The sea wind is just what Kate needs to finally relax and begin to let go of her past. Except she’s suddenly got one big reason to panic! She RSVP’d ‘yes’ to the Queen Bee of her high school’s wedding saying she’s bringing her boyfriend (she doesn’t have one) who looks just like Ross Poldark!
With only two weeks to find the Poldark look-alike of her dreams Kate is under a lot of pressure for the Cornish coast to deliver…(Pub Date: Jul 28, 2016)
Review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley.
Kate receives an unexpected call from her school-days frenemy and catches herself making up her ideal boyfriend before knowing the consequences. Now she has been invited to a wedding and her non-existing soulmate is to be her plus one. While frantic in her search for someone to play the part, she goes South with a friend to a resort where she will meet one too many candidates while helping out the owners rebrand the place.
This book has slow development and weak plot but great characters. I expected something more exciting from the exclamation marks in the summary but for about 20% the plot feels all over the place. Indeed, I had fun in that portion with Kate's situation and bizarre turnouts to her pursuit. Still, I wondered whether the story would ever start.
Despite the initial apparent lack of planning, she reaches the resort and we finally discover her problem: she finds her perfect plus one but also someone who's far from perfect and still manages to swoon her. However, the focus isn't on the love triangle, but on the adversities faced by the resort where she is, and the urge Kate feels to help.
While I also felt happy to see how Kate's plans could actually make a difference, a part of me couldn't help thinking how far-fetched that plot was. I appreciate the author not wasting time angsting over who Kate should choose—this went smoothly, if you're one to roll eyes to love triangles. Still, the resort renewal happening basically due to Kate's pitches was hard to believe.
Moreover, the plot twist was more than expected, it was too obvious. On the other hand, I was glad it didn't take long for the characters to notice the truth.
Even though the plot turned out convoluted and somewhat superficial, this story wins you on characters and details. The author knew to built humane characters with both flaws and qualities, even when she could have just gone the archetypal route.
Albeit some immaturity making her sound a bit too naive at times, Kate is a protagonist who felt so real I wondered how much from personal/friends experience the author imbued in her. The manner she deals with her past relationship just broke my heart. And Tremain, poor guy! Each new face soon acquired a color of their own, and I was even pitying the bad people in the end.
This story also brings up good themes for a book club or something sorts, notably on how to get over bad situations.
Summing up, this is for real who are in for the characters—you'll fall in love with them. Although the story isn't your ordinary romance book, I feel that is the audience it appeals most to. Additionally, despite Kate's young age, themes of loss and starting over make this a story enjoyable to most—if not all—ages.
Rating: 3 out of 5
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