Hey friend,
You’re reading this newsletter because you can’t get enough Love Notes and you want more passion, more story, more romance!
This week we’re diving into Misunderstanding released on March 26, 2024.
Misunderstanding is about a senior PR account manager who finds out the boss’ son—her office rival—has a crush on her. She has to decide whether to pursue a relationship with him or keep things strictly professional.
This story was fun to write.
Our main character does not like the love interest. She never considered him as a romantic partner. She is blindsided when he reveals his feelings to her.
Sometimes we’re so fixed in our preconceptions that we can’t see what’s right in front of us. I love the idea that the male love interest subtly showed interest in her the whole time they worked together, and she just didn’t see it. She couldn’t see it because she was so focused on her job. She doesn’t play games.
Which is great because that’s what the love interest likes about her.
Love should grow from respect. The love interest goes out of his way to show his respect and admiration for the main character. In doing so, the main character starts to respect him too.
This is the origin story of a power couple. Michelle and Barack Obama. Emily Blunt and John Krasinski. Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
There is no insta-love but there is unintentional commentary on nepotism. The love interest is a self-aware nepo-baby. Our favorite kind.
Fun fact: I recorded a video of me reading this story.
Don't look for it. You won't find it anywhere.
Editing the video was too time-consuming—because I made a lot of mistakes and didn’t know what I was doing—so I didn’t post it.
The podcast audio sounds funny because I edited it in the video editing software.
We’re about to discuss this story and the characters in more detail.
If you haven’t, you can read the story here or listen here.
Ready or not…
Here’s what you need to know.
We meet Janie, our main character, at home. She’s pissed because she got all dressed up for an exclusive work event—that she organized!—and the doorman wouldn’t let her in.
She’s taking her anger out on a punching bag when Billy, her rival and co-party planner, knocks on her door.
Billy came to check on her because she missed the very important work event.
They get into an argument where she accuses him of leaving her off the guest list. He says no way, Jose! She was supposed to be his date at this fancy work event.
Billy’s sleazy cousin—AKA the doorman—lied to her for some unknown reason.
(Unknown to them, not me. He’s jealous of his cousin and wanted to ruin his night. Mission accomplished.)
"Yes! He lied! Your name was on the list next to mine, as my plus one!"
Janie shook her head. "You mean the company's plus one-"
"No, mine. My plus one. My date." Billy's stare heated. His breath brushed her face.
"I wanted you there."
After confessing his feelings, Billy tries to kiss Janie. She says oh hell no! It’s not gonna be that easy!
Billy leaves but he’s not giving up.
On Monday, Janie finds a single red rose on her desk with a note—“Just one chance. It’ll be worth it.”
Her nosy assistant, Cindy, sees the rose and Janie confesses it’s from Billy. Cindy is not surprised. Janie finds out that everybody in the office knows Billy likes her. Other coworkers tried to attract his attention and failed.
Turns out Billy is not as much of a playboy as she thought.
Janie rushes to a meeting with Billy and their boss—AKA his dad. Billy covers for her absence from the work party and refuses a promotion so Janie can have her dream job.
When Janie confronts him after the meeting, Billy admits she’s better suited for the role. He asks her out again. Janie decides to give him one chance to impress her.
Billy takes Janie on a date the very next weekend.
If you think he wines and dines her at some fancy million-Michelin-star restaurant, think again. He works in PR. He knows his audience.
Billy takes her to a local UFC fight. He scores front row center floor seats where they’re showered with blood and sweat. Janie’s eyes are riveted on the match. His eyes are fixed on her the entire time.
Afterwards, they go to a small bar. Janie talks his ear off for the rest of the night about MMA stats and fighting techniques. Billy promises to take her to more fights.
She goes sailing with him the following weekend. It’s Janie’s first time on a boat. She pukes all over Billy’s expensive boat shoes. He laughs.
They share their first kiss on the deck of that boat. Pukey breath and all.
After that, they stick to land-based activities. They go on many normal dates—watching movies, visiting wineries, playing mini golf, hiking, etc. Janie even convinces Billy to take a kickboxing class with her.
They don’t tell anyone in the office about their relationship until they’re engaged two years later.
(It wasn’t easy. They had a lot of close calls with Cindy, the nosy assistant.)
By the time they’re married, Janie is a VP at a PR agency in the automotive industry. Billy steps into her old position as VP of Communications. Janie returns to help Billy run the agency when his father retires six years later.
They have 2.5 kids, a beach house in Malibu, and a Shih Tzu.
They live happily ever after.
The end.
Do you ever think, when you're all alone
All that we could be, where this thing could go?
Am I crazy or falling in love?
Is it real or just another crush?
Do you catch your breath when I look at you?
Are you holding back, like the way I do?
'Cause I've tried and tried to walk away
But I know this crush ain't goin' away, yeah, yeah, yeah
Goin' away, yeah, yeah, yeah
Listen to the Love Notes Soundtrack for more end-credits songs.
If you stuck around this long, you’re in for a treat!
Each week I recommend one of my favorite romance novels to binge.
These are top-tier, 5-star, thoroughly vetted recommendations. I have read—and most likely reread—all of these books, and I would reread them.
This week’s recommendation is Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood.
Bee Königswasser just got her dream job leading a neuroengineering project at NASA. The only problem is she has to co-lead the project with her archenemy from grad school. Except he doesn’t hate her as much as she thought. Maybe she doesn’t hate him either.
I love Ali Hazelwood. She is the queen of the oblivious main character/pining love interest dynamic. Her books make me cry in frustration.
Ugh, I want to reread it now.
See you next time with a story about a complicated relationship.
XO,
Rachel
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