Okeydokey, Reasonable Adults is adorable. I knew going in this would be an over-the-top RomCom, and I was right! Kate cannot control her impulses and loses her PR job after tarnishing one of the firm’s clients on Instagram. In her rush to find employment, she signs up for a job at a remote resort without reading the fine print. Kate experiences many hostile coworkers, a dragon boss, and a handsome coworker who is off-limits. Taking it as an opportunity for personal growth, Kate finds her integrity, learns some self-control and comes out on top.
The story moves along at a good tempo, and the romance is pretty low key. There are some steamy parts, but it mixes open and closed doors. Reasonable Adults is more focused on Kate’s personal growth and her ability to figure out how to focus on herself and live intentionally. I wish she’d gotten to ride in the helicopter!
Eric the Goldendoodle was a superb sidekick. Kate remembered Eric’s needs throughout the book, including walking, feeding and ensuring he got checked on. Sometimes, authors leave mundane things to dangle. I prefer when an author at least sets a precedent by having the main character say, “We did our usual routine, two laps around the park each day.” Then, it’s happening in the background without being explicitly stated. I’ll know how we got there if a future scene starts in the park. Robin Lefler did an excellent job of maintaining that continuity in Reasonable Adults.
Being one province over from Ontario, I’ve been to the Muskokas. I know how gorgeous it is, how remote it can feel, and the amount of money people spend there. I love reading books set in Canada, and this one highlighted some treasures. I listened to the audiobook, though, and the narrator mispronounced toque. I scowled every time it happened. TWO-KHUH not toke!
A dicey section in the book’s last third sets up the “everything falls apart before getting put back together” device. The threat of it could have worked just as well to move the plot forward without any physical contact, but I also didn’t find it offensive or upsetting. Matt stepped up to do better when he got a chance, and repaired the damage he’d caused. Guy needs to do some of his own personal growth!
I’ll look for more by Robin Lefler. Reasonable Adults was a perfect palate cleanser. Cheery and cute, but not dull or predictable.
Publication Information
Publisher: HarperAvenue
First Published: December 13 2022
Audiobook Publisher: Highbridge Audio
Audiobook Narrator: Vanessa Johansson
Format: Audiobook
Source: Public Library
