When work brings people together.

Synopsis

Mallory Johansen has nearly given up on thinking she’ll get her act together – the one where she plays the part of an adult – by the time she hits thirty. As it is she’s desperate and depressed. Her only friend is leaving town, she’s paired to work with a man who can’t stand her, and she finds herself homeless. Definitely hasn’t mastered being a grown-up yet. 

Otis Bell wants nothing more than to play his guitar, book acoustic bands to perform at his upcoming music venue, andbe in charge of his own life. Instead, he’s working full time in his family’s auto shop. He only owns half the supposed music venue, which stands as an abandoned church and needs more than a little work. When his best friend moves away, he’s paired with an aloof girl he’s never liked as partner, andstretches himself thin working too many hours. 

The Chapel is the little music venue that could. Full of potential. Full of ugly carpet, peeling paint, and exhausting work. Mallie and Otis navigate their way through a fledgling partnership, trying their darnedest to get the place up and running, while trying pretty hard not to fall in love in the process.

My review

Mallory Johansen is a bit of a lonely woman. Being orphaned on an early age, her one true friend is her cousin and she just tags along with him and his friends.
But when he leaves for a once in a lifetime opportunity, she has to work with a man who can’t stand her, AND she loses her home, she feels very desperate and lonely.

Being partner with Otis for The Chapel, she puts her best foot forward to change the literal tiny church into a brand new music venue.
A shy girl always standing in the shadows and a man ready to do whatever it takes to make his dream of an amazing music venue come true, different personalities, will they manage to work together?

This was such a sweet story to read!
As being really shy, Mallory doesn’t know if people help her because they pity her, or because they really want to.
So when Otis starts helping her even when it has nothing to do with the renovations of The Chapel, she is sure he is just doing it out of a sense of duty, and not because he really cares about her.

And Otis is being a typical guy (no offence!), not wanting to admit his feelings but pretend he is indifferent towards Mallory.
But the further the story evolves, you see the true Otis. He’s this sweet man, wanting to help out where he can. He cannot stand how Mallory gets treated, wants to protect her and just wants her best interest.

I loved it… I didn’t know what to expect from this book, because this was the first book I’ve read from this author. I started reading and I couldn’t put it away!
The characters are all so recognizable. They are not someone special, but just regular people like you and I.
Also the feelings that are described, are feelings every one of us can have. Haven’t we all once felt just being taken care of because of a sense of duty? Doubting if we are really liked or just being pitied?
But the joy and happiness that are also present, are so fun and sweet to read!

Reading about Mallory and Otis made my day!