Most Ardently Yours by Freya Sampson

4*

They say that you should never meet your heroes….and it appears that extends to book boyfriends as well. Aspiring romance writer Zoe Knight has given up on love, but still believes in happily ever afters, only with book boyfriends who can’t disappoint her. Who better than Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, the perfect man she fell in love with while sharing the story with her late mother. Sound impossible? Guess again, because after berating a handsome London bookstore owner, Nick Baskerville, for refusing to sell romance books, she finds and absconds with a marked up copy of Jane Austen’s classic novel. To her surprise, she somehow wishes Darcy into existence. and what ensues is a hilarious fish out of water scenario that somehow seems to humanize the erudite, taciturn Darcy. (Yes, I’m using multisyllabic words in his honor.) As he experiences everything from underground trains to Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Zoe begins to realize that book boyfriends are best left on the page and that she may have misjudged bookseller Nick.

This unique enemies to lovers romance requires a suspension of disbelief because the premise is so improbable. However, it’s so much fun reading about Darcy’s experiences in modern-day London that it was easy to put my reservations about the plot aside. I loved how Darcy helped Zoe realize that she is the hero of her own story, and that she shouldn’t compare her writing to anyone else’s (especially the nasty ex who made her lose confidence in her abilities). Ardent Jane Austen fans will probably have strong feelings about this book, but readers who love book boyfriends mixed with a huge helping of magical realism will be happy for the experience. Recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Sourcebooks Landmark through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

 

5*

Knowing that the TV adaptation of Every Summer After had premiered and that most book readers felt it strayed too far from the original, I decided to read the book instead of watching, and I’m so glad I did. Seeing as Christina Lauren’s Love and Other Words is one of my top five romances, it makes sense that I absolutely adored this book that many reviewers have compared it to. My favorite tropes are childhood friends to lovers and second chance romance, so it’s no surprise that I couldn’t put this one down.

As teens, it’s so easy to misinterpret texts and emails and expect the worst, but in hindsight, as adults, realize that decisions were made with incomplete knowledge due to poor communication skills. There were some doozies in this story that further complicated Sam and Percy’s relationship, but after more than a decade’s separation, these two beautiful people finally reunite for his mother’s funeral. They have a lot of baggage, but the hope is that they can find resolution and forgiveness and work their way back to each other.

Fortune has drawn beautiful, flawed characters and uses the setting of the Canadian lake to full effect. The chemistry is palpable, the dialogue flows, and the dual timeline in Percy’s voice works seamlessly. Now I can’t wait to read her other books. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Jove Berkley through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Romantic Hero by Kirsty Greenwood

5*

Gertie always saw herself as half of a whole, not complete without a partner. First, it was her late sister, Josie, and then it was Henry who asked for a “break” from their four-year relationship. Without them, she has ceased to function properly which, as an author, means total writer’s block. When her retired neighbor gets fed up hearing her wailing through the wall, she stages an intervention in the form of a manifestation ceremony. What’s on Gertie’s list? It’s to get past her writer’s block and win Henry back. Who would have guessed that a villainous character from her book series, cowboy River Oakley, would be the answer to her problems?

Is River a hallucination, an actor sent by her agent, a criminal who has broken into her apartment, or a visitor from another dimension or parallel universe? You’ll have to read Romantic Hero to find out, but, regardless of where he comes from, he’s exactly who Gertie needs. She’s quite a doormat who has a problem saying no, who swallows her anger and grief rather than getting emotional, and who bends over backwards to be the person she thinks her “other half” needs. River is just the man to set her straight and build her confidence.

I love a bit of magical realism in my romances, so I was thrilled to learn that Greenwood’s follow-up to her wonderful The Love of My Afterlife also uses the trope. Romantic Hero is a fun story with plenty of steamy scenes and an MMC who defies the stereotypical role Gertie has assigned to him. The neighbor, Mrs. Casablancas, is a hoot, and Henry is a narcissist who gets his comeuppance. Add in an adorable dog and the London setting (my favorite city), and it’s a winning combination. Share this with fans of Sarah Ready and Ashley Poston. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Berkley Romance through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

A Perfect Summer in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson

4*

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this new addition to the Starshine Cove series, especially since I assumed Book Four ended the series. Although I enjoyed revisiting this quirky, welcoming village, Suzie’s story wasn’t as compelling as those in the previous books. The friends to lovers romance with Guy is a very slow burn, and there is no spice if that’s your thing. They are in their forties, and have each spent their entire adulthood wandering the world solo. Not surprisingly, they consider themselves “flight risks.” Suzie has come home after about a decade and is nervous about her family’s welcome, and Guy, who has never had a family or a stable home, is visiting Starshine Cove for the first time, hoping for a chance to right a wrong. They serendipitously meet while she’s stuck up a tree, and their friendship blossoms.

