June 3, 2024
This cute contemporary from Williams (Our Stop) revels in the ever-popular trope from which it takes its name. Flo Greenberg has had a monster crush on her brother’s best friend, Jamie Kramer, forever—but after some heavy-duty flirting last Christmas, she found a note from Jamie saying they shouldn’t pursue a relationship. Humiliated, Flo has tried to keep an icy distance between them ever since. This proves difficult, however, as after the death of Jamie’s parents a few years before the start of the book, he’s become a de facto member of the Greenberg family. Indeed, when her parents arrange for a two-week family vacation in Greece, Jamie tags along. Much awkwardness—and sexually charged hostility—follows, with both Flo and Jamie believing they weren’t wanted by the other. The situation is exacerbated by Flo’s protective family members who worry for her mental health after a nervous breakdown years before. When the truth comes out about what exactly happened at Christmas, it may shatter the familial peace for good. Williams creates appealing protagonists and a colorful supporting cast, painting the Greenbergs as competitive and quick to tease—and perhaps a bit too eager to stage-manage one another’s lives. Add in a scenic Greek setting, and this charming tale will please any rom-com fan looking for an armchair getaway.
June 1, 2024
When Flo's family decides to take a summer vacation in Greece, she is excited for the break and grateful for the time to renew herself in both body and mind. What Flo does not expect is for Jamie Kramer, her brother's best friend (and her crush who humiliatingly rejected her in the past), to show up as an unexpected guest on the trip. She is forced to figure out how to manage being stuck with this most irritating, arrogant, and undeniably gorgeous man whom she now detests. Avoiding him doesn't work out, with all the family outings, dinners, and close quarters, so Flo decides the best cure for unrequited love is exposure therapy. Getting to really know Jamie will surely snap her out of her lingering, unwanted crush--right? VERDICT With a delightful mix of comedy, loathing, attraction, and seduction, Williams (Just for December) offers an entertaining and engaging romance and endearing characters. Highly recommended for readers who appreciate contemporary romances with second chances, overbearing families, and secret crushes.--Bridgette Whitt
Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
August 1, 2024
An academic and her brother's best friend reconnect on a family holiday. Two years ago, while working on her Ph.D. in English, Florence Greenberg was overtaken by anxiety and imposter syndrome, forcing her into a monthlong hospital stay and a brief medical leave from her studies. But after time and consistent therapy, Flo is ready to stop being treated like glass--she wants to let loose. And what better way to bring her soul to life than by leaving gray Scotland for a two-week family vacation in Greece? Holiday Flo is in full swing, tanning and drinking aperitivos at the villa, and she's even successfully blocked out her brother's constant nagging. But Flo's vacation-induced calm disintegrates when her brother's best friend--and her own lover turned enemy--joins the group. Unbeknownst to their daughter, Flo's parents had included Jamie Kramer in their annual Greenberg vacation plans. Shortly after her breakdown, Flo and Jamie almost got together...only for him to abruptly slip a note under her bedroom door dismissing their fling. Now, Flo is forced into close proximity with Jamie for two weeks with nothing to console her still-raw heartbreak except her utter hatred of him. Can Flo make it through the Greenberg summer holiday in one piece? Can closeness actually make the heart grow fonder? Williams' latest romance is set in an enviable Mediterranean locale, though Flo's family dynamics and juvenile brothers often disrupt the serene setting. Given an inordinate amount of accidental flashing, fart jokes, TikTok humor, and note passing, it's hard to believe these men are renowned lawyers, academics, and soon-to-be fathers. Even the title is a bit exaggerated, as Jamie and Flo behave less as enemies and more as petulant teenagers. Their budding relationship offers little in the way of grand romance, but it serves enough drama and spice for a breezy beach read. A quick romance that falls short in substance.
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