Just Haven't Met You Yet

June 1, 2021

In Balogh's latest Westcott Regency, irascible Justin Wiley, Earl of Brandon, has the decency to take responsibility for half-sister Maria when her mother dies, inviting her friend Lady Estelle Lamarr to accompany Maria to Everleigh Park, where family secrets crack open and the earl finds himself attracted to Someone Perfect: Lady Estelle. In Guild Boss, New York Times best-selling author Castle again escorts us to the earth colony Harmony for another futuristic paranormal romance fling. In Cousens's Just Haven't Met You Yet, Laura picks up the wrong suitcase at the Channel Islands airport while on a business trip, then hunts for the owner with romantic notions--the suitcase included piano music, her favorite book, and a cool fisherman's sweater--with the help of a cranky cabbie who has charms of his own. Evans returns with another Christmas Promise, featuring a love and faith thought lost restored by the true spirit of Christmas (200,000-copy first printing). In the New York Times best-selling Graves's Heard It in a Love Song, newly divorced music teacher Layla recalls her golden days as lead singer of a bar band and falls into happy conversations with the newly separated dad of one of her students, though both are wary of new love (75,000-copy first printing). Next in Ward's "Prison Camp" series, a Black Dagger Brotherhood spin-off set in an underground prison housing murderers and thieves, The Wolf opens with second-in-command Rio saved from death by a lupine creature with golden eyes (150,000-copy first printing). In canine celebrator Wilson A Dog's Chance, Madison helps both her troubled 14-year-old daughter, Abbie, and 75-year-old Arthur by having Abbie help train Arthur's energetic new golden retriever puppy (35,000-copy first printing).

Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 6, 2021
A lifestyle reporter known for interviewing couples about how they met yearns for a meaningful relationship of her own in this appealing but slow-moving rom-com from bestseller Cousens (This Time Next Year). Laura Le Quesne wants a meet-cute like the one her late parents had: her mother found half an antique ha’penny and traveled to the Channel Islands to reunite it with its mate, owned by Laura’s father. When Laura’s editor hears this tale, she sends Laura to Jersey to retrace their steps and write up their story. After her flight, Laura discovers that she accidentally swapped suitcases with a stranger—and, noticing the rom-com potential of this mishap, prays the handsome man she bumped into on her flight is the one who took her luggage. She sets out to track him down with the help of quirky, bearded taxi driver Ted. As Laura’s misadventures escalate, Ted listens patiently to her romantic flights of fancy and lends a shoulder when she learns some uncomfortable truths about her parents’ relationship, leading Laura to reevaluate what she’s looking for in love. While Laura’s meandering becomes repetitious and she can come across as self-involved, moments of humor and poignancy keep the pages turning. Fans of Sophie Kinsella and Josie Silver will find plenty to enjoy.

September 24, 2021

The protagonist of Cousens's (This Time Next Year) latest is Laura, who always asks couples about their meet-cute stories, hoping to hear one that rivals that of her parents and wishing all the while for a romance of her own. She decides to visit the site of her parents' first meeting and finds that the story she's long held dear might not have been true. Pressing on, Laura is convinced that a suitcase mix-up will end with her own happy-ever-after. By mere happenstance she's led around by a gruff cab driver, Ted, to whom there's more than meets the eye. VERDICT At times heartbreaking, and incredibly hopeful Cousens's delightful read is a sweet romance that gives its protagonist the freedom to grow as a character. Readers of Jill Mansell or Mhairi McFarlane will definitely enjoy.

Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 1, 2021
A woman travels to the Channel Islands to chase down the story behind her parents' epic romance only to get involved in a complicated love story of her own. When it comes to romance, Laura knows what she wants: a sweeping, fated love story like the one her parents had. Although her father died when she was young and her mother passed away two years ago, she impulsively pitches a story about their romance to her hard-to-please editor at a lifestyle magazine and gets the go-ahead to travel to Jersey and write about the ultimate feel-good meet-cute. But upon arriving, Laura ends up accidentally taking someone else's black suitcase off the luggage carousel. It might be a disaster...or it might be fate, given that the suitcase contains a copy of Laura's favorite book and sheet music for songs by her favorite artist (Phil Collins is an unusual pick for someone in their 20s, but he was Laura's dad's favorite). Maybe the owner of the suitcase is actually her dream man, and maybe this is the real story. But Hot Suitcase Man proves hard to track down, and Laura finds herself spending most of her time with Ted, the gruff cabbie who drives her around the island. Even though she initially nicknames him Beardy McCastaway, he seems more interesting (and attractive) as time goes on. And when she ends up getting to know his family (including his delightful father, Gerry, who has Parkinson's disease), she feels instantly at ease. Laura must decide what kind of love story she's really looking for--one that's written in the stars or one that's right in front of her. Cousens creates a world full of lovable characters who are all trying their best to be happy despite life's many obstacles. Laura's quest to find out more about her parents is compelling, but Ted's journey to sort out his own life while helping Gerry move into an assisted living facility is equally poignant. Although all the characters are dealing with their own hardships, Cousens imbues the entire story with an uplifting sense of hope. As Laura's aunt Monica puts it, "Maybe life's more about carving out happy chapters than finding a single happy ending." The Jersey setting creates a cozy, wind-swept background to the deliciously slow-burn romance. A warm, witty, and absolutely charming seaside holiday that's perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.