A fun and hopeful romance, perfect for superhero fans and comics readers.
A closeted mega-famous American actor must keep his relationship with a British drag queen secret.
Patrick Lake is one of the hottest actors in Hollywood—as Captain Kismet, he’s the lead in a superhero movie that’s part of the Wonderverse (clearly modeled after Marvel). When Patrick and the rest of the cast and crew are sent to Birmingham, England, to do reshoots, he ends up going out with his co-star to a gay bar—which is a problem, given that Patrick is very much not out. His agent says he needs to present a facade of straightness to the American public so his career as a superhero will continue to grow, so being photographed onstage with drag queens isn’t exactly helping him stay undercover. One of those drag queens is Will Wright, who—while dressed as his drag alter ego, Grace Anatomy—helps Patrick and his friends escape the enthusiastic mob of clubgoers. When Will isn’t in drag, he works at a used bookstore, which is where Patrick runs into him again on his quest to find a rare Captain Kismet comic. As the two of them attempt to hunt down the comic, they become friends—and, slowly, more than friends. But Patrick can never be seen with Will, and even as they meet each other’s families and begin to fall for each other, their relationship is built on a foundation of secrecy and an NDA. Patrick might know how to save the day when he’s in costume as Captain Kismet, but he’s not sure he has the bravery needed to follow his heart. Ellis creates a winning world full of snappy banter, drag queens fighting for justice, and found family. Both characters’ lives are fully drawn out and feature an array of quirky, entertaining side characters. A subplot involving the creators of Captain Kismet drives home the point that queer creators have always been present in the comics world, and (much like Patrick and Will) they managed to find joy even when facing oppression and heartbreak.
A fun and hopeful romance, perfect for superhero fans and comics readers.Pub Date: June 4, 2024
ISBN: 9780593542491
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: April 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
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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