The Love Contract: Steph Vizard in-conversation with Jessica Dettmann

An award-winning modern rom-com for all fans of fake dating, enemies-to-lovers stories.

Single mum Zoe had the parenting thing all figured out with little Hazel until a childcare drought derailed her plans to return to work. Enter Will, Zoe's nemesis and frustratingly handsome neighbour. When Will's boss mistakenly assumes Will is Hazel's father and insists he take parental leave, it seems like a simple white lie could get Zoe out of a jam and help Will to make partner at his law firm.

But life with an adorable toddler – and a growing attraction between Will and Zoe – is never as tidy as their agreement's bullet points and dry clauses suggest. As they get deeper into the lie, the lines between truth and fiction blur. But Zoe's hiding a secret and when it comes out, the consequences for all of them could be devastating.

Steph Vizard is an Australian writer and lawyer. After studying literature at Oxford University, she worked in publishing in London. Her debut romantic comedy, The Love Contract, won the 2022 HarperCollins Banjo Prize. She is a connoisseur of salt and vinegar chips and lives with her family in Melbourne.

Jessica Dettmann is the author of three novels, How To Be Second Best, This Has Been Absolutely Lovely and Without Further Ado, and has also written one children's book, There's No Such Book. She previously worked as a book editor and her blog, Life With Gusto, turned a sharp but affectionate eye on modern parenthood. She lives in Sydney with her family.