Tag Archives: Contemporary

Book Review: Perfect Plans by J. T. Tierney

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Perfect Plans by J. T. Tierney

A Contemporary Rom-Com Novel published by Curtiss Street Press (08/12/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

Summary:

“I’m beginning to see that human variables, though messier, have their own kind of structure. Like snowflakes—unique, ephemeral, and shaped by invisible principles.”

Ryan Porter sees the world through spreadsheets and systems—thanks to a childhood spent in an Arctic research station with scientist parents. People? Still confusing. When he starts working at a chaotic New York event-planning company, he’s thrown into a world of bizarre clients and unpredictable drama. Sofie Chen, his coworker, is his total opposite—intuitive, people-smart, and quick on her feet. As they deal with event disasters and office messes, they both start to question how they see the world—and each other.

Keywords:

Romance, Rom-Com, New York, Data, Convention Planning, Event Planning, Rivalry, Ex

My Review:

The very first sentence was a strong hook, and I couldn’t put the book down from there. The story pulled me in with its compelling plot, sharp dialogue, and a pair of main characters (the two love interests) who feel mismatched and yet absolutely perfect for each other.

Ryan is the human embodiment of a spreadsheet—precise and data-driven. If a computer and Mr. Darcy had a baby who was raised in a remote research station, you’d get Ryan. He’s brilliant, baffling, and charming in his rigidity. He struggles with unexpected change and chaos, but he’s learning to adapt. He’s genuinely adorable to watch. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be neurodivergent, Ryan is a fantastic lens. He sees the world in patterns, but can’t “turn off” that thinking, which creates tension. He will have to learn to accept the chaos and to find joy in the illogical to grow as a person.

Sofie, although not as different from Ryan, is neurodivergent in a distinctly different way. She’s empathy personified. She feels everything deeply and relies on instinct, nuance, and emotional intelligence. Her world is ruled by relationships and perception. She’s learned the hard way that the most dangerous people at work aren’t the obvious bullies, but the manipulators—the ones who make you feel special until you realize you’re just playing a part in their one-man show.

Then there’s Trevor. The perfect catalyst. The perfect ex. The perfect bit of drama. But he’s not one-note—we get a few chapters from his perspective that add layers and nuance. I loved the depth we get into his backstory, even if it doesn’t excuse his behavior.

I also have to mention the workplace/convention space itself—it practically functions as a third main character. The chaos and hilarity of event planning are part of why I couldn’t stop reading. It’s unpredictable, it’s messy, and it’s revenue-driven chaos at its best. The conventions themselves are often celebrations of people’s niche obsessions, which is just fun to read about.

Every sentence in this book feels deliberate and sharp. The writing distills big truths about human behavior and relationships with clarity and heart. I did a lot of highlighting as I read. It’s the most fun I’ve had reading in a while, and also one of the most insightful portrayals of how two wildly different brains navigate the same chaos. If you’re a fan of rom-coms or just love reading about flawed, fascinating humans figuring things out, you’ll enjoy this contemporary novel.

This novel was published by Curtiss Street Press 08/12/25 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.00

Links for more information:

J.T. Tierney’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Tell Me It’s Wrong by Katie Wismer

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Tell Me It’s Wrong by Katie Wismer

A Contemporary Romance Novel published by Ahimsa Press (04/14/25)

Summary:

Adult single mother Christine lives in the small conservative town of Sweetspire. A series of encounters brings her and local bartender-entrepreneur Fletcher together again and again. As they spend time together, they start to fall for one another. In this conservative small town, a 9-year age gap might be unforgivable, but the more they are together, the harder it is to be apart.

Keywords:

Romance, New Adult, Small Town, Sibling, Best Friends, Age Gap, Conservative Town

My Review:

This is the second book in the Sweetspire series. We do see some of the characters from book one, but this is a standalone novel. This emotionally charged sequel blends a taboo age-gap romance with raw introspection and small-town pressures. This story centers on a single mom trying to find herself again, just as she falls for a man nine years younger. He has more ties to her past than she’s prepared for. This book leans into the messiness of grief, shame, and emotional vulnerability, all wrapped in a simmering romance that feels as impossible as it does inevitable.

