Engulfed by fear, Matt Puglisi has neurotically cultivated one destructive habit: avoiding conflict. After repeated failures and career setbacks as an unpublished writer, he deceives himself that he's unworthy of love and romantic companionship. Despite his fractured self-esteem, Matt's heart still yearns for a love that completely embraces him and heals his internal brokenness. At Matt's most hopeless moment, help from an unforeseen and foreign place finds him in the most miraculous way. Unwilling to let go of his illusory sense of control that has only brought him heartache, Matt's once hardened heart transforms into something new: contrite, open, and ready to receive restoration. A novel of redemptive transformation that blends romance, comedic drama, and suspense harmoniously together, Artificial Engagement captures the raw authenticity of Matt's tumultuous path from prideful self-reliance towards humble submission. Stemming from an impulsive lifestyle filled with foolish choices that yield great pain and destruction, Matt learns that surrender isn't weakness-it's the only road to a love, joy, peace, and fulfillment greater than anything he imagined.