Genre: Romantic Comedy | Adult Fiction
Released: 22nd February 2023
Publisher: Bookouture
When Kate agrees to drop everything and jump on a plane to try and find her missing friend Andy during a potential spiral, she's not only happy to try and find her friend but kind of looking forward to her first holiday in forever.
If it wasn't for the mutual 'friend' Daniel who came along, it would be paradise. Clear seas, delicious food and and mesmerising sunsets are much harder to enjoy when the man who's caused so many problems for Kate, and Andy, is always there.
But as the days go by and their trip keeps getting longer, she can't help but feel that something has changed with Daniel - after all this time, there might be something she actually likes about him. But Kate has been chronically and purposefully single for years and this is probably just a holiday crush ... it wouldn't happen, not a million years. Or that's what she tries telling herself, anyway.
"I could only ignore the seismic shift that seemed to affect the way I saw not just Daniel, but my entire life."
I'd call Sophie Ranald my guilty pleasure, but I don't feel guilty at all for loving everything she writes. She always gives me that perfect romcom vibe with tried-and-true formulas but a refreshingly modern twist. This was a hilariously chaotic enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity romcom in an absolutely stunning setting that made me feel the sun on my face and the breeze in my hair. As usual, Ranalds writing is like butter - it's so smooth and the story flows from one moment to another with ease.
We return to a group of familiar faces from the Ranald-iverse to check up on all the characters we've loved (or not) from different stories and see where they're at now, which always makes me smile - if you've not read the others, don't worry because all these stories stand out alone and the stories don't rely on one another, but I'd read them anyway because they're delightful.
Kate was amazing - I loved how she took us with her on her thought trains and spoke right to us like we were one of her friends. She was the definition of a hot mess, a little lost, sometimes did dumb things - but she was strong, loyal, determined and bold. She wanted someone to love not because she needed it, but because she loved to love. Although it's not explicitly mentioned, she's also one of the most authentic characters with OCD/Anxiety I've read in a long time - showing how intrusive thoughts actually work and the physical manifestations they can show. Ranald tenderly and respectfully explores this, showing both the fragility and resilience we hold within in, whether through mental illness, addiction or health - but always with an honest and optimistic voice.
Her relationship with Andy was complex - there was a deep understanding and love there, but a lot of heartache and history. As we go back and reflect on their early friendship, we see the happy times but also the complicated, darker moments, where Andy wasn't a good friend and things got toxic. It made me think about how important my own friends are, and how far I'd go to make sure they were okay. He was utterly absurd, charismatic and charming, but troubled - something Kate blames partially on Daniel for his own bad influence. Kate and Daniels backstory reveals slowly but naturally, showing the complications that led to them being enemies, and watching as they turn into something much more.
Indulgently sweet and magnificently chaotic with a lot of heart - Ranald is the reigning Queen of feel-good for a reason and it's clear she isn't letting go of that crown.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I was gifted an advanced reviewers copy of this title in return for an honest review.
cw: drugs, alcohol, substance abuse, addiction, anxiety, body image issues, sex.
Comments
Post a Comment