Book: The Story Guy by Mary Ann RIvers, Loveswept/Random House, On Sale Now
Book Info: Contemporary Romance, ebook received for review via NetGalley, available in e-book (131 pages)
Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars
More Info: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Publisher’s description:
I will meet you on Wednesdays at noon in Celebration Park. Kissing only.
Carrie West is happy with her life . . . isn’t she? But when she sees this provocative online ad, the thirtysomething librarian can’t help but be tempted. After all, the photo of the anonymous poster is far too attractive to ignore. And when Wednesday finally arrives, it brings a first kiss that’s hotter than any she’s ever imagined. Brian Newburgh is an attorney, but there’s more to his life . . . that he won’t share with Carrie. Determined to have more than just Wednesdays, Carrie embarks on a quest to learn Brian’s story, certain that he will be worth the cost. But is she ready to gamble her heart on a man who just might be The One . . . even though she has no idea how their love story will end?
I started seeing glowing reviews of this book popping up and even though the cover didn’t look like anything special, I wanted to give it a try. I usually stay away from novellas because the ones I’ve read are pretty unsatisfying. But, I have to say this one hit all the right notes and I think the novella length was totally appropriate. It’s filled with all the sweet little moments that I love in a romance.
The Story Guy is about two lonely people that meet through a personals ad. Carrie is a teen librarian who answers Brian’s mysterious ad to meet once a week for a lunchtime kissing date. Can they keep their arrangement no-strings-attached or turn it into something more?
I think I wrote off novellas prematurely, because when they are this good you totally feel an emotional connection. This story is powerful and concise and more satisfying than many other full-length romances I’ve read.
I love the idea of a librarian going off on her lunch break for a secret kissing meet-up. Carrie is a great character, and passionate about books and library events. She has a cute librarian-themed email and IM (and tattoo!) and a pixie-cut also. I was rooting for her and Brian to turn their arrangement into something more.
The personal ad itself sets off red flags about Brian- why is he looking for this kind of relationship? Carrie asks her friends for advice about Brian, and that’s where the term Story Guy comes in. A Story Guy refers to that meaningful someone in your life that you remember even though they may not be the guy you make your own stories with. Brian’s life is a mystery that unravels throughout the course of the book so you’ll discover if he is in fact a Story Guy or not.
There is a sweetness and melancholy about the story that I responded to. The relationship builds slowly and satisfyingly and brings on all the emotions. And I think it’s in my DNA to want to read a book about a heroine librarian. This is Mary Ann Rivers’ debut novel and she’s written a really lovely and moving book. Can’t wait for more books by this author! The Story Guy novella is available exclusively as an e-book and at $0.99 is an awesome deal.
Heroine librarians do sound cool. I don’t think I’ve ever read about one. Any other recommendations? Great review, btw!
I can’t think of any other books about librarians off hand, but since my mom was a librarian I think they make for great subjects 🙂
I honestly couldn’t have said it better myself. Like you, I tend to avoid novellas at all costs but I was convinced to read this particular story after reading what must have been the tenth glowing review about it. I was certainly happy I did! Everything about this story really worked for me. Both Carrie and Brian were utterly loveable and I never got tired of the cute little literary jokes the two were often exchanging. I thought their story had a surprising amount of heart, and like you, found The Story Guy as powerful as many full-length romances novel I’ve read recently. (Probably more so!)
This was a wonderful review, Lucy 🙂 You really captured what works about this story and I know I couldn’t have articulated my feelings about it half as well!
Agreed, I am not usually a fan of novellas, but this one was gorgeous. I could see it being a longer novel, but it was still completely satisfying as it is. I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next!
Sometimes I enjoy a short easy read. Sounds good. Thanks!