About the Book
Two sisters have one summer to crush their comfort zones and save their grandmother’s legacy in this sweet, sexy, and heartfelt novel by Ali Brady, author of The Beach Trap.
Hannah and Libby need a miracle. The PR agency they inherited from their grandmother is losing clients left and right, and the sisters are devastated at the thought of closing. The situation seems hopeless—until in walks Lou, an eccentric self-help guru who is looking for a new PR agency. Her business could solve all their problems—but there’s a catch. Whoever works with Lou must complete a twelve-week challenge as part of her “Crush Your Comfort Zone” program.
Hannah, whose worst nightmare is making small talk with strangers, is challenged to go on twelve first dates. Libby, who once claimed to have period cramps for four weeks straight to get out of gym class, is challenged to compete in an obstacle course race. The challenges begin with Hannah helping Libby train and Libby managing the dating app on her sister’s behalf. They’re both making good progress—until Hannah’s first love rolls into town, and Libby accidentally falls for a guy she’s supposed to be setting up with her sister.
Things get even more complicated when secrets come to light, making the sisters question the one relationship they’ve always counted on: each other. With their company’s future on the line, they can’t afford to fail. But in trying to make a comeback to honor their grandmother, are they pushing themselves down the wrong path?
My Review
I just started diving into summer rom coms but 2023 is the year for some stellar picks in fiction. I loved following Hannah and Libby, sisters who are living in Chicago and running a PR agency their grandmother started. Each sister has her strengths and weaknesses when it comes to business – and their personal life. While they are on the brink of losing their business, they meet Lou, an eccentric self-help guru. While Lou’s business could save the company, Lou isn’t just any regular client. She first challenges the women to complete her Crush Your Comfort Zone challenge – giving Hannah the challenge of going on twelve first dates and Libby to complete an obstacle course. While they have their doubts – and fears – both sisters want to save their careers and their grandmother’s legacy, so they agree to do it – while also teaming up to help one another. Libby downloads the dating apps and talks to the guys as her sister, and Hannah puts together a doable obstacle course training program to help Libby get in shape. But things get a little messy when Libby develops feelings for a guy she is supposed to be setting up Hannah with, and Hannah’s first – and never forgotten – love comes back to town. Things reach a boiling point when confessions are made and the sisters have to decide not only if they can keep their business – but will they even want to work together again after their fight?
I love following books in Chicago – former Midwest girl here and Chicago was a favorite city of mine to visit – and I also loved the love for Chicago from not just Hannah and Libby, but also their grandmother. But more than that, this was a very down to earth rom com – nothing was too over the top cheesy for me and I honestly was surprised more than a few times by characters or their decisions. I had some ideas of how the book would turn out, but I have to say especially the leading men were keeping me on my toes, which I appreciated. The concept of the PR agency working with a self-help guru in the social media age was a fun one, and the bond of sisterhood was heartwarming to read about. There are plenty of great themes in this one – getting out of your comfort zone, facing your insecurities, and standing up for what you really want in life to name a few – and I enjoyed this from beginning to end. A perfect rom com that is actually more led by the relationship between the sisters than their intimate relationships, and one I highly recommend.
5 stars
