Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Business not as Usual by Sharon C. Cooper

I am beautiful. I am loveable. I am a lottery winner. This is Dreamy Daniel's mantra in life. After a painful breakup, she vows not to let another man stamp on her confidence and independence. No distraction allowed in her new business-focus mindset! Karter was born into wealth, and his new venture has an investor with Dreamy's boss makes asking her out a little perilous. But when sparks shine there's not giving up. They are from completely different world, will the obstacles they face be too much?

CW: Lottery, grief of a friend, paparazzi, a lot of money talk/ socio-economic differences, unhealthy family relationships.

This book started out pretty rocky for me to be honest. I found her "business venture" plot somewhat confusing, because Dreamy doesn't have any background in business or something to base a business on, she only knows she wants to succeed and be her own boss. It felt really odd and not really realistic. Enter the shallow and fame-hungry ex-girlfriend and mother, had my eyes rolling.

However, at around the 35% mark I started really enjoying the book a lot. I loved how mature they were, and how they just discussed together upcoming issues or insecurities that they had. I loved how Dreamy was yes a confident and strong woman, but she was also vulnerable and insecure at times. Most of all I loved that they discussed the imbalance of power between them, often in books it's only brushed over like a non-issue, but in this one they faced it head-on. I also really enjoyed the Happy-for-now ending, where they are trying to find their footing as a couple.

I liked this book which is about a woman who hates her job and is hoping to win the lottery meets a billionaire who is a possible investor. Both have eyes on each other but don’t want to mix business with pleasure. I really enjoyed this cute romance novel. Cooper wrote such a lovely story with black MCs. Readers can expect funny moments with grumpy and sunshine romance. As much of the storyline was great, I have to say that there wasn’t a huge conflict between the main characters. Their romance with the storyline in some way felt way smoother with not much development. Overall the story was well done.

The two main characters in this book are Dreamy and Karter. I enjoyed both characters as they are the complete opposites but I have to say that they didn’t have much of a character development. There are some side characters in this book but I especially loved Karter’s sister who was super supporting and caring. The romance is a grumpy/sunshine with instant love which was really cute and I ship these two characters. They are so perfect for each other!

The ending was great but honestly I wish there was a huge conflict in the book. I felt that it focused way too much of social class differences without there being a huge climax. Overall this book was great and I’m glad to have read this book. I recommend this book to fans of It Happened One Summer and Savvy Sheldon Feels Good As Hell.

Business Not As Usual is a sort of office romance, even if it quickly moves away from the professional setting. Dreamy Daniels works for the CEO of a startup tech company. They’re looking for investors, and this is how she meets Karter Redford, a venture capitalist (and the son of a popular actor and a famous socialite). Though Dreamy and Karter come from two completely different worlds, and although they maybe shouldn’t get into a relationship, they can’t deny their mutual interest in each other. Can they overcome their differences and insecurities in order to find love?

Let’s talk about these characters first. Dreamy Daniels is, in a word, dreamy. She has plans and goals – some more realistic than others – and she’s optimistic, kind, and full of positive energy. She dresses in bold colors and fun patterns (and has an impressive wig collection), and is generally self-assured. Although Dreamy works full-time, she is also attending night school to complete her Bachelor’s degree and is developing business plans so she can someday launch two different start-ups. But Dreamy also has a sensitive side: She’s been let down by her mom and her ex-boyfriend, and both have hurt her self-esteem. She’s sworn off guys… for now.

Karter Redford is the son of two celebrities, and though he probably doesn’t need to work, he runs a successful venture capitalist firm. In fact, he’s a workaholic, spending all of his time at the office and leaving little time for a personal life. It’s no wonder he’s had unsuccessful relationships up until now. He’s also mourning the recent death of his friend who had a heart attack at only 40. If Karter isn’t careful – and if he doesn’t slow down and work less – he worries he could be next.

Both Dreamy and Karter are generally likable characters, and I especially love how they bring out the best in each other. It’s true, they do have a lot of differences: Dreamy (28) is ten years younger than Karter; she’s poor and he’s rich; she’s vibrant and full of energy and he’s more low-key. Yet they also have a lot in common, from being ambitious and hard-working to being generous. They have mutual respect and an ease between them, even with their disparate backgrounds.

