Need You Now

September 18, 2017
In this charming but shallow debut, a small California island community’s annual music festival plays host to a romance between a rock star’s daughter and a recently retired tennis champion. Faith Harper is very busy trying to organize the festival her legendary father started, but when she encounters Caleb White, who’s come to CloudFest to figure out his postretirement strategy, she realizes there may be room for some stress-relieving fun and flirtation. Despite instant, easy chemistry and the mutual fulfillment they find in each others’ arms, Faith and Caleb still have to deal with the realities of a relationship born during pressure and uncertainty; their temporary fling might not survive to the end of the week. The core romance is delightful, and the setting feels comfortable, but the inevitable relationship drama comes rather late in the narrative, making the conflict feel both overdue and too hastily resolved. And Faith’s family issues get significant time, but Caleb’s personal problems are much less elaborated upon, contributing to an imbalance in focus and development. It’s a fun, fluffy story, but there’s room for improvement. Agent: Miriam Kriss, Irene Goodman Literary.