April 15, 2024
An accidental pregnancy after a one-night stand forever changes life for the better for the soon-to-be parents. Winnifred "Win" McNulty doesn't let her limb difference--an underdeveloped hand--prevent her from living a full, independent life, but a hurtful previous relationship has made her wary of romance and impacted her self-confidence possibly even more than she realizes. After bonding with a fellow pirate-costumed partygoer on Halloween, Win hooks up with Bo Durand, a sexy nerd with a prosthetic leg. Since Win isn't looking for a relationship, they part ways with no plans to ever see each other again...until Win discovers she's pregnant and decides to keep the baby. She's surprised about how excited Bo is by the news and how involved he wants to be. While the chemistry between them remains palpable, Win thinks it's best if they just get to know each other as friends now that their lives are entwined for the long haul. This proves easier said than done when everything she learns about Bo endears him to her further and she finds herself falling in love. Told through Win's first-person narration, this gentle love story is propelled by realistic emotions as Win and Bo work to overcome past hurts and insecurities. These emotional turmoils, as well as their disabilities, are portrayed with love and sensitivity, creating a tender, thoughtful feel throughout. Humor adds levity, especially in scenes featuring their delightful friends. After the initial scorching scene, it's an exquisite slow burn to get this lovable pair to open themselves to a romance that feels so well earned by the end. Cozy and affirming, this is a big warm hug of a book.
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March 25, 2024
Bonam-Young (Next of Kin) puts an endearing spin on the accidental pregnancy trope. Six weeks after a one-night stand, 28-year-old Winnifred “Win” McNulty discovers she’s pregnant. Though Bo was a steamy date with a wicked sense of humor to match her own, Win is hesitant to depend on any man after a past traumatic relationsip. But when she tells him about the pregnancy, he’s eager to help. Will Bo’s kindness, attentiveness, and support for Win and their child change her mind about dating and lead to a more permanent arrangement with her handsome baby daddy? Bonam-Young’s pun-based title refers to spunky Win’s limb difference (her right hand is less developed than her left), which is modeled after the author’s, and gallant Bo’s prosthetic leg, both of which are handled with sensitivity and grace. There’s not much conflict to be had here, as both Win and Bo face down life’s challenges with resilience and positivity. Despite some heavy-handed interior monologues from Win, tenderness, humor, and erotic moments keep things entertaining and make it easy to root for the central couple. This feel-good story will resonate with romantics who don’t take themselves too seriously. Agent: Jessica Alvarez, BookEnds Literary.