The leads are complicated and real, both carrying wounds that shape how they love. Their chemistry is undeniable, but it’s the quiet, intimate beats, including the self-doubt, the yearning, the hard-won forgiveness that give this story its emotional weight. The small-town backdrop adds tension and texture, balancing warmth and suffocation in equal measure.

If you’re in the mood for something a little heavier, with flawed characters, high stakes, and feelings that don’t fit neatly into a happily-ever-after box, this book delivers. I couldn’t put this one down until the end, and I can’t wait for the next book in this series or more from Katie Wismer.

This novel was published by Ahimsa Press 04/14/25 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.0

Links for more information:

Katie Wismer’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Hopeful Romantics by Susan Rufai

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Hopeful Romantics by Susan Rufai

A Contemporary Romance Novel published by Susan Rufai (07/11/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

Summary:

“Loneliness can have you bringing people into your life that aren’t good for you, just to fill the emptiness.”

Maya just got out of a relationship with someone at work and she vows not to bring that kind of drama into her life again. She’s a love cynic until she meets Damian, the new hire. He’s a hopeful (not hopeless) romantic. Does she dare date another coworker?

Keywords:

Romance, POC, authors, publishing, senior editor, office romance, micro-aggressions, exes

My Review:

From the first chapter, I was hooked. The voice is strong, and the setup is quite promising from the get-go.

Maya is a people pleaser with a toxic tendency to fall for her coworkers. Her last workplace romance ended so badly that she still has emotional whiplash. It wasn’t just that Maya and Ramon weren’t a good fit, but he was trying to mold her into his life, ignoring the reality of her own. Kudos to Maya for having the personal strength to end it, but the guilt of the breakout keeps her from really moving on. You can feel the weight of her choices and her internal tug-of-war as she navigates office politics, but you might also get just as mad as I was for Maya every time Ramon tries to make her feel bad for ending their relationship.

It’s not all relationship woes for Maya; she’s also navigating her position in a company that promotes diversity but doesn’t always live up to that pledge. Maya sometimes feels like the token diversity hire, but she’s also sometimes treated like one, too. I’m not sure if I was madder at Ramon for how he acted post-break-up or the other dude bros and her sometimes micro-aggressive boss Bruce.

“Moments like this are when I doubt myself, questioning whether I belong in this company. Bruce constantly undermines my choices, giving amazing offers only to the books he can relate to, while paying my author’s dust. It’s a perpetual battle I keep losing.”

This book doesn’t shy away from the very real challenges faced by women of color in professional spaces — Maya must fight for almost every inch of her voice to be heard. You can clearly read the privilege in the room during the scenes at Peelback Publishing, but at least Maya isn’t completely overlooked. That’s where the weight of reality hits. The book feels contemporary and like an authentic and honest story without being overly dramatized.

Maya isn’t the only character with depth and backstory. She’s been shaped by her past just as much as the book’s love interest, Damian.  He is opinionated but truthful, telling it like it is. Watching them circle each other with their emotional baggage was so satisfyingly messy.

The cast of characters feels like it’s just the right size, and they are all impressively well-developed. No one felt like filler, and every subplot added to the main story without feeling too complex. If you love realistic romances with depth, you’ll enjoy this perfectly balanced book.

 

This novel was published by Susan Rufai 07/11/25 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.00

Links for more information:

Susan Rufai’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Rainbows and Lollipops by Mo Fanning

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Rainbows and Lollipops by Mo Fanning

A Comedic Fiction Novel published by Spring Street Books (06/12/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

Summary:

Multiple POV with three main characters and their stories is told as 6 episodic minis that get entangled between Jake, Vicky, and Lucy. When Jake’s partner suddenly dies, grief is overwhelming. When Vicky takes on new clients someone will threaten her in a new scary way. When Lucy’s perfect wedding isn’t coming to plan, she’ll have to figure out if it’s the fiancee or something else. All three are connected.

Keywords:

Loss, Grief, Friendship, Mystery, Crime, Multiple POV, Gay, Lawyer, Episodic Story

My Review:

At the beginning of the story, the author provides a reader’s guide that describes how the novel merges traditional storytelling with the visual language of a TV screenplay. There are abbreviations that are defined that I had to go back and reference for the first few scenes. I’m not sure the visual language is necessary for the story; however, it’s a clever way to define the environment in a succinct and no-nonsense way.

