by: Taj McCoy
published: April 25, 2023
genre: Romance, Contemporary
336 Pages, E-Book
GoodRead Link
Synopsis
Zora has committed every inch of her life to establishing her thriving DC bookstore, making it into a pillar of the community, and she just hasn’t had time for romance. But when a mystery author she’s been crushing on for years agrees to have an event at her store, she starts to rethink her priorities. Lawrence is every bit as charming as she imagined, even if his understanding of his own books seems just a bit shallow. When he asks her out after his reading, she’s almost elated enough to forget about the grumpy guy who sat next to her making snide comments all evening. Apparently the grouch is Lawrence’s best friend, Reid, but she can’t imagine what kind of friendship that must be. They couldn’t be more different.
But as she starts seeing Lawrence, and spending more and more time with Reid, Zora finds first impressions can be deceiving. Reid is smart and thoughtful—he’s also interested. After years of avoiding dating, she suddenly has two handsome men competing for her affection. But even as she struggles to choose between them, she can’t shake the feeling that they’re both hiding something.
I. Overview
Zora, engrossed in her entrepreneurial endeavors, had relegated dating to the back burner, her focus solely on building a thriving business. Unbeknownst to her, the subtleties of flirting and chivalry had become alien concepts. Enter Lawrence Michaels, an author she admires, who graciously agrees to a signing event at her bookstore. Seizing the opportunity, Zora turns on the charm to captivate his attention.
Post-event, Lawrence extends an invitation for drinks, and thus begins a delusional chapter in Zora’s history. However, it’s only when she starts entertaining the company of Lawrence’s good friend, Reid, that she begins to discern the imperfections beneath Lawrence’s polished exterior.
At the helm of this romantic triangle, Zora becomes the focal point, inadvertently setting the stage for jealousy and competition between the two men who constitute the other vertices of this intricate relationship. Reid, characterized by his pragmatic and kind nature, stands in contrast to Lawrence, the charismatic author whose charm may not be as flawless as it seems.
II. Characters
Fortunately, there aren’t a plethora of characters to navigate, a characteristic I particularly appreciate in romance novels. Let’s begin with those on the periphery and gradually delve into the central figures.
Granny Marion, Zora’s maternal grandmother and the cornerstone of their shared home, possesses a quick wit and a sharp tongue. Despite being 72, she effortlessly engages in banter reminiscent of the best of girlfriends. While I valued the added perspective of Granny’s seasoned wisdom, the relentless mentions of great-grandkids became wearisome and, frankly, hit a nerve. Maybe it’s because I’m at that age where elders are relentlessly nudging me toward parenthood, and my response is a resounding no.
Emma, Zora’s childhood friend and current bookstore colleague, shares living quarters with Granny and Zora. Among the trio, Emma stands out as the most endearing and emotionally intelligent. Her forgetfulness aside, she provides Zora with invaluable advice. The only downside is her credit for coining the cringe-worthy term “Zor-lock,” but I’ll address that grievance later.
Enter Lawrence, the striking author who effortlessly sweeps Zora off her feet. Unfortunately, he triggered an ‘ick’ response in me right from the start. Despite Zora’s purported Sherlock Holmes-level intuition, it seemed to falter whenever she was in his company, as the unmistakable red flags flew high.
Then there’s Reid, Lawrence’s college acquaintance (I refuse to label them as best friends) and the second contender smitten by Zora’s allure. From day one, Reid struck me as the superior choice, and it irked me that Zora fixated on him as if she were Lawrence’s appointed protector during the book signing.
III. The Writing
While the book delivered an adorable narrative with commendable descriptions and scene-setting, the dialogue, unfortunately, failed to capture the authentic tone of the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia) area. Phrases like “She’ll be so jazzed to see me here” felt out of place, as they don’t resonate with the natural vernacular of the region. Despite the emphasis on Zora and the bookstore being integral to Washington DC, the dialogue missed the mark for me.
Another notable concern lies in the pacing and timeline of the story. Initially manageable, the narrative became confusing after Zora’s interaction with Reid’s class, creating the impression of a sudden timeline jump. Was Lawrence able to travel to from DC to Atlanta and then, to New York in a single day? That is what chapters 8 – 12 would lead you to believe, further added to the timeline puzzle. I’ve detailed my annotations elsewhere, but it felt like the love story unfolded at an accelerated pace. Personally, I prefer love stories that take their time, mirroring the gradual progression of real-life relationships, rather than a rapid head-over-heels romance in just 18 days.
Lastly, the concept of “Zor-lock” didn’t sit well with me. I found it unnecessary, and I wished McCoy had opted for the universally relatable women’s intuition instead of creating a unique, exclusive ability for Zora. The inconsistency in Zora overlooking Lawrence’s early red flags despite her supposed intuition made the whole concept less convincing. If the Zor-lock were as reliable as portrayed, the second date might not have happened at all.
IV. My Final Thoughts
This proved to be a delightful and brisk read, serving as a welcomed palate cleanser between my usual fare of thrillers and murder mysteries. Romance novels, for me, function as a refreshing and lighthearted interlude. Admittedly, I tend to scrutinize romance protagonists quite harshly, finding them often lacking in realism. Yet, I recognize that the appeal of this genre lies in its concoction of fictional drama and comedy, providing a perfect escape for many.
For those anticipating a vacation or simply in the mood for an enjoyable read by a black author, I wholeheartedly recommend this book. It offers a charming experience, and I’m inclined to explore more works by the author as I continue my commitment to exclusively read books by black authors during Black History Month.
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