K.M. Jackson knows how to hook readers. Just look at the title of her latest: How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days. It’s Keanu that’ll catch your eye, but then the story just reels you in. It strikes that perfect balance between escapism and grounded in reality romance. The result is a road trip rom-com that’s straight up fun. And isn’t that what we all need at this point in the pandemic?
Bethany Lu, or just Lu, is a 40-year old, single artist, whose work is foundering. Then this Keanu stan finds out he’s 3 months away from getting married, and she can’t believe it. She sets off on a road trip, aided and abetted by her childhood friend Truman aka “True,” to stop the wedding.
But the 90 days isn’t just about a wedding date, it’s about Lu giving herself a deadline to get her act together, get back into a productive headspace and maybe even finally deal with a loss that she might never stop grieving.
The trip is dotted with hilarious adventures, a (Comic) Con stop, and some celebrity cameos. Eventually True, who Lu has kept safely in the friend zone, becomes more. They get together somewhere around the 67% mark so it’s a bit of a slow burn (which was also the case in Jackson’s 2020 release Real Men Knit), but it fits here. As a friends-to-lovers romance, it feels totally organic. Lu and True have that established relationship dynamic and banter that comes with really knowing someone. And, they can give each other shit without anyone taking it personally. Did I mention he’s also a hot professor?!
The Keanu through line from the chapter headers to the in-jokes to even Lu’s pup Morphie makes this one a delight for Keanu fans. So don’t worry, Keanu isn’t just a hook, the book totally delivers on it. I’m still trying to make the connections on some of the chapter titles! If what you need is escapist fun, pick up How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days
CW: Lingering grief over the loss of a sibling
4 stars
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