ABOUT THE BOOK
When Josie’s brother sends her to a random address for their (sometimes) annual Super Summer Sibling Extravaganza, she finds neither siblings nor extravaganzas. Instead, ends up at a run-down cottage on the Northern Neck of Virginia occupied by a hockey player she knows and loathes.
A hockey player who isn’t just one of her sports agent brother’s clients. He’s also his best friend. And Josie’s sworn enemy.
Oh–and her brother wants Josie to help Wyatt recover from his injury.
Dragging grumpy hockey players to physical therapy is a far cry from bandaging skinned knees, but for the price her brother offers to pay, Josie is willing to try.
Even if it means sharing what she dubs the quaint little murder cottage with Wyatt.
Begrudgingly, Josie starts to see a little more of the man behind the grumpy exterior. And when she finds out he was supposed to sail the Intracoastal Waterway south to Savannah scattering his uncle’s ashes, Josie surprises even herself by offering to be Wyatt’s first mate.
Smooth sailing is nowhere to be found, and Josie begins to wonder if they’ll be able to make it home without killing–or kissing?–each other.
And yet, the longer they share cramped quarters and canned food, the more of Wyatt’s layers she peels back until Josie realizes she misunderstood him, their shared history, and perhaps herself as well.
MY REVIEW
As you know, I enjoy grumpy sunshine romantic comedies, and this one is truly a gem.
Josie and Wyatt are two characters whose lives come together under not-so-ideal circumstances. Their first meeting has all the potential for a new friendship, but quickly turns sour, leading to cold shoulders and misunderstandings. Wyatt is a grumpy professional hockey player struggling with his dear uncle’s death and a pesky injury, while Josie is an elementary school nurse who finds herself unwittingly thrown into Wyatt’s world, thanks to her manipulative brother, Jacob. Let’s just say that the chaos that ensues from their initial interactions is as hilarious as it is relatable.
Though Wyatt presents a tough exterior at first, trying to push Josie away, he reveals a softer side when she unknowingly breaks down his barriers. It’s lovely how he exercises patience, giving her the much-needed space to navigate her feelings. And, the way he embraces her eccentric habit of dressing their newfound stray dog, Jib, in silly outfits adds an endearing layer to his character. Meanwhile, Josie has her own hurdles to leap over, particularly her aversion to athletes and dating in general, and an ingrained fear of change. But I love her feistiness and great sense of humor, which are a great contrast to Wyatt’s serious side. When Wyatt encourages her to step out of her comfort zone and go sailing, sparks begin to fly!
One of the most delightful aspects of this story is the supporting cast. Josie’s brother, Jacob, initially comes off as the classic manipulator, but he grows on you, and you start to see that his intentions, while questionable, contribute to the ultimate happiness of the main characters. And let’s not forget Wyatt’s well-meaning but overzealous “steamrolling” mother! Her relentless energy adds a refreshing touch, proving that even the grumpiest of characters can come from a place of love and compassion.
Ms. St. Clair does a great job of showing how these two characters totally misread each other, proving that love can pop up in the most surprising spots, thanks to some good laughs and solid support.
So, if you’re looking for a delightful escape filled with quirky characters, a boatload of emotions, and an adorable pup named Jib, I highly recommend grabbing this book.Â
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emma St. Clair is a USA Today Bestselling author who has her MFA in fiction. She writes closed-door rom coms that are high in humor and heart but low in spice. As in, you might need to fan yourself, but you won’t need to hide your Kindle from the kids. This is the main hub to find out more about Emma and her books.
Follow Emma on her website, Instagram, Facebook, Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub.
