Just For Tonight by Deborah Cooke is book 3 in her contemporary romance series, The Carpe Diem Café. Although it is book 3 it is easily read as a standalone, but be warned, you will want to read the rest of the series afterward.
Jake Cavendish is estranged from his family and is called home to Empire when his father has a heart attack. Imagine his surprise when shortly after arriving he sees the woman he had a one night stand with about a month before, and whom he can’t seem to get off his mind. Isobelle, the woman he met in Toronto, doesn’t exist. She is really Mackenzie Rhodes, granddaughter of his father’s arch nemesis.
I really enjoyed Jake and Mackenzie’s story. Each of them seemed so sure of their decision to never marry and have a family. It was great fun to watch their plans for their futures crumble as they fell in love and realized that they could still achieve their hopes and dreams without having to be alone forever.
Of the two of them Mackenzie seemed the most ready to accept that she didn’t have to cut herself off from a committed relationship. Jake on the other hand was a harder nut to crack, and had quite a bit of baggage to deal with after the way he was treated by his father when he was young.
Luckily for Jake, he had Mackenzie to help him see how his life could be better, and how he didn’t always have to be the angry, selfish person he tried to show to everyone, most of all his family.
Watching Jake’s personal growth was satisfying, and when he and Mackenzie finally got together, it felt well deserved for both of them.
Once again, Deborah Cooke has written a fantastic, heartfelt romance, with just enough conflict that it doesn’t feel over the top or unrealistic. I just loved it, and can hardly wait for the next book in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Just For Tonight will be available on August 24 2026.
Life, Tea, and Everything 