ABOUT THE BOOK

She wants a partner she can trust but he can’t stop hiding his past.

Oxford, England 1993. An awkward American grad student runs into a gorgeous English undergrad with her bicycle. She’s embarrassed. He’s intrigued. They go their separate ways, but neither forgets.

Chicago, Illinois 2013. When Cress Taylor starts receiving anonymous threats, the successful novelist feels her world crashing down. Max Grant turns up at a book signing and wants to renew their fleeting acquaintance. Is the timing coincidental or suspicious? Should she fall into his arms or run like hell? Then the plagiarism accusations start.   

A former spy now working for a global security company, Max Grant has always steered clear of relationships—until now. When he sees Cress in a TV interview, his curiosity ignites. Will the spark he felt twenty years ago burst into flame? Cress is a magnet he can’t resist. As threats escalate to physical danger, Max feels driven to protect Cress. They must learn to work together if they want to stop her nemesis and find their happy ending.

MY REVIEW

Ms. Michalove’s debut novel deals with the phenomenon of insta-love and the one who got away only to be found again twenty years later.

Dr. Cress Taylor is a quirky and klutzy award-winning author who is being threatened by a stalker who is determined to ruin her career.  Lucky for her, the wanker she knocked over with her bicycle in college works for a security company and assigns bodyguards to her. That wanker is Maxim Grant. A tall, gorgeous, former MI6 agent who is constantly telling bad jokes. As he tries to charm the woman he has thought about since the day she mowed him down, he battles with his secrets and guilt from heartbreaking events in his past.

This was a slow-burn romance, but I just didn’t feel the chemistry between Cress and Max.  The author’s world-building including the history of Chicago is interesting, but I felt too much of it took away from the relationship. Yes, we all have baggage and these two have their fair share, but they both take a lot of time opening up. In my opinion, Max is more invested in their relationship but his obsession with Cress is a little creepy at first. Cress just seems a bit self-centered, and frankly, inconsiderate of Max’s feelings. I think the best part of the book was when we meet Max’s lovely family who helped Max with his delightful grand gesture. I admit I did want to see Cress and Max have a happy ending and the mystery stalker caught, but I just wasn’t as invested as I hoped.

If you believe in love at first sight, bad jokes, and fighting for the one you love, give this book a try.

Thank you to Ms. Michalove for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I grew up in suburban Chicago. After spending most of my life in a medium-sized university town I moved back to Chicago in 2017 so I could go to more Blackhawks games and spend quality time at Eataly. Besides watching hockey, travel is my passion. I love history, reading, cooking, writing, and various less elevated activities like eating pastry and sampling gins and single malts.

Follow Sharon on her website, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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