5 STARS The trick with a book like this is to take a familiar trope with a predetermined ending and infuse it with memorable characters and intense emotions to make it stand out above the rest. On top of that, make the characters vaguely aware that they're living the trope while determined not to submit to the fantasy of it. I think Melanie Moreland succeeded with this book. Without a doubt, Richard lives up to his nickname Dick. Katy/Katharine is a bit of an enigma, orphaned at a young age, then taken in by an older woman who treated her as her own daughter. Not surprisingly, Katy feels a deep responsibility to care for Penny now in her old age. She cares so much that she's willing to pretend to be engaged to the Dick. Richard is a complex, damaged human being, for reasons that become clear later. His journey from @$$h01e to lover is emotional and poignant. His slow awakening to his feelings is powerful. His story is told with compassion and understanding and some of his epiphanies are memorable, like this one, which was clearly a veiled, though unrecognized reference to his own upbringing: "A voice spoke in my head, whispering maybe what she needed all along was someone to hold her up, rather than tear her down." Would I recommend this book? No question. I loved it. Ms. Moreland has a gift for conveying emotions to the reader and I'll be looking for more from her. April 5, 2020
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