[ARC Review] Hang the Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur
Annie has some big life changes coming her way, so before she packs up her life and moves to London she flies to Seattle to surprise her best friend, Darcy. The problem? Darcy is currently on vacation out of town with her girlfriend, Elle. Enter Brendon, Darcy’s little brother who hasn’t seen Annie in eight years but harbored a huge crush on her way back when. Of course Brendon is more than happy to entertain Annie for a few days until Darcy gets back into town. And of course Brendon, the creator of the dating app One True Pairing, is more than happy to prove Annie wrong when it comes to her negative associations with the idea of love. Through a series of grand, romantic gestures taken right out of the biggest rom-com scripts, Brendon shows Annie that love doesn’t have to end in heartbreak. And maybe, just maybe, Annie starts to believe in special someones and happily-ever-afters.
A follow-up from the 2020 debut Written in the Stars, Hang the Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur is exactly what I love to see in contemporary romance. There was humor and fantastic give and take between Annie and Brendon. There were big, grand gestures that somehow seemed less corny on paper than on the big screen. And probably my favorite part: there was a man who openly admitted his feelings, wasn’t shy about showing emotion, and was just as broken and torn up over losing someone as the woman. A heterosexual man with feelings and emotions is sadly still lacking in much of today’s romance, so Brendon was such a welcome character. I loved the main and supporting characters in this story. Annie is relatable, working at a job that pays the bills but isn’t her passion. She’s been stood up and let down in the past, and her heart and brain are at odds over whether to take a chance on finding true love with Brendon. She doesn’t picture herself going for the big, romantic gestures and moving across the country just for love is definitely a big, romantic gesture. Brendon is usually overly romantic, the kind of fictional character that still manages to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, but he also had some terrifically dirty moments that can make you feel warm for a completely different reason. The supporting characters, all making a return appearance after Written in the Stars, are great to see back as well. Darcy plays a big role in both Annie and Brendon’s life, and she has come a long way since the first book. I loved seeing this Darcy: the best friend, the girlfriend, the sister. While Darcy was a bit stiff at times in the first book, she’s definitely loosened up a bit now that she’s found love and is back together with her best friend. Elle returns as her usual, bubbly self, and her astrology partner Margot makes several appearances as Brendon’s new friend and confidant (and now I really can’t wait for the next book!). Overall, this was a sweet romance, filled with hope, the will to overcome past heartache, and the belief that everyone can find their One True Pairing.
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