The Most Wonderful Time
"The Most Wonderful Time is a lovable, unexpectedly thought-provoking Christmas romp of a novel from the ever-sparkling pen of Jayne Allen!" -- Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye and The Alice Network
The author of the beloved, bestselling Black Girls Must Die Exhausted trilogy returns with an intriguing blend of Such a Fun Age and The Holiday--an irresistible Christmastime novel about heartbreak, hope, love, and the joy that comes from rediscovering oneself.
With Christmas around the corner, Ramona Tucker is desperate to get away. She has been lying to her family about her engagement to Malik, her (ex) fiancé. But breakups are fickle, and Ramona is convinced that she can make her pretend wedding real again--but only if she can avoid everyone discovering her secret at her mother's over-the-top Christmas Eve party.
Two-thousand miles away in sunny Malibu, Chelsea Flint needs money to hold on to the beloved beachside cottage she shared with her late parents. The taxes are expensive, and her art isn't paying the bills. Once an irresistible star of the Los Angeles art scene, Chelsea seems to have lost that spark that vaulted her to the top. If she doesn't rediscover that magic--and sell a painting--soon, it will be her family's home she's selling instead.
The two women swap homes, just in time, thanks to some careful planning by Ramona's best friend and a sturdy nudge from Chelsea's gallerist godmother. Ramona's Malibu dreams of sun and surf are interrupted as her first night brings an unwelcome stranger to her door, making her question who she can trust--the meddling neighbor Joan, or Jay, the handsome beachside fitness instructor with a secret of his own. Chelsea, desperate for Ramona to stay, hides what she knows--even if that means jeopardizing her budding connection with charming Carlos, whose dreams for his future could be the very key to unlock Chelsea from the weight of her past.
Combining escapist fun and sizzling romance, a dose of poignant self-reflection, and a little holiday magic, The Most Wonderful Time is a warm and relatable novel that will delight at Christmas and throughout the year.
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Jayne Allen is a writer, producer, entrepreneur, and forever recovering lawyer. She is a proud native of Detroit and graduate of Duke University and Harvard Law School. Purposeful in centering and celebrating black women's societal contributions, Allen crafts transcultural stories exploring contemporary issues such as modern relationships, workplace and career dynamics, and the complexities of race. Her common themes include mental and physical health and highlight the importance of self-love and self-care--all with a healthy dose of warmth and humor. Allen is also the author of the bestselling Black Girls Must Die Exhausted trilogy, currently being adapted for television. She lives in Los Angeles.
"The Most Wonderful Time is a lovable, unexpectedly thought-provoking Christmas romp of a novel from the ever-sparkling pen of Jayne Allen!" -- Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye and The Alice Network
"Jayne Allen's The Most Wonderful Time entertains with a holiday spin on love and captures the anxiety of uncertainty, the weight of expectations, and the healing power of being seen, reminding us that it is connection and, not necessarily, time, that can forge our most transformative bonds." -- Crystal Smith Paul, Author of Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?
"Black Girls Must Die Exhausted is a smart, sophisticated portrait of three very different women, united in both their struggles and their joy. Allen seamlessly blends sharp social commentary with a heartwarming story of friendship between irresistibly complex characters. A fresh, punch-packing debut from an author to watch!" -- Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read on Black Girls Must Die Exhausted
"An impossible-to-put-down novel chronicling Tabitha Walker's extremely relatable journey through relationships--with men, friends, family, and most importantly, herself. With finely-drawn characterizations and touching life lessons, Jayne Allen paints Tabitha's "adulting" journey with heartbreaking, heartwarming strokes that stayed with me long after I'd finished reading. (On a personal note, as a Black woman who struggles with infertility, it's so refreshing that Allen sheds a light on this rarely-told story.) Sign me up for the trilogy!" -- Tia Williams, award-winning author of The Perfect Find and Seven Days in June on Black Girls Must Die Exhausted
"This book will make you feel hopeful about life and love and self-discovery. Allen weaves a tale of telling hard truths and following one's true desires. This fun, self-reflective novel tackles race and class in a way that invites us all into the conversation, and it's guaranteed to break your heart and put it back together again." -- Nancy Johnson, author of The Kindest Lie
"Masterfully written and pitch perfect, Black Girls Must Be Magic is, simply, magic." -- Good Morning America on Black Girls Must Be Magic
"Allen's trilogy [is] a must-read. It's refreshing to see Tabitha gain confidence over the course of the novel as she navigates being a mother, a friend, a daughter, and a career woman who's faced with life-changing decisions, and while it's not seamless, it sure is powerful. An inspiring finale about the strength of women and the bonds of sisterhood." -- Kirkus Reviews
