Right Beside You
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- £5.99
Publisher Description
New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe presents a heartwarming, uplifting novel about two long-time co-workers who seem unlucky in love. But this Christmas may give them a surprising chance to find themselves—and each other . . .
With a successful career, money in the bank, and a solid future, Felicia Hawkins has almost everything she ever wanted. But getting married is the one holiday wish she can’t seem to get. And it’s not helping that she’s hopelessly in love with her co-worker, widower Richard Grimes. They have the perfect office partnership, and he’s as supportive as he is kind. But Felicia doesn’t want to wreck their friendship by letting him know how she really feels . . .
Richard has his hands full juggling pre-Christmas work demands and raising two teen daughters. But he’s not too busy to wish his relationship with Felicia could become much more. He’s drawn to her calm spirit and determination, along with everything they surprisingly have in common. And just once he’d like a chance this season to dare tell her the truth . . .
But what Felicia and Richard get instead is a cascade of misunderstandings; messy, well-meaning matchmaking from family and friends, and a long-distance transfer Richard can’t refuse. Finally, in the middle of one chaotic snow-struck day, it will take all their courage and compassion to risk opening their hearts to each other—hopefully for many more holiday happily-ever-afters . . .
Praise for Mary Monroe’s holiday stories
“Monroe presents a tender, charming holiday romance.”
—Library Journal on Right Beside You
“Exceptional, original, and a seasonal delight by an author with a flair for narrative-driven
storytelling.”
—The Midwest Book Review on Remembrance
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Set in Northern Ohio, this soft single-dad romance focuses on taking a chance on love after loss and despite miscommunications. Felicia Hawkins is a successful woman who works hard at her job coordinating workshops and training sessions for executives. She has a deep relationship with her elderly grandmother and her parents, and also has a longtime crush on her friend Richard Grimes, a widowed single father to teen girls who handles IT and administrative tasks at her company. In the years since the death of Richard's wife, Richard and Felicia have been dancing around each other without any idea that their romantic feelings are mutual. Felicia thinks that she's lost her chance with Richard thanks to hearing that he's been tapped for a transfer and seeing him around town with Regina, an old flame and Richard believes that Felicia couldn't ever want him. As Christmas approaches, the magic of the season leads them to search their hearts and reach out to each other at last. There's no overt focus on religion, but the occasional mentions of faith and overall vibe will be deeply familiar to congregants of black American churches. Poor pacing and a rushed romantic resolution mar this otherwise tender and appealing romance.
