Don't Want to Miss a Thing
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

When Dexter's beloved sister dies, he leaves behind his high-powered career, modern apartment, and busy social life to raise her baby daughter, Delphi, in the country. Though he often second-guesses his abilities, Dexter grows into the role of surrogate dad with some help. One new neighbor in particular, comely cartoonist Molly, has a special affect on him, but he must convince her she's more than just a friend and occasional babysitter. Unexpected parenthood is a popular plot device, but Mansell (Thinking of You, 2013) manages to make it fresh by weaving in the stories of the quirky townspeople who complete Dexter and Delphi's new circle, though a few plotlines do miss the mark. Mansell keeps churning out hits with her signature blend of humor, romance, and multiple happy endings, and this book follows that formula with aplomb. Though she sometimes veers toward stereotypes, these characters will strike a chord with readers.--Walker, Aleksandra Copyright 2010 Booklist

A little bundle of joy changes everything in this quirky chick-lit tale of baby love and grown-up commitment from prolific British author Mansell (Thinking of You). After Dexter Yates's sister Laura, a single mom, suddenly dies, he decides to adopt his infant niece, Delphi. "Laura chose me to be Delphi's guardian," he says. "If I don't do it, I'll be letting her down." The decision is an uncharacteristically responsible one by the London playboy's standards, but Dex will ultimately chuck his sleek bachelor pad, busy sex life, and canary yellow Porsche to settle in quaint Briarwood with Delphi. He's encouraged to work on his previously nonexistent daddy skills by his neighbor Molly Hayes, a gifted cartoonist with a messy romantic past. A shared love of Delphi provides the first connection for Dex and Molly, but trust will be far harder for the pair. This theme of broken and mended love plays out among the village's other residents, including retired actress Hope, who reconnects with her true love, and barmaid Lois, who stumbles into bed with a dreamy-looking bore. While it's no surprise when this mixed-up bunch finds the courage to trust their hearts, their meandering course to happiness is charmingly well charted. Agent: Jennifer Unter, RLR Associates. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Dexter Yates is one of London's most eligible bachelors, with money, good looks, a canary yellow Porsche, and a vacation home in a small village in Briarwood. The house becomes more than a vacation pad when Dex's sister, Laura, dies suddenly, leaving her infant daughter, Delphi, in his care, and he decides to move in year-round. Dex's next-door neighbor, cartoonist Molly Hayes, sees Dex coming from a mile away. With her experiences with all-wrong men, she is skeptical about Dex's chances at being a strong guardian but befriends and encourages him to be a good father for Delphi. The story revolves around the relationship between Dex and Molly and how they help each other take care of the child, whom they've both come to love deeply. But Mansell also weaves in the stories of other villagers and how first impressions-and some long-standing ones-aren't always what they seem. Allison Larkin reads this book with such sweetness and character, especially in the coos and raspberries of baby Delphi, listeners won't be able to help but smile. Her crisp British accent is fresh and effective at creating the mood of this not-so-sleepy English village and its people. -Verdict Recommended for fans of small-town -romance.-Laura Brosie, Abilene, TX (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

When Dexter's beloved sister dies, he leaves behind his high-powered career, modern apartment, and busy social life to raise her baby daughter, Delphi, in the country. Though he often second-guesses his abilities, Dexter grows into the role of surrogate dad with some help. One new neighbor in particular, comely cartoonist Molly, has a special affect on him, but he must convince her she's more than just a friend and occasional babysitter. Unexpected parenthood is a popular plot device, but Mansell (Thinking of You, 2013) manages to make it fresh by weaving in the stories of the quirky townspeople who complete Dexter and Delphi's new circle, though a few plotlines do miss the mark. Mansell keeps churning out hits with her signature blend of humor, romance, and multiple happy endings, and this book follows that formula with aplomb. Though she sometimes veers toward stereotypes, these characters will strike a chord with readers. Copyright 2013 Booklist Reviews.

A little bundle of joy changes everything in this quirky chick-lit tale of baby love and grown-up commitment from prolific British author Mansell (Thinking of You). After Dexter Yates's sister Laura, a single mom, suddenly dies, he decides to adopt his infant niece, Delphi. "Laura chose me to be Delphi's guardian," he says. "If I don't do it, I'll be letting her down." The decision is an uncharacteristically responsible one by the London playboy's standards, but Dex will ultimately chuck his sleek bachelor pad, busy sex life, and canary yellow Porsche to settle in quaint Briarwood with Delphi. He's encouraged to work on his previously nonexistent daddy skills by his neighbor Molly Hayes, a gifted cartoonist with a messy romantic past. A shared love of Delphi provides the first connection for Dex and Molly, but trust will be far harder for the pair. This theme of broken and mended love plays out among the village's other residents, including retired actress Hope, who reconnects with her true love, and barmaid Lois, who stumbles into bed with a dreamy-looking bore. While it's no surprise when this mixed-up bunch finds the courage to trust their hearts, their meandering course to happiness is charmingly well charted. Agent: Jennifer Unter, RLR Associates. (Nov.)