The novel’s first half is squarely a romance, showing how the leads came together: when Alex phones Charles after their first meeting, a mixup has him expecting a business contact on the line, so he answers “Hello you nasty, SOB”! This upbeat courtship is offset by a cast of eclectic, well-rounded characters—Papagni has done a great job of building a robust world and ecosystem around her leads that supports them and lends their lives credibility. Deeper in, though, the plot thickens and the mystery and suspense elements become prominent, involving the SEC, a stalker, a break-in, and a murder. Meanwhile, Charles faces temptation—and this hard declaration from Alex: “I need to know if you have broken the law and what other shoe is going to drop.”

Readers, too, will be anticipating the drop of those shoes, and some of the plot twists strain credulity. But overall, there’s a lot to enjoy in this novel full of conversations, friendships, and a mystery, all of which are dealt with an airy touch, imbuing the material with an inviting lightness despite some darker themes. Lovers of romance and family dramas will enjoy this book which is both endearing and easy to read.

Takeaway: An endearing, fast paced romance with a Boston businessman turns suspenseful.

Great for fans of: Linda Howard’s Mr. Perfect, Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Forever, Interrupted.

Production grades
Cover: C
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A-