Review by Booklist Review
In this cute rom-com about finding what ultimately makes you happy, Emily is in search of a dream job, which in her mind would lead to the ultimate happiness. The only problem is, she has no idea what that job could be, and lacks any idea of what she wants to do with her life. And so, she's stuck in her low-paying receptionist job working with a mechanic who barely talks to her. But as she bonds with her coworker John over their mutual love of Wordle, Emily can't help but wonder what else could be out there, waiting for her in a big city. And so, even as she and John grow closer and closer, Emily realizes she has to pursue her dreams, whatever they may be. Though sometimes overly cute, readers will find the snappy dialogue and genuine enthusiasm of the main character very endearing. An easy read for fans of puzzles and breezy romance, this book is also a great choice for those who prefer their romances on the lighter side.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
James debuts with a lighthearted coming-of-age romance. Emily, 27, studied science in college only to realize after she graduated that she wants a career in the arts. For now, she works as an auto shop receptionist in the small town of Waldon on Prince Edward Island while dreaming of bigger and better things. Though she hopes to move to a city, every day there's more tying her to Waldon, including her volunteer work at the local barrel museum, the elderly neighbors who come to rely on her, and her coworker and fellow Wordle lover John Smith, for whom she develops feelings. When an internship opportunity arises in New York City, she must decide if pursuing her dreams is worth leaving the place and people she's unexpectedly come to love. James shines depicting the simple joys of small-town life. The opposites attract dynamic between giddy Emily and quiet, somewhat judgmental John is slightly less successful, and John's tendency to downplay Emily's emotions and ambitions will rub some readers the wrong way. Those in it for Emily's journey of self-discovery, however, will find plenty to enjoy. Agent: John Adams, Adams Literary. (Dec.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
DEBUT Emily aspires to a life beyond her role as a receptionist at a small-town auto shop on Prince Edward Island. While she plots her future, she plays Wordle every day, trying not to lose her streak. When she discovers that her coworker John, a cute mechanic who's always ignored her, also enjoys the game, they slowly but surely become friends. Soon Emily and John start to date, and she begins to make ties to the community. But when she gets accepted into a prestigious internship in New York City, she has to decide whether to pursue her long-held ambitions or remain in the town she has come to love, alongside the man who has captured her heart. What starts off as a novel with a fun premise transforms into a richly told story about a young woman trying to find her place in the world and defining her own happiness. Themes of growing up and growing older, personal growth, friendships, and career choices are explored thoughtfully in this romance that's a cozy read in every sense of the word. VERDICT This heartfelt novel will surely garner an enthusiastic following for debut author James.--Migdalia Jimenez
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Two co-workers with seemingly nothing in common find themselves bonding over Wordle. Emily Evans has never known what she wants to do with her life. She'd like to find her dream job, something that will pay the bills and allow her to follow her greatest passion--but she doesn't seem to know what that passion is. In the meantime, she's making ends meet by working as a receptionist at an auto repair shop, considering a move to the big city while stuck in her small town on Prince Edward Island. The only bright spot in her day is playing theNew York Times' Wordle, on which she currently holds a streak of more than 300 days. Hoping to make it a full year without a single miss, she reaches a point of desperation one day when she finds herself stuck on the answer with only a single guess left. Asking her stoic, introverted coworker John Smith for help is a last resort, and she's surprised to discover that someone she thought she didn't have anything in common with is also a regular Wordle player. As Emily bonds with John over their shared hobby, she gradually gets to know the man she previously wrote off as standoffish and apathetic, while he starts to rethink his preconceived notions about her in return. James' debut is a sweet small-town romance that revolves around Emily's journey of self-discovery and personal improvement. Given that the book is told solely from Emily's first-person perspective, it's she who gains the most depth, with John an intermittent and inscrutable presence at first, before slowly becoming more dimensional over time. Strong supporting characters, including some elderly neighbors Emily befriends and cares for, add tenderness to the narrative. At the core of the book, however, lies Emily's efforts to better understand herself and what she truly wants. Wordplay and romance collide in this charming debut. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
