A romance whose handling of friendship is more charming and insightful than its treatment of love and companionship.
A florist must reassess her idea of the right partner before true love can bloom.
In the span of a single day, florist Kat Kowalski finds herself abruptly dumped by her self-centered boyfriend, saddled with his pet hedgehog, and forced to make a trip to a funeral home to deliver an order. Already having a terrible day, Kat is thrown off the deep end when she bangs into Mick O’Sullivan at his family's funeral home. Although she is instantly attracted to him, Kat takes a step back because she wants to radically rejig her approach to romance. Convinced that she has a thing for men who are absolutely wrong for her, Kat decides to be wary of instant chemistry and—aided by two friends who have recently found love—outlines the qualities of her Mr. Right. Mick is the exact antithesis of Kat’s idea of a perfect partner, but when the two bump into each other again, they begin to strike up a warm friendship. Even though Mick is attracted to Kat, he decides to set his feelings aside to help his friend find the right man. But both Mick and Kat will have to radically reevaluate their ideas of rightness and goodness before they can find real happiness. Brimming with references to 1990s Hollywood rom-coms, the book paves the couple’s path to true love with clichés; while some are heartwarming and sweet (endearing family members and comforting descriptions of home-cooked food), others quickly tip over from quirky to cutesy (a difficult-but-beloved cockatoo). Mick is refreshing in his capacity for warmth and understanding, but Kat is caught in the mold of the prototypical clumsy-and-lonely single heroine. Johnson is witty and affecting when she details evolving dynamics, such as the couple’s growing closeness and Kat’s gradual acceptance of changes in her equation with her closest friends. But she is less convincing when she addresses the factors that keep the couple apart.
A romance whose handling of friendship is more charming and insightful than its treatment of love and companionship.Pub Date: Feb. 28, 2023
ISBN: 9781250768827
Page Count: 368
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 7, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.
A reluctant princess is thrust into deadly political intrigue in Perry’s sweeping, high-stakes romantasy.
Odessa is the overlooked and underestimated princess of Quentis, whose life takes an unexpected turn when a deal is struck between her father and the formidable Turan warriors force her into an arranged marriage with their enigmatic prince, Zavier Wolfe. Intended as a mere formality to secure trade routes and military alliances, the betrothal spirals into something far more dangerous when ancient magic, a ruthless Guardian, and a looming war threaten to upend everything she knows. Finally emerging from the shadow of her seemingly perfect half sister, Mae, Odessa must navigate court politics, monstrous creatures, and her own uncertain place in a world where survival often depends on strategy rather than strength. As tensions rise, she finds herself entangled with the dangerous, enigmatic Guardian—a man whose silver eyes hold secrets of their own. Perry’s worldbuilding is lush and immersive, crafting a kingdom rife with old magic, deadly beasts, and political machinations that add depth. The pacing is relentless, carrying Odessa from one life-altering event to another as she grapples with duty, defiance, and a destiny she never chose. Her internal conflict is compelling, torn between the expectations placed upon her and the fierce independence that threatens to make her an outcast in her own kingdom. Romance simmers as Odessa struggles to reconcile her obligations with her growing attraction to the Guardian, whose past is as shadowed as his reputation. Mae is introduced as Odessa’s political foil, and although her presence drives much of Odessa’s internal drama—being constantly overshadowed or underestimated—she’s mostly seen through Odessa’s perspective. Her motivations, ambitions, and political maneuverings might have benefited from deeper exploration to give more nuance to the power dynamics. However, Perry’s evocative prose and intricate plotting make for a gripping tale. Readers looking for a slow-burn romantasy with rich political intrigue and a protagonist forced to create her own fate will find much to enjoy.
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN: 9781649378514
Page Count: 528
Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books
Review Posted Online: March 26, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
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BOOK TO SCREEN
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