Bands of the Unpaid Dowry

Millicent Arthur has always been the dutiful daughter, sandwiched between two older brothers and under constant "guidance" from her marriage-focused mother.

Coming of age, for Millicent, is less about self-discovery and more about dodging family pressures to find a "suitable match." That is, until she meets Jace Kwaku Elrod-a wildly charming and annoyingly attractive artist whose carefree ways make her wonder if there might be more to life than following the rules.

In an unexpected turn neither of them saw coming, Millicent and Jace strike a deal: they'll pose as a married couple to keep her matchmakers at bay, all while keeping their single lives intact.

But when Jace's past secrets and Milicent's family dramas collide, their make-believe marriage starts to feel a little too real. As they fumble through family gatherings, dodge suspicious friends, and question their own feelings, they're left wondering if love can bloom between lies-and if they're brave enough to rewrite the rules.