Starred review from April 8, 2019
An endearing, klutzy heroine elevates this utterly charming romance by Winfrey (Things Jolie Needs to Do Before She Bites It). Aspiring screenwriter Annie Cassidy yearns for a Tom Hanks–like leading man lover, but her depressing state of Hankslessness seems unlikely to change—even after she learns that a romantic comedy will be filming in her neighborhood. Her subsequent job as the director’s assistant puts her in daily contact with the hunky, albeit annoying star of the movie, Drew Danforth. Spilling coffee on him doesn’t help their relationship, nor does his constant teasing, and yet Annie finds herself drawn to the enigmatic star. She also goes on several dates with a gaffer on the set; supports her BFF, Chloe, through starting a relationship with Nick, who runs the coffee shop where Chloe works; wonders what exactly is going on between her nerdy Uncle Don and a mysterious fellow nerd named Tyler; and tries to develop a screenplay of her own. The chemistry between Annie and Drew is irresistible, and the plot’s many moving pieces add complexity. Chloe, lovable Uncle Don, and the local coffee shop’s colorful characters provide humor and heart in just the right places. Agent: Stephen Barbara, InkWell Literary Management.
May 15, 2019
As aspiring but klutzy screenwriter runs smack into the rom-com situation of her Nora Ephron dreams, spilling coffee on a hunkalicious movie star. Annie Cassidy's mother died when she was in high school, and the movies the two watched over and over during Annie's childhood, Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally, etc., made a lasting emotional impression. As Winfrey's (Things Jolie Needs To Do Before She Bites It, 2018, etc.) title states, she's waiting for Tom Hanks. Almost literally. She hasn't had sex since one mistake in high school, her career consists of writing web content with titles like "The Five BEST WAYS to Unclog a Toilet" and "Is it Expired? What to Keep and What to Throw Out," and her one attempt at blind dating lands her on a date with a couch surfing runner who doesn't drink hot liquids. In a coffee shop. But fortunately a movie shoot is coming to Columbus, Ohio, and her uncle, who has been her guardian since she was orphaned, was college roommates with the Spielberg-level-famous director, so whaddya know, she becomes his personal assistant. Enter leading man Drew Danforth, the hottest man alive, with washboard abs and golden-flecked eyes to prove it. Unfortunately, Annie has read that he's a shallow prankster and misinterprets his kindly jokes when she literally spills coffee all over him during their meet-cute. So there are "obstacles," if they are hard to take seriously, though one involving a gossip site, a missent text message, and a description of Drew's private parts is pretty impressive. Just try to resist falling in love with this guy, who turns out to be fully Hanks-ian. The deluge of rom-com trivia on Annie's path to happiness will send you on a Netflix spree, and there's a great indie music playlist and jokes for D&D enthusiasts sprinkled along the way as well. Calling all girls and women downtrodden by life and love--happiness awaits!
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May 15, 2019
Annie Cassidy spends her days as a freelancer writing content to boost online sales of products including hemorrhoid cream and diaper pails, while secretly writing her own screenplay on the side. Single and obsessed with rom-coms, she is just waiting for her Tom Hanks-inspired man; bonus points if he has a houseboat. When a movie begins filming in her neighborhood, she uses a family connection to get a job on set. The meet-cute she has been dreaming of, however, involves her spilling coffee on heartthrob and leading man, Drew Danforth. A prankster and pratfall expert, Drew is everything Annie is not looking for, but when he starts taking an interest in her, she begins to wonder if she's the star of her very own rom-com. Winfrey's sweet, hilarious novel is full of klutzy and charming characters, heartwarming moments, and laugh-out-loud one-liners. This quick read is sure to delight readers looking for an escape of everyday life, especially fans of Mary Ann Marlow and Helena Hunting.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)