Don’t Want To Miss A Thing by Jill Mansell
Romance Contemporary
E book
November 5, 2013
Sourcebook Unlimited

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “If anyone thinks less of you for liking ‘YMCA’…well, then they’re not worth bothering about.”

Dexter Yates enjoys life as a carefree bachelor. Money, looks, and freedom keeps him in hot demand with the ladies. That is until his sister dies and leaves him guardianship of his eight month old niece, Delphi. Suddenly Dexter is a single parent with no idea what to do.

Comic strip artist Molly Hayes lives in a small town where everyone knows everyone’s business.  A history of bad choices when it comes to men leaves Molly single and happy with that.

When Dexter moves in next door to her, they strike up a platonic friendship that can’t hide the chemistry between them. But Molly’s not interested in becoming another notch in Dexter’s bedpost. Before Dexter can convince Molly she’s the only one for him, he’ll need to learn more about her and himself.

Don’t Want To Miss A Thing is classic Mansell. A lighthearted humorous romantic contemporary that explores the many facets of love in a small town setting.  New love, old love, unrequited love, and shattered love are all identified and explored as we watch a confirmed bachelor try and raise a small child while learning how to be friends with the opposite sex.  Mansell’s dry British wit makes her comedy of errors a delightful retreat for a lazy day.

Molly is delightful with her calm easy going manner and infectious snarky wit. A pretty 20 something woman, she wants what everyone wants-to find a person to love and enjoy life with. Unfortunately,she keeps picking the wrong people to date. Strong and self reliant; she has a vulnerable side she hides well. I enjoyed her zest for life and her unfailing love for Delphi.

Dexter is a dog. But a charming dog with a genuinely nice attitude and infectious personality. He’s a  man who has never seen the need to settle down or play at being faithful. When he is forced by circumstances to change his ways, you see a wonderful turn about in him. He honestly tries to do the best he can for himself and his ward, even with the deck stacked against him.

Dexter and Molly’s journey to happily ever after takes a long time to develop. Mansell gives each time to get to know one another and decide if this is indeed the path they want to travel together. Their times spent together with the baby were especially entertaining as Mansell doesn’t sugar coat anything. Babies can be daunting and they never react the way you think they will.  There are some requisite misunderstandings. During those times, I really wished we would have gotten Dexter’s point of view. I would have enjoyed to have read what he was feeling during certain scenes.

Multiple storylines run rapid throughout here, each one seemingly random but the ties that bind them all together become increasingly more visible as we move closer to the conclusion. Various characters are at impasses in their individual relationships. Mansell shows us that the choices we make have a cascading effect and often hurt the ones we love best. One particular storyline practically eclipses Dexter and Molly’s story. I could easily see an entire book just about them. The time and attention Mansell gives to this couple was engaging. I was a bit mystified by the easy copulation of everyone in that situation, though. I had a hard time believing it could resolve that easily. So much seemed to occur off scene, so I felt like I missed the meat of that story.

Overall, I enjoyed Don’t Want To Miss A Thing. It’s a quick read that hits all the right spots, romance and humor wise.  I did feel the multiple storylines took away from our main couple at times. There was just too much going on. I would have enjoyed more personal one on one time with our main protagonists, rather than only seeing pivotal moments in their lives. Regardless, the ending is sweet and fulfilling as Ms. Mansell wrap up the loose ties and gives everyone a second chance at love.

Rating: C+

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