One thing that stands out in Business Not As Usual is the narrative around money and class. I can’t speak for Karter and his wealth, but I can identify with Dreamy. I know what it’s like to live paycheck-to-paycheck and not be able to fix the issues in your home and car. Further, it can be hard to accept generosity from someone without feeling like a leech or a burden. Dreamy has numerous financial woes, but she hates it when Karter volunteers to help her out. She doesn’t want to be needy or have to depend on him. She wants to give, not just receive. Dreamy slowly learns to accept some of Karter’s help, but she’s still determined to make her own way. Though it sometimes feels frustrating here, I do admire her resolve.

Money isn’t all of it, though. Dreamy’s been told that she’s not sophisticated or educated enough, and that message is mirrored by Karter’s mom. This highlights classism and the unfair disdain poorer people often face. Never mind that Dreamy works hard and has big goals; for some, that’s not enough. But others see her worth, regardless of her background or net worth. (Karter does! Aww!)

Further, I enjoy the family dynamics portrayed in Business Not As Usual. Dreamy’s relationship with her own mother is unsteady, too. I appreciate the lesson about not letting others get you down. Sure, their words can string, but ultimately, we must trust ourselves and find our own self-worth. Similarly, it’s important to recognize which broken relationships are worth mending, which may take time, and which aren’t worth it at all. The fraught relationships here are dealt with realistically.

For his part, Karter’s character arc (beyond the cute romance) is learning to overcome his workaholism. Dreamy helps him do this, unconsciously at first, but eventually, she exerts her influence to slow him down. He really needs to delegate more!

Ultimately, I loved seeing how Dreamy and Karter lift up one another. They can both learn from each other and treat themselves better.

One final thing I’ll just mention here – in the interest of avoiding spoilers – is the one element of Business Not As Usual that was a bit more silly. Dreamy is 100% sure she will win the lottery, and soon. I understand the hope the Lotto can provide people, but the way things went here didn’t seem that necessary to me. I would have liked a slightly different course, but I can also see why the author chose this outcome. Sorry this is vague, but once you’ve read it, you’ll know!

Business Not As Usual is a sweet and quirky novel with some important discussion around money, class, workaholism, and self-esteem. Dreamy and Karter are both lovely characters, and they make for a fun and quick read. This was only my first novel by Sharon C. Cooper, but I would love to read more from her.

Thank you Berkley Pub for an eARC of this book, all opinions are that of my own.

While I did end up enjoying parts of the book, this was not the one for me. I really like the premise of different classes and I came to enjoy Dreamy, but at the end of the day there were some major drawbacks that stopped me from really enjoying the book. I do appreciate how much of the romance plot there was in this book, I have found a lot of “romances” lately to, well, not be romances.

It took a while for me to like Dreamy. Like she starts off being told to do something very important and then proceeds to chat with her friends? Um, you were just complaining about your boss micromanaging but perhaps his worries are valid. Also the whole premise of her banking everything on winning the lottery just seemed ill advised. Maybe I’m too much of a stats person, but I can think of better options to increase your net worth that aren’t as unlikely. Nevertheless, she did grow on me and I did enjoy following her journey. I loved her relationship with her grandfather and her friends. I totally understood her hesitations around Karter. Like, girl I get it I would be the same way. Overall I came to love her.

Karter. Hm. I liked him when they met and there were pieces of him throughout the novel that endeared me to him. However, some of his statements about the other women in his life just ugh. Please not that. It really took a lot of my ability to like him away.

The plot was touch and go for me too. It really goes back to the lottery aspect of this book. I get that this is Dreamy’s dream, but really? For a woman so founded in her education and desire to help other business women your goal is to win the lottery? And then the ending, I’m not going to say anything but it just seemed disjointed from the book. Like I have opinions on how it should have been written, but I’m not the author and I can see why Cooper did it. I just didn’t like it, which is on me.

Long Story Short:

Do I recommend this book? Maybe? If you can work around all of the shortcomings I’ve listed then yes. It is a good book, just not one for me. I do want to go through and read Cooper’s backlist as I know there is a book for me there. I loved so many little aspects of this book, but the overarching pieces made me meh about it. (Can we also take a moment to appreciate the cover because it is beautiful!!)