Time is not linear as the author builds relationships in parts and pieces through the three main characters’ voices: Jake, Vicky, and Lucy. We spend so much time with Jake that it almost feels like being torn away from the story when we move on to Vicky. Soon enough Vicky’s story is just as intriguing as Jake’s. It’s jarring again to jump into Lucy’s story but slowly the connections between the three people are revealed and I highly enjoyed all three points of view.

It’s truly a house of cards in this entanglement of threads between Vicky, Jake, and Lucy. The three stories are connected but distinct just like the three characters are similar but unique in their own ways.

Vicky is a trans, Black, and an exceptional lawyer. “She is overworked, under-loved, hoping to make named partner but knowing the title would likely go to someone far less capable and far more male. And white.” (Page 83).

Jake had a loved one, a stable home, and a future before everything fell apart when his partner Tom suddenly died. Grief will hit him in all the ways. As a reader, we can recognize the stages and know that until Jake has a fresh start with a fresh home he won’t be able to move on. It is especially hard for Jake because he questions the life and love he had. Jake needs to find his voice and himself through his grief.

Lucy Penrose is the annoying friend who you need in your life. She seems to create her own problems in her life. This time it’s the fiancée Colin. Lucy has only known him for a short time but is already committed to marrying the man. While planning her dream wedding she’ll find out Colin has more baggage than she realized and that there’s something up with her future mother-in-law.

The author’s writing has a wonderful flow and there are many, many wisdom nuggets about love, friendship, grief, and bravery in this book. As a reader, I feel like I learned so much about the human condition and how to be wise real, and human. If you love contemporary novels or tragicomedies like After Life, you will enjoy this book.

This novel was published by Spring Street Books 06/12/25 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

Links for more information:

Mo Fanning’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Her Ex’s Secret By Tricia Saxby

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Her Ex’s Secret By Tricia Saxby

A Contemporary Romance Novel published by Pete’s Press (11/20/2024)

Summary:

Karen dreams of turning her design hobby into a career but first, she has to get her foot in the door. She plans to start at the bottom. The bottom is as an intern at Vale Designs in New York even though she has much more knowledge and skills than any other intern. Leo is a playboy to the highest extreme living the life of the rich and carefree at his Tuscany estate when he decides to take a short job as a photographer in New York. The same New York as Karen. The same Vale Designs as Karen. The same Karen that he used to date and then ran away without explanation five years ago.

Keywords:

Contemporary, Romance, Fashion Design, New York, Evil Boss, Exes, Winter, Photography

My Review:

First Reviewed through Reedsy Discovery.

“Sometimes women need to hear the words and see the struggle. It means more to us than any fancy gift.” (Page 292).

Leo still feels guilty for leaving Karen without a word, but not enough to try to reconcile until their second chance meet cute. This is a quick read, coming in at a word count lower than a typical romance. The two main characters, Leo and Karen, already have a past as they are exes and don’t need as much middle chunk of the book to slowly fall in love. The spark of attraction is still alive but Leo will have to show Karen that he’s not just going to run away again.

Leo is not an immediately likable character. He will have to redeem himself in Karen’s eyes and the reader’s eyes in order to become the dreamy romantic lead we fall in love with.

Nat is the surface-level villain. The nasty little witch with an ego as big as the city she lives in. Her backstory may be short but it also involves Leo and she is one major Drama Queen. She is clearly the antagonist, a bully, and ready for her comeuppance.

From the POV switching between Karen and Leo, we get a true sense of how they view themselves and each other. Leo points out Karen’s glaring fault and has to see from her perspective even though we’re in his head. Karen downplays herself out of self-preservation and because she’s been ignored and passed over for years. Leo thinks her self-esteem is not what it used to be and wants her to stick up for herself. Karen doesn’t trust Leo after what happened in the past and even though his actions today show him to be a standout swoon-worthy gentleman, can she trust the new Leo?

There are many gems sprinkled throughout this fast-paced novel that made me slow down and appreciate the writing. “He wore his guilty conscience like a cloak, even after all this time. If anything, it weighed more than ever before.” (Page 76). If you want a quick exes-to-lovers romance, then you might enjoy this read.

