An online relationship, a food truck competition, and dreams on the line. It was definitely a plot line that caught my interest.
I have to admit, the format of this plot was fun. Amant's plan to have her characters meet in converging relationships under pseudonyms online and as competitors at the local food truck competition made for an interesting contrast. The online chats allowed the characters moments of vulnerability that really helped reveal them to each other and readers while the in person segments added the drama and tension one comes to expect in this genre.
The characters, overall, were interesting. Amant really seems to have a heart for building characters who feel earnest and real. Rather than just making Rory quick tempered and unsure due to plot convenience or gender stereotype, I appreciated how Amant took the time to layer them in through Rory's experience with her losses in life as well as her complicated relationship with her father and his words effect on her worth and confidence. Anchored characters just feel so much more real and Rory's whole personality was well thought out and executed, making for an enjoyable main character.
While I should also point out Jude as an example of this Hannah was a stand out character for me that bears more of a mention. As a disabled person, reading about disabled characters often makes me wary. Too often writers get lazy with disabilities leaning into demeaning inspirational stereotypes or one dimensional plot points. I appreciated that Amant took the time to leave stereotypes behind and give readers a character who was insightful, kind, and had some great interaction with the plot. Not perfect but still a great character.
The plot itself reads a little (or more than a little) like a Hallmark movie. While not my usual type of read it was still fun, easy to follow, and had the expected happy ending.
One of my biggest issues with this book was the pacing and flow. The ending felt so rushed in its resolution, like a sitcom episode trying to rush into its 23 minutes time frame. So much build up on establishing Rory and Jude's hurts, dreams, and expectations to have them resolve in such a quick and neat manner felt counter to their personalities and trauma. While I can appreciate the desire for such an ending in the genre, it just felt like it ignored a lot of Rory's character in particular.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Book was provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. and Baker Publishing Group.
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