The cover screams “SUMMER READ!!!”—with sunset skies, a pier, and a canoodling couple. But everything is too perfect. Even the designer dog (cockapoo? labradoodle?) looks content—though he’s clearly just waiting for one of these pocket-hugging romantics to toss the damn stick.
There’s a blurb from Emily Henry promising, “No one does funny, emotional, life-affirming love stories quite like Abby Jimenez.” Funny? Emotional? Life-affirming? From this cover? Where’s the hint of conflict, chaos, or even mild discomfort? This gives us nothing but vibes—and bland ones at that.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
Based on the Cover, We Think This Book Is About…
A summer romance between a man and a woman who fall in love on the beach, but probably agree to part ways when the season ends. She’ll remember him. He’ll remember her. The dog will still be waiting with the stick.
There’s no such thing as a perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. A gorgeous veterinarian giving Greek god vibes—all while cuddling a tiny kitten? Immediate yes. That is until Xavier opens his mouth and proves that even sculpted gods can say the absolute wrong thing. Like, really wrong. Of course, there’s nothing Samantha loves more than proving an asshole wrong . . . unless, of course, he can admit he made a mistake.
But after one incredible and seemingly endless date, Samantha is forced to admit the truth, that her family is in crisis and any kind of relationship would be impossible. Samantha begs Xavier to forget her. To remember their night together as a perfect moment, as crushing as that may be. Only no amount of distance or time is enough to forget what’s between them. And the only thing better than one single perfect memory is to make a life—and even a love—worth remembering.