Review: When It Shines by Lili Valente (The McGuire Brothers #4.5)


Note: An advance reader copy (ARC) was provided by the author.

When It Shines is the second novella in Lili Valente's McGuire Brothers series, and while you can still enjoy this book as a standalone, I also recommend you check out When It Pours, which was the first novella released three months ago. Just like the other books in the series, Valente delivers her unique brand of romance and comedy in this heartwarming story set in an airport during a winter thunderstorm, aka a thundersnow, with second chance feels, an itchy elf costume, an injured cat influencer, and a green pup.

As desperate as Rose Dobbs, better knows as Dipsy, may be to get home to her family in Bad Dog, Minnesota in time for Christmas Eve, Mother Nature has other plans, courtesy of a snowstorm that cancels all flights out of St. Louis, Missouri. Not only is she stuck at the airport in an itchy elf costume, she bumps into the one person she hopes she could avoid forever while also wishing she could spend forever with--Bear Hansen. The connection is still there, but Bear belongs in Chicago and not with Dipsy. She needs to focus on her career and not live a life full of regrets; but will Dipsy regret letting Bear go?

Ah, this was such a fantastic holiday romance! While I wasn't a fan of how Rose/Dipsy originally ghosted Bear, I empathized with her reasoning and I did have a greater appreciation for her as their second chance at a happily-ever-after unfolded. As for Bear, well, the guy was a cinnamon roll with a deliciously dirty side to him, and his love for Rose/Dipsy made him even more endearing. Countless bonus points have to go to the supporting cast of characters, particularly Rose/Dipsy and Bear's airport family who brought such dimension to the story, making for a fun-filled romp as they were all stuck together at the airport. Overall, When It Shines indeed shines bright, and it gets five stars.

Release Date: 01 December 2023

Date Read: 01 December 2023

Learn more about Lili Valente.

Purchase When It Shines on Amazon | Apple Books | B&N | Google Play | Kobo.

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