After one-too-many whiskeys, fledgling screenwriter Cara Kennedy takes a page out of someone else’s script when she gets caught up in the Irish tradition of women proposing on Leap Day. She thought she might have dreamt everything until she woke the next morning with a hot guy in her bed and a tin foil ring on her finger. Her flight is in four hours, her clothes are all over the room, and she has the most important meeting of her career in exactly two days—and on top of everything else, her husband has a dog who thinks Cara is a perfect surrogate mother, despite the fact that she has never been much of an animal lover…

Deciding to work things out stateside, Finn and her new fur baby accompany her to LA, where Finn spends his days going on auditions and his nights charming his new bride, leaving Cara to wonder whether this is real love, or if Finn is another aspiring actor just after her Hollywood connections? With limited time on his tourist visa, will Finn be able to convince Cara that she’s the right girl for him, or will time run out on their Hollywood ending?

I stumbled upon this book quite randomly. With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, I was on the lookout for stories set in Ireland or themed around the holiday. That’s when this adorable romcom appeared on my library app, catching my eye. I decided to dive in, and to my delight, I found myself thoroughly enjoying every page. This was my introduction to the author’s work, and it certainly won’t be my last. Cara and Finn’s journey was such a joyous ride, and I’m eager to explore more of this author’s stories in the future.

The book includes some mild language, but overall, it’s a clean romance novel. While there is extensive discussion and contemplation about intimacy, as well as a few fade-to-black scenes depicting the act itself, there are no explicit on-page descriptions. The story features a handful of tender kissing scenes. As someone who enjoys clean, closed-door romances, I welcomed the absence of explicit content. Additionally, the book touches on feminist themes without feeling overly politically charged.

This story is a delightful romp through the unexpected twists and turns of fate, wrapped in a charming love story that celebrates the magic of serendipity. I wish I had the audiobook so I could hear Finn’s Irish accent. 

Cara emerges as a highly relatable character in the story. She exudes independence and ambition, yet harbors insecurities and moments of self-doubt. Her fondness for romcoms and her comparison to Bridget Jones, a favorite movie of mine, instantly endeared her to me. However, there were occasions where her behavior towards Finn struck me as somewhat immature. Despite being 27, she occasionally displayed teenage-like infatuation and flirtation with her love interest. Nonetheless, Cara remained a compelling character whom I found myself consistently rooting for throughout the story.

Finn proved to be a likable main male protagonist with a laid-back demeanor and a go-with-the-flow attitude. While he came across as a nice guy, I found myself wishing we had delved deeper into his character to uncover more about him.

The romance between Cara and Finn was undeniably cute and sweet. While I hoped for a bit more chemistry between them, I still appreciated witnessing their journey of getting to know each other. That said, I found the ending to be somewhat hurried and slightly unrealistic, although it did manage to provide a satisfying conclusion.

Ultimately, this book is a feel-good read that reminds us to embrace life’s surprises and cherish the moments that defy our expectations. It’s a celebration of love, fate, and the courage it takes to leap into the unknown. Ann Marie Walker has crafted a gem of a novel that sparkles with warmth and optimism, a perfect escape for anyone in search of a heartwarming, sweet story.

Definitely recommend! I look forward to reading more from this author.