ABOUT THE BOOK
A week on an island sounds like the stuff of beach dreams, but for Paisley Royce, it’s a nightmare. Her little sister is marrying her ex-college sweetheart, and Paisley is serving as maid of honor. To add insult to injury, nobody will let Paisley forget she’s single.
Bachelorette weekend changes everything when she runs into her old college frenemy, Klein Madigan.
Klein is still intelligent and funny, and somehow time has only made him more attractive. Paisley is Klein’s ‘one that got away’, not that he’d ever admit it to her. A colossal misstep (and one terrible kiss) in college sealed their fate.
Or so they thought.
Klein’s an aspiring author allergic to social media. Paisley owns a digital marketing agency. A brilliant plan is hatched: A trip across the country for a week of faking out her family in exchange for her firm marketing his work.
One hastily scrawled and signed contract on a bar napkin later, Paisley and Klein embark on a journey of tension, only one bed, and fake dating shenanigans. Paisley’s goal is to survive the week. Klein’s plan is to enjoy the sun, sand, and wedding cake.
But then there’s a scorching kiss to make up for that bad one in college. And another kiss in a lighthouse during a thunderstorm. A gentle palm on Paisley’s lower back, and a reassuring hand squeeze under the table.
Everyone is convinced Klein and Paisley are the real deal, but as the week wears on, they begin to wonder if the only people they’re kidding are themselves.
MY REVIEW
You can’t go wrong with a Jennifer Millikin novel and I’m putting this book in my top favorites of 2024.
Fate brings college acquaintances Klein and Paisley together again after 4 years of resentment and regret. Klein is an aspiring author who hates social media but needs to market his book. Paisley is a sassy, marketing exec who needs a date for her sister’s and her ex-boyfriend’s wedding. In a moment of desperation and a little help from a friend, the two strike a deal to help each other out.
Klein is an absolute delight. His eloquent prose and heartfelt devotion to Paisley will sweep you off your feet. He’s a true gentleman, and it’s impossible not to fall in love with him. There is nothing fake about his feelings for Paisley as he wins over her dysfunctional and selfish family with his hard truths and candid advice that indicates how much he cares about and respects her. Paisley is a relatable character who struggles to assert herself around her family. With Klein’s help, she finds her voice and learns to stand up for herself. The affection between them is beautiful to watch, and their chemistry is off the charts.
Ms. Millikin is an exceptional wordsmith, and her writing is uplifting and inspiring. One of the things I loved most about this book was the way it tackled family dynamics. Ms. Millikin has a real talent for writing about dysfunctional families and the impact they can have on our lives. Watching Paisley navigate her strained relationship with her family members was both heart-wrenching and motivating.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good love story. It’s a heartwarming tale that will make you laugh, make you cry, and feel like you don’t want it to end. Pick up this book; you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you to Ms. Milliken for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Millikin is a bestselling author of fifteen contemporary romance and women’s fiction novels. She is the two-time recipient of the Readers Favorite Gold Star Award, and readers have called her work “emotionally riveting” and “unputdownable”.
Following a viral TikTok video with over fourteen million views, Jennifer’s third novel, Our Finest Hour, has been optioned for TV/Film. She lives in the Arizona desert with her husband, children, and Liberty, her Labrador retriever.
Follow Jennifer on her website, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook, Facebook Group, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Bookbub, Pinterest, and Verve.
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