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Love Connections #6
The Disasters of Dating
Her rising sign is confident. Her love life? Completely up in the air.
I run an airport newsstand, selling overpriced snacks and gossip mags to people flying off to places I’ve only dreamed about. I know flight schedules like other people know coffee orders. Most people tend to think I’m a little too much—too bright, too weird, too into “hippie things”. But I’ve got a business plan and a suitcase that I swear I’ll use one day.
Enter Keaton—the polished, put-together businessman who actually listens to my ideas. He’s not my usual type, and after a disastrous first date (think goose egg, black eye, and the universe screaming NO), we both take the hint. And yet… he keeps showing up at my kiosk. Against all odds—I keep liking him more. Then there’s the mystery texter—my cousins all think he’s phishing. A wrong-number message turns into inside jokes and late-night check-ins with a stranger I’ve never met but completely trust. Now I’m stuck between the guy I should want and the one I can’t stop thinking about. So tell me, universe—where’s my sign? Because the heart doesn’t always follow a flight plan.
I run an airport newsstand, selling overpriced snacks and gossip mags to people flying off to places I’ve only dreamed about. I know flight schedules like other people know coffee orders. Most people tend to think I’m a little too much—too bright, too weird, too into “hippie things”. But I’ve got a business plan and a suitcase that I swear I’ll use one day.
Enter Keaton—the polished, put-together businessman who actually listens to my ideas. He’s not my usual type, and after a disastrous first date (think goose egg, black eye, and the universe screaming NO), we both take the hint. And yet… he keeps showing up at my kiosk. Against all odds—I keep liking him more. Then there’s the mystery texter—my cousins all think he’s phishing. A wrong-number message turns into inside jokes and late-night check-ins with a stranger I’ve never met but completely trust. Now I’m stuck between the guy I should want and the one I can’t stop thinking about. So tell me, universe—where’s my sign? Because the heart doesn’t always follow a flight plan.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2025
24 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
August 11, 2025
Poppy is obsessed with reading her horoscope. She tends to take it very seriously and doesn’t always work in her favour. While at work, Keaton comes in to the shop she works at and because he’s nervous around her (he has noticed her before while travelling in and out of that airport, often buying more gum than he needs) he decides to apply chapstick and then when he puts it back in his backpack, Poppy accuses him of stealing gum. She’s very sure he stole the gum and decides to call security on him. While waiting for security, he tries to explain that he didn’t still any gum but she’s now having it saying she has it recorded. When security finally arrives and Poppy shows him the video she recorded (which she isn’t allowed to do) security confirms he’s telling the truth. She feels awful and offers to take him out to dinner at the terminal to make it up to him which he accepts. During her break they go to dinner and he decides to order expensive items off the menu noticing how uncomfortable she’s becoming but he has noticed intentions of letting her pay for it. Their dinner “date” doesn’t go smooth at all. Between them both bending to pick up a napkin and hitting each other to him accidentally hitting her with his elbow this is far from a smooth date. I honestly loved watching their interactions through the book and seeing this relationship develop even though it was not smooth sailing at all. I rate this book 5 stars as it had me laughing a few times.
*** I received this arc in exchange for an honest review***
*** I received this arc in exchange for an honest review***
August 20, 2025
I loved reading Poppy and Keaton's story! I've been looking forward to it after having the glimpses of her character from the previous books in this series. She's fun, happy, wants to help others, is a great friend/sister/cousin, and is happy to cheer others on.
Their meet-cute is more of a meet-funny-slight disaster! Hahaha! Oh my word, I was giggling, and cringing and thinking poor Poppy is going to be so embarrassed when she realizes what she's done. But it was great! I loved watching Keaton navigate and try to come through the experience all while being kind to Poppy.
All of the future interactions and text messages between them were adorable and funny. Keaton just can't seem to catch a break and keeps trying to juggle everything and multiple conversations and he puts his foot in his mouth occasionally. But it just made him all that more real and adorable in my eyes, and eventually in Poppy's eyes as well.
That football game!!! Oh!!! My!!! Yesssssss!!!!! You're going to be grinning from ear to ear.
All of the text messages between them, and between Keaton's family-hahahahaha- and between Poppy's cousins/sister, were perfection. They added so much to the story and I loved that we got to keep seeing the previous characters that we loved. This whole series has been adorable and I'm sad to see it end, but honestly ending it with Poppy's book was wonderful!
Content: Clean. Some sweet kisses but nothing further.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
Their meet-cute is more of a meet-funny-slight disaster! Hahaha! Oh my word, I was giggling, and cringing and thinking poor Poppy is going to be so embarrassed when she realizes what she's done. But it was great! I loved watching Keaton navigate and try to come through the experience all while being kind to Poppy.
All of the future interactions and text messages between them were adorable and funny. Keaton just can't seem to catch a break and keeps trying to juggle everything and multiple conversations and he puts his foot in his mouth occasionally. But it just made him all that more real and adorable in my eyes, and eventually in Poppy's eyes as well.
That football game!!! Oh!!! My!!! Yesssssss!!!!! You're going to be grinning from ear to ear.
All of the text messages between them, and between Keaton's family-hahahahaha- and between Poppy's cousins/sister, were perfection. They added so much to the story and I loved that we got to keep seeing the previous characters that we loved. This whole series has been adorable and I'm sad to see it end, but honestly ending it with Poppy's book was wonderful!
Content: Clean. Some sweet kisses but nothing further.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
August 20, 2025
I enjoyed Keaton & Poppy's disastrous, funny, caring , loving, sweet happily ever after!!
August 14, 2025
Finally Poppy gets her HEA. I’ve been the most curious about her this whole series; it was so nice to finally get to learn more about this horoscope reading, crystal loving, supportive cousin. There’s more to her than many people give her credit for. She’s kind, smart, determined, and has a big heart. Her meet cute/disaster with Keaton was like a romcom movie in book form, that most would not believe happened, it was that crazy. Keaton was a breath of fresh air. It was nice to see a handsome, rich guy that wasn’t over confident or a player/flirt. He was down to earth, a bit clumsy, and a little self conscious when it came to Poppy, which made him seem more real. I really enjoyed the story, and this whole series!
July 28, 2025
Well we return with the final book in the multi author series, The Love Connections with The Disasters of Dating. We finally get to read Poppy’s story which I have been patiently waiting for and her relationship with Keaton was cute, a little predictable sadly. I really wanted to love this one but some scenes were a little over the top and the miscommunication between the two isn’t really my thing. I enjoyed the ending more hence my slightly higher star rating as I struggled at the beginning. I received a complementary copy from the author.
August 14, 2025
If you have ever read anything by Mindy Burbidge Strunk you know she has a great sense of humor Well, she’s outdone herself with this awkward meetcute and the disastrous date that followed. So crazy and hilarious!
This is an enchanting story of a girl, Poppy, who relies on crystals, the universe and astrology. She meets her unlikely opposite in a put together businessman, who is intrigued by her quirkiness and sees beyond it to find her loving heart.
