September 23, 2024
This touching and humorous enemies-to-lovers contemporary from Connolly (Fall Back into Me) argues for the power of love to comfort and heal even in life’s bleakest moments. When Madeline Sanderson’s older brother, Josh, dies of cancer, she relies on sarcasm and dark humor to cope with the immeasurable loss—a defense mechanism she has no problem brandishing when reunited at the funeral with Josh’s infuriating (and annoyingly handsome) best friend Dominic Perry, “the man who did an impressively thorough job of breaking heart” at 19. After Josh’s funeral, Madeline looks forward to returning to Seattle, where she can continue happily avoiding Dominic, but her brother’s final wish disrupts her plan: she and Dominic must travel to the eight states her brother never got to visit to scatter his ashes. Though Madeline’s prickly inner monologue and biting dialogue occasionally feel forced, the balance of irreverent humor (to transport the ashes, Madeline buys “the high-quality Rubbermaid on our way here. Only the best reusable storage containers for my brother”) and heartfelt slow-burn chemistry make this a sweet and memorable story of found family. Readers are sure to be moved. Agent: Lesley Sabga, Seymour Agency.
Starred review from March 1, 2025
Growing up, the only relative Maddie Sanderson could depend on was her brother Josh. The next closest thing was her relationship with the Perrys, the family of Josh's best friend Dominic, whom Maddie had a crush on. However, that changed after a night of passion with Dominic turned to sour grapes the following day. Seven years later, Maddie meets the Perrys again at Josh's funeral. To her horror, she discovers that Josh's last request for her is to spread his ashes in eight different states--with Dominic. Karissa Vacker emotively narrates Connolly's (Fall Back into Me) tale of lost and second chances. Her Maddie is a ball of insecurities and sarcastic humor with several pockets of grief. She compartmentalizes her life to avoid getting hurt but doesn't realize how that affects others. Although the novel is told from Maddie's perspective, Vacker expressively narrates the rest of the characters so well that listeners will feel they know their real thoughts. Dominic, especially, has blush-worthy lines that will have listeners swooning. VERDICT The cinematic locales and Maddie's reestablished relationship with the Perrys are fleshed out this slow-burn romance beyond the enemies (in Maddie's mind)-to-lovers trope. Great for all collections.--Anjelica Rufus-Barnes
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