3.5/5 stars! I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, the cover is catchy and the BIPOC representation is wonderful. But, there were some major portions of this story that didn't work for me. I didn't vibe with either of the two potential love interests and felt the ending was too obvious early on. However, a bada** woman running a successful bookstore gets major points from me. A cute, simple, quick romcom read.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Beyond excited to read, acquire and share this book with our readers. Will be updating this with a full review and thoughts soon. I can’t wait to jump in Zola’s world and see her choose between Lawrence and Reid. I like the novel will also contain a bit of mystery as well! I loved Dial A for Aunties so I know I will love this book if it is similar in style as well. Thank you very much for providing me this opportunity.


Zora has committed every inch of her life to establishing her thriving DC bookstore, making it into a pillar of the community, and she just hasn't had time for romance. But when a mystery author she's been crushing on for years agrees to have an event at her store, she starts to rethink her priorities . . .

Lawrence is every bit as charming as she imagined, even if his understanding of his own books seems just a bit shallow. When he asks her out after his reading, she's almost elated enough to forget about the grumpy guy who sat next to her making snide comments all evening. Apparently the grouch is Lawrence's best friend, Reid, but she can't imagine what kind of friendship that must be. They couldn't be more different.

As she starts seeing Lawrence, and spending more and more time with Reid, Zora finds first impressions can be deceiving. Reid is smart and thoughtful, and also, very interested in Zora. After years of avoiding dating, she suddenly has two handsome men competing for her affection.

But even as she struggles to choose between them, she can't shake the feeling that they're both hiding something - a mystery she's determined to solve before she can find her Happy Ever After.