Such a great finale to the Love Connections Series. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This is an enchanting story of a girl, Poppy, who relies on crystals, the universe and astrology. She meets her unlikely opposite in a put together businessman, who is intrigued by her quirkiness and sees beyond it to find her loving heart.
Such a great finale to the Love Connections Series. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 23, 2025
Loved this one. Laughed out loud multiple times.
July 23, 2025
I have loved this series! I am so glad we finally got Poppy's story! I love the dynamic between Poppy and Keaton!
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
August 2, 2025
You know how romcoms often start with a meet cute? This book started with a meet disaster! Poppy works at a store in the airport. Keaton has been working up the courage to ask her out as he commutes back and forth to Utah each week. When he’s just about to finally do it, she accuses him of stealing a pack of gum. When she tries to make it up to him, things just get worse! It was like watching a train wreck! I loved Keaton’s awkwardness and the humor with which he recovered from the situation. I loved seeing their relationship grow from such awkward beginnings.
I haven’t read the other books in the series, but now I want to read about Poppy’s cousins who are featured in the other books.
This book had some You’ve Got Mail vibes with a case of mistaken identity leading to Poppy texting with “wrong number guy.” It was super cute. It took me a little longer to like Poppy than it did to like Keaton, but by the end I was seriously rooting for them!
I haven’t read the other books in the series, but now I want to read about Poppy’s cousins who are featured in the other books.
This book had some You’ve Got Mail vibes with a case of mistaken identity leading to Poppy texting with “wrong number guy.” It was super cute. It took me a little longer to like Poppy than it did to like Keaton, but by the end I was seriously rooting for them!
August 23, 2025
ARC REVIEW:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Poppy Ashcombe is used to people misunderstanding her. As soon as they hear about her love of astrology and crystals combined with her unique personal style, they fail to take her seriously. But when an unknown number begins contacting her, the correspondence makes her feel seen. Prompted by her new pen pal, Poppy decides to take a leap of faith and open herself up to new and unexpected experiences.
Mindy Burbidge Strunk’s The Disasters of Dating is the sixth and final book in the multi-author, interconnected series, The Love Connections. All six books are written as standalone novels that can be read individually. However, due to the character crossovers, readers would be doing themselves a disservice by not reading ALL six.
I had the privilege of being an ARC member for the entire Love Connections Series. I was intrigued by the series for multiple reasons, but the biggest one being the premise- six female cousins who discover love through travel.
Despite my interest, I was a bit apprehensive when it came to, The Disasters of Dating. I fell into the trap of misjudging Poppy. I worried her story would be heavily influenced by new age beliefs, but what I found was a young woman with astute interpersonal skills and a knack for being business savvy.
I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this book and discovered Mindy Burbidge Strunk’s writing. If her other books are half as entertaining and heartfelt as this, I know I will adore them!
Be sure to read this book for:
-An Unforgettable Meet-Cute
-Dual POVs
-Love Triangle
-Opposites Attract
-He Falls First
QOTD: What was the last book that took you by surprise???
Special thanks to Five Joys Press and Mindy Burbidge Strunk for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Poppy Ashcombe is used to people misunderstanding her. As soon as they hear about her love of astrology and crystals combined with her unique personal style, they fail to take her seriously. But when an unknown number begins contacting her, the correspondence makes her feel seen. Prompted by her new pen pal, Poppy decides to take a leap of faith and open herself up to new and unexpected experiences.
Mindy Burbidge Strunk’s The Disasters of Dating is the sixth and final book in the multi-author, interconnected series, The Love Connections. All six books are written as standalone novels that can be read individually. However, due to the character crossovers, readers would be doing themselves a disservice by not reading ALL six.
I had the privilege of being an ARC member for the entire Love Connections Series. I was intrigued by the series for multiple reasons, but the biggest one being the premise- six female cousins who discover love through travel.
Despite my interest, I was a bit apprehensive when it came to, The Disasters of Dating. I fell into the trap of misjudging Poppy. I worried her story would be heavily influenced by new age beliefs, but what I found was a young woman with astute interpersonal skills and a knack for being business savvy.
I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this book and discovered Mindy Burbidge Strunk’s writing. If her other books are half as entertaining and heartfelt as this, I know I will adore them!
Be sure to read this book for:
-An Unforgettable Meet-Cute
-Dual POVs
-Love Triangle
-Opposites Attract
-He Falls First
QOTD: What was the last book that took you by surprise???
Special thanks to Five Joys Press and Mindy Burbidge Strunk for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 24, 2025
This is the last of the Love Connections series, and we finally get Poppy’s story. The cousin/sister who works at the airport and sends the rest of her family off with various crystals and advice on their journey finally gets her own love story.
Enter Keaton Lincoln Barrington, regular commuter between Manchester, New Hampshire and Salt Lake City, Utah. He always stops off at Poppy’s store to pick up some gum on his travels and is close to asking Poppy on a date, until a very disastrous incident involving a suspected shoplifting, an apology dinner, and Poppy ends up with a goose egg and a black eye. Plus, Keaton discovers that she doesn’t date tourists, which is awkward.
When he texts her from the wrong phone, it sparks a whole chain of flirty conversations between Poppy and ‘Lincoln’. Meanwhile, as Keaton, he starts trying to convince her he’s more of a native than a tourist, so they can keep seeing each other.
I loved watching Poppy and Keaton getting to know each other. They work well together, but things always seem to go wrong for them when they go on a date. It’s clear they like each other a lot, but it’s almost as if the universe is sending them a signal they shouldn’t be together. For someone like Poppy who puts much faith in horoscopes and fate, it’s a big hurdle for Keaton to overcome.
I loved watching the slow burn develop into more, and how Keaton and Lincoln merged slowly into the perfect partner for Poppy.
Enter Keaton Lincoln Barrington, regular commuter between Manchester, New Hampshire and Salt Lake City, Utah. He always stops off at Poppy’s store to pick up some gum on his travels and is close to asking Poppy on a date, until a very disastrous incident involving a suspected shoplifting, an apology dinner, and Poppy ends up with a goose egg and a black eye. Plus, Keaton discovers that she doesn’t date tourists, which is awkward.
When he texts her from the wrong phone, it sparks a whole chain of flirty conversations between Poppy and ‘Lincoln’. Meanwhile, as Keaton, he starts trying to convince her he’s more of a native than a tourist, so they can keep seeing each other.
I loved watching Poppy and Keaton getting to know each other. They work well together, but things always seem to go wrong for them when they go on a date. It’s clear they like each other a lot, but it’s almost as if the universe is sending them a signal they shouldn’t be together. For someone like Poppy who puts much faith in horoscopes and fate, it’s a big hurdle for Keaton to overcome.
I loved watching the slow burn develop into more, and how Keaton and Lincoln merged slowly into the perfect partner for Poppy.
August 8, 2025
I was looking forward to Poppy’s book so much and was not disappointed!
