An engaging tale that shows how thin the line between love and hate really is.
Sworn enemies down on their luck realize they might not be so different in this romantic comedy.
In this genre, tropes reign supreme. The tension of the love story is not if the two leads will get together, but how. Sarah Webb and Brian Hawkins have been nemeses for years, since Sarah became best friends with Jess, Brian’s sister, in college. Now in their mid- and late-20s, both Sarah and Brian find themselves on the receiving end of proposals, she from her surgeon boyfriend, Tyler Ackerman, and he from his girlfriend, Hannah Abbott-Thorne (who appears in one of Dembowski’s previous books). Both reject the proposals and end up holed up in Jess’ guest bedroom while they sort out their next moves. Like many supposed enemies, they bicker, especially when it comes to who will get the bedroom—all the while tamping down their mutual attraction: “His eyes widened as he took her in…urging his nether regions to calm the fuck down”; “Not that Brian himself had ever given her an orgasm, but the dream version of him certainly had.” Then a work gala for the nonprofit that Sarah works for requires a date to avoid humiliation by Tyler, who’s bringing a model. Sarah’s choice of Brian as her escort proves fortuitous; they make a great impression and leave Tyler seething with jealousy. They also kiss, but Sarah, believing her friendship with Jess is at stake, puts a pin in it. Thus begins the book’s middle section of mounting tension and red herrings as other potential partners and distractions skillfully enter the picture. Additional threads keep the protagonists busy, such as Brian’s desire to return to New York City and Sarah’s still having to work with Tyler. Each of the leads has some humanizing quirks—Brian loves the Star Wars saga and Sarah adores Zumba classes—but neither character feels particularly unique. Still, for fans of more adult romances, Dembowski ensures the intimate scenes hit their marks. The author believably conveys two people who ultimately care deeply about each other.
An engaging tale that shows how thin the line between love and hate really is.Pub Date: July 18, 2023
ISBN: 9781958231197
Page Count: 310
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Review Posted Online: June 27, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A wallowing, emotionally wrenching family drama that leaves little time for romance.
Two people with bad luck in relationships find each other through a popular Reddit thread.
Emma Grant and her best friend, Maddy, are travel nurses, working at hospitals for three-month stints while they see the country. Just a few weeks before they’re set to move to Hawaii, Emma reads a popular “Am I the Asshole” Reddit thread from a Minnesota man who thinks he’s cursed—women he dates find their soulmates after breaking up with him, and the latest one found true love with his best friend! Emma has had a similar experience, which inspires her to DM the man and commiserate. She’s delighted by her witty, lively interactions with software engineer Justin Dahl, and is intrigued when he suggests that if they date each other, maybe they’ll each find their soulmate afterward. Emma upends the Hawaii plan and convinces Maddy to move to Minneapolis for the summer so she can meet Justin in person. The overly complex setup brings Emma and Justin together and the two hit it off, with Justin immediately falling head over heels for Emma. Jimenez then pivots to creating romantic roadblocks and melodramatic subplots centering on each character’s family of origin. Justin’s mother is about to serve six years in prison for embezzlement, which means Justin must move back home to care for his three much younger siblings. Emma was traumatized by her own mother for much of her childhood, left to fend for herself and eventually abandoned in the foster system. When her mother shows up in Minnesota, Emma must face her traumatic childhood and admit that she has prioritized her mother’s well-being over her own. There is little time devoted to Emma’s painful efforts to heal herself enough to accept Justin’s love, which leaves the novel feeling unsatisfying.
A wallowing, emotionally wrenching family drama that leaves little time for romance.Pub Date: April 2, 2024
ISBN: 9781538704431
Page Count: 432
Publisher: Forever
Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
Henry fans, rejoice: This is her best yet.
A recently dumped librarian finds herself fake dating her polar opposite.
When Daphne Vincent’s fiance, Peter, dumps her, she’s shocked—but the worst part is that he’s leaving her for his gorgeous best friend, Petra, the woman he’d always told Daphne not to worry about. Now Daphne has to move out of Peter’s home and restart her life in the small Michigan town where she’d moved to be with him. Salvation comes in the form of Miles Nowak, Petra’s ex—he has a tiny spare room in his apartment, and he understands what it’s like to wallow in heartbreak. Daphne feels lucky to have her dream job as a children’s librarian, but other than that, she feels adrift and friendless in Waning Bay—and then she and Miles get invitations to Peter and Petra’s wedding. In a momentary lapse of judgment, Daphne not only says she’ll attend the wedding, but tells Peter she’s dating Miles. It would be the perfect way to show Peter and Petra that they’ve moved on…if only it were true. In the grand tradition of fake-dating romances, Daphne and Miles pretend to be in love, getting to know each other while having various adventures and misadventures. Daphne quickly learns that although she’d dismissed Miles as a pothead with a lack of direction, he’s actually a good time—and a loyal friend. But Daphne knows she needs to get out of Waning Bay, so this fake relationship can’t lead anywhere…can it? Reliable bestseller Henry has written another surefire hit that manages to be dramatic, sexy, and fun. Miles and Daphne have chemistry that leaps off the page, and their will-they-or-won’t-they energy propels the story to its satisfying conclusion. Daphne is an immensely likable character, one whose past realistically informs her current relationships. The world of Waning Bay is charmingly quirky, and Daphne’s co-workers at the library are endearing. As always, Henry’s biggest strength is the sharp, often hilarious dialogue that makes the story a joy to read.
Henry fans, rejoice: This is her best yet.Pub Date: April 23, 2024
ISBN: 9780593441282
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Berkley
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
PERSPECTIVES
BOOK TO SCREEN
SEEN & HEARD
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