 

 

 

For my mother,

who believes that I can do anything . . .
and makes me believe it,
too.

Thank you to . . .

Robert, Jen, and the “couture curators” at Fashion by Robert Black in Scottsdale, Arizona. Your knowledge and passion for timeless style breathed life into this story.

Marcia Pierce at Sew Creative, who told me all about dress design, repair, and the power of perspective.

Janine and Whitney Yates, who shared wit and wisdom about the realities of real estate.

Barbara Ankrum, Kresley Cole, Marty Etchart, Amy and Jason Serin, and Chandra Years. You are living proof that the world is full of love, magic, and second
chances.