Poppy has such a kind heart and loves deeply. She knows people don’t think the same way she does about horoscopes and crystals, but she doesn’t let that stand in her way!
Keaton, he was adorable. I loved his interest in Poppy and how that initially got him in trouble. But that he saw so much more in her and didn’t just walk away. I loved how much he truly saw her.
Favorite parts
-the first apology dinner
-all the ice cream outings
-holding hands so Keaton doesn’t get “scared”
-the football game 😏
-all the conversations with wrong number guy.
-Poppy standing up for herself
-Keaton’s gift to Poppy.
-Evan and Shay from Jingle Bell Jilt! How Evan gives Keaton a hard time.
Favorite Quotes:
“Poppy, here, is a keeper. You make sure you treat her right.”
Poppy’s face goes crimson. I’m about to give the whole ‘we’re just friends’ speech, before Poppy has to do it, when she surprises me. “Don’t worry, Jim. He’s a keeper, too.” She flicks her eyes over to me, and her face goes a deeper crimson.
I can’t help my smile. She thinks I’m a keeper. Does that mean she’s thinking of me as more than a friend? I squeeze her hand. “Don’t worry, Jim. I realized that almost from the first moment I saw her.”
I shake my head. “First of all, I don’t think we’ve had any bad dates.”
“Sha,” she blurts.
I hurry on. “I mean, there were some unfortunate accidents the first time, but it didn’t make me want to see you any less. In fact, I think if anything, it made me want to get to know you more. Anyone who could handle that situation with the kind of grace you did was someone I wanted to know better.”
Wherever Poppy is. That’s where I want to be.
Poppy has such a kind heart and loves deeply. She knows people don’t think the same way she does about horoscopes and crystals, but she doesn’t let that stand in her way!
Keaton, he was adorable. I loved his interest in Poppy and how that initially got him in trouble. But that he saw so much more in her and didn’t just walk away. I loved how much he truly saw her.
Favorite parts
-the first apology dinner
-all the ice cream outings
-holding hands so Keaton doesn’t get “scared”
-the football game 😏
-all the conversations with wrong number guy.
-Poppy standing up for herself
-Keaton’s gift to Poppy.
-Evan and Shay from Jingle Bell Jilt! How Evan gives Keaton a hard time.
Favorite Quotes:
“Poppy, here, is a keeper. You make sure you treat her right.”
Poppy’s face goes crimson. I’m about to give the whole ‘we’re just friends’ speech, before Poppy has to do it, when she surprises me. “Don’t worry, Jim. He’s a keeper, too.” She flicks her eyes over to me, and her face goes a deeper crimson.
I can’t help my smile. She thinks I’m a keeper. Does that mean she’s thinking of me as more than a friend? I squeeze her hand. “Don’t worry, Jim. I realized that almost from the first moment I saw her.”
I shake my head. “First of all, I don’t think we’ve had any bad dates.”
“Sha,” she blurts.
I hurry on. “I mean, there were some unfortunate accidents the first time, but it didn’t make me want to see you any less. In fact, I think if anything, it made me want to get to know you more. Anyone who could handle that situation with the kind of grace you did was someone I wanted to know better.”
Wherever Poppy is. That’s where I want to be.
August 25, 2025
ARC Book Review
The Disasters of Dating
A Novel Written By Mindy Burbidge Strunk
Fiction - Romance
Published August 2025
307 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the sixth and final book in A Love Connections Sweet Romcom Series. This series is six interconnected stories. Each of the six female main characters make an appearance in each book. Many of the characters in the six books are related. They are either siblings or cousins. The cousin text exchange is the highlight in all the books. I’ve enjoyed reading this series.
This book is Poppy and Keaton’s love story. Readers of the first five books know Poppy. She works at the airport newsstand. She is a unique individual with her own style. She reads her horoscope daily and believes in the power of crystals. Poppy and Keaton have a humorous introduction. Keaton is instantly smitten. He finds Poppy’s uniqueness endearing.
There is a bit of a love triangle in this story. A wrong number text leads to a You've Got Mail vibe.
I’m glad Poppy was able to find her happily ever after. I really liked Keaton who embraced Poppy’s uniqueness. The ending is the sweetest!
“Thank you for being a safe place for me to voice my feelings.”
The Disasters of Dating
A Novel Written By Mindy Burbidge Strunk
Fiction - Romance
Published August 2025
307 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the sixth and final book in A Love Connections Sweet Romcom Series. This series is six interconnected stories. Each of the six female main characters make an appearance in each book. Many of the characters in the six books are related. They are either siblings or cousins. The cousin text exchange is the highlight in all the books. I’ve enjoyed reading this series.
This book is Poppy and Keaton’s love story. Readers of the first five books know Poppy. She works at the airport newsstand. She is a unique individual with her own style. She reads her horoscope daily and believes in the power of crystals. Poppy and Keaton have a humorous introduction. Keaton is instantly smitten. He finds Poppy’s uniqueness endearing.
There is a bit of a love triangle in this story. A wrong number text leads to a You've Got Mail vibe.
I’m glad Poppy was able to find her happily ever after. I really liked Keaton who embraced Poppy’s uniqueness. The ending is the sweetest!
“Thank you for being a safe place for me to voice my feelings.”
August 20, 2025
I’ve really enjoyed this summer series and have especially been looking forward to Poppy’s story. Poppy has always seemed so kind and wanting to help those around her, but also a little lost. I loved getting to know her better. She’s a prime example of how there’s more to someone than first meets the eye. Is she still living at home, working at an airport shop, and really into horoscopes and crystals etc? Yes, but when you learn the reasons behind it all, Poppy becomes so much more than what she appears.
I loved her horrible meet cute with Keaton. Can you say worst dinner date? Was it a date? That’s debatable, but the horrible part is not debatable. When a relationship starts so low, it can only get better right?
Keaton and Poppy seem like opposites, but they both are good and kind. I loved watching them open up and get to know each other. While this can be read as a stand alone novel, it’s most enjoyed with the rest of the series.
I loved her horrible meet cute with Keaton. Can you say worst dinner date? Was it a date? That’s debatable, but the horrible part is not debatable. When a relationship starts so low, it can only get better right?
Keaton and Poppy seem like opposites, but they both are good and kind. I loved watching them open up and get to know each other. While this can be read as a stand alone novel, it’s most enjoyed with the rest of the series.
August 3, 2025
Throughout the Love Connections series, there has been one of the cousins that has intrigued me. Poppy, with her love of horoscopes and crystals, is certainly a character that is hard to forget! I honestly wasn't quite sure what to expect when we finally got to her story, but it did not disappoint. There is definitely a lot more to her character than I'd initially expected, and I really enjoyed getting to know more about who she truly was beyond her quirky beliefs. Keaton and Poppy got off to quite a start- and well, let's just say this book was very appropriately titled... their disastrous first official meeting and date had me laughing out loud... and perhaps cringing with secondhand embarrassment as well. But ultimately also had me rooting for these two to get that happily ever after too. It had some 'You've Got Mail' vibes which only made it even more fun! This was such a sweet romance, and a great ending to this fun series!
