Book Review: Not in My Wildest Dreams (McKenna) by Jamie Hollins

Not in My Wildest Dreams  is the second book in the McKenna series by Jamie Hollins, however I think they each stand up well on their own. While those that have read the first book, The Best Part of Me, will have some prior knowledge of the characters and be eager to see how this plays out, newcomers to the series will still fully enjoy the read. 

It really sucks to be in love with someone who sees you as nothing more than a friend. Darcy Owens knows this from personal experience. From the moment she met Sean McKenna as a shy ten-year-old, he’s owned her heart. So when he asks for her help with an important construction project, she can’t say no. Building a boutique hotel on Boston’s waterfront is a career-making opportunity, and Sean needs Darcy’s interior design expertise. She’s incredibly talented, and there is no one he trusts more. He knows he can always count on his childhood friend, but doesn’t know why he’s thinking about her tight skirts and blue eyes instead of tight deadlines and blueprints. When Sean and Darcy’s excitement about their work turns into an entirely different kind of excitement, it’s a sexy surprise. But they soon realize that building a new relationship is more challenging than building a new hotel, especially when life-long habits and old insecurities create cracks in the foundation.

Not in My Wildest Dreams  is a book about two grown adults getting past their own insecurities and hang ups to discover that their best friend can be so much more. Darcy is a tough as nails girl with a love of whiskey and a quick wit. Sean has a growing career, but a well earned reputation for loving the ladies. When this best friends cross the line, they are both terrified and the majority of the conflict comes from lack of communication and misunderstandings. The characters are well written, and their issues make complete sense, and the interaction they have is engaging. Although, I have to admit that when a couple's biggest issues could be resolved by a mature conversation and acting like adults, I tend to get a little frustrated with the characters. This is the case here, although I will admit that when Sean steps up and makes good, I was thrilled and while I was with Darcy in her skepticism I knew she would not hold out.

Not in My Wildest Dreams  is an entertaining and engaging read. My emotions were fully invested through out the read, whether irritated with our couple in their inability to communicate or trust in themselves, or smiling broadly when they got things right. I look forward to reading the next book.