Dreamy Daniels is exactly as her name a dreamer. She is not in the best circumstances in her life but she holds onto her dreams and believes that everything good will come to her. She meets Karter Redford at work and he doesn’t necessarily fit in her immediately plans for her life.

Karter is from the upper class. He is wealthy and moves in a particular social circle. He has never met a woman as refreshing as Dreamy. She is complete opposite of the women in his life. He can’t help but want to get to know her better.

I love opposite attracts. This has all of the elements to make me happy however the story falls short is some of the major categories. Let’s just say that one crucial key to a good romance story is loving the characters. I mean why are you reading a romance if you don’t like the characters or buy into their love.

Karter is that for me. He just makes it so hard to buy into the romance. He is lacking emotionally. He is very one dimensional. Growing up with a certain amount of privilege can do that for you but what I found to be off putting with him is that he constantly put down those in his world as well. Granted, this may have been the author’s way of showing that he is not pompous and obnoxious when it come to his wealth and status but what it did was box the character in. It made me not like him because he became too judgmental of everyone.

Then there is the fact that everything is too cookie cutter and sweet. There is no real conflict. There is nothing going on beside the sunshine warmth of the main character and Karter. So instead of caring about them, I found myself reading through the pages wanting to wrap up the story.

~ Samantha

A sexy rom com is just what my Saturday needed! This romp was fun and funny and STEAMY- Dreamy and Karter are, for sure a match made in heaven. This is one of those novels that you just read for fun because you need something romantic in your face. Sharon has been a fave of mine on the romantic suspense lines for some time so it's fun to see her jump into lighthearted rom com.

Dreamy Daniels believes that she will win the lottery. But that hope exists mostly as a means to fund her goals of caring for her grandfather and starting a non-profit to help women entrepreneurs.

Karter Redford comes from a completely different lifestyle with famous parents and his own experience as a multimillionaire venture capitalist. He meets Dreamy through her job at a tech firm seeking his investment.

This is a lighthearted rom-com. Both main characters have serious backstories that add to the novel. That said, it is low angst. And there's a puppy with fun antics. I didn't love the way the timeline jumped forward and a few aspects that I won't spoil. I recommend it for romance readers who enjoy slapstick, physical comedy and modern fairy tales.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

Dreamy is working as a secretary now, but her goal is to start a nonprofit. When she meets her boss's prospective investor, she's instantly smitten. But Karter, the son of an A-list actor, is way out of her league. What happens when they mix business with pleasure?

This romcom is a low-angst Cinderella story. Dreamy and Karter are smart, likable characters I enjoyed spending time with. The tone of the book is light, fun, and a little bit over-the-top. The side characters added warmth and humor.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Title: Business Not As Usual
Author: Sharon C. Cooper
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Business Not As Usual" by Sharon C. Cooper

My Assessment:

'Business Not As Usual' was an excellent enjoyable, fun read featuring Dreamy and Karter...two opposites in that she was poor and he was rich; however, both had style grace and were caring individuals. The secondary characters presented some intriguing thoughts throughout the read, keeping the reader turning the pages to see what was coming next. I loved Dreamy's grandpa! The idea of how Dreamy held to winning the lottery was off the chart...well played, and let's not forget her way of dressing. Karter was just a nice guy who finally got who he needed in his life despite how his mother tried her best to downplay his feeling toward Dreamy. We find Karter quite shaken after the death of his friend, knowing he needed to make some severe changes in his life. Will Karter succeed in this situation of overworking and not taking time out for other needs? Will this change after he meets Dreamy? To find out all the questions and more, you will have to pick up this good read and see how well this author brings it all out to the reader.

If you are looking for a 'magical fun story, age gap, a millionaire heroine, and a beautiful romance, you have come to the right place to get it all for 'Business Not As Usual.'

Thank you to Netgalley for a free eArc in exchange for an honest review.

My job has been hectic and stressful lately, so this book is just what I needed! I can't remember the last time I read a book that made me laugh hysterically until I cried. It's funny, steamy, sweet, with low/no angst, and just overall an enjoyable rom-com!

