ABOUT THE BOOK
When dating coach Kellar Kennedy accidentally lands on top of The Sexiest Man Alive the paparazzi goes crazy, and a brilliant idea is born.
What movie star Dayman MacDay needs is a platonic escort for the upcoming awards season. He convinces Kellar to sign on for the job and use the publicity to further her career.
Their “just friends” arrangement guarantees they’ll have fun together on and off the red carpet, but they resist the chemistry between them. Dayman doesn’t want another messy, public break-up. Kellar learned from her father that men will always bail on her.
What Dayman feels for Kellar is real, and he proves to her it’s not the men she’s dated who run at the first bump in the road. It’s her.
Kellar knows Day is right, but can she stop falling on her face and fall into his arms instead?
MY REVIEW
Barbara Meyers’ characters always call to my Midwestern roots and I love Kellar Kennedy’s familiar euphemisms and Indiana charm. It’s that down home upbringing and love of family that makes her humble. Speaking of humble, megastar Dayman “Day” MacDay’s start in life begins with his two long-haul truckdriver parents. It’s a match made in Hollywood!
Day is a successful actor who is ready to move on in Hollywood and start his own production company and hopefully find that one perfect relationship like his mom and dad have. Kellar is a successful dating coach with a blog, a podcast, and now a best-selling book. She carries a lot of baggage from a dad who abandoned her years ago making her somewhat of a hypocrite because she sucks at relationships. After a calamitous meeting back stage at a talk show, they make an arrangement to benefit their personal and professional lives – a fake relationship that will help Day keep the paparazzi at bay and give Kellar the publicity she needs to sell her book. What starts as a friendship agreement soon turns into something more as they both start to develop genuine feelings for each other.
One of the things that makes this story such an enjoyable read is the character growth of Kellar throughout the story. She is a relatable protagonist who is not afraid to confront Day’s overprotective friends and stand up for herself. Her past experiences have made her wary of relationships, but Day’s good nature and patience slowly start to break down her walls.
Day is a kind and generous man who clearly wants more with Kellar. When he shows up at her grandmother’s funeral, my heart leapt. His secrets may harm all of the progress he’s made with her trust, but he means well. I do think he needs to build bridges between his overprotective friends and Kellar if he is to have a happy relationship with all involved.
Ms. Meyers has mastered the art of writing unlikeable characters. One such character is Day’s overprotective and bitchy friend, Willow. From the start, Willow treats Kellar like crap, making it clear that she doesn’t approve of her friend’s relationship. Another despicable character sure to cause an adverse reaction is Kellar’s gambling-addicted dad. Not only is he the cause of her relationship issues, but he also calls his second daughter his “second-best girl.” What kind of asshole does that? It’s clear that he has a lot of work to do to make amends with Kellar, and his character serves an essential part in the story.
Those Who Can, Date is a delightful read though a little rushed at the end. It is a story about love, family, and second chances that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with relationships. The characters are relatable and the plot is engaging. If you are looking for a feel-good novel to curl up with on a lazy Sunday afternoon, this book is definitely worth the read.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A few of my favorite things: My family and my dear, dear friends.
My addictions/vices: Books; wine…white zin or pinot grigio; coffee…an every morning must have; popcorn
What I do when I’m not writing: I read or I might be working at the local Starbucks, hanging out with the above-referenced friends and family; bicycling around my neighborhood; taking a nap.
I’m originally from Southwest Missouri, but I grew up in a bunch of tiny towns in Illinois and Idaho before I arrived in Florida where I currently reside. Want to know more about me? Read my blogs which you can access through my web site.
Follow Barbara on her website, Twitter, Facebook, Amazon, and Goodreads.
