by McKenna Dean ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 3, 2021
Thoroughly entertaining and witty, with a nicely judged mix of genres.
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Two secret agents must pretend they’re married while investigating strange phenomena in this second installment of a paranormal romance series.
In Bishop Takes Knight (2019), Henrietta “Rhett” Bishop began work at New York City–based Redclaw Security—not, as she thought, a detective agency but one devoted to protecting shape-shifters. The agency also tracks down powerful, dangerous artifacts possessing technology that is too advanced for 1955, and maybe of extraterrestrial origin. Rhett and Dr. Peter Knight, a brilliant British scientist, are the only non–shape-shifting staff members and also share a romantic attraction (plus one “toe-curling kiss”). Now, the budding relationship has stalled. This puts the two in an uncomfortable position when they’re assigned to pose as a married couple, the better to investigate odd, possibly artifact-related occurrences (including UFO sightings and a death from spontaneous combustion) in deepest suburbia. The case does give Rhett a shot at redemption, and she has a few cards up her sleeve, such as a devoted shape-shifting dog/velociraptor. As Rhett and Peter investigate housewives, neighborhood kids, golfers, backyard barbecuers, and other suburban denizens, they’re also stalked by a thief who’s after their gizmos; meanwhile, their mutual ardor grows. One way or another, there will be fireworks. Dean again cleverly combines SF, a detective story, and romance in a way that works on all levels. Rhett is an engaging narrator; she’s brave, adventurous, and caring, with a strong sense of humor: “The neighborhood scene was idyllic. I didn’t trust it one bit.” She’s a good match for Peter, whose genius with engaging, quirky gadgets matches her investigative zeal. The mystery keeps surprises in store, providing an unexpected and satisfying resolution. The novel does have a few anachronisms (“I’m about to make Rian Stirling an offer for my services he can’t refuse”) but not enough to diminish readers’ enjoyment.
Thoroughly entertaining and witty, with a nicely judged mix of genres.Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2021
ISBN: 979-8-69-194795-7
Page Count: 303
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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by Colleen Hoover ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 18, 2022
Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.
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New York Times Bestseller
The sequel to It Ends With Us (2016) shows the aftermath of domestic violence through the eyes of a single mother.
Lily Bloom is still running a flower shop; her abusive ex-husband, Ryle Kincaid, is still a surgeon. But now they’re co-parenting a daughter, Emerson, who's almost a year old. Lily won’t send Emerson to her father’s house overnight until she’s old enough to talk—“So she can tell me if something happens”—but she doesn’t want to fight for full custody lest it become an expensive legal drama or, worse, a physical fight. When Lily runs into Atlas Corrigan, a childhood friend who also came from an abusive family, she hopes their friendship can blossom into love. (For new readers, their history unfolds in heartfelt diary entries that Lily addresses to Finding Nemo star Ellen DeGeneres as she considers how Atlas was a calming presence during her turbulent childhood.) Atlas, who is single and running a restaurant, feels the same way. But even though she’s divorced, Lily isn’t exactly free. Behind Ryle’s veneer of civility are his jealousy and resentment. Lily has to plan her dates carefully to avoid a confrontation. Meanwhile, Atlas’ mother returns with shocking news. In between, Lily and Atlas steal away for romantic moments that are even sweeter for their authenticity as Lily struggles with child care, breastfeeding, and running a business while trying to find time for herself.
Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-668-00122-6
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Atria
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2022
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SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
by Lynn Painter ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 12, 2024
Not worth the RSVP.
Two people who scorn love fall for each other while teaming up to help others escape doomed relationships.
When Sophie Steinbeck finds out that her fiance, Stuart, is cheating on her before their wedding, she knows calling it off is the right thing to do. But her dad is employed by Stuart’s father, and Sophie is convinced the boss is just cruel enough to fire her dad out of spite. The solution comes in the form of Max Parks, a wedding objector for hire—he shows up at the chapel and publicly accuses Stuart of infidelity. A drunken celebration following Sophie’s non-wedding leads to a connection between her and Max, and when they decide to team up to help other wronged brides and grooms, sparks begin to fly between them. But with Sophie having just gone through a disastrous engagement, and Max still reeling from a heart-shattering breakup, neither one wants a relationship…right? Painter builds a foundation for entertaining rom-com antics, but none of the pieces hold together. Much of the dialogue, especially the banter between Max and Sophie, is more cringey than humorous. The wedding objector plot—by far the most striking aspect of the novel—moves to the background as the book shifts to a flimsy fake-dating scenario, and since neither Max nor Sophie really needs the money, there’s little urgency to their finding new ceremonies to foil. In fact, there’s little tension at all. Even when Max’s ex-girlfriend reappears toward the end of the novel, it does little to add conflict. Readers who enjoy their rom-coms with a lot of spice won’t be disappointed, but it’s not enough to support an otherwise weak entry in the genre.
Not worth the RSVP.Pub Date: March 12, 2024
ISBN: 9780593638019
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Berkley
Review Posted Online: Dec. 16, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2024
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