We Met in December

Starred review from October 14, 2019
New beginnings are at the heart of this sweet, G-rated debut romance. Jess accepts her dream job in London and can’t believe her luck when a friend offers her a room in a Notting Hill town house for dirt cheap. The only rule is there can be no relationships between residents. When Jess’s new housemate, Alex, gave up his lucrative law career to pursue nursing, his fiancée promptly dumped him. He’s determined to avoid relationships and concentrate on his studies, but enjoys a friends-with-benefits arrangement with Emma, a fellow housemate, on the sly. Alex and Jess bond over afternoon walks and living in close quarters, and Jess, a hopeless romantic, falls for Alex, but because of his “relationship” with Emma, she tries to think of him as a friend. When Emma starts to want more, Alex calls things off, still not ready for a relationship. But when Jess starts to date someone else, Alex realizes he’s been fighting feelings for her all along. Curtis has a gift for capturing complex emotion and both romantic and platonic intimacy. The witty dialogue, loyal friendships, and endearing romance are sure to capture readers’ hearts.

Narrators Jessica Preddy and Finlay Robertson help bring this lovely British romance to life. Jess, finally living her dream of a Notting Hill home and a job in publishing, meets all her new housemates at Christmas and instantly is attracted to Alex. The two take a series of walks to acquaint Jess with London, all the while grappling with their feelings for each other. Preddy, as Jess, offers the right amount of elation and anxiety as she depicts Jess's roller-coaster year. Robertson also shows multiple skills as Alex deals with his new career choice and navigates his feelings for Jess. This story is a delightful winter listen that is boosted by both a male and a female narrator. S.K.G. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine