Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

 

5*

Every year, I eagerly anticipate Monaghan’s next romance because she has such a way of featuring mature main characters who approach love with open hearts and a degree of trepidation. (Who over the age of 30 isn’t carrying some baggage?) In Dolly All the Time, Dolly Brick and Stewart Whitfield don’t seem like the most likely couple. She’s a single mom who grew up as a townie and he’s the golden child of the wealthy family for whom the town is named. Dolly, who had to grow up too fast after her mother’s abandonment, has always put herself last, focusing her attention on her teenage son and her disabled brother, as well as helping out in the family fish market and doing necessary house repairs. Although her primary job is a kindergarten teacher, she holds down other odd jobs to ensure her son has a good life. Stewart is a workaholic who has a compulsive need to continue his family’s legacy, sacrificing a social life and any chance at love. After an adorable meet cute, he asks Dolly to fake a relationship with him to prove to his family that he is responsible and settled enough to run the company after his father’s retirement. What could possibly go wrong?

Stewart, despite his questionable choices in the third act, is the perfect book boyfriend. I love the way Monaghan built their relationship and gave Dolly such strength of character, even as she doubted she would ever fit into his world. Secondary characters like their family and Dolly’s friend Naomi are well-drawn and are an integral part of the romance-building. As someone who “summered” in Rhode Island, I appreciate the seaside setting as well. If you like mature romances with a hint of fairy tale, I highly recommend this delightful book.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from G.P. Putnam’s Sons through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.