This novel was published by Pete’s Press on 11/20/2024 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 3.25

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Book Review: Chasing Karma by Susan Murphy

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Chasing Karma by Susan Murphy

A Contemporary Romance Novel published by Susan Murphy (10/01/2024)

Summary:

“I mean that I think I’m realising that life is surrounding me with bad karma to force me to change.” (Page 101).

What is karma and how did Ava get so bad at it? Misfortune and disaster are always bringing her down but she’s determined to be grateful and find the good in everything. It can’t all just be bad luck. But if it is bad karma, Ava is convinced she has to change it to bring her life around. She jumps at every chance to do good deeds in her local community but soon realizes that she has to make her own opportunities to make a bigger difference.

Keywords:

Self-Discovery, Friend Group, Karma, Romance, Mistakes, Volunteering, Kindness, Small Town, Community

My Review:

First Reviewed through Reedsy Discovery.

It’s all bad luck for Ava. She’s rear-ended someone (didn’t even try to brake), chipped a tooth, choked on a piece of donut, tripped, fell, stubbed her toe, and dropped a vat of soup. That’s just in the last few days. Every little incident looms big in her mind as bad luck, disaster, and misfortune. Ava is determined not to be a victim of her bad luck and to drown in any bad attitude. She can’t live her life in misery but she’s tried changing her attitude and it’s time to change her karma instead. Karma is the idea that a person’s actions and their consequences are connected in a cycle of cause and effect. Ava thinks she has the power to change her karma by doing good for others. At first, she intentionally tries to help others for the sake of a point-based karma system as if it were a game. Even her friends are skeptical that doing good deeds is going to magically bring good things her way. Yet, Ava perseveres in her quest for karma because she has hope that everything will eventually balance out in her favor.

Ava has an enviably supportive group of friends and a telepathic twin-like relationship with her sister which makes me jealous. Ava just so happens to be helped by a very attractive man and finds herself surrounded by welcoming people. She doesn’t just have meet-cutes she has meet-disasters. Her life is chaotic and I want to know everything that’s going to happen next. She is the car crash you can’t look away from but at the same time, I am rooting for her.

Ava needs to have her aha moment before anything will change. Much like Yes Man or Eat Pray Love, Ava must continue her quest of self-discovery to unleash her power to make a change in her life before anything changes. I love how powerfully this concept is presented. Ava doesn’t even realize that she’s stuck in a rut. It will take a new perspective and a drive for change both mentally in the way she looks at the world and in her physical situation. I love how feel-good this book is. Ava is not a glass-half-empty person wallowing in her self-pity. She is still so positive, so hopeful, even amidst her rampant bad luck. I want to have the same strength of character as Ava. She is a force. She carries the book. She could be the star of a movie. I would love to see this book as a romcom. It would work so well. The elements of self-discovery, humor, and romance are boldly present.

Even when things go wrong Ava is likeable and I love that about her. She is humble to the point of self-deprecation but it’s not over the top or grating. It’s still on the humble scale. When she realizes that she has to be the change, it doesn’t scare her. I want to be more like Ava in my own life. She realizes that doing something meaningful is important. In other words, if it’s not heck yes, then it’s heck no! Do what you love. Do what makes you happy. What a wonderfully uplifting message from this book. Reading this book was not just entertaining but made me happy.

This novel was published by Susan Murphy on 10/01/2024 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.0

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Susan Murphy’s Website

Book Review: Kat Girl (Love Chronicles) Kindle Edition by Sarah Lahey

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Kat Girl (Love Chronicles) Kindle Edition by Sarah Lahey

A Contemporary Romance Novel published by Cross Over Press (07/12/2024)

Summary:

“She had forgotten what it was like to be loved by a man, someone who wasn’t a friend or a family member. It was a different kind of love – it was fulfilling and reassuring and life-affirming.” Page 288

Kat works in the male-dominated construction space. After being made redundant at her company, she feels lost but quickly discovers an opportunity to work as a heritage consultant. Liam needs his construction project to work. When he meets Kat on the work site, he knows she is someone he wants to pursue. Kat is determined never to marry again but that is Liam’s single-minded focus, at least initially.

Keywords:

Romance, Contemporary, Second-Chance, Construction, Australia, Male-Dominated Industry, Friendship, Romance

My Review:

First Reviewed through Reedsy Discovery.

