The “What-If” Guy by Brooke Moss
Synopsis:
What would you do if your “what if” guy showed up at the lowest point of your life?
(Autumn Cole clocked hers with an encyclopedia.)
After losing her job at a swanky Seattle art gallery and finding out her father has been hospitalized, single mother Autumn Cole reluctantly returns to her tiny hometown of Fairfield, Washington, to put the pieces of her life back together.
Her disgruntled twelve-year old son isn’t thrilled about going from hip to hick, but Autumn’s got it worse. She resumes her role as the daughter of the town drunk, promptly facing a crisis with her father that’s been decades in the making.
Running into Henry Tobler, and nearly breaking his nose, is almost more than she can handle, but can rediscovering love-and herself-with her “what if” guy teach Autumn to forgive before it’s too late?
I am fortunate to be part of the blog tour for Brooke Moss and her novel The “What-If” Guy. I really enjoyed this book. It only took me a day to read it. I curled up and was drawn into the small-town life of Fairfield and the goings-on of Autumn. She has had to give up everything, having lost of her job and because of her father’s illness. She returns to the town she grew up in and there finds the man she has always loved yet gave up many years ago. Is this the chance she needs to get him back?
I liked Autumn – she was clumsy and caring. I laughed every time she clocked Henry with an object! She seemed realistic and was easy to read. I empathised with her and found myself wanting to know her! I felt for her as she watched her father decline and her son deal with bullying. I liked Henry too – her “what-if” guy – he was a likeable teacher who looked out for his students. My problem with him was that he wouldn’t make up his mind – one minute kissing Autumn, the next avoiding her. It was frustrating and mildly irritating!
This is a book that looks at sensitive issues too – it isn’t just a romance novel. Brooke was sensitive about alcoholism and bullying. She was realistic but gentle. It was enlightening but heart-breaking. I loved this added detail to the story – it gave it depth and added to the story.
I found this an enjoyable read and will be looking out for more books by Brooke.
Coming soon: a character interview with Henry!
Author information:
Brooke writes complex, character‐driven stories about kismet, reunited lovers, first love, and the kind of romance that we should all have the chance at finding. She prefers her stories laced with some humor just for fun, and enough drama to keep her readers flipping the pages, and begging for more! When Brooke isn't spinning tales, she spends her time drawing/cartooning, reading two books a week (ask her who her faves are), watching movies then comparing them to books, and, of course, wrangling four kids, one hubby she lovingly refers to as her "nerd", and attempting to conquer the Mount Everest of laundry that is the bane of her existence.