Happy Ending

4 Stars

Know that I am an unabashed Chloe Liese fan. She brought the wonderful Bergmans, and they remain my top fictional family so of course, I was going to want to read her latest creation.

As per the blurb, Thea and Alex were forced to form a rock solid friendship (and fast) when a little white lie snowballs into a fake past relationship of first love to save face in front of their exes. Though they agreed never to fake anything going forward, what evolves over the next two years since their painful divorces is an unbreakable connection that naturally progresses into something more.

There’s just one caveat. When their exes propose a joint summer vacation, this is the impetus for Thea to really take stock of her life and consider going show more after the things she truly wants which is broadening her career and finally admitting her feelings to Alex. Ever present is the age old question of do Thea and Alex dare move beyond the facade of being platonic and thus risk losing each other should they not work out??

This proceeds in the present, taking the time to look backwards, showing how Thea and Alex’s friendship forms into one of a united front, unwavering support, and a meshing of lives. Liese delves into Thea’s inner turmoil and arguments, digging deep into her people pleasing tendencies and her legitimate fears of opening up and actually voicing her needs and wants. In turn, through Thea's eyes, Liese paints a delicious picture of Alex who is not only sexy, thoughtful, self aware, and a great dad but will make you chicken piccata and serve you gelato in the middle of the night as well.

Know that unlike the Bergmans, this story is more subdued, more contemplative. However, anyone looking for a fake relationship, friends to lovers story (with a touch of spice), splashes of humor, a dopey golden retriever, an unhinged territorial bestie, and a fearless 6 year old - all with a huge shout out for a love of books and devouring good eats - will surely enjoy this romantic comfort read at its best.

Overall, despite the lack of dramatics which is enjoyably entertaining in its own right, I appreciated the strengths of this more mature realistic understated story and will continue to impatiently wait for Liese’s next release!

Thank you to the author and Gallery Books via NetGalley for a copy to review honestly show less

I enjoyed this book. The two main characters were interesting. There was the added bonus of a dog and a child, plus food and books, so almost all my favorite things in one story. I did feel like there were a couple of passages that were overly cheesy, the third act break-up was really ridiculous (thankfully it didn't last long) and I feel like the reason behind the invitation to the beach vacation was not at all plausible. Maybe if other people had been invited as well. But those were all minor annoyances. Very fun read.

[rating tweak (down, if anything) and review possibly to come]