Contemporary Romance Review: In a Not So Perfect World | Neely Tubati Alexander

If the cheery cover to In a Not So Perfect World by Neely Tubati Alexander didn’t pull you in already, then hopefully this glowing, gushing review will convince you that this is the perfect uplifting romance you need right now!

Sloane Cooper is a heartbroken video game designer. She found out the man that she thought was the love of her life had been cheating on her, and she was left to pick up the pieces of her heart after the shock of betrayal. Sloane tries to avoid all of those messy heartbreak feelings by throwing herself into her career aspirations to work a dream job at Catapult—a top video game company. But in her very first interview it seems the all-male team is skeptical about her focus, until she promises to remain single and not let her personal life interfere with her dedication to her work (can you imagine a male having to promise the same thing?).

Sloane isn’t too worried about remaining single, until she meets her hot neighbor Charlie who surprises her by asking her to go on a trip to a resort in Turks and Caicos. Sloane may barely know Charlie, but he’s hoping to win back his ex by a bit of good old-fashioned jealousy. Perhaps a mysterious new girlfriend is just what he needs. Sloane agrees to the vacation, figuring a bit of island paradise might help her creative energy working on a game design for Catapult.

Sloane may have looked at this as an opportunity for a free trip, but she didn’t count on how attracted she is to Charlie—not just his looks, but also his kindness and supportive nature. As their connection deepens, Sloane can’t help but worry about her commitment to stay single and land her dream job. Not to mention that Charlie is still hoping to win back his ex, isn’t he? Sloane will need to avoid falling for Charlie if she hopes to land the job—but maybe she really can have it all?

The meet cute between Sloane and Charlie in a bar is adorable. Don’t we all dream of meeting a hot neighbor who invites us on vacation? Unfortunately, Charlie was desperate to make his ex jealous—not ideal if you’re hoping he falls in love with you. But Sloane also needs to stay single. Paradise does have a way of turning platonic friendship towards the romantic, though…

Charlie is a very likable leading male. Sometimes with a story like this where a couple is forced together, the author draws tension from the characters being a bit surly toward one another at first. That doesn’t happen with Charlie. He is hurting from his break up, but he also makes an effort to actually have fun with Sloane and have a good vacation. The whole trip isn’t solely about the photographable moments to make someone jealous.

The romance develops in a lovely, slow way. This isn’t a hot and heavy physical attraction that revs up right away. Of course Sloane is attracted to Charlie, but their relationship felt organic and their chemistry is undeniable. Sloane may be trying to focus on work, but she can’t help it when feelings start to develop for Charlie.

An adorable romance in an idyllic location and two compelling leads make this an easy, breezy read with a heartwarming ending!

Thank you to Harper Books for my copy. Opinions are my own.

About the Author | Neely Tubati Alexander

Neely Tubati Alexander is originally from the Pacific Northwest and resides in Arizona with her husband and two children. Her debut novel, LOVE BUZZ, won the Zibby Award for Best Beach Read and was hailed by Good Morning America as “the perfect escapist read…absolutely delightful.” Her books have been featured in Cosmopolitan, Elle, and Nerd Daily, with starred reviews of her work from Library Journal, Publisher’s Weekly, and Kirkus. Booklist declared her “an exciting new romance writer.”

Synopsis | In a Not So Perfect World

A delightful Caribbean-set romp about an ambitious designer of apocalyptic video games with a strategy for (almost) everything who discovers what happens when her best-laid plans go off course…

Sloane Cooper is up for her dream job as a designer for a top video game company. During the interview, though, she somehow promises the all-male panel that she’ll remain single and fully dedicated to the work. It’s actually fine—after her last boyfriend cheated on her, she vowed to focus on her career anyway.

Enter Charlie, aka Hot Neighbor Guy, a near-stranger who shocks her with the offer of an all-inclusive trip to a Turks and Caicos resort. The catch? Charlie originally planned the trip with his ex, and asks Sloane to pose as his new girlfriend to make his old flame come running back. Against her better judgment, Sloane says yes; she can use the time away to develop a game design that will dazzle the Catapult team and get her a job offer.

Despite sparks flying in paradise, the trip can’t lead to more. As their connection deepens, Sloane is reminded that she can’t fall for Charlie and get knocked off her professional path. Besides, he’s trying to win back his true love. Can Sloane figure out a way to move past heartbreak, land the job of her dreams, and avoid catching feelings? The zombie apocalypse would be easier to solve—at least she’s prepared for that.