Emily Henry and her books are quite popular among fans of the rom-com genre. Although I am a reader of light-hearted romantic novels every now and then, it’s not something that I gravitate towards very often. But I decided to give this book a try since I wanted a lighthearted pick after reading some heavy-hitting bangers back-to-back.
This book is all about its protagonists, our lead couple called Nora and Charlie. Rather, the story progresses from Nora’s point of view, it’s her vision of Charlie that gives us a glimpse of her growing closeness with him from day to day, moment to moment.
It’s Nora’s first point of account about her successful life as an established literary agent from New York, how she has arrived at this illustrious station in life, and the people crossing paths with her as she progresses in her cherished career.
Nora’s backstory is a quintessential American Dream achievement tale of rags to riches. She and her sister, Libby, have been raised by a single mother. After the untimely loss of their mother, all they have now are her memories and each other. They reminisce about their mother’s life, how she kept her optimistic spirit alive despite numerous failed attempts at securing a worthy opportunity in acting, her romantic escapades and heartbreaks, her passionate attitude, and unwavering support for her beloved daughters. This comes in much detail through Nora’s narrative, and these memories keep on leaping up from the depth of her heart peppered across the novel. She and Libby have been through tough years in their lives. We come to know how Nora has sacrificed her dream career to secure the financial future for her sister. Although she has brisk mannerisms and a tough exterior, her interior is all mushy with what she has endured early on in her life.
The only thing that is not so perfect in the perfectly planned and balanced world of Nora is her love life. All her lovers have deserted her for better options, skirting from any sort of responsibility of her and, by extension of her sister. Funnily enough, all of these men went away to a small town for some personal or professional errand and found their current love match. According to Nora’s bookish mind, this all is a common trope of romantic novels where a big-city protagonist finds their soulmate in a small town rather accidently.
She is afraid of falling in the same trap as her heart is not ready for any kind of love or its complications when Libby proposes an idea to spend a month in Sunshine Falls after reading about it in a famous novel penned by one of Nora’s most prolific clients, Dusty Fielding. Nora is quite apprehensive about this idea, especially after coming across Charlie Lastra in the local bookshop. She and Charlie have crossed paths before in New York in not-so-favourable professional circumstances. They have preconceived notions and misunderstandings about each other, which are presented humorously by the author. Their high-brow and almost dry banters are scattered across this novel, providing a much-needed comical angle to a story otherwise full of drama and passion.
Yes, there are enough spicy scenes and passionate encounters to make you sweat in a summer breeze. But what proves the author’s writing prowess is the depth provided to all the central characters with strong personas and solid backstories. Thus, it makes a compelling reading even for a reader unfamiliar or uninterested in the rom-com drama world. That’s why it’s a highly recommended read for all those seeking a good story having certain pizzaz leading to a predictable happy ending. Don’t we all deserve a much-needed calm after braving all the storms?