by: Taj McCoy
published: April 23, 2024
genre: Romance, Contemporary
304 pages, E-Book
GoodReads | Amazon
GoodReads Synopsis
After a bad breakup, Maggie wants to find her Prince Charming, but all she’s finding are frogs. When her best friends, Savvy and Joan, apply pressure and demand she find a date worthy of attending their respective weddings, she agrees to take her own advice and try online dating. Since she’s the maid of honor for both weddings, her bridal party duties are massive, but both brides insist that Maggie prioritize finding a date. After an onslaught of maybes, noes, and hell noes, she’s close to giving up, when she meets a handsome doctor at the gym who just might be the one.
Meanwhile, her college bestie, Garrett, throws salt in everyone’s game. At every turn, he points out the red flags and tells Maggie to keep looking. Things come to a head when Maggie demands that Garrett be happy for her, and he finally admits that he can’t. Not when he’s not with her. When he blurts out his feelings, Maggie’s world is turned upside down. Now she must choose between the perfect guy and a friendship that is the foundation for everything she’s ever wanted.
My Final Thoughts
Whew, I’m just glad I made it to the end of this one because I almost DNF’d it—seriously came close. But I stuck it out.
Maggie—full name Magnolia Felize Jones (yeah… don’t even get me started)—is so painfully male-centered that I couldn’t connect with her at all. Any time she’s with her friends, she just spirals into this self-deprecating monologue about being the sad, single friend tagging along behind all the coupled-up girls. Like, girl, do you have any other identity besides being single and bitter about it? Apparently not. Outside of food and men, she has zero personality.
And the dialogue? Way too much. I got so tired of keeping up with Savvy, Joan, and Beth and all their back-and-forths about drinks, appetizers, entrees… it felt like I was stuck in a never-ending group chat about dinner plans. I swear this book had more food orders than plot.
Garrett is somewhat likeable, but the fact that he’s waited around for Maggie for decades without ever saying how he really feels? That’s just not realistic. He’s a very patient man—and I don’t know many men or women who’d stay in the friend zone for twenty-something years without a word. Strange behavior, honestly.
Overall? I hated it. Two stars is generous—and only because I did finish it. Barely.
whitneydaniell 
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