The Disasters of Dating is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. It is part of the Love Connections series. This is a multi-author series and while the stories are connected- following a group of cousins as they travel to various destinations and find love- I do believe this could be enjoyed as a standalone as well.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
The Disasters of Dating is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. It is part of the Love Connections series. This is a multi-author series and while the stories are connected- following a group of cousins as they travel to various destinations and find love- I do believe this could be enjoyed as a standalone as well.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
August 20, 2025
An entertaining story! Poppy is usually the cheery, optimistic type. After a particularly rough day, she makes a mistake that only adds to her misery. Commence worst first date ever! Keaton has already had his eye on the lovely Poppy. Their first official meeting doesn’t go at all like he’d hoped and their first date is truly a (hilarious) disaster.
Keaton and Poppy are so good together. While seemingly opposites, they compliment and bring out the best in each other. Keaton is a sweetheart! He is thoughtful and loyal — kind of the perfect boyfriend.
I appreciate that this story is clean while still having so great kissing scenes. I give it 3.5 stars.
I received an early copy of this story. This is my opinion.
Keaton and Poppy are so good together. While seemingly opposites, they compliment and bring out the best in each other. Keaton is a sweetheart! He is thoughtful and loyal — kind of the perfect boyfriend.
I appreciate that this story is clean while still having so great kissing scenes. I give it 3.5 stars.
I received an early copy of this story. This is my opinion.
August 24, 2025
One of the best things I like about the author is that how fresh and different all her books are.
I never know what I am going to find in the story and yet I am sure I will love it, and that's what happened with this one too.
Beginning with the (not so) meet- cute, to the disastrous apology dinner (which made me laugh out loud in public), to the ice cream dates, this book made me smile.
Looking forward to the next book by the author.
I never know what I am going to find in the story and yet I am sure I will love it, and that's what happened with this one too.
Beginning with the (not so) meet- cute, to the disastrous apology dinner (which made me laugh out loud in public), to the ice cream dates, this book made me smile.
Looking forward to the next book by the author.
September 1, 2025
This book has everything we love in a feel-good romance: a quirky heroine, laugh-out-loud awkward moments, and just enough swoon to keep you hooked.
Our main girl, Poppy, runs an airport newsstand. She’s smart, a little eccentric, and not afraid to dream bigger than her current life, even if people sometimes think she’s a little too much. Enter Keaton: Mr. Put-Together Businessman who keeps crossing her path as he travels to Utah for work. Their meet-cute is more of a meet-awkward and the apology dinner afterward is a total disaster (somehow it kept getting worse and worse), but instead of running for the hills, Keaton keeps coming back. And honestly, the more he shows up, the harder it is not to fall for him right alongside her.
These two are opposites in a lot of ways—Poppy is boho chic, reads her horoscope daily, and is into crystals. Keaton's polished, reserved, and not exactly the type who believes in horoscopes or signs from the universe. But as Keaton keeps showing up, we see the chemistry between them grow in the most unlikely of places—her little airport newsstand.
I loved that Keaton falls. But he had some work ahead of him convincing Poppy to give him a chance since she doesn't date tourists. While reading their meet-awkward I kept telling Poppy it wasn't going to turn out like she thought it would, but of course, she didn't listen and that apology dinner had me cringing as the disasters kept coming. I loved the text messages between them and Poppy and her cousins' group chat—Better Than Therapy—is one of the highlights of the book.
This is a great way to end the Love Connection series! If you’re looking for a rom-com that’s equal parts quirky, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud disastrous, The Disasters of Dating is it. I received a copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own.
Our main girl, Poppy, runs an airport newsstand. She’s smart, a little eccentric, and not afraid to dream bigger than her current life, even if people sometimes think she’s a little too much. Enter Keaton: Mr. Put-Together Businessman who keeps crossing her path as he travels to Utah for work. Their meet-cute is more of a meet-awkward and the apology dinner afterward is a total disaster (somehow it kept getting worse and worse), but instead of running for the hills, Keaton keeps coming back. And honestly, the more he shows up, the harder it is not to fall for him right alongside her.
These two are opposites in a lot of ways—Poppy is boho chic, reads her horoscope daily, and is into crystals. Keaton's polished, reserved, and not exactly the type who believes in horoscopes or signs from the universe. But as Keaton keeps showing up, we see the chemistry between them grow in the most unlikely of places—her little airport newsstand.
I loved that Keaton falls. But he had some work ahead of him convincing Poppy to give him a chance since she doesn't date tourists. While reading their meet-awkward I kept telling Poppy it wasn't going to turn out like she thought it would, but of course, she didn't listen and that apology dinner had me cringing as the disasters kept coming. I loved the text messages between them and Poppy and her cousins' group chat—Better Than Therapy—is one of the highlights of the book.
This is a great way to end the Love Connection series! If you’re looking for a rom-com that’s equal parts quirky, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud disastrous, The Disasters of Dating is it. I received a copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own.
October 15, 2025
The 6th and final book in the Love Connection multi-author series by @authormindyburbidgestrunk ✈️💛
This was only my second book from Mindy, and funnily enough, my first was about Keaton’s brother—so it was such a treat to see that connection come full circle here!
Poppy was the perfect way to wrap up the series. After catching glimpses of her throughout the other books, I was so pleasantly surprised by how much more depth she had. And Keaton? I loved how determined he was to see the real her, beyond all the stereotypes.
Their dates had me cracking up—I laughed out loud so many times while reading. My only complaint? It ended too soon—I wasn’t ready to say goodbye!
✨ Definitely pick this one up before you dive into your cozy fall reads. You won’t be disappointed!
This was only my second book from Mindy, and funnily enough, my first was about Keaton’s brother—so it was such a treat to see that connection come full circle here!
Poppy was the perfect way to wrap up the series. After catching glimpses of her throughout the other books, I was so pleasantly surprised by how much more depth she had. And Keaton? I loved how determined he was to see the real her, beyond all the stereotypes.
Their dates had me cracking up—I laughed out loud so many times while reading. My only complaint? It ended too soon—I wasn’t ready to say goodbye!
✨ Definitely pick this one up before you dive into your cozy fall reads. You won’t be disappointed!
August 22, 2025
This is one of the books that i will remember for a long time, really liked the story both from the romance aspect to the family ones. I loved that the matter of her relationship with her mom was done in a realistic way and wasn’t rushed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2025
If you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud romcom, The Disasters of Dating delivers exactly what its title promises—hilarious, heartfelt, and delightfully chaotic mishaps in the world of modern dating. From the very first chapter, I was grinning, and by the end, my heart was completely full.
