4 minute read
HUNT THE STARS by Jessie Mihalik
HOW TO BE A WALLFLOWER
James, Eloisa Avon/HarperCollins (400 pp.) $9.99 paper | March 29, 2022 978-0-06-313953-4
An heiress who wants to be a wallflower becomes a rival and then love interest of an American businessman. Miss Cleopatra Lewis grieves for her late mother but does not aspire to be like her. Julia adored theater and would fall in love, and subsequently sleep, with many leading actors. Cleo, on the other hand, is more business-minded and set on maintaining her freedom and power through her ownership of Lewis Commodes, the business she inherited from her father. Cleo has the opportunity to meet her maternal grandfather, a viscount, for the first time, and he wishes to launch her into London society. She heads to Quimby’s, a costume emporium, for new clothing and ends up becoming a new investor in the establishment, much to the chagrin of American Jake Astor Addison, who’d intended to purchase the place and relocate it to his country when he returned to marry a biddable, calm woman. After some back and forth, Cleo and Jake agree on a wager of sorts that involves each crafting the wardrobe for the other. Jake quickly realizes he is hopelessly smitten, and his goal shifts from wanting ownership of Quimby’s to desiring Cleo as his wife. Lovely descriptions create an evocative setting in this new series opener, although sometimes it’s at the expense of propelling the plot. It takes a while to find its groove, but this low-angst, fashion-filled story with amiable leads still delivers the humor, charm, and historical richness that James’ readers adore.
Like a comforting cup of tea.
THE DACHSHUND WEARS PRADA
London, Stefanie HQN (352 pp.) $15.99 paper | May 3, 2022 978-1-335-63983-7
A reclusive son of Hollywood royalty hires a down-on-her-luck social media consultant to dogsit his late grandmother’s chaotic dachshund. After Theo Garrison lost his famous parents when he was 10, he grew incredibly close to his fabulous and showy grandmother, who raised him. Now, with his gram’s passing, Theo is alone save for his grandmother’s mischievous dachshund, Camilla. He’s at his wits’ end, though, with Camilla proving too much for any dogsitter Theo has been able to hire. Known as “the Hermit of Fifth Avenue,” he’d rather not go out in public if he can avoid it. He blames the relentless paparazzi for the car accident that took his parents’ lives and is wary of being photographed or videoed. Isla Thompson and her teenage sister, Dani, have been on their own for years. When Isla’s career as a social media consultant publicly crashes and burns, she has to scramble for a way to keep the rent paid and her sister in ballet school. Isla has been all but blacklisted in the entertainment industry, but an impromptu photo shoot for her sister’s Instagram account turns into a job opportunity. When Camilla gets loose from Theo during a walk in Central Park, she spectacularly interrupts Dani and Isla’s shoot. Theo is surprised when instead of nipping at the two strangers, Camilla turns into a perfect angel, accepting belly rubs and paw shakes. On a whim and out of desperation, he offers Isla a job. She can give it a month’s trial and stay on after the four weeks, if she wants. Isla’s relationship with the media is the biggest secret between her and Theo, looming like a dark, tense cloud as they get closer to one another. This is an adorable slow-burn romance in which grief and abandonment are balanced by Camilla’s antics, even if they do come at the most inopportune time.
Don’t sleep on this heartfelt romance.
HUNT THE STARS
Mihalik, Jessie Harper Voyager (432 pp.) $16.99 paper | Feb. 1, 2022 978-0-06-305103-4
The captain of a spaceship falls in love with her sworn enemy as they search for a missing ring. Tavi Zarola is the captain of Starlight’s Shadow, and her small crew specializes in bounty hunting and recovering stolen items around the galaxy. Drawn together by a traumatic incident that occurred when they all served together in the military, Tavi and her crew are happy with their shoestring but peaceful existence, one that keeps them firmly out of the limelight. No one is more surprised than Tavi when Torran Fletcher approaches them with a job. He was the ruthless rival general during the war, so why would he ask them to help recover the priceless family heirloom that was stolen from his home? Against her better judgment, Tavi and her team accept the job—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime payout if they can recover the item. Torran’s team joins Tavi’s as they travel to his home planet to investigate. Tavi is surprised by the two crews becoming a cohesive unit, not to mention the strong attraction between herself and Torran. Tavi knows she should be wary of a man with so much power and so many secrets, but their chemistry is impossible to resist. Mihalik’s novel is a carefully plotted, engrossing space adventure with plenty of twists and turns. Tavi is a strong, interesting character who will always take a more difficult path rather than sacrificing her principles. Tavi and Torran are from different classes and cultures, so the conflict between them is richly layered. The combination of emotional, slow-burn romance and rollicking, high-stakes adventure makes for a fun, fast-paced read.
