Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 2 Feb 21
While this book is a bit more lighthearted, which is what Ms. Young set out to do, than other books in her backlist, for me it also loses a bit of the punch she normally delivers in her stories. Now, that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it. I absolutely did. Both Roane and Evie are likeable characters. Roane is a true romantic hero, despite a secret or two he’s keeping close to the vest. It’s Evie who has to work twice as hard for me to warm up to her. And she almost waits too long.
Evie has just had another disappointment in the dating game, stood up by the latest jerk who didn’t start out that way. Then she’s passed over for a promotion that’s ten years overdue. So it’s time to move on and do something just for her to get her head back into life. I have to give Evie props here. She discovers a little bookstore in a small village in England that she can rent for a month and run it the way she wants – her dream come true. Books and Shakespeare are her passion. So off she goes, and life begins to take on new meaning for her. Exactly what she needs.
What she doesn’t need is the gorgeous farmer who now flirts with her after she saved his dog Shadow. Roane is immediately taken with Evie and tries his best to give her the space she needs from men. It’s a good thing fate and local villagers somehow keep throwing them together. Roane is determined to wear Evie down before she has to head back to the U.S. I really adore Roane. He’s easy going, takes care of anyone and everyone when he can, and he knows what he wants and needs in life. And I love his dog too.
Evie is just as kind and nice as Roane. What got my dander up after a bit is the fact she takes swearing off men much too far, especially when it comes to Roane. All his good points stand out for her just as they do for the reader, so letting things go a bit sooner would have been nice. Pulling teeth takes a lot of energy. And when she discovers Roane’s secrets he’s not been sharing, she runs. All the way back to Chicago. A little extreme to me. Check into a B&B down the coastline and think things through for a week or two. As much as she’s gotten to know Roane and the townsfolk, she takes her discoveries a bit too much to heart and overreacts. More energy expended when not necessary.
All of the secondary characters are wonderfully written. I would love to live in Alnster with all of them too. A good portion of them, along with Evie, grow into their characters throughout the story, giving it all a few extra layers to enjoy. That’s one thing Ms. Young is very good at giving readers. I’m only slightly disappointed with the Evie aspect of this book. Otherwise, I still had a terrific time like I always do when reading Samantha Young.
Grade: B
Summary:
At thirty-three-years old Evangeline Starling’s life in Chicago is missing that special something. And when she’s passed over for promotion at work, Evie realizes she needs to make a change. Some time away to regain perspective might be just the thing. In a burst of impulsivity, she plans a holiday in a quaint English village. The holiday package comes with a temporary position at Much Ado About Books, the bookstore located beneath her rental apartment. There’s no better dream vacation for the bookish Evie, a life-long Shakespeare lover.
Not only is Evie swept up in running the delightful store as soon as she arrives, she’s drawn into the lives, loves and drama of the friendly villagers. Including Roane Robson, the charismatic and sexy farmer who tempts Evie every day with his friendly flirtations. Evie is determined to keep him at bay because a holiday romance can only end in heartbreak, right? But Evie can’t deny their connection and longs to trust in her handsome farmer that their whirlwind romance could turn in to the forever kind of love.
No excerpt available.
