Category: Rom-Com

Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman (Romantic Comedy)

A nerdy marine biologist (specializing in bubble raft snails!) has moved as far from her Los Angeles home as possible — to a fictional island called Violetta in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Having survived a childhood in the limelight (in both positive and really, really, negative ways), she is happy to be alone, unbothered, and having a blast with the marine life she loves. Unfortunately, she is called back into the heart of the family when her father — a media star from decades ago — reappears after a twenty-five year, presumed-dead hiatus in Alaska. What follows is a modern “romp” through greedy agents, journalists, and media outlets all wanting the “real” story. They don’t actually want the “real” story, of course — they want the highly marketable, “let’s make a ton of money” story starring all of the smiling faces. Lots of marine biology factoids and a reignited (with a metaphorical blow torch) love interest in the form of a (very) handsome childhood family friend, and you have all the makings of a typical Waxman romcom. I will say this particular book had more rom than com for my taste, and while the writing was very good, it did not have the insightful turns of phrase that I remember loving in Nina Hill and the others BUT, I read it in two sittings and enjoyed it thoroughly.

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Susan Wiggs (Rom-Com)

A somewhat silly premise, but kind, well-meaning, and full-on heart warming. Brenda Malloy — with two devastating Christmases in her past — wants nothing more to do with the holiday but somehow gets roped in to driving twelve rescue dogs from Houston to a tiny, Christmas-mad, town in upstate New York. A snow storm, a potentially bad accident, and a hunky paramedic who doubles as a dog lover really do a number on Brenda’s insistence on intense grinchiness.

Some good comedy, lovable characters, and generally a happy read — even if (like myself) you are not much of a dog lover.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on October 17th, 2023.

Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel (Romantic Comedy)

Writing: 4/5 Plot: 4/5 Characters: 4/5
I liked this fun and uplifting story about two of the members of a piano trio continually struggling to find a third to keep the gigs coming. The larger story brings in all the extended family (and almost family) with their issues, desires, and intricacies of life. Bridget, the cello player and daughter of the wealthy Edward Stratton — the pushing 90, well-known conductor; her best friend Will, piano player and arranger; her daughter Isabelle, who just quit her 80-hour/week job in Hong Kong; and her son Oscar, who arrives home having left his husband over a suspected infidelity. Plenty of other quirky characters and situations appear in this romantic comedy taking place in Bridget’s Connecticut country home making the whole thing a fun, upbeat read.

I like Poeppel’s writing a lot and I was very happy with this quick read where an upbeat ending was ensured by the implied “romantic comedy” contract. In truth I liked her later novel — The Sweet Spot — a little better as I felt like it offered some serious lessons in addition to the comedy that I didn’t really find in Musical Chairs. An added thought — I did enjoy the musical references and the details about their musical lives — I would have been happier with more depth along those lines as that is an area of interest for me, but the book probably included just enough for a seeker of comedy rather than a serious musically oriented reader like myself.

The Sweet Spot by Amy Poeppel (Literary Fiction)

Writing: 5/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot: 4/5

I enjoyed every minute reading this book. It’s one of those books that you’d turn to rather than most other activities on offer. On the surface (ie the cover) it just looks like a light hearted romantic comedy — which it sort of is — but largely due to the stellar writing it is also a set of lovable and realistic characters, great dialog, and a variety of relationship styles that bear further study.

The stated plot focuses on a baby who lands in the laps of three women — Lauren, a ceramic artist who just got her big break; Melinda, recently dumped after 30 years of marriage and raging for revenge — unfortunately applying said revenge in all the wrong places; and Olivia, the daughter of the bar owner who rents the basement of Lauren’s Greenwich Village brownstone for a song. It’s funny, full of characters who are deeply interesting rather than quirky on the surface, and steeped in New York city culture and habitats. Lots of fun — I can’t remember where I heard about it, but I’ll certainly go back and read some of her other books.

Sex Ed by Kristen Bailey (Rom-com)

Mia and Ed — best friends since they began teaching at the same school. Complete opposites — Ed is the buttoned up, uber nerdy, straight laced guy in contrast to Mia’s utterly unbuttoned up (literally — she spends a lot of time on Tinder), party girl who nevertheless has a wonderful way with her students. When Mia finds out that Ed is still a virgin at 28, she takes it upon herself to give him a good (and very thorough) sex education.

It’s pretty obvious that they will eventually get together but it’s done with a lot of humor, some very explicit (and well thought out) sexual instruction, and a warm, tear inducing finish. It’s a Rom-com with plenty of detailed rom and a Rosie Project feel. A little too much of the plot depends on miscommunication which is not my favorite technique, but the book is generally upbeat and fun.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on July 4th, 2023