[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
Summary
Chelsea Martin discovers her father is engaged when he asks her to meet him, saying it’s urgent. She finds him at a bridal shop. Her twice-married younger sister is completely on board. The fact that the couple met through a bachelor auction two weeks ago is only a factor to Chelsea.
Chelsea’s mom died 7 years ago. At the time, Chelsea was spending a gap year in Europe. As soon as she heard her mom was sick, she dropped everything and went home. When her dad announces his sudden engagement, Chelsea realizes everyone else has moved forward after her mother’s death except her.
So Chelsea takes a leave from her job to go back to Europe. Her plan is to look up the men she fell in love with during her gap year and see if reconnecting with them will help her find herself and her happiness again.
Review
This was fun. I loved the travel as well as the premise of Chelsea trying to find herself or find the person she used to be. There were many laugh-out-loud moments in this, too. That levity was a lovely contrast to the world I find myself in these days.
The story isn’t all light, though. Chelsea is a fundraiser for a cancer charity, so there are characters tied to her work, herself included, who have experienced grief and loss. So there are some heavy, emotional moments in this as well.
Chelsea’s co-worker – and nemesis – Jason Knightley – is probably my favorite character in the whole book. I loved the evolution of Jason and Chelsea’s relationship from the start of the book to the end.
The resolution to Chelsea’s quest was satisfying and wrapped up the book nicely. The journey was fun from start to finish.
McKinlay fans, especially of her romance novels like the ones in the Bluff Point series and the Happily Ever After series, including The Christmas Keeper (♥♥♥♥), should be sure to check this one out. Contemporary romance fans and readers who enjoy books with travel aspects (like One to Watch) or personal quests (like A Dozen Second Chances or My Great Ex-Scape) should check this one out, too. (Language, sex, TW: grief/loss, gaslighting/manipulation in relationships)