R S Jonesee is a prolific author of popular romcoms, and this most recent tale set in the idyllic rural Friendly, Indiana. Love you a Latte is her best so far for me.
Rachel Ranney is building a new life for herself and her young son, Cody, after divorcing her cheating husband and then having to fight her wealthy in-laws for custody of her child following the death of her ex. With the loving and practical help of her family, she’s getting there, slowly. But it’s a battle, and she has no time to focus on anything other than her son and her fledgling, heavily in debt, coffee and bookshop business. Certainly not romance.
His whole life, Bayle Garrison has suffered his father constantly pointing out he’s not quite good enough, forever second-best to his brain surgeon big brother. So Bayle’s had to strive hard against his self-doubt to make a career for himself in the sports world of curling.
He’s succeeded, and his team are now in the final playoffs to represent the US at the next Olympics. But a large part of Bayle’s success with fans has been the image his agent has created around him as a playboy – very far from the truth.
Seeking refuge from fans and rowdy team parties during the period of the playoffs in Indianapolis, Bayle rents an AirBnB in – you guessed it – Friendly, Indiana. Where he goes seeking a good cup of coffee and a book to read.
Love you a Latte is a fast-paced and highly engaging read. It’s also a little different in that this time the lovers pretty quickly overcome issues with, in Rachel’s case, an over-protective family, and in Bayle’s case, self-doubt, to become a loving and lovable item. With her son Cody and border collie Biscuit playing their parts well in the lovableness (if that’s a word). But when unexpected and dramatic things happen which are out of their control, Rachel is faced with a choice, which isn’t a choice, but a heartbreak.
As usual with this author, the characters are deeply drawn, real people, and I couldn’t help but want the best for Rachel and Bayle (and Cody and Biscuit). Following their rollercoaster journey, watching their willingness to sacrifice themselves for each other, and cheering their decisions to fight back, had me turning those pages – would it all work out for them? And if so, how?
Love you a Latte is an engrossing and engaging read, highly recommended.