The Standby Guy

The Standby Guy is the second book I've read from Natasha Moore through Entangled's new August Imprint. I must say I am really enjoying these slightly older and more mature characters. In this one we have single mom Katie Dixon who after years of devoting herself to her son is now able to have a little "me time" when her son leaves for college. Reentering the dating game isn't so easy since she hasn't dated for years. She may need a few pointers. Enter Carter Colburn, Katie's next door neighbor and best friend. He needs a date to a company function and they both think this will be the perfect way for Katie to dip her toes into the dating pool. Let's just say things escalate quickly from there. Come along on this crazy ride while Katie and Carter navigate some murky relationship waters. I highly recommend it.

Two and a half stars. Katie Dixon has been a single mom to her son Sean ever since her husband was killed in a road traffic accident when Sean was still at daycare, helped by her husband Tim's best friend Carter Colburn who happens to live next door. Over the years Carter has been like a father to Sean and Katie's best friend, they pop in and out of each other's houses and regularly eat together. Now Sean is off to college and Katie is about to indulge in some me-time and maybe cross off a few things from her bucket list for when Sean left home. Carter is struggling to run his own law practice and help out at his family's reclamation business after his father's heart attack. Given the opportunity to take his law practice to the next level by winning a prestigious new client Carter is astonished to find his reputation as a ladies man has preceded him, his new client wants to meet Carter's girlfriend as a character test. Only problem is ... all of Carter's female friends and exes are too busy or won't return his calls or just wouldn't give the right impression. In desperation he turns to Katie who promptly volunteers, crossing a line he has drawn for himself, after all this is his best friend Tim's widow. I loved the premise of this but I just did not like either of the characters. Katie was wet, a neurotic mom who can't let her teenage son go without calling and texting him constantly. She was too saccharine sweet and drippy. Carter on the other hand was a weird character, self-sacrificing when it came to his family, Katie and Sean but dismissive of other women generally. I just don't see how it is even possible to run your own law firm and work several hours every day at your family's business. Also Carter's jealousy seem out of kilter and borderline scary to me. Don't even get me started on the two of them misinterpreting each other and downplaying the relationship. I finished the novel but it wasn't for me and I wish I hadn't bothered. Judging by the average reviews I am in the minority so maybe I'm just being a Grinch. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.