A hopeful redemption story with a magical time-jump twist that takes its time, for better or worse.
When a comedian's wish fast-forwards him seven years, he discovers that he's successful but devoid of friends and family.
At 23, Nolan Baker has big plans, and he hopes to reach 30 with all his personal and professional goals fulfilled. At the moment, though, he doesn't feel like he's anywhere close. With his sister CeeCee’s wedding coming up, Nolan is determined to have something to show for himself, and he finally musters up the courage to ask Drew Techler, his best friend and big crush, to be his date. He vows that once the wedding is over, he’ll take a good hard look at himself and maybe even give up comedy for good. But when he gets a call in the middle of his sister’s wedding inviting him to perform at a famous comedy club in an hour, Nolan prioritizes this sudden opportunity over supporting his family and continuing his date with Drew. Later, he realizes he’s ruined all of his relationships. Desperate to fix things but torn between his shot at stardom and making things right, he grabs a weird set of crystals his sister had given him and visualizes his “ideal future” in which he’s “successful, happy, and universally loved.” When he wakes up, he’s 30 and he’s certainly successful, but he learns that the choice he made during CeeCee’s wedding has had long-lasting consequences. He’s a household name, but his family has no desire to connect with him or even take his calls. Nolan’s only hope of making things right is to find Drew, who also wants nothing to do with him. As Nolan tries to win Drew over, he must reckon with the callous mistakes he’s made. His road to redemption is an arduous one as he strives to hold himself accountable, which doesn't come easily. The romance between Drew and Nolan takes a back seat to Nolan’s introspections, but it still provides a sweet and steamy way of both lightening some of Nolan’s more vulnerable moments and giving him the extra push he needs to dig deeper. Over time, Nolan learns how to feel better about his life without sacrificing the feelings of others.
A hopeful redemption story with a magical time-jump twist that takes its time, for better or worse.Pub Date: Aug. 15, 2023
ISBN: 9781728264264
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
This captivating, deeply emotional, and incredibly sexy romance is a balm for the soul.
A blossoming romance infringes on a successful businesswoman's professional aspirations, making her reevaluate her priorities.
At an exclusive party, talent manager Hendrix Barry has an instant connection with billionaire tech mogul Maverick Bell. When he learns that she’s navigating her mother’s Alzheimer's diagnosis, he relates to what she’s going through, having had similar experiences with his grandfather. Maverick makes Hendrix feel seen and understood like no one else, but he’s the recent ex-boyfriend of a woman Hendrix is going into business with as she works toward her goal of executive producing a television show. She tries to set boundaries that would keep him as a friend despite their obvious mutual attraction, but when he expresses interest in her venture capital fund focusing on Black women–led businesses, it leads to spending more time together, and the lines of friendship, business, and pleasure become tangled and blurred. Ryan excels at crafting thoughtful, mature characters who have to manage complicated situations with care and grace. Maverick’s dogged pursuit of Hendrix and the delicious ways he woos her using his wealth and persistence frame him as a determined, headstrong hero. Paired with a weaker heroine, he could have been overbearing, but Hendrix is his perfect match, equally as strong-willed and tenacious. They bring out each other’s softer, more vulnerable sides as well, and both have compassionate hearts. The spicy romance is the core of this satisfying story, but the novel doesn’t shy away from—and is made richer for the inclusion of—hardships like caring for an aging parent and confronting racism in the world of business. The tale also highlights the importance of community and the value of supportive, platonic love through the wonderful cast of side characters.
This captivating, deeply emotional, and incredibly sexy romance is a balm for the soul.Pub Date: May 13, 2025
ISBN: 9781538706855
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Forever
Review Posted Online: May 30, 2025
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
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