PLAYING HOUSE (UPTOWN #1)
Fay and Oliver
Real romance blossoms between thirtysomething Asian-American city planners Fay Liu and Oliver Huang as they tour historic Harlem homes while posing as newlyweds. Open houses become the backdrop of their pretend play. Exposed brick meets exposed emotions, walk-in closets open up closed-off feelings. And in life, as in real estate, they find themselves asking what they really want--and what they can truly afford. Out now from Carina Press. Standalone. First in a loosely related three-novella series set in Harlem.
Audiobook narrated by Emily Woo Zeller.
Notes and Tropes
fake relationship; friends-to-lovers; (slightly) older MCs; real estate; renovation/architecture; burnout; family
Content Warnings
on-page sex; harassment; depression; anxiety; gaslighting; difficult family relationships
Ebook
Amazon | Google Play | Kobo | BN | Apple Books | Amazon UK | Amazon CA
OPEN HOUSE (UPTOWN #2)
Magda and Ty
Rugged accountant Tyson Yang butts heads with debt-ridden real estate associate Magda Ferrer when she attempts to broker the sale of the empty-lot-turned-urban garden in Harlem that he helps maintain. This book also features seduction by dumpling, a stately-but-unsellable townhouse (with a recalcitrant owner), an NYC blackout, and lots and lots of zucchini. (And also "zucchini.") Standalone. Second in a loosely related three-novella series set in Harlem.
Audiobook narrated by Emily Woo Zeller.
Notes and Tropes
enemies-to-lovers; forced proximity; food; real estate; student debt; burnout; family
Content Warnings
on-page sex; grief; cancer; difficult family relationships; microaggressions
Ebook
Amazon | Google Play | Kobo | BN | Apple Books | Amazon UK | Amazon CA
HOUSE RULES (UPTOWN #3)
Lana and Simon
Simon Mizrahi and Lana Kuo are long divorced, but after being offered a deal on a Harlem townhouse apartment, they find themselves living together once more. Also features noodles, a Steinway piano, and an asshole cat. Out now from Carina Press. Standalone. Third in a loosely related three-novella series set in Harlem.
Audiobook narrated by Emily Woo Zeller.
Notes and Tropes
lovers reunited; second chance; roommates; food; real estate; burnout; older MCs
Content Warnings
on-page sex; divorce; difficult family relationships; chronic illness; infertility; menstruation and endometriosis
Ebook
Amazon US | Google Play | Kobo | BN | Apple Books | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Harlequin
THE UPTOWN COLLECTION
Now available in print! Love, real estate and adulting in three contemporary romance novellas from critically acclaimed author Ruby Lang. Available together for the first time:
- A fake relationship becomes a little too real...
- A heated rivalry blurs into love...
- A temporary reunion might not be so temporary...
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Harlem, these charming, irresistible stories look at the many different ways couples find themselves and each other, and what it means to fall in love. Included in this 3-in-1 are: Playing House, Open House, House Rules.
Ebook
Amazon US | Google Play | BN | Apple Books | Harlequin
Paper
Bookshop | The Ripped Bodice | Indiebound | Amazon US | BN | Harlequin
"THE LONG RUN" (UPTOWN #0.5)
Annie and Monroe
Harlem stalwart Monroe Webb is reluctantly drawn to cheeky newcomer Annie Wu, who has moved in across the hall. Annie knows that Monroe opposed her bid for a space in his building, but she can't help but be fascinated by his style and his dedication to local causes. Can these neighbors mend fences or are they better off breaking them down? Audiobook narrated by Cindy Kay. Approximately 1 hour.
This 9,000-word short story originally appeared in Rogue Acts, book 3 of the Rogue series of contemporary, resistance romance anthologies.
Notes and Tropes
enemies to lovers; neighbors; older MCs; opposites attract; burnout
Content Warnings
on-page sex; current affairs; burnout; illness