This is the story of Bella (aspiring actress, children’s entertainer and barista) and Owen (squillionaire tech entrepreneur) and it charts their story through casual meeting in a bar and one-night hook up, to re-meeting and finding themselves sharing living accommodation and being in a relationship, through break-up and on to the HEA.
I love this book, firstly because it provides a believable narrative – these two hook-up quite naturally and live together; of course, there is artistic licence, coincidence and glamour but at its heart the narrative and characters are very real and believable. Secondly, the characters are likeable – I was rooting for both of them – and are well fleshed out in terms of characteristics, behaviours and mannerisms. The story is an intense and intimate read about their romantic journey and separate personal journeys (Owen does not like to commit and Bella can be a bit flaky). What really seals it for me is that the book not only tells us that they resolve their issues, but it shows us in their actions. Plus, the book has the best ending ever. There are no weak patches in this book.
Personal disclaimer: I had arranged to review this book before knowing it was a refreshed re-issue of a previous book. I read the original some time ago and by far it is my favourite romance novel ever (yup really). This version felt very much like that original and I Ioved it just as much. If you’ve read it before and have no desire to re-read it, I do not think this version gives you anything extra.
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, in return for an honest review.