Billed as a “fun romantic comedy,” I found this book less than entertaining: too predictable, with sex scenes that had me rolling my eyes rather than feeling the passion.

The story has two narrators. One is Daphne McFadden, an author who finally finds a publisher for her book by submitting it under a man’s name. The second is Chris Stanton, an accountant (but hot!) who agrees to pose as the book’s alleged author, Zane Remington. Naturally they fall in love, and naturally the exposure of the true authorship of the book is always a threat looming in the background.

While the story addresses some real problems in the publishing industry, such as the preference for publishing work by men rather than women (not to mention whites rather than authors of color), Armstrong treats this issue as just an unusual backdrop for her romance. (In this it differs only slightly from a Hallmark rom-com, since Daphne has not hired her old high school sweetheart with whom “sparks fly.” It also differs by having explicit sex and no Christmas scenes. And no commercials. Otherwise…)

Only occasionally, such as with the Daphne’s publicist Sakura, did Armstrong’s talent for nuanced characterization come into play. Historically, I have loved Armstrong’s books, and in this one I appreciated the insights into some of the concerns (and terrors!) experienced by writers. But I wouldn’t follow her work so religiously (or at all, to be honest) if this had been my only exposure to her. ( )

“Finding Mr. Write” by Kelley Armstrong blends lighthearted romance with significant themes, addressing them thoughtfully. Armstrong’s prowess in weaving romance into various genres, from paranormal to mystery, in addition to being a fantastic storyteller, means that it is no surprise that she can successfully write a contemporary romance.
While this genre may not typically appeal to me, this book captivated my interest with its exploration of gender dynamics, racial issues, and insights into the publishing world. It tackles pertinent subjects with dignity yet maintains a sense of humor and engaging characters. It is still
It was also really interesting to see the setting in the Yukon, and living a bit off the grid, in a more light-hearted way than the Rockton series.
This is not my favorite of Armstrong’s titles, but it is still a fun book and, I really enjoyed it.
Thank you to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the e-ARC. ( )