A page-turning tale of the healing power of love.
A woman embarks on a journey of self-discovery at a hotel with a connection to her past in Carter’s second-chance romance.
In 2019, Jeanette Coles, a commercial director from San Francisco, spent an unforgettable night in Los Angeles at the Lyric Hotel. While walking her dog, she met Evan Jameson, a cello player who’d performed with such world-famous musicians as Sting and Diana Krall. Their instant connection led to a night of passion; however, both were married, and Evan was reluctant to start an affair because “the only woman he’d give that much of himself to was his wife.” After returning to her home in San Francisco, Jeanette’s world was shattered when her husband, Michael, was killed in a car accident. Eight months later, Jeanette returns to the Lyric Hotel for an extended stay with no set departure date. Meanwhile, Evan’s busy performing schedule becomes complicated when Nancy tells him she’s pregnant with their second child. As he navigates the responsibilities of marriage and parenting with his life as a musician, Jeanette copes with her grief through a series of business and romantic encounters with other guests at the hotel. As the December holidays approach, Jeanette gets an invitation to join her mother in Paris, which offers the possibility of a surprise reunion with the man she’s unable to forget. Carter’s debut is a sparkling romance with vivid characters and sharp, crystalline prose. Jeanette is an instantly memorable protagonist whose journey through her grief is heartfelt and poignant. Evan is a strong foil for Jeanette, and their scenes together crackle with romantic tension. The author also shows a knack for clever chapter titles (such as “Loathing Me Loving You”) and witty character introductions, as when Jeanette meets with an aging actor to film a commercial: “One historical landmark leaned against another. Charles Millburn stood among the gnarled roots of the 120-year-old fig tree, resting his silver pate against a venerable branch, eyes closed as a makeup woman dabbed foundation onto his nose.”
A page-turning tale of the healing power of love.Pub Date: July 16, 2024
ISBN: 979-8891322691
Page Count: 298
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Review Posted Online: June 29, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2024
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.
