Katie Vaughn is still getting over the trauma of her very public breakup with her now-famous ex. Desperate to keep her mid-level video production job, she agrees to do a profile on the perpetually frowning Tom “Hutch” Hutchinson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer who happened to go viral saving Jennifer Aniston’s beloved pup. But as Katie gets entangled in Hutch’s daily life in the Florida Keys, she is forced to confront some of her greatest fears and insecurities, all while not getting fired.

Let me start by saying that my favorite character in this story is the very gentle giant, George Bailey, a Great Dane rescued by Hutch and a dog who is hard not to fall in love with. He pretty much stole the show in every single scene he was in. And having just watched It’s a Wonderful Life over Christmas break, the name definitely put a smile on my face every single time I read it. The second star of the show? It’s easily The Gals as they are so fondly referred to, a group of retirees who swim, drink cocktails, and mettle, but who are the group of friends everyone needs in their life.

While this book didn’t necessarily blow me away like some of Katherine Center’s others, it’s still a wonderfully charming story about loss, friendship, and learning to love yourself as much as you love others. Katie is a solid MC who is so easy to relate to (I am pretty sure I have had many of the same self-conversations), and Hutch is a total sweetheart. What stands out about this book is the laugh-out-loud humor, including one scene involving a big dog, splinters, and Katie’s haunches (IYKYK) that made me laugh so hard I cried. I usually save KC’s books for when I need a life pick-me-up, and this one did not disappoint.

🎧 Patti Murin is, of course, perfection as this audiobook’s sole narrator and one of the reasons I always choose to reread books she has narrated once the audio is released.

Read if you like:
▪️coast guard hero
▪️quasi-Hollywood romance
▪️grumpy x sunshine
▪️forced proximity
▪️dogs named George Bailey
▪️fun side characters
▪️romcoms with heart
▪️Key West setting

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy.