Pearl Harris is excited to be moving back home to Chicago after spending a few years in California. She has a great new job at OurCode, a nonprofit whose mission --- helping girls and nonbinary youth gain experience in tech fields --- she believes in deeply. But the night of her first big fundraising dinner throws her more than one curveball.

First, Pearl learns just seconds before the speeches are to begin that OurCode’s executive director --- her boss --- has been let go, forced to resign due to an inappropriate relationship with one of the organization’s board members (who also has been dismissed). Suddenly, Pearl, who has never been confident with public speaking, finds herself thrust into the limelight.

"TECHNICALLY YOURS is a clever tech-set romance that offers insights into some of the challenges of being a woman, particularly a woman of color, in this industry."

Second, Pearl discovers that OurCode’s board president, in a last-ditch attempt to resuscitate the organization’s reputation, has approached one of his oldest friends, Cord Matthews, about stepping in and filling the unexpected board vacancy. Cord, whose significant other has been an OurCode mentor for years, reluctantly agrees. But it turns out that Pearl has known Cord for years herself. They worked closely together at Cord’s startup, the fitness app FitMi.

Back then, the attraction between them was undeniable. But before things could get too serious, Pearl second-guessed herself and fled for a new job in California. Now she and Cord are back in close quarters again --- and both are forced to take hard looks at what went wrong and how the fallout from their last failed romance has affected their relationships ever since. Pearl fell into a relationship with a wealthy man who couldn’t see her true value, while Cord embarked on a series of fun but frivolous relationships that never really risked his heart. That includes the person he is with when he and Pearl encounter each other again. Cord is now single but still scared he might screw things up all over again.

Denise Williams’ latest rom-com alternates perspectives between Pearl and Cord, and between present and past, as readers gain a full picture of their complicated history and promising future. Once they reunite, sparks fly in a big way. But given their professional situation, are they putting not only their livelihoods but also their hearts on the line?

TECHNICALLY YOURS is a clever tech-set romance that offers insights into some of the challenges of being a woman, particularly a woman of color, in this industry. It also touches on issues of gender identity, family loyalty and power dynamics. Longtime readers of Williams also will appreciate some cameos by other favorite characters, but it’s almost certain that Pearl and Cord will win plenty of fans of their own.