A convincing tale about the evolution of a friendship and a romance.
Two old college friends get more than they bargained for when they revive a youthful marriage pact in this debut novel about millennial self-discovery.
As Hannah Abbott celebrates her 30th birthday in the office of Deafening Silence New York, the indie music magazine where she works, she is overwhelmed by complex emotions. Social media posts spark nostalgia with pictures of her with college friends Kate Novack and Will Thorne, “three musketeers” navigating the challenges of young adulthood. The mysterious delivery of white carnations stirs her curiosity, as she’s pretty sure her boyfriend, Brian, would have no clue they are her favorite. Overlying everything is a vague but constant sense of dissatisfaction that interferes with her sense of accomplishment. She loves her job, but it offers no medical benefits to help her deal with a worrying knee injury. Her relationship with Brian feels distant and unfulfilling, though she can’t put her finger on exactly why. Into this emotional turmoil comes Will, returning to Hannah’s life to make good on a pact the two best friends made in college to marry each other if neither had found a mate by the age of 30. Will’s life is also in free fall, triggered by the discovery that his girlfriend, Madison, was cheating on him with his older brother, Jon. Diving into a rabbit hole of depression and alcohol has not improved Will’s position at the family firm, run with an iron hand by his father, Jonathan. Marriage to each other could provide both Hannah and Will with the stability they need, but will it strengthen or destroy their friendship? Writing within a sometimes-formulaic genre, Dembowski has created genuinely appealing characters in Hannah and Will, and she succeeds in making their unusual relationship journey absorbing and satisfying. She has a sure hand with millennial vernacular, including texting and the ever present social media, as in Hannah’s sister’s succinct text response to the protagonist’s announcement of her sudden marriage: “Ruh-roh—preggo?” If some of the obstacles to romance seem a bit forced (Hannah’s obliviousness to Will’s discomfort around Madison and Jon is hard to believe), the novel’s grounding in its era never is.
A convincing tale about the evolution of a friendship and a romance.Pub Date: April 21, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-94-805168-2
Page Count: 322
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Review Posted Online: June 4, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.
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
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
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
