Book: Dolly All the Time
Author: Annabel Monaghan
Thank you, Putnam and NetGalley, for an eARC!
Annabel does it again! This may be one of my favorite books by her yet.
The story follows Dolly Brick, who has a lot on her plate. She’s a kindergarten teacher in Boston, a devoted mother to her son, Gus, and travels back and forth to visit her father and brother in Whitfield.
Whitfield is a small town named after the Whitfield family, who reside in a grand mansion in town. When a small fire at her family home forces Dolly to return to Whitfield for the summer, she hopes the change of scenery will be good for Gus, who has been struggling to socialize lately.
Not long after arriving, Dolly crosses paths with Stewart Whitfield when he gets a flat tire. After she helps him out, Stewart comes up with a plan to help his job. Stewart is determined to secure his position as the next CEO, but he needs to appear settled and happy in a relationship. He proposes an arrangement: Dolly will accompany him to public events as his girlfriend, and in return, he’ll pay for a much-needed new roof for her father’s house.
I absolutely loved watching their fake dating arrangement slowly transform into a genuine, head-over-heels romance. The chemistry between Dolly and Stewart felt natural, and their relationship developed perfectly that it will have you swooning.
The side characters were just as wonderful and added so much depth to the story. I especially loved watching Stewart and Gus bond over boating and baseball, and Christopher’s growth throughout the novel was incredibly heartwarming.
This is a charming, feel-good romance! If you enjoy fake dating romances with plenty of heart, this is definitely a must-read!
Final Score 5/5
Kristen's Book Korner 
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