Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Houghton creates a unique meet cute in this debut contemporary romance brimming with heart. Alice Gunnersley is on top of the world, with a job she loves and a penthouse flat in London. Then disaster strikes in the form of an office fire, leading to burns on 40% of her body and landing her in the hospital. There she realizes that, having devoted all her time to her job, there's only one person--her best friend, Sarah--whom she can call on in an emergency. Luckily, the recovery ward is home to a cast of colorful characters who barge into her life, though Alice refuses to let any of them see her, as she's embarrassed by her burns. Alfie Mack, who's recovering from a leg amputation and has appointed himself the ward's Chief Entertainment Officer, is fascinated by Alice--but breaking through her walls requires that he first reckon with his own trauma. Though the story drags on a tad too long, Alfie's enthusiasm is infectious and the romance is sweet. Equally humorous and tender, this tale of triumph over adversity is a moving celebration of the bravery it takes to show oneself to another. Agent: Jenny Bent, The Bent Agency (May)
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