Dreamy Daniels and Karter Redford couldn't be more different: he was the son of an A-list Hollywood actor, a wealthy businessman and venture capitalist, she was a struggling secretary working to make ends meet while still trying to finish her college degree. They were from different upbringings and at different stages in life and career. What brought them together was her sunshine attitude and positive energy despite difficulties in life, and his generosity and willingness to help and support those who were not as privileged.

I went into this book completely blind. I haven't read this author, nor seen it featured on IG, so I was very pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. I loved that she tried her best not to rely on him for help even as she was struggling, and that he didn't just throw his money around to get his way. I also loved the secondary supportive figures in both their families. Even though it started with insta-lust, there was still a good relationship development throughout the book where they were both working hard together to make it work. Granted, it sounds unrealistic and Cinderella-y, but if you're looking for a light-hearted story, this is for you!

Tropes: Class difference, age gap (10 years), grumpy/sunshine, rom-com.

*Special thanks to Berkley Romance for gifting me this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was a fun romance with likable characters. Dreamy is struggling financially and stuck in a job she doesn't like while trying to finish school and hoping to win the lottery. She meets Karter at work and they are instantly attracted to each other. Karter is tall, dark and handsome and also extremely rich. Dreamy thinks they are too different but finally agrees to a date. There is great chemistry between the characters and they handle their family and circumstances well. I did think the lottery thing was odd but overall enjoyed the story. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc for review.

Dreamy Daniels, assistant to a brilliant software engineer who is a micromanager treating his his employees poorly, can’t wait to start her own non-profit helping female entrepreneurs. She just needs to finish her degree—and win the lottery!

Dreamy and her grandfather have been playing the same numbers for years, and she’s sure their lucky day is on the horizon. Meanwhile, her charm, vibrant personality, and eclectic style win over those she meets, including Karter Redford, a potential investor in her boss’s company. Although her boss flubbed the meeting, Dreamy salvaged the opportunity.

Karter, son of a famous actor and Hollywood socialite, and successful businessperson himself, knows better than to mix business and pleasure, but he can’t stop thinking of Dreamy. And although Dreamy swore off men after her last boyfriend, she can’t deny the attraction between them. Yet, the two come from radically different worlds.

A light-hearted romance, BUSINESS NOT AS USUAL has great representation, a fabulous female lead, and a wonderful cast of secondary characters, including Dreamy’s cousin and grandfather and Karter’s sister, driver, and assistant.

It was difficult to see the impact of class differences on Dreamy’s self-esteem, though Cooper contextualizes it with information from Dreamy’s past. I also had a hard time with Dreamy’s belief in and reliance on the lottery and almost wish that hadn’t been part of the story.

This would be a good option for those looking for a quick, feel-good age-gap romance.

This was my first book by author Sharon C. Cooper and I rather enjoyed it. Business Not As Usual has a fairy tale vibe to it so I’m just going to recommend you check your reality at the door. Sometimes it is nice to read a story that suspends belief, add in colorful and interesting characters, a strong woman who keeps on getting up no matter what in her life brings her down, a man who realizes he’s been dating the wrong kind of women his whole life, and you have one delightfully entertaining romance.
I’m just going to put it out there; I want Dreamy Daniels as a friend. I absolutely loved this vivacious, lovely, and good down deep to the bone woman. Dreamy’s life had not been an easy one and yet she had the most positive attitude about life and a mantra to make her remember that only she could make it happen if she believed. Her family and friends meant everything to her and her determination to finish her degree after having to take a break to care for the grandfather who raised her was a testament to her character. Even the way she went out of her way to help her boss, a man who did not treat her right, because she knew that without the investor he was courting the talented people she worked for and liked would suffer. Her colorful style, the way she embraces life, and the kindness she shows to other is what catches the eye of venture capitalist Karter Redford.
When Karter Redford spots the bombshell woman with a personality to match as he arrives for a meeting, he feels as if he’s been struck by lightning. When he hears her laugh, he thinks she might be Dreamy Daniels the woman he’s been chatting with about the meeting he’s about to have and he has no idea what to do about that. Never once in all his years has he mixed business with pleasure, but there is something about this woman that tells him his life will never be the same.
I’m just going to flat out say it, I loved this story but most of that was because of Dreamy. There was just something about this character that called out to me. I liked Karter for the most part and I felt they were good together, but it was Dreamy and her ambition, her real people issues, her eternal optimism, and even her vulnerability that spoke to me. Was this a perfect book? No, for me Karter’s character wasn’t fleshed out enough and there were parts of him I didn’t like. While I loved how easily Dreamy won over Karter’s assistant, his housekeeper pseudo grandmother, and his sister, I hated the way his Mom spoke about her and the fact that it was all based on appearance because not once did she really try to know her and that wasn’t every really resolved. It also bugged me that Karter almost didn’t do business with Dreamy’s boss because he didn’t delegate and trust his employees, but he was just like him and I kept waiting for her to point that out but that didn’t happen either.
While I’m not a fan of excess conflict or angst, I felt their relationship was a bit too easy. Yes, Dreamy had some issues with Karter’s extreme wealth and her lack of any wealth and felt she didn’t belong in his world but there never really was any fallout over that issue and other than outside conflict they never really disagreed and let’s face it couples argue.
If you enjoy sweet, sexy, funny, feel good romance with a fairy tale feel, then look no further than Business Not As Usual.

