Kerry Winfrey novels are my perfect vacation reads - the ideal combination of sincere characters, feel-good plots with enough complexity to hold my interest, pop culture references, and adorable covers. During our 2019 summer vacation, I loved reading Waiting for Tom Hanks, and earlier this month I enjoyed Very Sincerely Yours while on vacation. (I need to read Not Like the Movies soon!)
The premise: On the night Teddy Phillips thinks her long-term boyfriend will propose, he ends their relationship and asks her to move out of the home she lovingly created for him. This turns her world upside down, and while staying with friends, she begins to question many aspects of her life.
As a 'secret' fan of a local television show for children (think Mister Rogers' Neighborhood), she pours out her heart in an email she sends to Everett St. James, the show's charismatic host, never expecting a response. Everett is intrigued by a message from an adult and begins corresponding with Teddy; a portion of the story is told via their emails - a plus since I love epistolary novels. Teddy and Everett accidentally meet, thanks to his precocious much younger sister and the attraction is immediate. But, as both consider their career aspirations, things become complicated. Can they find a way to accomplish their goals and have a future together?
I really enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Teddy's roommates and coworkers, and Everett's family. And it was fun to share the vintage toy references (from Teddy's job) with my husband. In general, it was fun to think of Everett as 'hot Mr. Rogers'!
Ms. Winfrey's publishing schedule aligns nicely with my summer vacation dates, so hopefully I can read her 2022 novel on next year's getaway.
The premise: On the night Teddy Phillips thinks her long-term boyfriend will propose, he ends their relationship and asks her to move out of the home she lovingly created for him. This turns her world upside down, and while staying with friends, she begins to question many aspects of her life.
As a 'secret' fan of a local television show for children (think Mister Rogers' Neighborhood), she pours out her heart in an email she sends to Everett St. James, the show's charismatic host, never expecting a response. Everett is intrigued by a message from an adult and begins corresponding with Teddy; a portion of the story is told via their emails - a plus since I love epistolary novels. Teddy and Everett accidentally meet, thanks to his precocious much younger sister and the attraction is immediate. But, as both consider their career aspirations, things become complicated. Can they find a way to accomplish their goals and have a future together?
I really enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Teddy's roommates and coworkers, and Everett's family. And it was fun to share the vintage toy references (from Teddy's job) with my husband. In general, it was fun to think of Everett as 'hot Mr. Rogers'!
Ms. Winfrey's publishing schedule aligns nicely with my summer vacation dates, so hopefully I can read her 2022 novel on next year's getaway.