The best part of the book is the reunion with Suzie’s family and the rest of the villagers. It’s like being wrapped in a warm hug. There are some trigger warnings for miscarriage, cancer, and accidental death, and there’s a big feeling of grief for much of the story. However, there are still plenty of the funny, heartwarming moments which readers of the series will appreciate. Although it could be read as a standalone, I highly encourage you to read the first four books in the series. Recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Storm Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Tea Room Inheritance by Hannah Langdon

 

4 *

I was saddened to hear that Hannah Langdon died unexpectedly last September. I so enjoyed reading her Christmas romances and looked forward to many more.

This book is such a delight…for foodies, Anglophiles, and anyone else who loves a small town, friends to lovers sweet romance that is low on the angst. Yes, there is some grief and heartache, but there are also many happy moments that balance it out. Reading this makes me want to hop the next plane across the pond to share a cuppa and some biscuits with all of the charming and unique characters! Fans of Debbie Johnson and Jill Mansell will eat this one up. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Storm Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

 

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.

The Shippers by Katherine Center

5*

 

It’s a slam dunk when one of my favorite romance authors writes my favorite trope: childhood friends to lovers. In a nod to The Runaway Bride, Center weaves a story about Jojo, a woman who thinks she’s cursed to love only men who won’t love her back. As a result, she dumps them before they can dump her, including leaving the last one at the altar. In the hopes of breaking the curse, her sister Ashley concocts a scheme based on the idea that Jojo just needs to get the guy who gave her her first kiss, blindfolded, to fall in love with her while on Ashley’s weeklong wedding cruise. So why is Jojo more invested in renewing her friendship with Cooper than capturing Finn’s heart?

 

In Center’s author’s note, she talks about spoilers and argues that romance books always have a happily-ever-after but it’s the journey to love that’s there for readers to discover. So, enjoy the ride as mathematician Jojo applies her life’s work to the theory of love and tying up loose ends. Highly recommended.

 

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

 

Down with the Ship by Chloe Jory

 

4*

With a nod to Pride and Prejudice, Jory’s debut novel hits all the high points: grumpy male lead, classism, enemies-to-lovers, the relationship between sisters, and first world problems of the rich. She sets her story in Fiji, on a yacht owned by a billionaire media family, where Stella (an uptight, recently suspended PhD art history fellow) has joined her sister Jules, her fiancé Harry and his family for a two-week cruise. Imagine her surprise when she finds out the charming, handsome first mate who came to her rescue after being injured on the beach is actually the ship’s captain, who is none too happy to see her. Although they’re at odds with each other from the outset, the chill between them thaws as they face down killer sharks, discover a romantic bioluminescent lagoon, and escape near death falling down a cliff. In the process, Stella begins to question if she even likes the life and career she’s built, especially as it’s taken her far away from the art she enjoyed making for most of her pre-college life. As Caleb observes, it’s never too late to change the course of your life to find happiness with your chosen profession.

This lighthearted, adventurous romance makes a fantastic beach read with its gorgeous Fijian setting, many humorous moments, and just enough yearning and spice to make it interesting. An added bonus is Jory’s focus on conservation efforts to save the coral reefs. Fans of Katherine Center and Christina Lauren will thoroughly enjoy this. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Neon Tiger Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Happy Ending by Chloe Liese

 

4*

Unlike most friends to lovers stories, Alex and Thea (or Ted, as he calls her) begin as strangers when they meet up at her old house and find that both his and her exes have gotten together within a week of Thea’s divorce. So what’s the best way to save face and get back at them? Pretend they’re old friends and each other’s first love. However, their fake friendship is so full of affectionate touches, genuine openness and honesty, mutual respect, and admissions of love (as in friendship, of course) that their exes and his family assume that they’re actually a couple. The question is whether either of them will be willing to make it real.

