Now That It’s You by Tawna Fenske
Publication Date: September 6, 2016
Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Montlake Romance

Reviewed by Kini

Blurb

Talented chef Meg Delaney hasn’t spoken to her cheating ex-fiancé, Matt Midland, for two years. Ditching him at the altar after blurting out “I can’t” instead of “I do” would sour any relationship. But now, just as Meg is finally ready to bury the hatchet, she learns closure is permanently off the menu. And the kicker? Matt’s brother, Kyle, is back in her life, stirring up feelings that are equal parts guilt and lust.

Meg was the best thing that never happened to Kyle. He couldn’t make a move on his brother’s girlfriend—even if Matt didn’t value her nearly enough. The situation is even more complicated now that Meg’s bestselling aphrodisiac cookbook has spawned a legal battle with the Midlands. Maybe he should stay away. But love, like family, plays by its own rules. And the one woman he shouldn’t want might be the only one who’s perfect for him.

I have read a few by this author and usually find them light, fun and sexy. Nothing in the blurb tipped me off that this book would cover topics of death, grief, regret, etc. Although they are mentioned in the acknowledgements blurb before the actual story. With that being said, as someone who is currently working through those things in my life, this book was pretty heavy for me. It was enjoyable, but not as light and comedic as I had hoped. But I do realize that my own current struggle could be creating a biased look at this book.

Meg and Kyle have history because she dated his older brother for almost 10 years. Meg’s previous relationship was not all sunshine and roses and Meg and Kyle had some instances of being drawn together, not physical or ever acted upon. Two years after breaking up with Matt, Meg decides she’s ready to apologize to Matt. But as life is wont to do, it makes it impossible to do so. Meg and Kyle reconnect over tragedy and rekindle their friendship. It doesn’t take long for them to give in to their mutual attraction.

The story progresses from there and centers on Meg and Kyle’s growing relationship along with the issue of Meg being sued by Kyle’s family for rights to a book that she published. That whole thing was kind of weird and felt dragged out in the book. Obviously, it all ends well, this is romance after all. Meg and Kyle were not perfect, but both were trying. My favorite quote was from Meg’s mother when Meg and Kyle were on the outs,

“That you’ve both learned so much from your past mistakes. You’re works in progress, and it would be a shame to have you both come this far, only to throw in the towel and waste all those lessons learned on someone who’s not really your soul mate.”

This book was good, but not great. A lot of heavier subject matter, but I didn’t feel gutted like I have with other books. I might describe it as a very romantic women’s fiction book based on the subject matter. It was a fairly quick read and did keep me engaged, if for nothing more than because I did want this couple to succeed and overcome the hardships. One thing I did make note of was the lack of groveling. Kyle has a few secrets in their shared past and although not a huge wrong doing, there wasn’t enough groveling and Meg let him off too easy.

Grade: C

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