Fox Crossing

In Fox Crossing, Maine, rumor has it that if you cross paths with The Fox, good luck is sure to come your way. While some town residents wholeheartedly agree, Annie Hatherthly does not. Coming from a long line of strong, independent women (harrh!), she knows that only careful preparation and precision can bring you what you want and keep you safe should you decide to hike the 100-Mile Wilderness. Frustrated with the abundance of unprepared would-be hikers coming though her store, Annie lashes out at Nick Ferrone, another woefully lacking adventurer bubbling with excitement at the prospect of his trek. The two butt heads and sparks fly, but Annie's unexpected encounter with The Fox will have her questioning whether or not it's okay for her to let her heart lead, rather than her mind.

While Fox Crossing primarily focuses upon Nick and Annie (it's told from their dual-POV), several supporting characters had storylines of their own, all of which enhanced the novel, especially the one between the lonely soul (no spoilers!) and the stray dog. To be honest, though, my favorite character was Banana (a trail nickname - we never learn his real name). He had such a huge heart, and I found myself smiling whenever he came up through the book. I truly appreciated the development of Nick and Annie's characters, and I felt that Metz did an excellent job constructing their relationship. All too often, small-town romances are saccharine and somewhat unbelievable due to their lack of conflict and growth that creates depth, but I didn't feel that way with this one. She also did a fantastic job with the incorporation of The Fox's stream of consciousness. It never felt overdone, and The Fox had a wise, poetic voice that led to its charm. I was sad to see that this is a standalone, as I could easily see Chloe's story making a great novel, but I was extremely happy with her outcome nonetheless.

Fox Crossing was the book that I didn't know that I needed until I started it, and I have already recommended it to a few of my friends. 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 on Goodreads. A massive thank you to Kensington Books for sharing this one with me early.