An uncomfortable start is saved by the secondary characters and setting.
A romance reader's once-in-a-lifetime trip to meet her favorite audiobook narrator goes awry when he never shows up, leaving her stuck with a snarky tour guide instead.
Georgia “Gigi” Rutherford owns a romance bookshop and is dogged in her pursuit of love. Sadly, she thinks she's reached the limit of her tolerance for dating apps, instead fantasizing about audiobook narrator Zane Wilkenson. She takes it as a sign that he narrates the book that, years ago, caused her own parents to fall in love. Through internet sleuthing, Gigi discovers that Zane works for his parents' tour-guide business in London. For her 30th birthday, her dearest friends buy her a ticket to England for a 10-day bus tour hosted by none other than Zane. Gigi embarks on a whirlwind vacation, nearly missing the tour bus, but her bubble is burst when Zane is a no-show. In a pinch, Angus, one of the company's oldest employees, and Taj, a surly and snappy man with a love of mystery novels, step in to kick off the trip, with a promise that Zane will catch up with them later. It's hard to enjoy Gigi as a main character considering her parasocial relationship with Zane. Her desire for a man she's never met, has only listened to via audiobooks, and has only seen through social media photos comes across as concerning. Thankfully, she snaps out of it, though some readers may not have the patience to wait that long. Once Gigi's attention turns to Taj, though, there's a delightfully meta quality to their relationship, as Gigi is a dedicated romance reader who references familiar tropes and author names while Taj has his own bookish indulgences. The detailed descriptions of the English countryside, combined with a motley crew of Gigi's fellow tour-goers, add coziness and charm.
An uncomfortable start is saved by the secondary characters and setting.Pub Date: March 28, 2023
ISBN: 9781496735379
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Kensington
Review Posted Online: Jan. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
With captivating dialogue, angst-y characters, and a couple of steamy sex scenes, Hoover has done it again.
After being released from prison, a young woman tries to reconnect with her 5-year-old daughter despite having killed the girl’s father.
Kenna didn’t even know she was pregnant until after she was sent to prison for murdering her boyfriend, Scotty. When her baby girl, Diem, was born, she was forced to give custody to Scotty’s parents. Now that she’s been released, Kenna is intent on getting to know her daughter, but Scotty’s parents won’t give her a chance to tell them what really happened the night their son died. Instead, they file a restraining order preventing Kenna from so much as introducing herself to Diem. Handsome, self-assured Ledger, who was Scotty’s best friend, is another key adult in Diem’s life. He’s helping her grandparents raise her, and he too blames Kenna for Scotty’s death. Even so, there’s something about her that haunts him. Kenna feels the pull, too, and seems to be seeking Ledger out despite his judgmental behavior. As Ledger gets to know Kenna and acknowledges his attraction to her, he begins to wonder if maybe he and Scotty’s parents have judged her unfairly. Even so, Ledger is afraid that if he surrenders to his feelings, Scotty’s parents will kick him out of Diem’s life. As Kenna and Ledger continue to mourn for Scotty, they also grieve the future they cannot have with each other. Told alternatively from Kenna’s and Ledger’s perspectives, the story explores the myriad ways in which snap judgments based on partial information can derail people’s lives. Built on a foundation of death and grief, this story has an undercurrent of sadness. As usual, however, the author has created compelling characters who are magnetic and sympathetic enough to pull readers in. In addition to grief, the novel also deftly explores complex issues such as guilt, self-doubt, redemption, and forgiveness.
With captivating dialogue, angst-y characters, and a couple of steamy sex scenes, Hoover has done it again.Pub Date: Jan. 18, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5420-2560-7
Page Count: 335
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Review Posted Online: Oct. 12, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2021
SEEN & HEARD
BOOK TO SCREEN
BOOK TO SCREEN
A wonderfully cozy and warm romance in a cold, snowy setting.
Opposites attract when meteorologists are forced to work together during a massive snowstorm.
Local television news reporter Delilah Stewart is beloved in Baltimore for her sunny personality whether she’s delivering the forecast or doing a feature at the aquarium while wearing a turtle costume. Radio weather and traffic reporter Jackson Clark is not so keen on her; she’s silly and chaotic (and always does a terrible parking job in their shared lot), whereas he likes to have plans and structure for everything in his life. When a major snowstorm is predicted, their bosses decide the pair should report together from the mountains several hours outside the city where the storm will hit first. They soon realize they have more in common than expected, and Delilah even helps calm Jackson’s anxiety and bring out his fun side. Attraction grows, and the cozy, snowy lodge is the perfect place for secret kisses. But when they return home to family drama and busy work schedules, it becomes more complicated to find their way back to each other. Bubbly, good-natured Delilah is an absolute gem of a character; she’s unapologetically full of warmth and kindness, but there’s more to her beneath her smile. Parts of her life are messy, sad, and difficult, yet she chooses to put her best foot forward even when self-doubt creeps in. Lovable Jackson has his own share of hardships in life, and when the couple become vulnerable and open up to each other, their mutual support and care is tender and beautiful. Conflict comes more from outside factors (some that feel underdeveloped) than from their relationship, but their personal growth feels well-earned, while humor and spice are deftly woven into this charming tale.
A wonderfully cozy and warm romance in a cold, snowy setting.Pub Date: Feb. 24, 2026
ISBN: 9780593953143
Page Count: 464
Publisher: Berkley
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2026
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