Plot: Lucy is decided as a girl that she would marry Toby, one of her brother’s friends. There was only one problem – Toby didn’t see her as a young woman ready to marry but as a kid. Fortunately, Lucy has two things going for her: her indefatigable spirit and her brother’s other friend Jeremy, who seems intent on throwing himself between her and her problems anyway. So he can start by teaching her some of the basics of seduction and then help her make Toby jealous. What could go wrong? Shenanigans ensue.
Dare’s formula is in full play here – a playful, juvenile heroine and the Very Serious hero who just wants to take care of her. This reads very much like a Manic Pixie Dream Girl type story, just written from the woman’s perspective. As a Very Serious person who does not feel like she just needs a grown child to take care of to feel valued, this narrative doesn’t tend to work for me. Having said that, Lucy is pretty great as a romance heroine – it is not often we see heroines who are stubborn and difficult and imaginative. A heroine who makes mistakes and apologizes for it. They are usually expected to be a bit more saintly than just a lonely young woman who desperately wants her own family to care for.
There are some funny moments, some sweet moments, and actual work for our couple even after they marry, but I never really bought into their connection. Also I finished it a couple weeks ago and outside of generally being annoyed with Lucy and her brother, I can hardly remember a thing that happened. It can be a light, fun read but it won’t linger in your memory.
The one other thing I’ll say is that I strongly recommend you stick to the book – the audio narration is not great.