June 12, 2023
The latest charming rom-com from Jaovsky (You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince) adds a mystical twist. Twenty-three-year-old Nolan Baker dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian. At his sister’s wedding, funded by Doop, the cultish wellness brand she works for, he gets a call that could be his big break—but only if he abandons the wedding and gets to the comedy club. He chooses his career over family, leaving everyone outraged at him—especially his best friend turned wedding date, Drew Techler, who had just confessed his feelings when Nolan took off. Reeling, Nolan wishes on the crystals in his Doop goody bag to become “successful, happy, and universally loved”—and wakes up the next morning at 30 with no memory of the intervening years that formed him into a famous albeit mean-spirited comedian. Freaked out, he seeks out Drew, now running a mystery-themed bookstore, who reluctantly agrees to help Nolan get back to his own time. A domineering manager and the looming filming of a Netflix special test Nolan’s efforts to make amends—until a family crisis forces him to choose his career or his loved ones once again. Janovsky has as sure a touch with classic romance tropes as ever, and it’s a joy to watch his flawed hero grow. Readers will be charmed. Agent: Keven O’Conner, O’Conner Literary.
June 10, 2024
Janovsky's third installment in the "Boy Meets Boy" series (following You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince) follows 23-year-old Nolan, who dreams of becoming a famous stand-up comedian. He wants to declare his love for his romance novel-loving best friend, Drew, but doesn't want to ruin their friendship. Then, during Nolan's sister's wedding, Drew confesses his love for Nolan. However, instead of embracing this new relationship, Nolan, who has a chance at a big career break, abandons Drew to perform stand-up across town. When he returns, Drew and CeeCee have separate arguments with him. Feeling lonely and spiteful, Nolan wishes on a wedding goody bag of crystals to become famous, no matter what. The next day, he wakes up as a 30-year-old successful comedian, estranged from his family and Drew, who now doesn't believe in happily-ever-afters. Mark Sanderlin performs Nolan as a self-absorbed jerk in his twenties who becomes more earnest once he sees the error of his ways. Although there isn't much romantic chemistry between Nolan and Drew during most of the time skip, the two are charming as best friends who care deeply for each other. VERDICT Give to listeners who enjoy some whimsy with their romances.--Anjelica Rufus-Barnes
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