Poppy’s journey through the ups and downs (and disasters!) of dating is as unexpected as it is entertaining. There are so many ways a “meet cute” can go wrong, and this book gives us more than a few of them, each one funnier than the last. The clever use of text messages throughout the story added an extra layer of charm, giving readers an inside look at the witty, relatable banter between Poppy, her siblings, her family, and of course, Keaton—and the mysterious man who keeps her guessing.
Some parts reminded me of the movie Love Again, with its mix of humor, heartfelt moments, and a touch of serendipity. While astrology plays a role in the story (not usually my thing), it was handled in such a light and funny way that it made the romance even cuter. And Poppy’s accidental accent-switching? Hilarious and totally relatable—“cheers, mate!”
Why I Loved It:
• Romantic Comedy Gold: A string of hilariously awkward meet-cute disasters that feel like a romcom in book form.
• Charming Storytelling: The texts and banter give the story a playful, modern vibe.
• Heartfelt Ending: The sweet, fireworks-filled finale was the perfect payoff after all the chaos.
With humor, heart, and just the right amount of chaos, The Disasters of Dating is a delightful romcom that will leave you smiling from beginning to end.
Favorite Quotes:
“Oh my heck”
“I lift my eyes to his. He smiles at me, and my heart thuds in my neck. I know I shouldn’t hope he thinks about me, but I can’t seem to block the thought.”
“I don’t think there’s a single part of that day that I would change, because if I did, it might alter where we are now. And I’m not willing to risk that.”
“Surely no one else is jealous of their own alter-ego. Although do many people actually have alter-egos?”
“I mean, there were some unfortunate accidents the first time, but it didn’t make me want to see you any less. In fact, I think if anything, it made me want to get to know you more. Anyone who could handle that situation with the kind of grace you did was someone I wanted to know better.”
“I liked that you reached for me when you were facing something hard. It made me feel needed and like we had some sort of connection. Even though it was a little awkward.”
“Thank you for being a safe place for me to voice my feelings. Lincoln is—was—one of the only people who understood me. Ever tried to understand me. For the first time in a long time, I felt seen.”
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book, and this is my honest and unbiased review.
Poppy’s journey through the ups and downs (and disasters!) of dating is as unexpected as it is entertaining. There are so many ways a “meet cute” can go wrong, and this book gives us more than a few of them, each one funnier than the last. The clever use of text messages throughout the story added an extra layer of charm, giving readers an inside look at the witty, relatable banter between Poppy, her siblings, her family, and of course, Keaton—and the mysterious man who keeps her guessing.
Some parts reminded me of the movie Love Again, with its mix of humor, heartfelt moments, and a touch of serendipity. While astrology plays a role in the story (not usually my thing), it was handled in such a light and funny way that it made the romance even cuter. And Poppy’s accidental accent-switching? Hilarious and totally relatable—“cheers, mate!”
Why I Loved It:
• Romantic Comedy Gold: A string of hilariously awkward meet-cute disasters that feel like a romcom in book form.
• Charming Storytelling: The texts and banter give the story a playful, modern vibe.
• Heartfelt Ending: The sweet, fireworks-filled finale was the perfect payoff after all the chaos.
With humor, heart, and just the right amount of chaos, The Disasters of Dating is a delightful romcom that will leave you smiling from beginning to end.
Favorite Quotes:
“Oh my heck”
“I lift my eyes to his. He smiles at me, and my heart thuds in my neck. I know I shouldn’t hope he thinks about me, but I can’t seem to block the thought.”
“I don’t think there’s a single part of that day that I would change, because if I did, it might alter where we are now. And I’m not willing to risk that.”
“Surely no one else is jealous of their own alter-ego. Although do many people actually have alter-egos?”
“I mean, there were some unfortunate accidents the first time, but it didn’t make me want to see you any less. In fact, I think if anything, it made me want to get to know you more. Anyone who could handle that situation with the kind of grace you did was someone I wanted to know better.”
“I liked that you reached for me when you were facing something hard. It made me feel needed and like we had some sort of connection. Even though it was a little awkward.”
“Thank you for being a safe place for me to voice my feelings. Lincoln is—was—one of the only people who understood me. Ever tried to understand me. For the first time in a long time, I felt seen.”
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book, and this is my honest and unbiased review.
August 25, 2025
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this Love Connections series. Seeing these delightful cousins find love has been so amazing. Poppy’s story intrigued me from the beginning & I couldn’t wait to dive in. It was fun getting to know the real Poppy underneath all the darling eccentricities.
Poppy manages an airport newsstand while attending college & living at home with her widowed mother. She always has the right crystals for each situation, & depends on her horoscope for guidance. But, there’s a deeper reason why these became her constants. Her disastrous meet cute & sort of date with Keaton had me laughing out loud. Her day started out bad & ended even worse with a black eye to boot!
Keaton’s been attracted to Poppy since he first saw her in the airport. When he finally meets her, it definitely doesn’t go as planned & it seems to Poppy the universe has conspired against them. But, Keaton has a positive spin on all the supposed disasters that befall them. And, while he’s new in town, he encourages Poppy to abandon her rule of not dating tourists as he’s thinking of becoming a more permanent resident. But, a mistake after first meeting Poppy threatens to put a wedge in their relationship when Mr. Wrong Number becomes a bit of a rival.
I thoroughly loved this story & getting to read both Keaton’s & Poppy’s POVs. I enjoyed getting to know the handsome businessman & the kind, thoughtful woman behind the boho skirts. Their opposites attract, slow burn romance was so fun! Poppy’s leery of falling in love while Keaton falls fast & hard. Loved the humorous text messages between Poppy & Keaton, & Mr. Wrong Number. Poppy’s mom’s also been acting strangely, & Keaton’s caught between the needs of his brother’s business & Poppy. I was on pins & needles waiting to see what happened when Poppy unravels all the secrets. I also enjoyed seeing my hometown, & alma mater featured in the story. Go Utes!
While I’m sad to see this series end, Poppy’s story put a fabulous capstone on it & made me want to read all the books again. This book can be read as a standalone but is more enjoyable if you’ve read the other books. Highly recommend! I received an advanced copy from the author but also purchased it in Kindle Unlimited. All opinions are my own & provided voluntarily.
Poppy manages an airport newsstand while attending college & living at home with her widowed mother. She always has the right crystals for each situation, & depends on her horoscope for guidance. But, there’s a deeper reason why these became her constants. Her disastrous meet cute & sort of date with Keaton had me laughing out loud. Her day started out bad & ended even worse with a black eye to boot!
Keaton’s been attracted to Poppy since he first saw her in the airport. When he finally meets her, it definitely doesn’t go as planned & it seems to Poppy the universe has conspired against them. But, Keaton has a positive spin on all the supposed disasters that befall them. And, while he’s new in town, he encourages Poppy to abandon her rule of not dating tourists as he’s thinking of becoming a more permanent resident. But, a mistake after first meeting Poppy threatens to put a wedge in their relationship when Mr. Wrong Number becomes a bit of a rival.