I love second-chance romance books and this one is a solid read. It has the perfect level of sizzle in the romantic department. The sex scenes were well-written and hot, yet still concise enough not to feel overpowering.

I couldn’t quite put my finger on what was up with Kat but I get the vibe that she might be neuro-divergent in the way that Christopher from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time appears neuro-divergent but no specific diagnosis is presented. Sometimes Kat reads social situations in a way that I think is neuro-divergent. She is also very levelheaded emotionally, emotionally, and physically capable of being independent and alone, and thinks through situations in a way that is often detailed and literal. Her perspective is fascinating. She is also working in a male-dominated industry but never appears to be intimated by her surroundings or peers. She is not overly confident or overly anxious. She is analytical and precise with specific opinions and preferences. I adore her and the way her tea must only be brewed for 20 seconds. She feels like a real person full of a complete personality and childhood.

Liam is also a character I love. I appreciated the gender role reversal with Liam and Kat and that both these romantic leads were fully fleshed characters with their hopes, dreams, and past baggage. Liam was equally as interesting as Kat, equally as real, and full of personality. I wanted both of them to be successful but also to stop being so stubborn! Because they are unique persons, they don’t always see eye-to-eye with each other and that’s where tension blooms. There is some miscommunication but it feels organic.

The level of detail for construction, business, buildings, and history was oftentimes over my level of knowledge but I appreciated the depth it added to the world-building of this book. I wouldn’t know any better but it felt genuine and like the author and characters knew what they were talking about.

I don’t always read books set in Australia and have never been to Australia, but I didn’t feel like this was a different place than any town in my own country where you can have a meet-cute in a bar, lose your job to the boy’s club takeover, or take a weekend to get away to the country.

This novel was published by Cross Over Press on 07/12/2024 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.0

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Sarah Lahey’s website

Book Review: Christmas off Script by Evie Alexander

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Christmas off Script by Evie Alexander

A Romance Novel published by Emlin Press (11/04/24)

Summary:

Ella and Leo have always been best friends. They’ve known each other for so long and so well that they can easily finish each other’s…. Sandwiches. Ella has a lot going on. She’s been dumped by her long-term boyfriend. Her best friend, Leo, is only interested in her as friends but she’s always had feelings for him. Add to the mix her ex Zach coming back on the scene and her dad about to be released from prison. Leo is the perfect best friend but he’s always secretly had a crush on Ella. What will it take for them to overcome their fear of affecting their friendship and just admit their feelings and attraction for each other?

Keywords:

Friends to lovers, Christmas, Holidays, Foxbrooke, Christmas Panto, Cinderella, Steamy, Forced Proximity

My Review:

Friends to lovers is one of the best romantic tropes and this book delivers the bestest of best friends to fexiest of fexy lovers.

I love a good fairy tale retelling and this is a classic Cinderella retelling that features a story within a story – the pantomime mirroring real life throughout the novel.

Ella is funny, kind, smart, gifted, caring, thoughtful and stunningly beautiful – at least according to Leo. She fully embodies some of Cinderella’s qualities – kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and patience. Almost to a fault! I’m glad Leo was there to get mad on her behalf because Ella is the most understanding and forgiving person, and she doesn’t hold onto anger like so many of us. Leo is the friend who always loved her and will do anything for her, even just as a friend. He is obsessed with Ella in the best way, in the most unrealistic way, in the most fantastical swoon-worthy I-wish-Leo-was-my-best-friend-turned-lover way.

As soon as the heat picks up, there are quite a few sex scenes. The intimacy was also full of romantic sex tropes.

I absolutely love a good Holiday read; this one is full of the Holiday spirit. There are so many Christmas and British Holiday traditions, along with Ella and Leo traditions. I’d never heard of a Christmas Quiz before this book.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

This novel was published by Emlin Press on 11/04/2024 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

Links for more information

Goodreads

Book Review: Tell Me It’s Right by Katie Wismer

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Tell Me It’s Right by Katie Wismer

A Contemporary Romance Novel published by Ahimsa Press (09/25/24)

Summary:

Gracie has spent months trying to get a job, even though she now has a college degree. Bills are due and she makes the tough decision to move back home. At least she’s not living with her parents, but her brother’s basement isn’t that much better. She gets pity hired by the local tattoo studio owner who also happens to be her brother’s best friend and her childhood crush. What could go wrong? Liam’s tattoo shop has never been profitable and he’s slowly running out of money. He needs to make the shop profitable and Gracie might be perfect for the job.

