Almost by Design

I enjoyed reading Almost by Design, a delightful small town contemporary romance set in Alabama. Kenya is an events manager who’s on track to secure a work promotion until she’s forced to take leave to recover from an accident at her cousin’s wedding. Solomon is a physical therapist at the hospital who had previously ghosted Kenya after their first date. Their meet cute at Kenya’s cousin’s wedding is an embarrassing disaster for Kenya and they end up visiting the hospital.

Solomon needs a girlfriend to discourage his parents from finding him a bride. His Nigerian immigrant parents have worked hard to build a business empire for their adult children to run. Solomon wants to pursue a physical therapy career but he’s torn because he’s the eldest son with family responsibilities.

Kenya has a complicated relationship with her mother and often feels like she disappoints her mother. Kenya is dyslexic and she tries to hide her dyslexia due to past hurts and unresolved childhood issues.

I enjoyed journeying with Solomon and Kenya as their fun and sweet fake relationship moves into friendship territory and starts to feel real. When their secrets are revealed, they’re forced to deal with their emotional baggage and feelings for each other. Trust issues, the importance of honest communication, the fear of rejection and pride issues are explored in the story.

I recommend Almost by Design to contemporary romance readers who like second chances and fake relationship small town romances…