I thoroughly loved this story & getting to read both Keaton’s & Poppy’s POVs. I enjoyed getting to know the handsome businessman & the kind, thoughtful woman behind the boho skirts. Their opposites attract, slow burn romance was so fun! Poppy’s leery of falling in love while Keaton falls fast & hard. Loved the humorous text messages between Poppy & Keaton, & Mr. Wrong Number. Poppy’s mom’s also been acting strangely, & Keaton’s caught between the needs of his brother’s business & Poppy. I was on pins & needles waiting to see what happened when Poppy unravels all the secrets. I also enjoyed seeing my hometown, & alma mater featured in the story. Go Utes!
While I’m sad to see this series end, Poppy’s story put a fabulous capstone on it & made me want to read all the books again. This book can be read as a standalone but is more enjoyable if you’ve read the other books. Highly recommend! I received an advanced copy from the author but also purchased it in Kindle Unlimited. All opinions are my own & provided voluntarily.
August 18, 2025
Before I begin, I would like to thank Mindy Burbidge Strunk for allowing me to read a copy of her upcoming book, The Disasters of Dating, which is part of the multi-author Love Connections series and will be available on Amazon on August 20th, 2025.
Poppy works at an airport newsstand, selling expensive items with flight schedules memorized and the knowledge that most people find her too weird and bright. Add in her love for horoscopes and crystals and people think they got her all figured out. She has plenty of business plans that she’s going to use someday. When she meets Keaton, a successful businessman that actually listens to her ideas, their first meet-cute and following date are a complete disaster. For some reason, Keaton keeps coming back to her kiosk and she likes him more as they continue spending time together. Throw in a mysterious texter that her family swears is a scammer that she forms many inside jokes with, and she doesn’t know who she should choose for her heart. Can the universe send her a sign that leads her to a happily ever after?
This book was fantastic. You have Poppy, a sassy, kind, clever, and beautiful young woman that’s juggling school, work, and people’s expectations and assumptions of her due to her hobbies and clothes. You have Keaton, a smart, charming, considerate, loyal, and handsome young man that works long hours for his brother’s company and does his best to make his mark. The meet-cute disaster was funny and sweet. I loved the interactions between Keaton and Poppy, and it was great to see familiar faces from the previous books in this series. I sympathized with Poppy as people kept drawing incorrect conclusions about her and cheered whenever she stood up for herself and found the confidence to go after what she wanted. Overall, if you like cousin group chats, pretty stones, horoscopes, ice cream, and sweet secret identities / strangers-to-friends-to-lovers romance with low spice, then I would highly recommend this book.
Poppy works at an airport newsstand, selling expensive items with flight schedules memorized and the knowledge that most people find her too weird and bright. Add in her love for horoscopes and crystals and people think they got her all figured out. She has plenty of business plans that she’s going to use someday. When she meets Keaton, a successful businessman that actually listens to her ideas, their first meet-cute and following date are a complete disaster. For some reason, Keaton keeps coming back to her kiosk and she likes him more as they continue spending time together. Throw in a mysterious texter that her family swears is a scammer that she forms many inside jokes with, and she doesn’t know who she should choose for her heart. Can the universe send her a sign that leads her to a happily ever after?
This book was fantastic. You have Poppy, a sassy, kind, clever, and beautiful young woman that’s juggling school, work, and people’s expectations and assumptions of her due to her hobbies and clothes. You have Keaton, a smart, charming, considerate, loyal, and handsome young man that works long hours for his brother’s company and does his best to make his mark. The meet-cute disaster was funny and sweet. I loved the interactions between Keaton and Poppy, and it was great to see familiar faces from the previous books in this series. I sympathized with Poppy as people kept drawing incorrect conclusions about her and cheered whenever she stood up for herself and found the confidence to go after what she wanted. Overall, if you like cousin group chats, pretty stones, horoscopes, ice cream, and sweet secret identities / strangers-to-friends-to-lovers romance with low spice, then I would highly recommend this book.
August 28, 2025
“I’m about to apologize again when something hits me from behind. I hear a male voice apologize to me, but it’s too late. I’ve already lost my balance and I’m falling toward Poppy, pushing her back onto the bench. My hands go on either side of her to brace my fall, but it doesn’t quite stop me in time.
Our faces end up very close. So close that my lips may have grazed hers.
I pause as a trail of tingles travel over my lips. There is no “may” about it. I definitely kissed Poppy.
And I can’t say that I’m disappointed.”
The Disasters of Dating by Mindy Burbidge Stunk is a fantastic book! Poppy and Keaton are so much fun. I absolutely loved getting to know them and to be a part of their journey to a happily-ever-after!
Standout moments:
Buying gum
Their meet cute
Hidden Identity
Grandma Alice and HIM AGAIN
Rambling…so endearing!
Kiss Cam
Keaton Barrington can’t be a visitor any longer.
“I think I rather like being a rogue.”
“You are worth so much more than a favor bank.”
Seriously, the author’s writing style was on point for me. Poppy and Keaton are messy – there is chaos going on in both of their lives and somehow, they are able to ground and balance each other out. Poppy is a huge fan of horoscopes and crystals to help with her moods, and Keaton is just as superstitious with his fortune cookies. I love how Poppy and Keaton work together through their insecurities, doubts, and quite frankly, doubling guessing everything that they say and write because that is so REAL and refreshing. The romance is swoony, the banter is fun, and the emotions are heartfelt in this book. I highly recommend getting your copy today!
I have been a huge fan of the Love Connections series so far, and truly, this book was the perfect ending to this wonderful series. While I hate to see the series end, especially because WHAT ABOUT KADEN??? I can only hope we will see these authors collaborate again. Many thanks for the wonderful adventures!
CW: kisses only, no swearing
Our faces end up very close. So close that my lips may have grazed hers.
I pause as a trail of tingles travel over my lips. There is no “may” about it. I definitely kissed Poppy.
And I can’t say that I’m disappointed.”
The Disasters of Dating by Mindy Burbidge Stunk is a fantastic book! Poppy and Keaton are so much fun. I absolutely loved getting to know them and to be a part of their journey to a happily-ever-after!
Standout moments:
Buying gum
Their meet cute
Hidden Identity
Grandma Alice and HIM AGAIN
Rambling…so endearing!
Kiss Cam
Keaton Barrington can’t be a visitor any longer.
“I think I rather like being a rogue.”
“You are worth so much more than a favor bank.”
Seriously, the author’s writing style was on point for me. Poppy and Keaton are messy – there is chaos going on in both of their lives and somehow, they are able to ground and balance each other out. Poppy is a huge fan of horoscopes and crystals to help with her moods, and Keaton is just as superstitious with his fortune cookies. I love how Poppy and Keaton work together through their insecurities, doubts, and quite frankly, doubling guessing everything that they say and write because that is so REAL and refreshing. The romance is swoony, the banter is fun, and the emotions are heartfelt in this book. I highly recommend getting your copy today!