Keywords:

Romance, Tattoo, Baggage, New Adult, Recent Grad, Job Search, Small Town, Sibling, Best Friends

My Review:

I relate to Gracie so much. I also struggled to find any job, let alone a job that made use of my college degree, after graduation. It absolutely sucks to spend thousands of dollars on a required education and then not land a job. It sucks mentally. It sucks financially. I also spent time living at home post-graduation. Gracie is plagued by anxiety and spiraling thoughts. I also experience anxiety and felt an even closer kinship to Gracie through our anxieties. That’s where the similarities between us end as Gracie gets her romantic happily ever after with Liam and I get to live through her story.

 

Gracie and Liam’s story is very much alive through the plot and the writing. I’m not sure if Sweetspire is a real place but it was brought to life in this book. I imagined this book as an Amazon Studios romcom with all the right plot points and pacing. I can see a known B-list actor playing one of the lead roles.  I see it as a recommendation in the romance category. It’s a solid read as a book and would be a solid watch as a movie.

 

Contemporary romances are my favorite books to read and I’m thrilled that Katie Wismer continues to write in this genre as she is a wonderful writer. I love her writing style. She brings the setting and the characters to life and makes me want to live in her stories.

 

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

 

This novel was published by Ahimsa Press 09/25/24 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.0

Links for more information:

Katie Wismer’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Louie the Lynx and Ryan the Lion by Sarah Lahey

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Louie the Lynx and Ryan the Lion by Sarah Lahey

A Contemporary Romance Novel published by Cross Over Press (09/30/23)

Summary:

“Relationships didn’t just devour time – they ate entire days.” (Page 97).

Louie thinks romance is nonsense. But when Ryan McDermott, he of the throw down factor of nine and a half, excellent drawing skills, and very good apologies enters her life, she’s thrown for a loop. She doesn’t have time for love or romance, but Ryan is determined to win her over.

Keywords:

Opposites Attract, Romance, Contemporary, PHD, Teacher, Art, Communication, Dog, Attraction, Dreamer

My Review:

“Difficult things build resilience.” (Page 113).

Louie does not have her stuff together. She has so many issues – anxiety, time management, sometimes her self-esteem is so low – it’s a lot for anybody to take on. She doesn’t think she and Ryan can work out because of where she is in life. Ryan is an architect, champion of low-income housing, lover of kelpies, painter of orchids, owner of a rope chair, lover of light. Yet he also needs to be in control and won’t take no for an answer when it comes to certain things.

“She wouldn’t have called any of her past boyfriends men. But Ryan was a man. He had a profession and knew what he was doing with his life. He fitted comfortably into the world. A world that she often found complex and confusing.” (Page 190). Louie is describing Ryan as a man, but she really means that Ryan is adulting and has his stuff together. Louie thinks, in this way, that they’re opposites and how could they work out? She feels like she has nothing to offer.

Both Louie and Ryan are impossible and fascinating. “When it came to parking fines, Louie was risk averse. She would happily walk for twenty minutes.” (page 25). Yet her phone passcode is 0000. Sometimes she spends hours in a brain fog, unable to move, captured by her own fear. She is the exaggeration of all my own anxieties and depression. I really, really wanted to see her triumph over herself because it’s like she is my champion. If she can pull herself out of a slump, then so can I. I also related to Ryan and his need for unrelenting control. Without compromise and compassion for each other, a relationship would never work!

I love the writing style in this novel. It is clear, succinct, and straight to the point. Yet sometimes the description of light, paintings, and landscapes go on so long that I feel like I’m there. I can feel my own response to the gray day with unending rain giving me Seasonal Affective Disorder (even though it’s summer and not a cloud in the sky where I live right now).

If you liked the show Lessons in Chemistry and you like to read contemporary and/or romance novels then you would enjoy this book.

This novel was published by Cross Over Press 09/30/23 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

Links for more information:

Sarah Lahey’s Website

Goodreads