Stupid, Childish Games - Coming Spring 2026

Welcome to the very first blog post of my brand-new author website! I've been a non-fiction (medical/science) writer for over a decade, but this is my first journey into the world of fictional romantic novels, and I couldn't be more excited to be here.

I'm a recovering perfectionist, but I can honestly and proudly say that there is nothing that I would change about this book. I have read it so many times during the editing process that I know most of the 82,000+ words by heart. I'm incredibly in love with the two protagonists, the grumpy but oh-so-handsome Dr. Henry Moore and the sassy Dr. Peyton Andersen, as well as Henry's three daughters and younger sister. I'm sure it won't be everyone's cup of tea (and that's okay!), but I hope some of you will love it as much as I do.

For those interested, here is a spoiler-free synopsis of what to expect in this book:

In this slow-burn, grumpy-sunshine, strangers-to-enemies-to-lovers, best friend’s brother, single dad, age gap romance, heads clash, insults are thrown, and sparks fly.

Meet Dr. Peyton Andersen, a 28-year-old Canadian pediatrician with a sunny personality but poor self-esteem, who can’t seem to avoid the insufferable father of her new patient, no matter where she turns. For every interaction, she grows more certain that he hates her and enjoys making her suffer—it’s the only reasonable explanation for his behaviour. Surely, someone as accomplished and handsome as he would have no other interest in someone like her?

Dr. Henry Moore has every reason to be grumpy—he’s a 40-year-old widower with a high-pressure job as a thoracic surgeon, three daughters at completely different stages of development (ranging in age from 4.5 to 13), including one who doesn’t speak to him at all and one who is up coughing half the night, and he recently moved his family from the UK to Canada to get away from the bad memories plaguing him. He swore off love when he lost his wife four years ago, but something changes the moment he lays eyes on his youngest daughter’s new pink-haired, sassy pediatrician. If only he weren’t completely tongue-tied in her presence, and she didn’t hate his guts.

Despite every intention not to, Henry falls hard and fast for Peyton, and, desperate to spend time with her, starts playing a childish guessing game that forces them to eat lunch together every week. Through their ongoing interactions, as well as Peyton’s newfound friendship with Henry’s younger sister, she gains her confidence back while also starting to see the real Henry. When she finally wins their game and he admits to his feelings, she realizes that, just maybe, she has felt the same way all along. Still, although hate turns to lust and soon also love, their happily ever after is far from certain, complicated by their busy lives and the growing tension between Henry and his oldest daughter...

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