I have been a huge fan of the Love Connections series so far, and truly, this book was the perfect ending to this wonderful series. While I hate to see the series end, especially because WHAT ABOUT KADEN??? I can only hope we will see these authors collaborate again. Many thanks for the wonderful adventures!
CW: kisses only, no swearing
August 20, 2025
Poppy is the perfect exclamation mark to this wonderful romcom travel series. What an absolute joy of a summer it has been to join the cousin chat and take off with each lady on her own journey and then see them support, advise, and share in a part of each other’s stories as well. It truly has been a masterfully woven multi-author project that I am so grateful to have read.
—
Seatbelts fastened for landing? Here we go!
Poppy Alice Ashcombe is the youngest cousin in the chat, she is sister to Sadie (we see you Amanda P Jones!) and while she works in the SLC International Airport at The Wandering Reader (is someone from the airport reading this? This name is so good!), our dear Poppy never has time to travel herself. This girl has PLANS.
We already know from Sadie’s story that Poppy lost her father at the age of 9, to make sense of the grief and chaos around her, Poppy has found that astrology and crystals have helped her to put her energy into focus and be productive. These have now become her gift to not only herself but to others around her. (NGL I want a gift from her)
This energy pulls frequent traveller Keaton Lincoln Barrington towards her airport stand and while he buys gum to excuse his attention…Poppy mistakes his chapstick habits for shoplifting (haha) and the apology dinner she offers spirals into epic disaster that only can become the start of a great romance…except the universe is bound to pull some punches.
This book is wonderful. Poppy is such a large character and the beauty of this story is that Keaton is a solid character but he doesn’t damper down Poppy. It’s just great to see a supportive guy and how they explore each other and Utah all at the same time.
This connection is one for the ages.
—
Seatbelts fastened for landing? Here we go!
Poppy Alice Ashcombe is the youngest cousin in the chat, she is sister to Sadie (we see you Amanda P Jones!) and while she works in the SLC International Airport at The Wandering Reader (is someone from the airport reading this? This name is so good!), our dear Poppy never has time to travel herself. This girl has PLANS.
We already know from Sadie’s story that Poppy lost her father at the age of 9, to make sense of the grief and chaos around her, Poppy has found that astrology and crystals have helped her to put her energy into focus and be productive. These have now become her gift to not only herself but to others around her. (NGL I want a gift from her)
This energy pulls frequent traveller Keaton Lincoln Barrington towards her airport stand and while he buys gum to excuse his attention…Poppy mistakes his chapstick habits for shoplifting (haha) and the apology dinner she offers spirals into epic disaster that only can become the start of a great romance…except the universe is bound to pull some punches.
This book is wonderful. Poppy is such a large character and the beauty of this story is that Keaton is a solid character but he doesn’t damper down Poppy. It’s just great to see a supportive guy and how they explore each other and Utah all at the same time.
This connection is one for the ages.
August 10, 2025
📚ARC Review 📚
The Disasters of Dating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mercury is about to shake things up for Pisces.
Poppy works at an airport newsstand. She knows peoples flight schedule like their coffee order. Most people think she is too much with her hippy vibes, she’s into crystals and the stars, but she has a business plan. Enter Keaton, the polished business man that listens to her ideas. He’s not her usual type and after their disastrous date, they take it as a hint they wouldn’t be a match. But the universe has a way of bringing them back together. When he keeps stopping by her kiosks, Poppy can’t help but be a little interested in him. But there’s a mystery man, Mr. Wrong Number. The accidental wrong text has turn into jokes and late night check-ins. Now Poppy is stuck between a guy she wants and one she can’t stop thinking about. What will the universe throw her way? Because love doesn’t follow a flight schedule.
This is the sixth and last book in the Love Connections Sweet Romcom multi author series, where we travel to Utah. This one had me laughing out loud at moments. The name of this book sure did fit the Poppy’s dating life. Mercury was not in her favor! Her and Keaton’s relationship has an interesting start and I enjoyed seeing them together. They were perfect for each other. I also like the writing style with the dual point of view and the text message threads. This is a closed door romcom but with great banter and swoon worthy moments. Such a good ending to the series!
This book will publish on August 20, 2025 so be sure to add to your TBR list. Thank you to the author for my advanced readers copy. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.
The Disasters of Dating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mercury is about to shake things up for Pisces.
Poppy works at an airport newsstand. She knows peoples flight schedule like their coffee order. Most people think she is too much with her hippy vibes, she’s into crystals and the stars, but she has a business plan. Enter Keaton, the polished business man that listens to her ideas. He’s not her usual type and after their disastrous date, they take it as a hint they wouldn’t be a match. But the universe has a way of bringing them back together. When he keeps stopping by her kiosks, Poppy can’t help but be a little interested in him. But there’s a mystery man, Mr. Wrong Number. The accidental wrong text has turn into jokes and late night check-ins. Now Poppy is stuck between a guy she wants and one she can’t stop thinking about. What will the universe throw her way? Because love doesn’t follow a flight schedule.
This is the sixth and last book in the Love Connections Sweet Romcom multi author series, where we travel to Utah. This one had me laughing out loud at moments. The name of this book sure did fit the Poppy’s dating life. Mercury was not in her favor! Her and Keaton’s relationship has an interesting start and I enjoyed seeing them together. They were perfect for each other. I also like the writing style with the dual point of view and the text message threads. This is a closed door romcom but with great banter and swoon worthy moments. Such a good ending to the series!
This book will publish on August 20, 2025 so be sure to add to your TBR list. Thank you to the author for my advanced readers copy. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.
August 13, 2025
I have been looking forward to reading Poppy's story. Poppy has appeared in each book in this series giving her often unwanted advice to her family. Poppy is full of life and wants to help everyone. I knew her story would be unique. However, I did not realize just how much fun it would be.
Disaster is putting is lightly, especially the first meeting and then the apology dinner that followed between Poppy and Keaton. I laughed until I cried at all of the horrible things that went wrong. I could honestly see why Poppy wanted to run the other direction. Poppy is convinced the universe is against them, but Keaton is not so sure. He is determined to prove to Poppy that they deserve a second chance to get to know one another better. He is intrigued by Poppy with her quirky personality and adorable ways. He sees something that no one else, even her family, has seen.
Both characters were easy to fall in love with as their story slowly developed. I could not help but see the similarities between You've Got Mail in a portion of this story, which made me one happy camper.
My favorite scene was in one of the last chapters when Keaton sends a very thoughtful gift to Poppy. I swooned with delight while also realizing something that I had already figured out, and that was the fact that Keaton was a keeper.
Every single chapter of this slow-burn romance was entertaining and made me smile quite frequently, that is when I was not laughing. This is the last book in the Love Connections series, and I am going to miss this dynamic family.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Disaster is putting is lightly, especially the first meeting and then the apology dinner that followed between Poppy and Keaton. I laughed until I cried at all of the horrible things that went wrong. I could honestly see why Poppy wanted to run the other direction. Poppy is convinced the universe is against them, but Keaton is not so sure. He is determined to prove to Poppy that they deserve a second chance to get to know one another better. He is intrigued by Poppy with her quirky personality and adorable ways. He sees something that no one else, even her family, has seen.
