Title: Hang the Moon
Series: Written in the Stars #2
Author: Alexandria Bellefleur
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Tropes/Themes: Friends to Lovers, Best Friends Brother, Seattle, Rom-Coms
Edition/Pages: Paperback, 384 Pages
Goodreads page

Thank you so much to Avon and Netgalley for providing an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review!

Summary

Brendon Lowell loves love. It’s why he created a dating app to help people find their one true pairing and why he’s convinced “the one” is out there, even if he hasn’t met her yet. Or… has he? When his sister’s best friend turns up in Seattle unexpectedly, Brendon jumps at the chance to hang out with her. He’s crushed on Annie since they were kids, and the stars have finally aligned, putting them in the same city at the same time.

Annie booked a spur-of-the-moment trip to Seattle to spend time with friends before moving across the globe. She’s not looking for love, especially with her best friend’s brother. Annie remembers Brendon as a sweet, dorky kid. Except, the 6-foot-4 man who shows up at her door is a certified Hot Nerd and Annie… wants him? Oh yes.

Getting involved would be a terrible idea—her stay is temporary and he wants forever—but when Brendon learns Annie has given up on dating, he’s determined to prove that romance is real. Taking cues from his favorite rom-coms, Brendon plans to woo her with elaborate dates straight out of Nora Ephron’s playbook. The clock is ticking on Annie’s time in Seattle, and Brendon’s starting to realize romance isn’t just flowers and chocolate. But maybe real love doesn’t need to be as perfect as the movies…as long as you think your partner hung the moon.

Review

Oh my goodness my heart. This book was so beyond precious and left me absolutely swooning. Brendon is one of those love interests you can’t help but fall in love with and root for. It’s friends to lovers at it’s finest. 

This is a very character driven story where the focus is spent more on personal growth than external plot. But the author did a fantastic job of keeping the pace of the book moving regardless. Both of the characters are so well developed and gripping that I was immediately invested in their HEA. 

And the way they move through and overcome their emotional barriers was beautifully executed. I think there are a lot of people out there who will be able to relate to the feeling of “romance being dead” and dating being overrated and frustrating. The themes in this book are just so relevant.

On top that, this adorable rom com has all the best tropes! Best friends brother, there’s only one bed, friends to lovers/second chance, mutual pining, etc. If you love rom-coms this book is for you. 

But one of my favorite things about this book was how the romance wrapped up. Annie is really unsure of where she sees her future heading and love definitely does not fix all in here. She does a lot of her own person growth outside of her relationship with Brendon which I loved seeing.

Overall this romance had everything I was looking for. It’s swoony and adorable with a sexy edge (Brendon might seem sweat but he can definitely throw down with the dirty talk!). There’s amazing banter, loads of chemistry between the main characters, and wonderful nods to rom-coms we all know and love. I’m already SO excited for Margot’s story next year!!