February 20, 2023
Debut author Adler combines heat and sweet in this charmingly offbeat rom-com. Former child star Millicent Watts-Cohen is determined to fulfill the dying wish of Rose Nash, her elderly landlady and dear friend. She sets out for Key West, Fla., to reunite Rose—or rather, some of her cremains—with Rose’s long-lost love, Elsie Brown, who is in hospice. She hopes to deliver the ashes before Elsie dies, but a major airport computer meltdown may foil those plans. Enter an acquaintance of her jerk ex-boyfriend, writer Hollis Hollenbeck, who is also stranded at the airport en route to Florida. The pair decide to drive together, and though perpetually sunny Millicent and curmudgeon Hollis make an odd couple, they bond quickly as the trip progresses. The author adds emotional depth by toggling between the present day and WWII, when Rose and Elsie’s forbidden queer romance first blossomed. Adler’s well-drawn characters leap off the page, and she handles difficult topics with grace. She also shows off her comedy chops in some laugh-out-loud road trip mishaps, including the leads booking a room at a Jesus-themed bed-and-breakfast and Millicent stumbling into the role of grand marshal at a small-town broccoli festival. This delightful debut is sure to find fans. Agent: Taylor Haggerty, Root Literary.
Starred review from September 1, 2023
This grumpy-meets-sunshine contemporary rom-com features a woman on a race against time to reunite her best friend with her first love. After her friend Mrs. Nash dies, Millie is determined to take some of her ashes to Key West, where she's discovered that the woman Mrs. Nash thought had passed away decades ago is still living, though not for much longer. When Millie's trip is derailed by air-travel issues, she hitches a ride to Key West with an acquaintance--her ex-boyfriend's frenemy, Hollis. He's looking forward to his long weekend in Miami, visiting a friend for their semiannual affair, but his plan changes as he and Millie drive from DC to Florida. Mishaps along the way add to their growing friendship and attraction. Mara Wilson showcases a stellar ability to take listeners into Millie and Hollis's world. As she follows the couple's misadventure-filled yet frequently humorous path, she fully captures Millie's exuberant personality, quirks and all. Expressive and entertaining, Wilson imbues her performance with a range of emotions--humor, hope, anxiety, sorrow--and fully immerses listeners into the story. VERDICT Wilson's skillful narration of Alder's debut is sure to delight listeners, making this a must-have production.--Amanda L. S. Murphy
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