Both characters were easy to fall in love with as their story slowly developed. I could not help but see the similarities between You've Got Mail in a portion of this story, which made me one happy camper.
My favorite scene was in one of the last chapters when Keaton sends a very thoughtful gift to Poppy. I swooned with delight while also realizing something that I had already figured out, and that was the fact that Keaton was a keeper.
Every single chapter of this slow-burn romance was entertaining and made me smile quite frequently, that is when I was not laughing. This is the last book in the Love Connections series, and I am going to miss this dynamic family.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 20, 2025
The last book in the Love Connection series is full of adventures, surprises and romance! I was excited to read this one, after having the opportunity to read a few books in this series.
Poppy was a lot of fun! I admired her dedication and her plans. She had a vision for her life and found comfort in looking to the universe for confirmation. Despite how many people made assumptions based on her brightness, her love for flowy clothing (which I definitely relate to!), and her love for horoscopes and crystals, Poppy was doing her best to keep moving forward to accomplish her career plans. I loved getting to see her perspective on the cousins and the family. She was more of the baby of the family, and at times she did feel very young. I loved that she was able to open through text messages, it was such a fun addition. Poppy was still figuring out herself and learning to trust people, which made her a bit indecisive at times.
It was sweet to see her relationship with her mom. Even though they were going through a lot of changes, they really cared for one another. I also enjoyed seeing how Poppy’s friendships and familial relationship helped her grow and establish herself.
Oh, Keaton! He made some decisions for sure! He definitely put his foot into his mouth a few times. He and Poppy had some hilarious scenes together! I loved how they were able to get to know one another and how he continued to steadily be there for her. He was so drawn to Poppy. They were adorable together.
This was full of fun adventures and quirky situations. I enjoyed reading it and getting to know Poppy and Keaton.
I received an ARC.
Poppy was a lot of fun! I admired her dedication and her plans. She had a vision for her life and found comfort in looking to the universe for confirmation. Despite how many people made assumptions based on her brightness, her love for flowy clothing (which I definitely relate to!), and her love for horoscopes and crystals, Poppy was doing her best to keep moving forward to accomplish her career plans. I loved getting to see her perspective on the cousins and the family. She was more of the baby of the family, and at times she did feel very young. I loved that she was able to open through text messages, it was such a fun addition. Poppy was still figuring out herself and learning to trust people, which made her a bit indecisive at times.
It was sweet to see her relationship with her mom. Even though they were going through a lot of changes, they really cared for one another. I also enjoyed seeing how Poppy’s friendships and familial relationship helped her grow and establish herself.
Oh, Keaton! He made some decisions for sure! He definitely put his foot into his mouth a few times. He and Poppy had some hilarious scenes together! I loved how they were able to get to know one another and how he continued to steadily be there for her. He was so drawn to Poppy. They were adorable together.
This was full of fun adventures and quirky situations. I enjoyed reading it and getting to know Poppy and Keaton.
I received an ARC.
August 20, 2025
Who knew so many disasters could lead to love?
Poppy is NOT having a good day when she first meets Keaton. The universe seems to be telling her it isn’t meant to be, but she can’t help but feel drawn to him. I loved seeing how she handled the skepticism of others around her interest in horoscopes, crystals, etc. Beneath it all, she’s super smart and super driven, but so many people have written her off over the years, simply for finding something that helped her cope with a major trauma in her life.
I really enjoyed Keaton’s side of the story as well. He feels like he has so much to prove, but he just can’t seem to catch a break. Although I love the penpals trope (think You’ve Got Mail), I don’t usually love when one person knows from the very beginning who the other person is and doesn’t divulge their identity. HOWEVER, it was so well done in this story. The inner battle Keaton has over it really shows that he is trying to do the right thing, even if he hasn’t been completely upfront about everything.
Is it wrong to delight in someone else’s misfortune? Because I found all of the mishaps and mayhem to be hilarious. It was like “well, what disaster is going to befall them in this chapter?” It definitely brought out the comedic aspects in this romantic comedy.
This strangers to lovers, hidden identity, penpal romcom is delightful. Poppy has played a key role in each of her cousins’ love stories and I love that she finally got her own happy ending. Poppy and Keaton’s story is the perfect wrap on the Love Connections multi-author series about a group of cousins finding love around the world.
Poppy is NOT having a good day when she first meets Keaton. The universe seems to be telling her it isn’t meant to be, but she can’t help but feel drawn to him. I loved seeing how she handled the skepticism of others around her interest in horoscopes, crystals, etc. Beneath it all, she’s super smart and super driven, but so many people have written her off over the years, simply for finding something that helped her cope with a major trauma in her life.
I really enjoyed Keaton’s side of the story as well. He feels like he has so much to prove, but he just can’t seem to catch a break. Although I love the penpals trope (think You’ve Got Mail), I don’t usually love when one person knows from the very beginning who the other person is and doesn’t divulge their identity. HOWEVER, it was so well done in this story. The inner battle Keaton has over it really shows that he is trying to do the right thing, even if he hasn’t been completely upfront about everything.
Is it wrong to delight in someone else’s misfortune? Because I found all of the mishaps and mayhem to be hilarious. It was like “well, what disaster is going to befall them in this chapter?” It definitely brought out the comedic aspects in this romantic comedy.
This strangers to lovers, hidden identity, penpal romcom is delightful. Poppy has played a key role in each of her cousins’ love stories and I love that she finally got her own happy ending. Poppy and Keaton’s story is the perfect wrap on the Love Connections multi-author series about a group of cousins finding love around the world.
August 27, 2025
“No, it’s my fault, my horoscope said the universe would throw me some curveballs today. I didn’t realize how many of them would hit me in the face. “One of many of my favorite quotes in this book. Poppy is full of humor and sunshine even when curveballs come her way. She follows her horoscope, astrology and wears crystals that help her navigate her life. Poppy is her own person in how she dresses and acts. I love this part of her character. When she thinks a customer appears to be stealing from her store at the airport, she calls security. It’s all a misunderstanding but Keaton Linclon Barrington finds a way to keep seeing Poppy. Setting ground rules to keep them both safe from disasters, this couple find they are drawn to each other. This is the last of the series of Love Connections where cousins have their own love stories. I truly enjoyed the text messages the cousins share with each other. Cheering each other on with unsolicited advice when they ask questions is a great way of seeing their personalities. Keaton is so nervous around Poppy which causes accidents to happen. He is the one to ask for ground rules, so they are safe when they date. I also loved the connection to another book of Mindy’s, “Jingle Bell Jilt” the story of Evan, Keaton’s brother. The characters as so fun to see how they anticipate the chaos that keeps happening in their lives, but when tackled brings unexpected happiness! I give this book 5 stars! I found myself laughing several times while reading! I highly recommend this book.
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