Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley
This novel is set around romance novelist Kara Sullivan. Kara has always loved romance novels, and now has a few of her own. She has a looming deadline for her next one, but is having trouble getting in the groove. She's also very busy helping with the wedding of her best friend Cristina, which is just over a week away. The book opens with Kara arriving at a pre-wedding party. Cristina is there, but her fiance Jason is late, waiting for a couple of groomsmen who are arriving from out of town. When they arrive, Kara is stunned to find that her college boyfriend Ryan is the best man.
Ryan graduated first and moved away, but the long distance now present in their relationship and family pressures on both sides created a situation ripe for miscommunication, and the relationship ended badly and abruptly.
The two have a lot to catch up on, and yet, so many underlying feelings that it is hard to communicate well, just like ten years ago. When Kara gets back home that evening, she finds herself inspired and her writing pours out of her. With financial pressure to get the book in, since Kara has prepaid for a six month trip to Italy, she decides to take advantage of the muse that Ryan seems to be for her, and spend significant time before the wedding in his company. The presences of his adorable bulldog Duke only adds to the fun.
The first part of the story moved quickly, taking place in that week before the wedding, with lots of activity, meals, outings, and encounters. The book then switches to a more leisurely pace as Kara relaxes in Italy, mulling her life and enjoying the company of a lovely man.
I liked Kara and Ryan, and could connect with their occasional emotional outbursts when faced with situations they don't like. I liked how Duke was portrayed, and the little idiosyncrasies that the author gave him. The plot has a few surprises as well.
An enjoyable read.
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