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A review by brooksie03051
Not Exactly a Small Town Romance by JJ Knight
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance by J.J. Knight
(Release Date October 22, 2024)
Kelsey Whitaker is a young woman from Alabama who left the family farm to break into Hollywood. When that didn't work out, she became a casting assistant to a boss nicknamed the Demon (think Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada). She is the best in the business with her love of Rom-Coms and knows what to look for. She can find the perfect chemistry for actors to work together and make hot movies that do well at the box office. She doesn't however have the same talent to find her own perfect match and has been single for years. She comes up with a plan while the She-Demon is away at Cannes, but her BFF co-worker doesn't want her to do it alone. He's had to be her wing-man in the past and get her out of tricky situations causing him to intervene and bloody his hands. There is no way he will let her drive off for the summer on this adventure alone.
Zachery Carter aka Kelsey's wing-man is a known blockbuster actor (over a decade ago) and in Kelsey's eyes is perfect in every way. Although his acting career didn't last, he was smart with the money he made when he was big and still has some connections even though they don't get him work, he can help make them look good. He also works at the agency to schmooze actresses and be "that guy" on their arms at public events because he is still famous and great to look at. He and Kelsey have grown close in the two years she's worked at the agency. They know each other like no one else, and he will not sit back in California worrying about Kelsey traveling across the country by herself to find her perfect real-life rom-com boyfriend.
With all her meet-cute rom-com knowledge, Kelsey is sure she will run into the perfect small-town dream of a man on her cross-country drive to visit family in Alabama. It happens so easily in the movies, so why can't she do it too? What she doesn't realize is her gorgeous best friend who she has secretly smoldered for also is into her and although he pushed her to try and meet someone thinking he is too old for her, he regrets it because he only wants her to be with him. Trying to take the high road thinking it's best for her, he tries to convince himself it's the right thing to do encouraging her to meet Mr. Right, but it is secretly killing him inside. He will endure almost anything to make her happy, even if it rips his heart out.
This was a cute contemporary romance with all the things. Secret love, jealousy, touch her and I will knock your lights out, family drama, a little spice, and everything nice. It was a fun read and I enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Kelsey Whitaker is a young woman from Alabama who left the family farm to break into Hollywood. When that didn't work out, she became a casting assistant to a boss nicknamed the Demon (think Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada). She is the best in the business with her love of Rom-Coms and knows what to look for. She can find the perfect chemistry for actors to work together and make hot movies that do well at the box office. She doesn't however have the same talent to find her own perfect match and has been single for years. She comes up with a plan while the She-Demon is away at Cannes, but her BFF co-worker doesn't want her to do it alone. He's had to be her wing-man in the past and get her out of tricky situations causing him to intervene and bloody his hands. There is no way he will let her drive off for the summer on this adventure alone.
Zachery Carter aka Kelsey's wing-man is a known blockbuster actor (over a decade ago) and in Kelsey's eyes is perfect in every way. Although his acting career didn't last, he was smart with the money he made when he was big and still has some connections even though they don't get him work, he can help make them look good. He also works at the agency to schmooze actresses and be "that guy" on their arms at public events because he is still famous and great to look at. He and Kelsey have grown close in the two years she's worked at the agency. They know each other like no one else, and he will not sit back in California worrying about Kelsey traveling across the country by herself to find her perfect real-life rom-com boyfriend.
With all her meet-cute rom-com knowledge, Kelsey is sure she will run into the perfect small-town dream of a man on her cross-country drive to visit family in Alabama. It happens so easily in the movies, so why can't she do it too? What she doesn't realize is her gorgeous best friend who she has secretly smoldered for also is into her and although he pushed her to try and meet someone thinking he is too old for her, he regrets it because he only wants her to be with him. Trying to take the high road thinking it's best for her, he tries to convince himself it's the right thing to do encouraging her to meet Mr. Right, but it is secretly killing him inside. He will endure almost anything to make her happy, even if it rips his heart out.
This was a cute contemporary romance with all the things. Secret love, jealousy, touch her and I will knock your lights out, family drama, a little spice, and everything nice. It was a fun read and I enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.