I loved the dynamic between Alex and Thea. He’s the perfect book boyfriend and she’s a kind, quirky bookseller who adores his daughter Mia. Their friendship is enviable, whether it’s cooking her healthy and delicious meals (he’s a James Beard-winning, Michelin-starred chef), helping each other kick bad habits (his smoking and her addiction to gas station hotdogs), sharing time with his precocious and adorable daughter and her dog Argos, or just enjoying cuddle time. I really appreciated her friendship with her friend Lauren (who has a good-natured competition with Alex for being Thea’s BFF). Thea’s ex, Ethan, is the epitome of a “man baby,” making you wonder what Jen, Alex’s ex, sees in him. Although we don’t see much of them, Alex’s big, loud extended Italian-American family also play a part in their journey.

Liese can always be depended on to write heartwarming romances with characters who are flawed but happily embraced by their love interests. Witty banter is always on display, and there are many hilarious moments in this story, especially when Thea “roasts” her ex. Family plays a big part as well. If you’re all about the happy endings, you’ll thoroughly enjoy her latest offering. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Gallery Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West

 

4*

Although the premise of this new romance by West is a fun one, there are subjects that are emotionally heavy and take away from the otherwise lightheartedness of the story. Foremost is Sutton’s mother who is one of the meanest characters I’ve ever read about. Her obsession with the husband who left when Sutton was 13 and never returned is in direct opposition to the love she should have for her daughter, especially since she dropped everything (including being at her new and struggling restaurant) to take care of her mother who was injured in a serious car accident. I kept hoping she had walked out and left her ungrateful mother to figure out how to pay for a caregiver/nurse.

Although I enjoyed the progression of Sutton and Elijah’s journey from strangers to lovers, any relationship that begins with deceit is bound to be rocky. Add to that the fact that Sutton would need to return to LA as soon as her mother is healed enough to take care of herself, and Elijah feels obligated to work at a job he hates in order to pay his father back for funding a boxing gym Elijah didn’t even want, and it’s no surprise there’s a third act breakup (my least favorite romantic plot device). However, I really appreciate how West resolved the conflict. Overall, this is still a funny story and one that readers will enjoy. Recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Saturday Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Your Soulmail is Attached by Joan F. Smith

 

4*

I requested this title because of its unique premise: every legal adult in the world simultaneously received an untraceable, undeletable email telling them the name and date of birth of their soulmate. So, what happens when your soulmate isn’t your current partner or they’re not alive or they’re not a romantic partner but a close friend or family member? In a world where technology has, in many respects, replaced real humans, is it any surprise that the vast majority of the world’s population believes that the information they’ve been given is absolute truth?

Smith spends most of the book focusing on the soulmate phenomenon, Olivia’s job in broadcast news, and her interactions with both her cheating ex Wells and her childhood friend Caleb, who came back into her life shortly after the emails were received. What she doesn’t do, much to my disappointment, is give readers a well-developed romance between Olivia and Caleb. Yes, they spend time together and the attraction that they had in their teens is still alive, but there’s very little chemistry and it’s one of the slowest burns I’ve read. If you like a little spice in your romances, this may not appeal to you.

Overall, however, it’s an engaging read that would be fun for book club discussions about the ethics of technology (especially AI), the impact of being stripped of free will, and the origins of the emails.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from MIRA through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
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Big Nick Energy by Kristen Bailey

 

5*

Bailey has become one of my absolute go-to favorites for charming Christmas romances with a bit of spice. Her latest offering, Big Nick Energy, which takes place in and celebrates my favorite city, London, is a combo of love triangle, second chance romance, and grumpy/sunshine with a kind, thoughtful and hot tree farmer (New Nick) and a former college love (Old Nick) who broke Kay’s heart. When she runs into him 10 years later, she wonders if fate has a hand in it. Yet, there’s also this handsome grump who doesn’t get her jokes and seems to be lacking in holiday spirit. However, the more time she spends with him, she realizes that first impressions are misleading. Lucky for her, she has guidance and encouragement from her beloved Nana, who is in the early stages of dementia, her zany friend Lucy, and her colleagues at the library where she works to help her see things clearly.

