Must Love Coffee: A Later in Life Romance

Must Love Coffee is Danielle Bannister’s next standalone. Before I start, I just have to say that I am in love with this cover. It’s so fun. I don’t even like coffee but I had to read this book. It’s definitely different than what I expected.

Finn is a coffee shop owner in his mid-forties who is ready to put his player days behind him. In a small town of one thousand, it proves to be difficult. Everyone knows he is a one and done type of guy. It’s so bad that he has even thought of giving the shop to his sister and starting over somewhere else. Get out of this town and live. Then, she walks in and changes everything. Sam Whitman. A woman he couldn’t stand in college. A self-absorbed know-it-all.

Sam needed this job. Finn could see that but didn’t understand it. She was way too qualified to be a barista but he couldn’t let her go. He needed her and she needed this job. It also didn’t go unnoticed that she looked amazing. The rock on her hand didn’t go unnoticed either. He couldn’t and wouldn’t go there. Employee/Employer, maybe even friends was all this could be. What they both didn’t expect was how much he wanted to protect her and how much she needed to lean on him in a crisis.

Finn and Sam’s relationship is complicated. I can’t explain why. I don’t want to spoil anything. I will say their friendship is good for both of them.

Overall...even if I don’t love coffee, I loved this book. It’s different. The characters felt real. He is not a 20 or 30-something man with abs of steel. She isn’t a model type of woman with sultry moves. Now, don’t get me wrong I do love those characters. What I am saying is Finn and Sam are different. I need and crave different once in awhile so I am glad I read this book.

Quotes:

“Let me guess, you’re a tea lover?” They were the worst sort of person. I felt myself shiver.
“I do drink tea, yes.” Her voice was strong.

“I should have waited for you to avert your eyes. No one needs to see this body sober.”

“How exactly did I ruin your plan to become a crazy cat lady?”

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it! I’m the same age as the characters, so could relate. I usually read thrillers, so this was a wonderful change of pace. The book held my interest throughout and had just the right amount of humor and romance. Loved it!