"A fresh, heartwarming voice." —Jodi Thomas, New York Times bestselling author

It's been a year since an eccentric billionaire summoned seven strangers to the dilapidated, postage stamp-sized town of Fat Chance, Texas. To win a cash bequest, each was required to spend six months in the ghost town to see if they could transform it—and themselves—into something extraordinary. But by the time pastry chef Fernando Cruz arrives, several members of the original gang have already skedaddled...

Fernando's hopes of starting a new life in Fat Chance are dashed when the town's handful of ragtag residents—and a mysterious low-flying plane—show him just how weird the place actually is. His hopes of making over the town's sole café into a BBQ restaurant for nearby ranchers threaten to turn to dust as a string of bizarre secrets are revealed. But just when the pickins' couldn't get any slimmer, the citizens of Fat Chance realize they might be able to build exactly the kind of hometown they all need—but never knew they wanted...

Praise for Celia Bonaduce and her novels

"A bingeworthy triology about smart, quirky women who feel like friends. In Much Ado About Mother she shows us just how strong (and funny) the
mother-daughter bond can be. Loved it!" --Clare O'Donahue, author of The Kate Conway Mysteries

"Celia Bonaduce writes well rounded, real life characters straight from the heart. I loved this book!" —Phyliss Miranda, New York Times bestselling author on A Comedy of Erinn

"The Merchant of Venice Beach has a fresh, heartwarming voice that will keep readers smiling as they dance through this charming story by Celia Bonaduce."
—Jodi Thomas, New York Times bestselling author