Starred review from June 5, 2023
Moher’s sparkling debut kicks off when curvy and gumptious Indianapolis waitress Alice Rose Barnes wins $80 million in the lottery. Beset by people looking to take advantage of her newfound wealth and struggling to cope with a recent trauma, Alice decides to flee her old life for somewhere she’ll feel more comfortable. Landing in Galway, N.C., she reinvents herself as Rose and though she keeps her wealth secret from her new neighbors, she becomes a kind of fairy godmother to the town, anonymously donating to local causes. Along the way, she falls for gentle giant Angus Drummond, an Army vet turned therapist who works as a builder on the side. The pair meet when Rose hires Angus to remodel her new home, and, despite a rocky start, their chemistry is undeniable. But what will happen when Angus learns all the secrets Rose is keeping? It’s easy to root for these deserving and well-matched characters on their bumpy road to love, and the charming small-town setting only adds to the appeal of this complex yet cozy tale. An emphasis on body positivity combines with heartfelt romance to make this a winner. Agent: Sara Megibow, KT Literary.
June 10, 2024
Narrators Paul Bellantoni and Michelle Price strike the right note in Moher's mostly delightful debut. Recent lottery winner Rose leaves her home in Indiana and ends up in Galway, NC. There, she makes new friends and meets Angus, a gruff army veteran who becomes her contractor when she buys a home. Because of the havoc caused by her windfall, Rose keeps her earnings secret while using them to accomplish good deeds around town. When Angus slowly begins to fall for Rose, she doesn't notice at first because her self-esteem is in tatters, following a past traumatic experience. Once they do get together, Rose worries that everything will change if her secret gets out. Price vocalizes Rose as a determined person who has suffered in the past but is embracing a new, confident self. Rose's sunny demeanor balances out Angus's surliness. At times, Bellantoni's Angus, who also works as a counselor for other veterans, sounds 10 years older, perhaps because Angus has seen some things during the war. The audiobook is excellent until the third act, when Angus's characterization sours and hinders the rest of the story. VERDICT Final act aside, listeners of small-town romances with appealing heroines should enjoy.--Anjelica Rufus-Barnes
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