What Are Friends For? (paperback)

Best friends always, lovers once ... and now? 

Seasons in a Small Town – Spring

In small-town Drago, Illinois, Zeke came by his “the Geek” nickname honestly, more comfortable with algebra and algorithms than high school’s social hallways. Though that didn’t keep him from longing for the unattainable prom queen, Jennifer.

The one person who understood his out-of-the-box brain was Darcie, his best friend. For one night, Zeke and Darcie jolt from friends to lovers. Then he leaves town. Darcie knew her Zeke. He’d never look back, wouldn’t ever see her feelings for him. Now, 17 years later, Zeke’s a self-made tech billionaire, Darcie’s a local cop, Jennifer’s divorced and Darcie’s best friend.

Their town is flagging, but Darcie has a plan. It starts with luring Zeke back to Drago for its annual Lilac Festival, then persuading him to boost the town’s economy. Even if that means matchmaking him with the beautiful Jennifer. She’ll do it for him, for Jennifer, for Drago.

Zeke swore he’d never come back to where he was miserable, other than his connection with Darcie. But maybe being back won’t be so bad. Especially spending time with Jennifer … and Darcie. Now why did he think of Darcie when things were going so well with Jennifer? Darcie’s plan doesn’t get off to the best start when she puts Zeke in handcuffs, but they can get past that. For Drago’s sake, they have to. Just like she’ll get past wondering what if…

What Are Friends For?,  Book 1 of USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn's Seasons in a Small Town series, will captivate readers who love passionate contemporary romance with a spark of humor.

Praise for What Are Friends For?
“Loved this second-chance romance! I liked the geeky-sorta-vulnerable Zeke and the loyal and capable Darcie and I LOVED them together.” -5*

"You laugh, you angst, you maybe shed a couple tears or two … and at the end of it you move immediately onto the next book because - unlike teenage Zeke - you don't want to get away, all you want to do is go back." – 5*

“Another hit. Loved exploring the background of the characters to see what led them to their choices.” -5*

“What a great book! It has the 'feels', love unrequited, misconceptions, misinformation... Resolved. Knowing that home truly is where your heart lies!” – 5*

Praise for the Seasons in a Small Town series
"Funny and heart-wrenching at the same time" -- 5*

"The town of Drago has insinuated itself into my heart and I can only hope there is another installment with this small town as its setting." -- 5*

"Heartwarming -- Absolutely loved it!" -- 5*

"Strong characters with enough faults to make them human and real" yet "The other characters in Drago all add to the story rather than taking attention from the main action." -- 5*

"McLinn delivers a fun, engaging, and emotionally complicated romance." -- 5*

"Poignant, heartwarming" -- 5*

Get all the books in Patricia McLinn’s Seasons in a Small Town series!
What Are Friends For? (Spring)
The Right Brother (Summer)
Falling for Her (Autumn)
Warm Front (Winter)