Do you play the lottery? If you believe in luck and that next drawing might be your big shot, you’ll like Dreamy, the main character in Business Not As Usual. This book also includes tons of great romance tropes: insta love, opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine, age gap, humor, and more. The result is a good story, but one that was uneven at times.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dreamy is working as an executive assistant and finishing her college degree at night. She meets venture capitalist Karter when he appears at her office for a pitch meeting with her boss. They both feel instant attraction, but hesitate to follow through because Dreamy is taking a break from dating and Karter doesn’t like to mix business with pleasure. But, after fate comes into play and they run into each other again, Dreamy agrees to dinner with Karter. While their sizzling chemistry heats up the pages, Dreamy is nervous that their economic and class differences are too much to overcome. But, Karter believes she’s different than anyone he’s ever met, and wants to give a relationship a shot.

While this book embraces love at first sight, it’s nice that the characters take time to date and build a relationship together. Dreamy and Karter’s close relationships with family members are highlighted, even though their parents leave something to be desired. I also love seeing successful BIPOC characters featured in their own story. And, Melvin the puppy steals every scene he appears in.

This book was uneven, though, and I felt like Dreamy and Karter didn’t behave consistently throughout the book. I’ll admit that Dreamy’s “as soon as I win the lottery” mantra didn’t resonate with me. While I understand showing that a character has dreams and hope no matter what, it seems like an odd thing for a hard working, educated woman to set her sights on.

I don’t put spoilers in my reviews, but I will say that the last quarter of the book didn’t work for me. This book can’t decide if it’s opposites attract or Cinderella fantasy. I’m all for bananas storylines in romance, but the realistic tone didn’t mesh with later events. Perhaps if the secondary characters weren’t one dimensional for most of the book, the shifting events would work better. It was frustrating not to find any nuance in the supporting cast.

Overall, Business Not As Usual was a mixed bag for me. While
I enjoyed some of the comical situations and the main characters, the book was overall uneven. If you are willing to suspend disbelief for some entertaining moments, this romance is worth checking out.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When an aspiring entrepreneur falls for a multimillionaire venture capitalist, can their love overcome the chasm between their backgrounds?

This romance is adorable, funny, and plenty steamy. The hero and heroine are well developed and easy to love. Because they are so easy to love, their romance itself comes fairly easily with only a handful of external obstacles, none of which come from lies or mistreatment by either of the partners. This is a novel for the romance reader who is not looking for angst and suspense but instead for a lighthearted plot that is gentle on the emotions and full of smiles.

Business Not As Usual by Sharon C. Cooper is a fun, lighthearted rom-com, that is just a delight. It’s fluffy and fun with many LOL moments. Escapism reading at its best.

Dreamy Daniels has dreams to make it big in business, and her plans include her winning the lottery in order to fund her start-up. She works as a secretary to a horrible boss by day and is finishing her business degree by night.

Karter Redford is a venture capitalist and the son of wealthy parents. When he meets Dreamy during a meeting with her boss, he is immediately intrigued by the flamboyant, intelligent woman behind the secretary's desk.

