This book had me hooked from the very first chapter, as Birdie Maxwell sprinted away from paparazzi, her reputation going up in flames in a viral video. Returning to her hometown with her pride wounded, she found herself at her parents' doorstep, only to be met by her estranged sister who greeted her with a resounding slap. The comedic irony had me bursting into laughter, and I instantly connected with Birdie's anti-heroine spirit as she attempted her rogue entrance into her childhood home, only to be swiftly apprehended by her sister in her transformed Airbnb guest room.

Her parents were on sabbatical, and her less-than-enthusiastic sister was ready to donate the remnants of Birdie's belongings to Goodwill, dismissing her unread emails. Birdie's reputation had taken a hit after confronting a director's inappropriate behavior, and her pleas for justice were ignored, even by her longtime lover who happened to be the director's brother. Left to shoulder the blame and labeled the scapegoat, she yearned for redemption and a chance to repair her image as America's sweetheart.

As fate would have it, Birdie crossed paths with her childhood crush and a reunion with her best friend, Mona, at a dive bar. Elliott O'Brian, a successful reporter covering war zones, was grappling with his own professional struggles and reputation woes. Birdie needed a story to salvage her image, and an unexpected love letter addressed to her family home became the key. Their journey unraveled a tale of second chances, unrequited love, and undeniable chemistry as they embarked on a road trip filled with mishaps, miscommunication, and unexpected discoveries.

Caught in Mona's RV, the duo ventured to various locales, from a delectable chef's restaurant to the opulent realm of a casino hotel owner. Despite their shared past, there were unspoken feelings and unresolved tensions that held them back from embracing their emotions. The narrative seamlessly blended enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity tropes, though there were moments when I wished the characters would shed their stubbornness and reveal their true sentiments.

While I may have deducted half a star due to these instances and an early unraveling of the secret admirer mystery, ( I found as I reached the middle) the book remained irresistibly addictive, entertaining, and an exemplar of the romantic comedy genre. In my final verdict, I'm rounding up my rating from 4.5 to a solid 5 stars, all in the hope that Birdie Maxwell finds her well-deserved happily ever after.

A heartfelt expression of gratitude to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for extending the opportunity to immerse myself in this delightful digital reviewer copy in exchange for my candid thoughts.

Oh my goodness, this book was charming, witty, and romantic and I really enjoyed it! It did start off a little slow, but once it picked up I really liked it.