The Donut Clause: A Sprinkle Sweet Rom-Com

Lucy is the owner of Sugar Rush Donuts, the town’s pride and joy and the legacy her grandmother left behind. She’s twenty-seven, wildly lovable, deeply committed to meemaw hobbies, and physically incapable of swearing. She believes in community, tradition, and the healing power of a perfectly glazed donut. Strawberry Grove is her whole world—and she has zero intention of letting anyone mess with it.

Enter Rowan.

A cold, calculating corporate strategist whose actual job is to mess with it.

Strawberry Grove is just another small town on his modernization hit list—until Lucy, her donut shop, and a town full of aggressively friendly locals get in his way. When Rowan lies about who he is to gain the town’s trust, things spiral quickly. Add in fake dating (for reasons that absolutely make sense at the time), a whole lot of accidental feelings, and a man who did not plan on falling for the town sweetheart… and suddenly Rowan is in way over his very expensive head.

Because lying to a town is one thing.

Lying to the woman you’re falling in love with? That’s a sugar-coated disaster waiting to happen.

Semi-Sweet Romance Author Katie James-Lawson

Katie James-Lawson is a semi-sweet romance author whose stories blend heartfelt emotion, laugh-out-loud humor, and small-town charm—without on-page spice. She made her debut in 2026 with her Strawberry Grove, TN series, set in a fictional town where the gossip travels fast, the neighbors are lovingly intrusive, and happily-ever-afters are always within reach.

Writing exclusively within the world of Strawberry Grove, Katie has created a cozy, immersive setting readers can return to again and again. Her books are known for their swoony romance, relatable characters, and a signature balance of warmth, wit, and real-life moments—often layered with a touch of adult humor and a quiet thread of faith.