Business Not As Usual is romantic escapism at its best. This lighthearted romantic comedy has a sassy, bright, ambitious heroine, and a wealthy, sexy, and compassionate hero. The book is a bit predictable but in a comforting way. I enjoyed the banter between the main characters and I just loved Dreamy’s attitude.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romantic comedy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sometimes a book comes along at precisely the right moment. I needed fluffy fun, and Business Not As Usual delivered that and more. From laugh-out-loud moments to ones that made my heart sigh in contentment, this romcom — like its heroine — is a splash of color in a world of grays.

Dreamy Daniels is spinning a dozen plates, trying to pay the ever-increasing bills as she works for an nightmare boss, takes night classes to finish her bachelor's degree, and is the co-caregiver for her aging grandfather. But it's all going to be okay because she has a plan: Win the lottery and use her billions to kick-start her nonprofit for women in business. Others may laugh, but she knows it will happen. Her life gets even more complicated, though, when billionaire venture capitalist Karter Redford walks into her office — and into her heart. They come from completely different worlds, but their attraction is undeniable. Mixing business with pleasure has never been so tempting... or so fun.

I loved Dreamy from the start. She's bright, funny, and confident, and even if she has some self-doubts, she knows who she is and never compromises. She also loves bright colors, sky high heels, and fabulous wigs — a woman after my own heart! So, it was no surprise to me when Karter fell hard and fast, too. He'd be crazy not to! And together, they're funny, swoony, and tender. Just two good people falling in love and figuring out how their lives fit together.

Billionaire romances are hit-and-miss for me, but Business Not As Usual won me over with its charm and heart. I was rooting for these two right away and laughed and swooned my way through their courtship. It also works because, money and class aside, these two are equals in every way that matters, and they both fill some need within each other's lives. I would have loved to spend more time with their family and friends because it's such a great cast, but I also won't complain over a book full of OTP goodness, either. If you need a splash of a romance that deals with real issues without veering in melodrama, a book that shouts from the rooftops that even your wildest dreams can come true, so never give up, Business Not As Usual is well worth the read.

My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute office romance rom-com! The story is well written and I found myself rooting for Dreamy and Karter. Dreamy is a hilariously relatable character. Karter was a little hard to like starting out especially the way he talked about his ex-girlfriends it gave me red flags and a bit of misogynistic tones. I didn’t want to make excuses for Karter but with Karter with recovering from death and its effects. I gave him a passed and hoped he pulled it together! Overall a good book with a fairytale feeling.

I received a gifted galley of BUSINESS NOT AS USUAL by Sharon C. Cooper for an honest review. Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review!

BUSINESS NOT AS USUAL follows Dreamy, a young woman with big dreams for a better future. She’s working a job where she’s undervalued and living in a not so great part of Los Angeles with broken down appliances and a car that is barely hanging on. Even so, Dreamy has a family she loves and confidence that she’s just days away from better things with a lotto win. She’s been playing the same numbers for years so it is just a matter of time!

Dreamy catches the eye of Karter, a potential investor in the business where she works. He’s from a very different world, a world of money full of the rich and famous. It doesn’t seem like a perfect match, but Dreamy can’t help but fall for his charm even so.

I thought this was a fun rom-com. I really liked Dreamy and her absolute confidence in that winning lotto ticket. It’s not about if she wins, it’s about planning for when. Dreamy has a big personality with a love for color and fashion, and she isn’t willing to compromise it to get ahead. I really enjoyed her quirky and loving grandfather as well and the cast of side characters.

The difference between the couple’s social statuses and bank balances becomes a big focus of the story and at times this felt like a bit too much of a focus to me. At the same time, I could see why it was a hang up for Dreamy, but it isn’t my favorite factor in a romantic comedy.

Overall, I really enjoyed meeting Dreamy and Karter and reading their story.

3 stars
This had a lot going for it in many ways. A woman who knows what she really wants; education and a desire to make something of herself. She loves her grandfather, plays the lottery in hopes of the payout to make it all happen.

We then have the man who has it all, financially but not emotionally. He just has experienced the terrible loss of his best friend and now understands, life is short and it makes him think about his actions. When he meets our gal, all of these feelings come together.