If you love closed door romances with a load of humor (cue the Christmas tree netting fiasco meet-cute), set in the most magical city during the winter holidays, and you haven’t yet discovered Bailey’s books, now’s your chance. You won’t be disappointed.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Storm Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

 

5*

Katherine Center has done it again! Her love stories never disappoint. In The Love Haters, commercial videographer Katie finds herself in Key West after her supervisor Cole asks her to take over a project he doesn’t want while also helping her save her job as the company is laying off almost half the staff. The assignment? To create a Coast Guard recruitment film that highlights the excitement of the job. The added benefit? Cole’s estranged older brother Hutch, a gorgeous rescue swimmer who is far from the taciturn, love-hating Mr. Perfect his jealous brother makes him out to be. As Katie spends her days taking swim lessons from Hutch, being entertained by his eccentric and loving honorary Aunt Rue and her hilarious crew of Golden Gals, and being enthusiastically assaulted by his Great Dane George Bailey, she and Hutch grow closer. However, this is more than a sweet romance with a few steamy kisses. It’s also a story of Katie’s journey towards self-love after a lifetime of hating everything about her body. With the help of her best friend Beanie, who is well-acquainted with self-help books, and the sincere compliments from both Hutch and Rue, Katie finally recognizes how damaging her negative self-talk has been.

Center does a wonderful job of showing all types of love while also keeping readers on the edge of their seats as a hurricane brews. There is humor, heartfelt moments, harrowing water rescue, and so much more. Fans of Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, and Beth O’Leary will love this one. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Beach Read by Emily Henry

5*

I’m so glad I finally got around to reading this, especially since I love all the other books of Henry’s I’ve read. It’s a second chance romance between 2 frenemies who met in college and, apart from one romantic evening at a frat party, spent their time either ignoring each other or arguing over the merits of romance fiction (hers) and serious literature (his). Fast forward eight years, and they’re both successful novelists, their works mirroring their outlooks on life and love. January is still reeling over her beloved father’s sudden passing and subsequent betrayal and Gus is struggling to make sense of his abusive childhood and his mother’s harmful decisions and untimely death. When they make a bet over who can write and publish a book in the other’s genre, agreeing to introduce each other to the process they use to craft their stories, neither expects the strong, steamy bond that forms between them. Can these two damaged souls defy the odds and find their happily ever after?

Beach Read has some of the most beautiful, wildly romantic dialogue I’ve ever read. Despite Gus’s reticence and grumpy exterior, he has a heart of gold, is so emotionally vulnerable and brave, and is a wonderful book boyfriend. Who doesn’t love a guy who holds you tight and kisses away your tears when you’re upset? Although January is the romance writer who believes in happy endings (“I’d started publishing romance because I wanted to dwell in my happiest moments, in the safe place my parents’ love had always been. I’d been so comforted by books with the promise of a happy ending, and I’d wanted to give someone else that same gift.”), it’s Gus (“writing to try to understand something horrible that had happened to him”) who has the best lines. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Berkley through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon

 

3*

I usually read a book a day, but this one took me 3-4 because I just couldn’t engage. It’s well-written and a love story to Amsterdam, but I was just bored. My biggest problem was the female main character, Dani. She was very premature at birth, so her parents were overprotective and never stopped. At 30 and just cheated on and fired, she impulsively decides to take a new job and move to Europe. In her first week there, she literally runs into her first love, Wouter, who was a foreign exchange student her family hosted 13 years before and who cruelly dumped her after returning home. It’s a second chance romance and a marriage of convenience, with forced proximity and a large heaping of baggage that just never really grabbed my attention because Dani was just such a spineless, infantilized sad sack. I’m sure that most readers will really enjoy this book; it just wasn’t for me.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Berkley Romance through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler

 

4*

Sarah Adler’s debut is such a delight. It’s not just a road trip romance between grumpy, handsome writer Hollis and sunshiny former child star Millicent, but also the queer romance (flashing back to 1944) between Millie’s late neighbor Rose Nash and the Army nurse, Elsie, she fell in love with only to lose her, first to Elsie’s urging her to marry the boy back home, and then to Elsie’s supposed death in the Korean War. Millie is on a mission to bring Mrs. Nash’s ashes to Elsie before it’s too late. It’s her way to reunite them in the best way she knows how and prove that love can last a lifetime. Unfortunately, cancelled flights are only the first of many mishaps that she and her nasty ex’s frenemy encounter when they run into each other at the airport and then choose to drive from DC to Florida together.

