BIPOC Author Spotlight Sunday: Claire Kann

Author: Claire Kann Title: The Romantic Agenda Publisher: Berkley Date Published: 04/12/2022

Read Dates: 07/21/2026- 07/22/2026
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Romantic Agenda is a single POV fake-dating romance. Joy has been in love with her best friend Malcolm for years but has been afraid to rock the boat of their (perhaps overly) close relationship to tell him. When he invites her on an extended weekend getaway to impress a new romantic interest of his, Summer, and her grumpy and suspicious friend, Fox, Joy reluctantly agrees. She’s toying with the idea of using this as a chance to confess her feelings, when Fox proposes that they fake falling for one another to give Malcolm a jolt to recognize his own feelings. The weekend doesn’t go according to plan, and it leaves Joy questioning what, and who, she really wants!

I loved this so much that before I finished it I was already adding other books by Claire Kann to my TBR. I was thrilled with the asexual representation in the book, especially the spectrum of asexuality with both Joy and Malcolm being Ace and having different approaches to sex, dating, and relationships. I loved that Joy was unapologetically herself, and that even if her life wasn’t all she dreamed of, she found ways to carve out pockets of happiness. I love that Fox was willing to respect her boundaries, set his own, and learn about her needs in a respectful way. There was well done mental health representation too (anxiety) and while I think everyone gave Malcolm more grace than he deserved (except, of course, Joy’s twin sister Grace!) I was really pleased with how it all unfolded

Joy is in love with Malcolm.
But Malcolm really likes Summer.
Summer is in love with love.
And Fox is Summer’s ex-boyfriend.

Thirty, flirty, and asexual Joy is secretly in love with her best friend Malcolm, but she’s never been brave enough to say so. When he unexpectedly announces that he's met the love of his life—and no, it's not Joy—she's heartbroken. Malcolm invites her on a weekend getaway, and Joy decides it’s her last chance to show him exactly what he’s overlooking. But maybe Joy is the one missing something…or someone…and his name is Fox.

Fox sees a kindred spirit in Joy—and decides to help her. He proposes they pretend to fall for each other on the weekend trip to make Malcolm jealous. But spending time with Fox shows Joy what it’s like to not be the third wheel, and there’s no mistaking the way he makes her feel. Could Fox be the romantic partner she’s always deserved?