Zora Books Her Happy Ever After by Taj McCoy ~ a Review

by MK French

Zora owns a thriving DC bookstore, with no time for romance. Her favorite mystery author agrees to have an event at her store, and Lawrence is every bit as charming as she imagined. He doesn't seem to understand his own books, and the grumpy guy next to her making snide comments is Lawrence’s best friend, Reid. The two are very different, and Zora learns more about both of them as she starts seeing Lawrence. After years of avoiding dating, she suddenly has two handsome men competing for her affection. Zora struggles to choose between them and has the feeling that they’re both hiding something. This is a mystery she’ll solve before she can find her HEA.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

April 2023; MIRA; 978-0778333524
audio, ebook, print (320 pages); romantic comedy

We're introduced to Zor-lock Holmes in the beginning, tracking down lost items and backtracking information. Her grandmother and best friend make up her family at this point, and her life revolves around the shop and them. They are utterly hilarious, I love them so much. Lawrence is flashy and glitzy, without too much substance or stamina on dates. Reid is reintroduced to Zora when Lawrence suggests her as a speaker for Reid's writing class. He's down to earth and values Black history and local businesses as Zora does, and is generally much more thoughtful. The two men were friends since college, and encourage Xora to date them both to see who she actually likes better.  The reader knows who Zora is better off with, but she's full of lists, talking to others, and hoping for perfection if not working all the time.  We also have our suspicions about the writing long before Zora does.

I really enjoyed Zora as a character and the relationship she has with her grandmother, friend, and employees. She is a kind and giving woman, one who values hard work and her community. Lawrence is selfish and thinks he can do no wrong, and Reid is standoffish at times. Zora takes it upon herself to crack the mystery and charges full speed ahead. We understand the thrill of the chase, but the fallout of that felt resolved a bit too quickly. It's a good happily ever after, though, and one that readers will definitely enjoy.

Buy Zora Books Her Happy Ever After at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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