Hi Librarygoer!
It’s been WAY too long since I posted a dedicated book review, so today I’m going to fix that.
The book I’m talking about today is a contemporary romance + romcom so if anyone in publishing is paying attention, readers are still interested in contemporary romance stories!
Today’s contemporary romance is by an autobuy author of mine that’s always great for a laugh and a bit of introspection. You’ll get a couple down bad for each other, even when they’re too afraid to admit it to one another. Plus a little touch of forbidden romance.
The book? The Re-Do List by Denise Williams.
I had the pleasure of running into her at Love Y’all this past weekend where we happened to be twinning in red … perfect Willow energy!
Happy Reading!
-Aleia
Thank you for supporting diverse romance books. I’m so grateful to have you here! To support my work, please subscribe for free or upgrade to a paid membership so I can buy the coffee and books that fuel my recommendations.
If You’re Into These Tropes, Keep Reading
Synopsis
After a very public/viral breakup, Willow Moore realizes she’s spent years building a life that didn’t actually belong to her. So she does what any woman determined to reclaim her story would do—she makes a re-do list.
Think: experiences she skipped, risks she never took, and moments of joy she’s ready to choose for herself this time.
Enter Deacon Alvarez, her brother’s best friend and the very reluctant chaperone assigned to keep an eye on her. Helping with the list was supposed to be harmless…until HE FALLS FIRST. As chemistry sneaks in and the clock on Willow’s temporary stay winds down, both are forced to ask whether this is just a reset—or the love neither planned for.
Why I Loved It
Denise Williams has a new book, no one is allowed to bother me!
Denise Williams is a go to author I save for an emotionally rainy day. I know that the pages will make me giggle and smile and will eventually be too hot to handle!
This was a big on the introspection low on the unsurmountable stakes kind of read which was perfect for the insanely long 517 days of January.
Willow and Deacon are a joyful pair. Willow is whimsy where Deacon is a big jokester. The other characters in the book, including their dogs and wide cast of friends, complement their jovial dispositions. Everyone is pretty happy—besides their secret anxieties, suppressed feelings, and everything that makes mid-twenties adulting hard. I appreciate the upbeat nature of this book alongside the sensitive handling of deeply personal topics.
When we meet Willow, she’s going viral for begging her boyfriend not to break up with her and then falling in a fountain. She goes so viral that in addition to being newly homeless, she lived with said boyfriend, she moved states. She moves into her brother’s house in Iowa while he’s deployed. The house comes with an adorable, well-trained dog and his best friend, Deacon (and his less well-trained dog) as a neighbor.
Her brother makes Deacon swear to leave her alone because Deacon has a history of promiscuity. Only Deacon is infatuated with Willow from moment one. They are really good for one another, quietly pushing each other to face the realities, fears, and goals that are easier to hide from.
This is a beautiful escape from ::gestures wildly:: and an absolutely beautiful read about starting over and doing hard things.
Aleia’s Library is a coffee-fueled publication. To receive new posts directly to your inbox, please consider becoming a subscriber … or buying me a coffee.
Do you love a brother’s best friend romance? Tell me your faves!
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.