A promising debut for historical romance readers looking for a fresh, new setting.
An actress falls in love with her leading man in this historical romance set during the golden age of Hollywood.
Hollywood superstars Joan Davis and Dash Howard are contractually obligated to make one final film together. Joan is relieved it's only one. Although working with Dash made her a star, he was also responsible for her greatest public humiliation, setting her up to be targeted by ruthless tabloid reporter Leda Price. Ever since, Joan has treated Dash with cold, professional courtesy, while he has retaliated on set with a series of juvenile pranks. On the other hand, Joan is frustrated and humiliated that her recent movies—all of them without Dash as her leading man—have been a string of flops that have earned her a reputation as “box-office poison.” As Dash and Joan prepare to start filming, Joan’s tabloid-reporter nemesis reveals a piece of delicious and damning gossip. A wedding certificate Joan and Dash signed on the set of a previous film was filed at the LA County Courthouse—in the eyes of the law, they are married! Since the stars are unable to divorce in the state of California, the studio suggests moving the film set to Reno. If Joan and Dash take up residency there for six weeks, they can file for divorce in Nevada. Lenker’s debut delights in playing with the language and tropes of classic Hollywood films—studio moguls chewing cigars, curtains strung between beds, and furious banter between the love interests. Dash and Joan are both pressured to perform “being a star” in public, which makes it difficult for them to let down their guards and trust each other in private. The book itself falls into the same trap, though, with the focus on capturing old Hollywood’s glitz and glamour overshadowing the romance between Joan and Dash.
A promising debut for historical romance readers looking for a fresh, new setting.Pub Date: July 11, 2023
ISBN: 9781728267883
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Review Posted Online: April 10, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2023
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
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