Not His Girlfriend (Yet) — Montreal Seasons Book 1

Tropes

Forced Proximity

She's in his apartment. With his cats. For medical reasons.

Grumpy-Sunshine

She performs; he protects. Neither knows the other is doing it.

Slow Burn

Four and a half dates. Two kisses. One accidental, one interrupted.

He Falls First

But she said "girlfriend" first.

Caretaker Romance

She stayed all night in a plastic chair. In his jacket. Without a plan.

Dual POV

Both of them are idiots. The cats know.

Synopsis

Four and a half dates. Two kisses — one accidental, one interrupted.

Nora Chen spends two hours before every date becoming the version of herself she thinks he wants to see. Ethan Morin is a Québécois firefighter who deflects the brave parts of his own stories. She performs. He protects. Neither knows the other is doing it.

Then a freak accident puts Ethan in a hospital bed — and Nora does something distinctly un-rehearsed. She stays. All night. In his jacket.

Now she's in his apartment. With his two cats. And a hallway neither of them will cross.

He thinks she can't wait to leave. She thinks he's pushing her away. Neither of them says it. Both of them are idiots.

The cats know.

Characters

Nora Chen

Graphic designer. Moved to Montreal from across the Pacific. Builds a performance for every situation because she's sure the real version of herself isn't enough. Communicates best through design mockups and passive-aggressive fridge labels.

Ethan Morin

Québécois firefighter. Deflects every brave thing he's ever done with a joke or a subject change. Has two cats: one black and judgmental (Poutine), one orange and ten pounds of unsolicited emotional support (Bagel).

“We're the same disease in different packaging.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a quick read?

Yes. It's about 41,000 words — perfect for a weekend or a late night.

Does it have a happy ending?

Yes. Happily Ever After (HEA), guaranteed.

Is this a standalone?

Yes. Each book in the Montreal Seasons series follows a different couple and can be read independently. Characters from other books may appear, but no cliffhangers.

How steamy is it?

Moderate. There are intimate scenes, but they fade to black rather than going explicit. The focus is on emotional tension and slow-burn chemistry.

Is it part of a series?

Yes — Montreal Seasons. Each book is set in a different season in Montreal and follows a different couple. Book 2 (Not His Problem (Anymore)) follows Sophie and is coming soon.

Who would enjoy this book?

Readers who love Emily Henry's sharp dialogue, Ali Hazelwood's grumpy-sunshine dynamics, or anyone who wants a romance that's funny, emotionally honest, and set somewhere that isn't New York or London.