Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Doyle's sensitive yet sluggish debut meanders through a five-year exploration of whether the beats of a rom-com apply to real life. Cynical Hollywood screenwriter Molly Marks is known for writing romantic comedies but, after witnessing her parents' acrimonious divorce as a teenager, she does not believe in real-world happily ever afters. She reluctantly attends her 15th high school reunion in South Florida only to be seated next to her ex-boyfriend Seth Rubenstein, whom she ghosted right before graduation. Seth may be a successful Chicago divorce lawyer, but he's also a big believer in true love. That's why, after they drunkenly hook up, he proposes they wager on which of their classmates will stay together until their 20th reunion. As the months and years pass, Molly and Seth are occasionally thrown together by coincidence and family events. Hopeless romantic Seth knows that Molly is his person, but her fears prevent her from embracing their connection. Seth's devotion is sure to win readers over but Molly, whose issues cry out for therapy, frustrates. The plot's five-year span traverses the Covid lockdown, which Doyle handles with impressive care. Though the narrative sometimes drags, Doyle's winking inclusion of typical rom-com tropes adds some fun as Molly and Seth figure out if they're soul mates. This takes a while to get into, but satisfies in the end. Agent: Sarah Elizabeth Younger, Nancy Yost Literary. (June)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Fifteen years ago, Molly ended a long-term relationship with her high school boyfriend Seth after witnessing her parents' messy, painful divorce. Now that she writes rom-com screenplays for a living, she's even more cynical about love. Seth, now a divorce lawyer, is, ironically, the exact opposite--he can't wait to get married. He hasn't had any luck finding a soulmate though and can't seem to forget the girl who broke his heart in high school. At their high school reunion, Seth and Molly are seated at the same table, and the talk turns to the couples around them. Seth proposes a bet. They'll pick out five couples and predict whether or not they'll still be together at the 20th reunion. As the years pass, their hunches seem to be spot on. But what about Seth's prediction that he and Molly will get together? The plot stretches Molly and Seth's rekindled romance out over the years between reunions, following them through missed chances, crossed wires, and one-night stands as readers wonder if their lives will ever sync up. VERDICT Doyle, who writes historical romance as Scarlett Peckham ("Society of Sirens" series), pens her first contemporary, a unique, sizzling second-chance rom-com with an HEA that will leave readers cheering.--Heather Miller Cover
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Two former high school sweethearts with completely different views on love reconnect at their 15-year reunion. Molly Marks and Seth Rubenstein were very much in love as teenagers, even though they had vastly different personalities. Molly was cynical and jaded from her parents' terrible divorce, while Seth was cheerful and believed in soul mates. But, somehow, they worked…until Molly unceremoniously dumped him at the end of high school. The two haven't talked since, but they end up seated next to each other at their 15th high school reunion, where they discover they're still attracted to each other--even if Seth is now a divorce lawyer, a job that horrifies Molly. They get drunk on too many cocktails and hook up, but Molly knows it doesn't mean anything--she may write Hollywood rom-coms for a living, but she knows happily-ever-afters exist only in the movies. Seth, however, thinks Molly's choice of job means there must be a hidden romantic in there somewhere, and he swears she'll fall in love with him eventually. He's so certain, they make a bet: They must predict the romantic fate of five different couples from their school…including each other. As the years pass, Molly and Seth keep reconnecting, much like When Harry Met Sally but with way more angst (and sex). Doyle, who also writes historical romance under the name Scarlett Peckham, creates a strong, winning chemistry between Molly and Seth. Many of their connections happen at different points during the pandemic, which brings in a bit of realism that never feels too heavy. It's refreshing that Seth is a male romance lead with wide-eyed optimism and a deep desire to start a family, while Molly is the skeptical one who runs from commitment. Even though their would-be romance is thwarted at every turn by other partners, distance, and their own hang-ups, Doyle keeps the story interesting enough--with plenty of zingy dialogue and interesting side characters--that it's always a joy to read. A smart, slightly meta romance that plays out like the best movies. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
