Must Love Coffee (425 Madison series, book #1), by Leigh Lennon

Publication: January 31, 2019

About the book:

Gwen
I was stripped of all my own desires and wants when I was married to my ex-husband. I now carry a list with me—a list that will help me choose a man that will put me first in life. Then the storm cloud of an entitled millionaire appears in my life and knocks me off my axis. This man sends so many mixed signals, my body either quakes with anger or passion when I’m around him.

I’m his son’s teacher and his tenant, but I find myself wanting more.

Leo
My life is run with precision with little regard for others until a woman in crazy clothes challenges me to be a better father. She’s one of the few people that puts me in my place and maybe for this very reason—I want her more than I can articulate. With her failed marriage and list of requests she needs from her next partner, I know she’s my future. My life is less than perfect, and with it—baggage that follows me everywhere. Does she want my kind of crazy in her life?

I’m her landlord and an a**hole, but I find myself wanting more.

Where to begin? For starters, you must love coffee…

After all, 425 Madison Avenue is the perfect place to fall in love.

*Each story is completely standalone.

My Review

I’m jumping right in with this review, I absolutely loved this book! Must Love Coffee is the first book in the new 425 Madison series, with different books in the series being written by different authors. This was my first time reading Leigh Lennon and I am now a huge fan!

This novel is about a teacher named Gwen who is a teacher and a single mom to her daughter Luna. Her previous marriage to an extremely wealthy man was a nightmare and Gwen is enjoying her freedom, her little apartment at 425 Madison, designing clothes, and all things Harry Potter. Leo is the father of one of Gwen’s students (and the owner of her building) and their first meeting is a very heated argument about his son’s lack of progress and his lack of parenting. After Gwen puts him in his place, he finds himself apologizing, thinking of her, and luckily, their young daughters give them a reason to get together. Soon, their hatred for one another turns to something more and Leo finds himself captivated with Gwen and her “must love” lists.

Leo and Gwen had incredible chemistry, which the author beautifully illustrated in her descriptions and dialogue. Whether they were bickering, being friendly, or falling hard for one another – I loved them together. Even better was the love and attention given to all three of their children (Luna, Olive, and Teague) as things begin to develop. There weren’t constant babysitters or crazy weekends away, but they were realistic and parents first. But my favorite part was their sense of humor. This couple was smart, responsible, and so on, but had a fantastic sense of humor that made each of them that much adorable! I’m a bit partial to Leo with his crazy amount of sexiness, his huge heart, and hilarious comments, but this is one book where I can say the main characters are about as good as it gets.

I highly recommend this book to contemporary romance lovers, but really to anyone that wants a quick, funny, romantic read that will just leave you feeling good. Great start to this series and I cannot wait to read the next one!

*Thank you to the author for providing this review copy in exchange for my honest review!

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