ABOUT THE BOOK

Not an expert, not even close, not in any of this. But nobody will try harder than me to make you happy.

Sally is a classic romantic and Harry is a classic cynic, but when a drunken bet leads the new flatmates to (badly) recreate ‘the lift’ from Dirty Dancing, and the video goes viral (#EpicRomcomReenactmentFailure), they both realise there’s potential financial benefit in blundering their way through the romcom lexicon for their suddenly vast social media following.

Now, as Harry and Sally bring major romcom moments to new life – including recreating that classic diner scene – their faking it turns to making…out and suddenly they’re living a real life romcom of their own! But like all the greatest love stories, the road to happily ever after is paved with unexpected challenges for this hero and heroine…

MY REVIEW

I’m a big fan of Ms. Freeman’s romcoms and I couldn’t wait to pick this one up. I mean, come on, the title alone had me chomping at the bit. Ya gotta love a book celebrating some of the best romcoms ever made and I love how the author ingeniously incorporates them into her love story.

Sally Thornton is a smart and savvy business owner, a responsible and loving sister, and a hopeless romantic. Her younger sister Amy has moved out of their flat and a friend of a friend is moving in. Harry is a large, sarcastic Grumpy Pants who doesn’t believe in love and hates romcoms. However, he pays his rent on time and keeps to himself, so she can’t complain. Being the happy and friendly person she is, she is determined to change Harry’s mind about romcoms by proving the lift from Dirty Dancing is romantic and not “just a guy catching a girl”. After videotaping the lift to make improvements, they agree to add their own funny take on the lift to TikTok for fun only to have it go viral. And so more “cute woman/sexy guy having laughs” re-enactments of iconic romcoms were born. She should keep this friendly. After all, Harry the love cynic wasn’t one to share warm fuzzies with.

Harry Wilson has been forced out of his home by his selfish cheating ex and is temporarily renting a flat with the most obnoxious and extremely cute landlady, Sally Thornton. Her bright pink clothes and romantic notions are ridiculous considering he didn’t believe in fairy tales. His parents are proof of that by selfishly living their separate lives and ignoring him. He’s still wondering why he agreed to Sally’s crazy TikTok idea, but he wouldn’t mind making some money from sponsors. But is that the only reason he’s going along with it or is Sally starting to grow on him?

The plot of this romcom is so creative and hilarious as Sally tries to convince the very blunt and serious Harry that love is real. Sally is a rock raising her lazy and unappreciative sister Amy after their parents died. In return, Amy, the brat, uses her sister’s generosity to give her money until Amy’s inheritance comes through in a couple of years. Money is tight for Sally, but she is a kind soul who believes she will find The One someday. Her attraction to Harry the cynic is unexpected as he shows his unintentional romantic side in subtle ways such as sticking up for Sally with her sister and giving in to her TikTok challenges. Harry has been honest with Sally that he cannot love anyone and that a relationship would be temporary, but the more she hears about his life, the more she falls for this spurned and lonely man. My favorite re-enactments are the orgasm scene in When Harry Met Sally, the sexy hot clay pot scene in Ghost, and certainly the door and card scene from Love Actually. When Sally and Harry finally give in to their feelings, it is delicious, but there is always the love obstacle between them. The tables eventually turn on them with Sally trying to pull away before she is totally destroyed and Harry hanging on for dear life to stay together. Everything seems bleak until, with a little help from some unlikely friends, Harry’s grand gesture saves the day.

Vince and Kitty love their friend, Sally. Vince is more cuddly while Kitty is a pit bull. In fact, Kitty is a bit over the top with her bitchiness toward Harry, but she comes through in the end. Poor Harry didn’t have a chance at love with his nasty ass parents and his “See You Next Tuesday” ex-girlfriend, Isabelle. However, Harry’s friends Mike and Jack are there for him despite their teasing.

I am delighted to recommend this truly endearing and funny romantic comedy that took me back to my favorite movie scenes and famous lines. 

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to write a book. It may have had something to do with my obsession with reading romance. Real life interfered and I headed off in a different direction – into the world of science, becoming a pharmacist before joining the pharmaceutical industry. I did end up writing, but it was about disease and medicines. Decades later, I’m finally doing what I always wanted to do.

With a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), all the romance in my life is in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn’t always about hearts and flowers – and heroes come in many disguises.

Follow Kathryn on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

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