New Girl Now

The Blue Canoe Cottage #2

by Barbara Kellyn

Two identical faces, one very inconvenient crush—back at Lake Whippoorwill, love and chaos double down.

Dove Pelletier is done disappearing into the background. As the mediating middle sister born between the bossy one and the brassy one, she's eager to change her life in a big way, including her faltering career as a luxury concierge for Toronto's elite. So when she gets the call to return to Lake Whippoorwill as the personal assistant to Barrett Kemp—Hollywood’s hottest leading man—she sees it as her chance to finally get noticed.

Barrett Kemp has every intention of building a massive new McMansion on Lake Whippoorwill, and will personally see to it that the development is not blocked by anyone or anything. Or so he'd like the town to think. But, unbeknownst to Dove and everyone else, Barrett has sent his identical twin, Bennett, a reluctant stand-in, instead. At first sight, Bennett's quiet charm and gentlemanly steadiness spark like flint against Dove’s careful composure, and suddenly, maintaining his brother's deceptive plot feels less like a duty and more like a betrayal.

As Dove and “Barrett” spend time together, their undeniable attraction grows, and with it, her suspicion that there’s more to the alluring movie star than meets the eye. But when whispers of Barrett's whereabouts ignite into wildfire, the deception explodes. Paparazzi descend upon the snowy wilds of Canada, the town sees double, and Dove is thrust into the spotlight—mistaken for the star’s new girlfriend. With the community divided and the top-secret ruse causing an identity crisis of epic proportions, Dove's dream of being noticed may be more trouble than it's worth.

308 pages, ebook

Published February 24, 2026

About the author

Canadian romcom author Barbara Kellyn writes funny, steamy stories about likeable heroines worth rooting for and alluring heroes worth the trouble of falling for, and is tickled that readers have crowned her “the Queen of Banter.”

Barbara has published five, full-length standalone romantic comedy novels and two holiday novellas, including Kobo Originals' 2024 Holiday Romcom Writing Contest winner, Polar Opposites, and thanks her lucky stars that she got her happily ever after in real life.

Reviews

[Nicole Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore Barbara Kellyn’s stories and her writing. Every time she announces a new book, I genuinely get excited. If I’m being honest, I waited a while to read this one, because I knew she’d leave me wanting more. (And she did! And I need her to just write all the time, so I can be entertained!)

New Girl Now, the second book in The Blue Canoe Cottage, did NOT disappoint. Kellyn’s writing effortlessly pulled me in, wrapped me in a warm Canadian blanket, where I could disappear into the story … not willing to leave until the very last page. The way she expanded on the setting of Lake Whippoorwill and the people, painting a broader picture this time, had me invested even more. Not to mention Kellyn’s writing and turn of phrase is so clever, it always makes me smile

I’m a sucker for a story with sisters; and the Pellitier sisters are well written and relatable. Supportive, funny and nuanced. But like I said, those are the expectations I have with a Kellyn book and that’s what she always delivers.

This book focuses on the middle sister, Dove and her rebirth after spending most of her life as the sister in the background, doing everything for everyone (in life and for work). She meets Ben, the ‘extra’ twin who has fallen into the background of his famous brother’s life. When the two meet, it’s instant attraction; but there is a town divided, paparazzi, and a secret identity to content with before they even have a chance to see if the ‘something’ between them is worth it.

Another well-written, feel-good book from Barbara Kellyn. Even snowy Lake Whippoorwill will have a tough time holding onto winter once this story starts to spark.

[Diana Chabai-Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so enjoying this Blue Canoe Cottage series!! Reading these books feels like visiting the family cabin -- I don't have one, and my family didn't have their own, yet all of the details and personalities of the town are so familiar it's like I know them already. It feels like recalling memories whenever I get to dive back into Lake Whippoorwill. I'm also in a particularly nostalgic state for my home country right now and any little Canadian detail (like the use of "washroom") is so precious.

I always love stories of girlhood and sisterhood, and maybe that's why these books stand out to me more than any other romance novel. My favorite scenes are always when the sisters are together, supporting each other or reminiscing or joking around. That additional bonus layer of storytelling is such an extra treat. I can totally relate to Dove's story, having to be the person who is always the one to be organized and pull it all together, and to see her throw caution to the wind and do "something good" (Sound of Music reference?) for herself was inspiring.

Kellyn is also so good at planting seeds in these novels of what's to come, and I truly cannot wait for the last one, though I don't want it to be the last one. I could go back to this fictional town forever. Betty Armbruster extended universe??

[Mia Denson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this latest instalment in the Blue Canoe Cottage series! New Girl Now by Barbara Kellyn is a fun, romantic story set in snowy Lake Whippoorwill. Middle sister Dove Pelletier, a luxury concierge, gets caught up in a twin mix‑up with Hollywood heartthrob Barrett Kemp who is building a massive cottage on the lake, upsetting the OG Lake Whippoorwill residents. What could go wrong? 🤔

Full of sparks, witty banter, and small‑town charm (I adored the Movember-inspired support for Carl!), this is a delightful, entertaining read! It was fun to get an update on Robin and Rick (Patio Lanterns) and I can’t wait for Lark’s book (let’s just say I’m shipping her and Aidan). 😁

All day, I looked forward to a quiet half hour to read each night after my kids were in bed. It was like reconnecting with old friends, and oh, how I wish I could visit Lake Whippoorwill! Loved this book - check it out!

[Greta West · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Canadian winter firestarter!

Dove’s the middle sister, the one who fades into the background, and Ben is the extra twin, just a useful shadow to his famous brother. But they see each other, make space for the other, and they heat that space up like a Canadian campfire. The Pellitier sisters and their men feel like friends, so it’s cool to get a peek at what’s going on with Rick and Robin after their book, Patio Lanterns. I loved being back at Lake Whippoorwill for the 2nd book in the Blue Canoe Cottage series, and I’m over here tapping my foot, waiting for book 3!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kellyn has given us another gem in New Girl Now, the second book in The Blue Canoe series. This one focuses on middle sister, Dove. I enjoyed how this book is written in her personality which is different and enticing in its own way. Kellyn paints a larger picture this time of Lake Whippoorwhill and we are introduced to some interesting characters that bring more depth to it. This is a wonderful feel-good romance that will leave you looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Allie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ rounded down. I liked the general story line but the writing felt very basic and flat; overall it was a fine pallet cleanser before diving back into denser books and I finished it very quickly.