Here to Stay by Adriana Herrera. Adriana Herrera’s Dreamer series established her ability to create complex characters in multifaceted settings reflecting current issues and still achieve a satisfying happily ever after. Fellow transplanted New Yorkers Julia del Mar Ortiz and Rocco Quinn have very different agendas when they meet: Julia wants to ensure the continued success of the charitable foundation she helms for a major Texas-based high-fashion business in an upcoming takeover, while Rocco has been newly hired to streamline the same business to make it more takeover-worthy. Something’s got to give, but you may be surprised at who, and how. Using fast-paced up-to-the-minute repartee, deft knowledge of fashion – and the business of fashion – and a keen eye for the expat dynamic of New Yorkers living in Texas, Herrera creates a romance that hits all the marks and then exceeds them. Here to Stay continues the demonstration of Herrera’s mastery of fresh contemporary romance. Recommended.
Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur. The Odd Couple meets Happily Ever After in this smartly written fake-relationship, girl-meets-girl romance. Literally-by-the-numbers Darcy (she’s an actuary) reluctantly agrees to a blind date with freewheeling astrologer Elle at the behest of Darcy’s brother, who has become friends with Elle through a joint social media business venture. Darcy is reeling from the betrayal of a painful breakup and focused on controlling her world and avoiding entanglements; Elle is looking for The One, as she freely confesses during the initial meeting – which is enough to dampen any initial attraction Darcy feels. A subsequent series of unfortunate events leads the two to agree to engage in a temporary fake relationship to keep Darcy’s matchmaking brother at bay and to provide cover for Elle at her upcoming family Thanksgiving. The getting-to-know-and-appreciate-one-another sequence includes well-rendered, appealing accounts of dates that include an Escape the Room, a bar quiz, and a clandestine exploration of a local landmark. As the two get to know each other, they begin to find both commonalities and an appreciation of their differences leading to a most satisfying happy ending. Who can resist a Rom-com that includes references to Regency heroines, Jane Austen (to which this pays nice tribute, including the line, “I might be a single woman in possession of a good fortune, but I not in want of a wife.”), the Fibonacci sequence, and a food-porn worthy dinner date menu? Written in the Stars is engaging and compulsively readable from start to finish. Highly recommended.
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren. The DNA of In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren ranges in theme and tone from movies such as Groundhog’s Day to various YA and new adult novels by the likes of Rachel Cohn, John Green, and David Levithan. Maelyn Jones, who is living at home and marking time in an uninspiring job, travels to the annual Christmas gathering at the mountain cabin of family-friends-who-are-family. On the last day of the vacation, however, she awakes to the knowledge that a drunken kiss with the wrong brother in the fellow family may have ruined her chances with the right brother. In addition, she finds out that the cabin may have to be sold and this is, indeed, a last Christmas – until her wish for a do-over becomes just that. As Maelyn navigates her second chances (intercut with various endings including a tumble down the stairs and a fatal tree branch), she gradually sees the lesson in being herself and allowing others the same grace. The ending is indeed a well-earned happily ever after.
Contributed by: Nola