Review: Hang the Moon

Hang the Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.7 stars 

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. 

His teeth sank into his bottom lip, a smile flirting at the edges of his mouth. On anyone else, that smile would’ve been dangerous. The sort of smile that got Annie to do ill-advised acts after a first date. But this wasn’t a date and this was Brendon, her best friend’s baby brother. He was harmless. 

Brendon Lowell's childhood dream was to be Hugh Grant, he loves rom-coms and he loves matching people with their One True Pairing. So much so, he developed a dating app, OTP, to help people find their perfect person. While his app is helping, the new data shows that people are feeling disillusioned with apps and online dating, not believing in romance is possible anymore, hurting his bottom line and his heart. Annie Kyriakos is one of those disillusioned people and just so happens to be Brendon's childhood crush. Annie has been friends with Brendon's sister Darcy since they were kids and she decides to make a surprise visit to Darcy in Seattle before she breaks the news that she accepted a promotion and job in London. Annie hasn't seen Brendon in eight years and is surprised and a little flustered at how well he grew-up. Brendon and Annie are a little bit of opposites attract, a little bit of second-chance, a little bit friends-to-lovers, and a whole lot of romantic heat. 

“And I’m going to change your mind. Romance isn’t dead, and I’m going to prove it.” 

 Laughter burst from between her lips. “You can try.” 

His mouth twitched. “Do or do not, Annie.” 

Alexandria Bellefleur's Written in the Stars, was my favorite contemporary last year and I was highly anticipating this one. We met Darcy's brother Brendon in the first of the series and had brief mentions of her bestfriend Annie, here they end up spending time together as Annie's surprise visit is badly timed as Darcy is on vacation and Brendon steps-up to show Annie around Seattle until Darcy is back. As with the first, Bellefleur highlights Seattle and gives us a setting that we can feel and appreciate, adding to the ambiance of the story. She also gives our leads friends and lets us sit in that friendship. Here, she also gives a look at how friendships evolve over time and how that can be a good thing and something makes us mourn for what was. I admired how it was shown that Darcy getting caught up in her new romantic relationship made Annie feel a little sad for losing a part of her friendship with Darcy and how it was changing. This gave depth to Annie and added even more emotion to the story, creating a more filled out world. Brendon's friendship with Margot (friend of Darcy's significant other, Elle) also was an enjoyable additive. 

A fun day with a funny, attractive guy. It didn’t change the fact that she wasn’t looking for love. Not with anyone; certainly not with her best friend’s baby brother who didn’t know her. 

This story had a very sweet vibe (don't worry, there was a very hot sex scene) and was pretty low angst. There's a set-up of Brendon trying to recreate rom-com movie scenes to convince Annie that romance isn't dead. He thinks of Annie as a representative of the data he received saying people are disillusioned with online dating and romance. For the most part, though, he is just spending time with Annie and they are bonding, there was no feeling of him manufacturing moments. Annie has the issue of not wanting to start anything with Brendon because of her relocating to London and being burned for being the only one all-in in previous relationships. Brendon trying to show her, he's all-in and Annie scared to believe it, is the most angst you'll get here. I wouldn't call this cotton candy sweet though, more like a candy apple, it's sweet but there is substance underneath. The emotions and feelings will have you thinking about these relationships. 

Because letting Brendon get to know her meant letting him in. It meant trusting him with a million little facts, all the haphazard pieces of herself, and hoping he’d remember them all. 

The majority of this book takes place over two weeks but the quality of the interactions the author writes for her characters, gives them a solid connection that will have you believing in the decision Annie is struggling with. To further go along with and help with the low angst feel of this, I welcomed how Brendon just came right out, told and showed, Annie how he felt; miscommunication or not talking is not this couple's problem. There were a couple times that I felt like the writing style felt reminiscent of Judith McNaught's contemporaries, the descriptions of clothing, work, and general infusion of time period; just think less drama and more sweet. Whatever comparisons you want to make, this author and series needs to be on your read list. Brendon with his love and Annie with her vulnerability provides the sweet substance that fills hearts. 

“He looks at you like you hung the moon.”

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