A Study in Sparkling by Jodi McAlister

384 pages

Romance

Three stars***

Pub date: 15 September 2026

My thoughts:

Imagine getting married young, and with the baby on the way. Nonetheless, you love your husband and have high hopes for the marriage. You go on to have two more children, your twins. While it is true that all marriages have stress points, you definitely weren’t seeing this one coming.

Imagine that you run a wine bar. You’re very proud of it but find it stressful to have your older brother interfering all the time. Your goal is to take a master sommelier qualification. Will you be able to do it?

Imagine that these two meet, each with their baggage, and that he is considerably younger than she and has no children. Can they have a relationship? will things work out for the? Trust the author to let you know while providing an enjoyable read.

I would note that, to me, this book was pretty spicy. Keep this in mind while deciding if it is for you.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria for this title. All thoughts on my own.

Post first published on 22 July 2026

Description:

The author of the “brilliant” (Library Journal) An Academic Affair proves that the best love stories start with a pop with this sizzling romance about a recently separated single mom who’s absolutely not looking for another relationship…only to fall for the younger owner of her favorite wine bar.

Fiona Fisher thought she had it all: a loving husband, three kids, and a life far away from the suffocating expectations of her family. But when her husband reveals that he’s leaving her for his secret second family, Fiona is left devastated and humiliated.

Satoshi Tsukamoto wants it all. He’s the owner of a popular wine bar, and he’s studying for the hardest test in the world: the Master Sommelier exam. There aren’t enough hours in the day for anything else—except maybe for Fiona, his favorite customer, and the woman he’s absolutely, catastrophically in love with.

On paper, Fiona and Satoshi make no sense. He’s eight years younger than her and has no time for romance. She’s a single mother and doesn’t know if she’ll ever be able to trust anyone again. But how can Fiona resist when Satoshi suggests they give into their mutual attraction and let off some steam? And how can Satoshi resist when the woman he adores is finally within his grasp—even if they’ve agreed to keep things casual?

The perfect read for fans of Jasmine Guillory and Abby Jimenez, A Study in Sparkling proves that Jodi McAlister truly is “a writer to watch” (Booklist).

Editorial Reviews:

“This carefully crafted and effervescent contemporary romance balances a woman’s inner journey with a tender love story.” 
—Kirkus (starred review)

“This refreshing standalone, a Tasmania-set contemporary from McAlister (An Academic Affair), revitalizes the friends-with-benefits trope…Steamy moments build quickly, even as subplots explore what’s next in both characters’ lives: a challenging sommelier exam for Sato and a new career in writing for Fiona. The fun, spicy dynamic between the appealing leads keeps the pages flying. Readers are sure to root for these two.”
—Publishers Weekly

“In this expansion of the world that began with An Academic Affair, Jodi McAlister flawlessly combines wit, steaminess, and heartwarming family dynamics to deliver an engrossing romance that’s a testament to her skillful storytelling. This is a book you’ll want to sink into.”
—Lydia San Andres, author of Only Friends

“A beautiful champagne pop of a novel, this is romance at its finest.”
—Nina Kenwood, author of The Wedding Forecast

About the Author:

Jodi McAlister, PhD, is an author and academic from Kiama, Australia. She is the author of An Academic Affair and the Marry Me Juliet trilogy. She is currently a senior lecturer in writing, literature, and culture at Deakin University in Melbourne and is the president of the International Association for the Study of Popular Romance. For more, visit JodiMcAlister.com.au or find her on Instagram @JodiMcAlister.

From the Publisher