Book: In Full Bloom by Lena Hendrix
Reviewed by Desi Disassociates
Rating: 4/5
"He (Ralph) looks like a puppet with anxiety"
To Brody, Kit was always his best friend's sister, and as much as he wishes they could've been more, he always put her squarely in that box because he values his life. Kit has always had a secret crush on her brother Hayes's best friend, but knows that there's no way he'd ever feel the same way, no matter how much she fantasized about it.
When Kit sees how unhappy Hayes seems to be in his life, she wants to try to find a way to make him a little happier and decides to download a new dating app, Meet Cute, and creates a profile for him. The premise of the app? Agree to bump into each other in specific places around town, but not agree to message on the app until you both agree you hit it off. In trying to play matchmaker, Brody stumbles upon Kit and gets brought into the plan convinced it's bound to blow up in both of their faces.
When they're about to get caught by Hayes, Brody announces that he and Kit are dating to cover their butts and explain why they're spending time together. So fake dating? That should be easy for the two of them, right? OF COURSE NOT. The more time they spend with each other "for the ruse" the harder it is for them to avoid their hidden feelings.
The mutual yearningggggg in this one, good LORD. It was so good. I love this small town vibes in this book because everyone was in everyone else's business, but that also meant that Brody and Kit already had a great foundation of years of friendship to fall into their fake dating scheme. The two big dummies not realizing they both felt the same way while everyone around them was just waiting made it all so satisfying.
I also have to hand it to Lena. The comedic relief by way of Ralph's antics had me giggling throughout. I love a book where a pet essentially becomes an additional main character, and the way they referred to him as "our son" just warmed my heart. I want that one day for my pup!!
But seriously, I really liked this book and the audio was also top notch.