Sometimes, a fun, humorous romance is just the perfect escape. When it’s a Meg Cabot book set in the Florida Keys, it’s even better. In No Judgments, Cabot creates great characters; quirky, odd, kind, and giving. Throw in an enormous cast of animals, everything from cats and dogs to guinea pigs and cockatiels, and it’s a wild ride. Hurricane Marilyn just throws it all together beautifully.

Although Bree Beckham’s mother hated Little Bridge, Florida, her late father always loved the island in the Florida Keys. Thst’s where Bree escapes when her relationship went sour. She works at the Mermaid diner, and she enjoys her co-workers and her grumpy boss. When a level 5 hurricane, Hurricane Marilyn, is predicted to be heading straight for Little Bridge, Bree never seriously thinks about evacuating. Her ex-boyfriend, Caleb, offers to send his private jet to get her out of there. Her mother, a famous radio judge, Judge Justine, calls constantly, begging her to leave. But, Bree is naive enough to think she can easily ride through the hurricane. And, where would she go with her rescue cat Gary?

Even when a mandatory evacuation is announced, and Bree’s roommate, a nurse, says the ER staff, police and fire are leaving, Bree stays. But, she’s never been through a hurricane. She doesn’t really understand the consequences until her boss’ wife, Mrs. Hartwell, invites her to their hurricane party, and says she can stay at their house, which is on high ground. The Hartwell’s nephew, Drew, the island heartthrob, taunts her, calling her Fresh Water, because he can see she’s naive, and doesn’t really understand about the lack of water, power, and ability to get around the island.

Bree does understand one thing, though. When the hurricane is over, and people can’t get to Little Bridge, it’s not just people who are stranded. What about all of the pets who were on the island. Now, she’s frantically developing a plan to take care of all of the animals. And, despite her vow to stay away from Drew Hartwell, he’s just the animal-loving caretaker she needs. There might be more to the island stud than meets the eye.

As I said, Cabot’s characters are great, as are her descriptions of island life. Once you meet the people and animals of Little Bridge, it’s hard to let go at the end of the book.

Remember when I recommended Christina Lauren’s The Unhoneymooners in July? If you enjoyed that humorous contemporary romance, you might want to try No Judgments. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Here’s the purchase link to HarperCollins, the publisher.  https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062890047/no-judgments/

Meg Cabot’s website is https://www.megcabot.com/

No Judgments by Meg Cabot. William Morrow, 2019. ISBN 9780062890047 (paperback), 384p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a copy to participate in the TLC Book Tour.