Madly

Allie is from Wisconsin, and a bit of an impulsive extravert: with a huge problem. See, since she was little, her mother would disappear every so often without reason, and there was never any explanation. So, wild, determined and sixteen, she snooped and discovered a piece of a family secret – and has been operating under half-understood assumptions for the last number of years. Now with a recent episode as a runaway bride, she’s upped her snoop on her mother game, and has added tracking, tracing and now following her mother on her latest disappearance. To New York.

A sudden need to have an accomplice and someone to hide behind brings her into Winston’s company. A divorced Brit working in his family’s US branch of the financial management company, he’s there desperately trying to be the father he thinks that his daughter, now in university needs. A bit of a control freak – he’s busy living up to an ideal that he thinks he should meet, one that is not realistic or particularly helpful when you think of personal interactions. And, unfortunately for him, that particular stick has been lodged in his butt for years.

Oh this was fun- and completely and totally unexpected! Sometimes you think you have a clue as to what will be the outcome – but Allie was full of surprises, contradictions and just plain insouciant glee, causing a not insignificant merry chase for those around her. With secondary characters, several twist from the supposed heartbreak of her father due to her mother’s disappearance, her ex who never heard the word boundary, her sister and husband, her father, Winston’s PA and brother, his driver and the curious concept of the “mailman” this is a wonderful story that is sure to keep you reading through to the end, only to want another.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher viia NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Allie Fredericks is from Manitowoc, Wisconson but has found herself in New York City. Allie is tired of her mom leaving for lengths of time and going to NYC and Allie needs to find out why. Allie has tracked her mom down to a bar and is hiding in the shadows watching her with another man....a man who just happens to be her birth father. Allie is suppose to be planning her parents 30th Wedding Anniversary party that is in a few days and she's afraid her mom is ruining everything.

Just as Allie is about to be spotted by her mom, she convinces a strange man in a suit and tie to be her cover. This man is Winston Chamberlain, a tall, good looking, slightly older man with a British accent. What Allie didn't expect was that sparks would fly! Allie explains what she is doing in NYC and Winston ends up helping her. At first I wasn't sure of these two as a couple. They are 13 years apart in age.....Allie is closer in age to Winston's daughter, Bea than she is to him....but I am glad I kept reading. By the end of this story I loved Winston and Allie together. They just got each other.

As Allie and Winston start spending more time together, they start opening up to each other about all aspects of their lives. These two are so different, yet so similar in many ways.

I really enjoyed the story line about Allie's mom and how so many people came together to help. I must admit that the ending really surprised me....wasn't expecting that! Overall this was a fun story that by the end I couldn't put down.

I was generously given an ARC of this book. This is my first book from this author and I liked her style of writing. The hero was perfection personified... I could totally see him in my mind. He has a past he is not proud of ( I think there is another series by the author with Winston). But he is trying to make amends. Meanwhile he is living this half life in NY and he meets Allie who brings color and excitement to his life. He is just perfect in his interactions with everyone! I had a bit of a problem with the heroine because she was so scared with him yet so pushy with other aspects of her life. The chemistry between the 2 was hot! The secondary characters from the first novel of the series May and Ben were a bit annoying. And since I didn't read the first novel, I don't know if I even want to read it now. I hope they weren't characterized with such insecurity and anger as they were here. Although Ben's pep talk to Allie was hilarious and just perfect. The ending was rushed and abrupt. They didn't even talk to their mother even though she was the catalyst for the heroine coming to NY and starting this whole adventure. And I couldn't get behind the wacky fashion style of the heroine......it seemed a bit too costume...ish even for NY. The book is definitely worth reading although it is not the bleary eye stay up all night type of book.