Dolly Brick is someone who sees the glass as half full. She looks at the bright side of things… through her mom leaving when she was 12, through a relationship that was a poor choice but left her with an amazing son, through her coming back home to Whitfield, Rhode Island, for the summer to assist her dad with the The Brick Fish House, the family owned seafood market and fish shop – and as it turns out, saving their family home as well.

When a $50,000 bill is placed in front of them for a mandatory new roof on the family home, the family is at a loss for how they will come up with the money.

Dolly, while taking her bike to make shrimp deliveries, finds the local rich and hot boy, Stewart Whitfield, with a flat tire on his car and no idea how to fix it other than making a phone call for assistance. Dolly stops to help him, being a very capable woman who loves to problem solve, and in no time, the tire has been changed. The two exchange pleasantries, growing up in this very town, and Dolly learns that Stewart has recently gone through a very public, humiliating breakup when his fiancée was caught cheating on him with a baseball player. She also learns he does not seem to be the superficial rich guy she always imagined he was.

Then, soon after their encounter, Stewart presents Dolly with an offer. If she woudl pretend to be dating him, it would take the “poor Stewart” public pressure away – giving the impression that Stewarart has also moved on.
And – he’s willing to pay.

Would this be the answer to Dolly’s family’s money problems? With a chance to go to the high-end parties, a new wardrobe, rubbing shoulders with the elite, AND getting the roof repaired…

What could possibly go wrong?

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While a rom-com style of book is not a “go to” for me…. I really did enjoy this predictable read. Sometimes, it’s nice to know where you are going in a book and just enjoy the ride there.

I liked Dolly. A LOT. She’s kind, funny, lighthearted, goes with the flow, and a strong female. And I liked Steward too, he’s like the rich kid with morals. The two together worked, and while yes, you can say –

It comes together too easily

things move too quickly
It’s pretty predictable

It’s also – Pretty Darn GOOD

A perfect summer read – would love to see this become a movie.

Rated: 3.75
Read Author Before: No
Read Author Again: I would
Where Read: Audio around the house

Bookclub Worthy: Light choice – but could be
Discussion Topics: Random meet-ups, you could discuss how you met your partner (there’s got to be some good stories there), writing style – is this a genre you enjoy – why or why not

Food for discussion –This would be fun to set up a little “Seafood” variety, as the family owns a fish shop. Think: Lobster Rolls, Crabcakes, Shrimp appetizers,
Home Baking is also in the book – Dolly loves to bake -a home-baked dessert would be a nice add-on (think blueberry muffins, flaky biscuits to go with a chowder) – the topic is comfort for family and also a good discussion point on how food can be comforting
Dolly prefers Tea over Coffee – Earl Grey if you have it
Spicy Margaritas