Can a jeopardized children's library program spark a
partnership that saves their careers but costs them their hearts?
When children's librarian Martha Aldridge learns about budget cuts that will
not only put her out of a job but also shut down the library's children's
programs, she's determined to raise the funds needed to save both. The good
news is, she knows just who to ask for a large donation on the library's
behalf. The bad news? She swore she'd never step foot in his office again.
Julien King has been groomed to one day run his family's publishing empire, and
now he must prove he's ready to take the helm by turning around the company's
languishing children's imprint. That wouldn't be a problem, except he doesn't
know the first thing about children's literature. So when Martha waltzes into
his office, he sees an opportunity and makes her an offer she can't refuse.
He'll give her the money she needs for the library in exchange for her help in
acquiring a bestselling manuscript that will resurrect the dying imprint. The
longer they're forced to work together, however, the more they come to realize
their jobs may not be the only thing on the line.
My Thoughts:
I have really enjoyed this series about librarians and their love for books, libraries, and their men while dealing with real life issues. This story is Martha's and what she will do to save her job at the library and the children's programs she has poured her heart into. So, she swallows her pride and heads to talk to Mr. King for a donation that the library desperately needs, only to come face to face with her once childhood crush, the son Julien King.
Julien is in a bit of a pickle himself needing to get his father to trust him enough to hand over the reins of their publishing empire to him. So, Julien comes up with a plan that will help both him and Martha. It will require a lot of work, spending time together, and the extensive hunt for the next best children's book. And they don't have a lot of time to do this in.
Author Monzon is really becoming a favorite contemporary author. Her stories, characters, and their situations are all so unique. This was a good romance with delightful reminders of other stories I have also read. It also felt like a sprinkling of Sabrina (the old Hollywood movie) and a beloved children's book I read to my kids. So fun. And yes, the love of libraries and their importance in the community shines through. Bravo.
I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