Along the way, downright rude Hollis shows glimpses of the softie underneath as he responds to Millie’s unique brand of weirdness, charm, and optimism. They both have their share of baggage, but it doesn’t bog the story down thanks to a heaping serving of witty banter and ridiculously silly encounters with everything from suicidal deer to dozens of paint-by-number Jesus’s. If you’re looking for a feel good, steamy romance, I highly recommend checking this one out.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Berkley through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Better Than Revenge by Kasie West

 

5*

 

Every now and then, I read a book and can’t help but envision the movie version. This is one such book. From the moment aspiring podcaster Finley is betrayed by her boyfriend to the grand gesture at the end, it has all the hallmarks of a wonderful young adult rom-com. There’s enemies-to-lovers, a narcissistic, gaslighting ex, a gorgeous, cocky (but with a heart of gold) love interest in Theo, a cheeky, loving grandmother in the mid-stages of Alzheimer’s who Finley does a podcast with, a mystery to solve, and a plot for revenge that doesn’t play out like she planned. 

Kasie West has proven, once again, why she is one of the queens of YA romance. Her characters are deftly drawn, showing a range of emotions and navigating the minefield that is both high school and teen relationships. There’s a lot of kissing, but that’s as far as it goes, so it’s appropriate for younger teens, but will be enjoyed by older ones as well. Highly recommended.

 

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Delacorte Romance through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

 

The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord

 

4*

I’ve enjoyed Emma Lord’s young adult romances, so I was excited to read her first adult novel. I’m happy to report that it’s just as swoonworthy, sweet and emotionally complex but with an added element of spice. In The Break-Up Pact, she strikes the perfect balance between a second chance at love between soulmates and the profound effect grief has on the family and friends of the lost loved one. Although it’s written from the FMC June’s viewpoint, readers get a very good sense of MMC Levi’s thoughts and feelings, not just through the dialogue but also Lord’s thorough descriptions of facial expressions and physical movements, whether it’s dancing together, competitive foot races, the emotional reaction to hand-holding, or the variety of kisses they share.

As a tea and beach enthusiast, I really love that one of the primary settings is June’s small-town tea and scone cafe. It’s almost a character in itself, especially as it relates to June’s grief over losing her sister and her struggle to keep it open while trying to honor her sister’s legacy. I also enjoyed reading about Levi’s fledging writing career. One main thread that runs throughout is toxic exes and how the awful combination of gaslighting, social media, and internet trolls can take its toll on its victims. It’s not heavy but is a timely way to set up their love story. Share this with fans of Abby Jimenez, Katherine Center, and Christina Lauren. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from St. Martin’s Griffin through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Love We Found (The Light We Lost #2) by Jill Santopolo

5*

This is a beautiful sequel to one of my favorite love stories, The Light We Lost. The Love We Found starts ten years after Gabe’s death, and Santopolo’s decision to use Lucy’s voice narrating the story to Gabe is an especially poignant one. I teared up at times, but not to the devastating degree I did with Gabe and Lucy’s story. This is a story of hope, navigating motherhood, blended families, and the fear and exhilaration of finding love again after loss. Dax is a worthy successor to Gabe, but as Dax said, it’s not a competition, just a comparison. If you’re looking for a mature romance between two wonderful people who, despite suffering shattering loss, take a chance on love, read this. Although it can be read as a standalone, I encourage you to read The Light We Lost first. Highly recommended.

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.

 

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone

5*

This is the second book I’ve read by Bastone (the first being Ready or Not), and I can’t wait to read more. This friends-to-lovers romance between Lenny and Miles is a touching and heartbreaking exploration of grief and the process of working through it to be able to live and love again. I absolutely love how Miles is so committed to helping Lenny navigate her grief journey (following the death of her best friend), using his own experiences to inform the way he both supports her and gently and patiently guides her through her depression.

“You are not betraying her [her friend Lou] by healing,” he whispers directly into my ear. “You are honoring her. You are learning to love her exactly as she is. As someone who isn’t here anymore … That’s who she is now. And this journey through grief … It’s what we do for the great loves of our lives.” In return, Lenny helps Miles build a relationship with his half-sister and niece, the only family he has left.

Lenny has what Miles refers to as “love-at-first-sight fantasies” which are really just her first reactions to men she sees, and hers toward Miles is initially positive, but quickly dashed when he opens his mouth. Yet, she soon realizes that he’s just socially awkward (perhaps autistic-coded) and his gruff exterior masks a kind, empathic man. He turns out to be the perfect book boyfriend, sensitive to her needs and totally supportive and protective.

Bastone is wonderful at building tension. This is a VERY slow burn, but the wait is worth it with a hilarious, but spicy love scene towards the end. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Dial Press and Random House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.