When I’m With You by Monica McCallan is an enemies to friends to lovers romance.
Yep, that’s right, the best of both worlds. You get some great enemies tension followed by the very different tension of two friends who don’t want to ruin their friendship.
There’s also a puppy named Frankie.
Kennedy Ryan likes things orderly and organized. After growing up in a rowdy family of six, she has created an orderly life doing all the things she thinks she’s supposed to—read: graduating college and getting a corporate job.
Brooke Nicholas doesn’t expect much from anyone. She makes plenty of connections with people, but for the most part she knows they’re temporary. Brooke hasn’t done any of the things she was supposed to after college. She works in a wine bar and lives with two roommates with a casual attitude to the future.
It’s no secret that Brooke and Kennedy don’t get along, even their two best friends know it. So when the two of them get stranded alone during a snowstorm it’s sure to lead to disaster. Unless it doesn’t, instead it leads to a new beginning for the two of them.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
McCallan does a great job in this book of capturing those moments in your twenties where you’re figuring out your place in the world and the type of people you want to spend time with. While I’m no longer a lost twenty-something, it’s nice to revisit those moments where there was so much possibility in the world and so many unknowns in life.
I love the realism of Kennedy not enjoying her first post-graduation job. I’ve certainly worked jobs I hated (for similar reasons) and it’s nice to see that reflected in books rather than the characters who love what they’re doing.
I would be so remiss if I didn’t mention Frankie here. He’s just the sweetest puppy and makes me wish I had a little dog who could curl up on my lap because it’s just not the same when a twenty-five kilogram Labrador tries to sit on your lap.
Cons And Heads Up
None.
The Conclusion
I’m always ready to pick up a new McCallan book, doubly so if it’s enemies to lovers. That means I may be a little biased here, but you should probably read this book. Even if it’s just because of how cute Frankie is.
Excerpt from When I’m With You by Monica McCallan
“Hey, Elsa! You want to help me with these bags, or are you going to spend all day dreamily floating through winter wonderland?”
Brooke took a few crunchy boot stomps in the direction of the vehicle. “It’s not like the bags are going anywhere, and I highly doubt your SUV will be robbed out here.” Kennedy’s lips flirted with the idea of a smile, but it was gone so quickly that Brooke wondered if she’d imagined it when she moved closer.
An eye roll that was much more Kennedy’s style graced her almost unfairly symmetrical features. Melted snow clung to her long eyelashes, her bright hair vibrant against the backdrop of white. “No, but I could get frostbite and die. I can hardly feel my hands,” she finished as she placed the last box on the ground and shut the back of her SUV.
“Well then, let’s get inside and get that fire set up. What would we do if you lost your ability to write lists and compile itineraries and schedules on a vacation?”
Kennedy’s pursed lips told Brooke she’d struck a nerve, but all she pushed out was, “I’d use talk to text.” God, high-strung didn’t begin to cover it.
With a laugh at the reality that, yes, that’s exactly what Kennedy would do, Brooke hoisted a bag over her shoulder and picked up a box filled with bottles of wine. “Well then, let’s get a move on.” She headed toward the house, her growing annoyance getting the better of her when she added, “I don’t want to listen to you dictating to Siri.”
Get It Online
When you use the links in this review and buy within 24 hours of clicking then we get a small commission that helps us run the site and it costs you nothing extra
Bits and Bobs
AISN number: B096T675SV
Publisher: Indie author
If you enjoyed When I’m With You by Monica McCallan then you should also look at
Note: I received a free review copy of When I’m With You by Monica McCallan. No money was exchanged for this review. When you use our links to buy we get a small commission which supports the running of this site
