BOOK 'EM DIVA: DATING BY THE BOOK

*I was happy to receive an advance review copy of the latest Mary Ann Marlowe novel, Dating By the Book, in exchange for an honest review. Enjoy!*

Publisher: Kensington Books
Release Date: June 25, 2019
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

To read a Mary Ann Marlowe novel is to fall in love. From her smart female protagonists to her charming male love interests, each new book introduces us to characters we want to know in real life. That's why it's always hard to say goodbye when it's time to turn to the final page. This is particularly  problematic with Dating By The Book, the latest from the award-winning author, as Marlowe infuses the story with mystery, making it a true page-turner. Thus, the end arrives all too soon.

I just didn't want it to end!!!

Maddie Hanson  is leading a secret life. By day, she is the mild-mannered owner of The Mossy Stone, her small town's only book store. By night, she is a writer who is about to see her dreams come true with her first published novel. Besides her mother and best friend, Layla, no one in the town of Orion knows that she writes under the pen name Claire Kincaid or that her book, The Shadow Apprentice, will soon be sitting on a shelf in The Mossy Stone as well as in bookstores throughout the country.

One night, Maddie's email pings to alert her that someone has posted a review of an advance copy of her novel.  Nervously, she clicks on the link and learns that a book blogger who goes by the name "Silver Fox" is not particularly impressed with her first offering. While Maddie can handle constructive criticism, this Silver Fox character dares to assume that the author has never been involved in a passionate romantic relationship in her life, as her writing falls short in that regard. She begs to differ.  Wasn't Maddie the high school love interest of one Dylan Ramirez, the sexy rock star and international heart throb? Wasn't she, Maddie, engaged to the handsome, successful businessman, Peter Mercer? She's certainly known love. And she's known heartbreak, as Peter deserted her at the altar when she refused to give up her dream of owning The Mossy Stone to follow him into the world of big cities and bigger commerce.  Of course, Maddie knows passionate love! Or, does she?

Against her better judgement, Maddie responds to Silver Fox, and before they both know it, an on-line friendship is formed, even though neither knows the other's real name. Meanwhile, Maddie decides it's time for her to begin dating, again, as Silver Fox might well be right. Since her break up with Peter, she's lost touch with what it feels like to be in love. Yet, she can't get Silver Fox out of her head, and neither will the readers. Who is Silver Fox who seems, somehow, familiar to Maddie?

"Keep looking for clues. We MUST find Silver Fox."

The author takes us on a fun, date-filled ride as we use our sleuthing skills to try to determine which of the men in Maddie's life is actually the anonymous Fox. What is up with the uptight Gentry Lamar, town council president, who is persistently on Maddie's case about every infraction? And why does her childhood friend, Max Beckett, keep pushing to unite his baking business with her bookstore? What about Charlie Hamilton, the college professor, who spends an unreasonable amount of time in Maddie's bookstore? What is the real reason Dylan Ramirez is back in town, suddenly showing up at Maddie's bookclub? And, what about Peter? Just when you think you've got it figured out...well, you'll see.

I give this novel 4.5 out of 5 stars. Besides its page-turning deliciousness, we also get to sit in on Maddie's monthly book club and listen as the eclectic cast of characters discuss classic romances like Gone With the Wind and Jane Eyre. Readers will root for Maddie as she, while seeking out Silver Fox, discovers herself and true love.

Pre-order the book here:  DATING BY THE BOOK BY MARY ANN MARLOWE
Can't wait until June 25? Dip in, right away, to Mary Ann Marlowe's:

SOME KIND OF MAGIC and
A CRAZY KIND OF LOVE