In the opening of this newest Katherine Center offering, Josephine Burton is about to walk down the aisle to marry her fiancé, Pearce, when her best friend, Cooper Watts, makes a surprise appearance after being absent from her life for four years. Cooper had RSVP’d no, but after he unexpectedly shows up at the wedding venue, JoJo calls off the wedding.  

JoJo believes she is unlucky in love, but her real problem is a pattern of retreating whenever a relationship becomes serious. Pearce seemed perfect because he was self-absorbed and often absent.  She could never quite lock him down, but after the wedding date was set, her old pattern reemerged. 

After her wedding is called off, JoJo is soon boarding a cruise ship with her family as part of a destination wedding for her older sister Ashley.  Ashley works in marketing and is pursuing a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling. Through Ashley’s guidance, JoJo becomes convinced that this cruise adventure is exactly what she needs to break her cycle of failed relationships. She believes reconnecting with a childhood crush, Finn Turner, will provide the closure she needs to build a healthy relationship. 

As JoJo waits to board the ship, guess who shows up?  Yep, Cooper again, despite having RSVP’d no.  Soon she has shared her plan with Cooper and recruited him to assist her with her mission of closure. 

For Cooper’s part, he is a great assistant. In fact, he is JoJo’s biggest cheerleader.  He shows up for her whenever she needs him. Whether she is evicted from her room by her hypersexual cabin mate, struggling through a mini golf tournament, or left alone on the dance floor when Finn takes a work call, Cooper is there. There is no question that these two best friends belong together. The questions are how quickly will they figure it out and what will it look like along the way? 

That may seem like a spoiler, but the author has a note at the beginning of the book that tells readers there is going to be a happy ending. That the couple gets together. At first, I thought this was weird, but why not be upfront about it? That is what I expect from a rom-com book. That is why I read them. I want that happy ending. Yes, I want the drama, the fun, the shenanigans along the way, but ultimately, I want to know the time and energy I have invested in a book will be rewarded with a feel-good wrap up. Kudos Katherine Center! Thank you for giving me a happy ending and making it a fun ride along the way.

Highlights of the book include Center’s ability to write relatable characters and spot-on dialogue. JoJo quickly had my support; the emotional insight the narration provided about her inner thoughts had me rooting for her the entire book.  And Center’s description of Cooper, not only his unique sense of style, but his steadfast support of JoJo, made him easy to adore, and watching their friendship evolve was compelling.

Fans of beach reads, friends-to-lovers romances and vacation settings will find plenty here. In fine form, the author delivers exactly what readers expect from her books – humor, heart, relationship insight and a well-earned happy ending.

Review written by: Jeana Gockley, Joplin Public Library Director

Find the book in the catalog.