A year after being robbed at gunpoint during her shift at the pharmacy, Nichole continues to experience recurring nightmares. The dreams are so vivid that when she shows up for her first therapy session, she feels confident that her self-diagnosis of PTSD is correct. However, it is much more complex; what she walks out with is a myriad of issues to address and no idea where to even begin. A night of over-indulging in tequila at her friend's pre-wedding party leads Nichole to unleash her most secret thoughts in conversation with an annoying, know-it-all stranger. From trivial things like her awful middle name, to more serious ones like her relationship that is more of a 'situationship,' and the fact that she severely detests her job as a retail pharmacist, her confessions to this man reveal just how far into discontent she's fallen without realizing it. Armed with the tasks her patient, but firm therapist assigns her, and with the help of this stranger, who slowly becomes more familiar to her than anyone she knows, Nichole attacks the obstacles in her path with the hope that she can unearth something beautiful.
Enekwa quickly builds sympathetic appeal for both leads, despite narrating the story primarily from Nichole’s perspective and presenting Kam as initially difficult. Their mutual friends, meanwhile, are encouraging but not pushy about getting the couple together, and the pages pulse with lively relationships, memorable dialogue, and an enticing vibe of upbeat cosmopolitanism. The positive characterizations (except for explicit antagonists like Shawn, the non-boyfriend, and Tom, the lazy pharmacy manager) continue through the book, making it easy to believe in and cheer for Nichole’s ability to make things better. Enekwa deftly highlights the cast’s cultural diversity, through conversation and wedding and holiday traditions. Much of the book’s pleasures come from feeling invited into this group.
An emphasis on the details of Nichole’s therapy sessions makes Nichole’s emotional states and growth goals clear, though often her personal growth is charted through exposition rather than dramatic scenecraft. The story glosses over some disagreements between Nichole and Kam, leaving Kam’s internal states a bit mysterious, and many of the conflicts are framed as essentially misunderstandings fixable by developing greater self awareness. Still, Enekwa’s warm, feel-good storytelling will resonate with lovers of light, appealing romances with lovable friends, an interest in personal growth, and more vulnerability than sizzle.
Takeaway: Lovers of romance high in personal growth and low in drama will find this satisfying.
Great for fans of: Talia Hibbert’s Act Your Age, Eve Brown, Beth O’Leary’s The Flatshare.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: B
