Title: Our Alternate Ending

Author: Katie Fox

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: March 8, 2018

She was the hot mess who stumbled through his door.
He was the one who gave her a chance.

*****************

When Elle Callihan finds herself on the twenty-sixth floor of the country’s top publishing firm after putting her dreams on hold for five years, she’s not about to allow the opportunity to slip through her fingers.

There’s just one problem.

Her new, humorless, this-needs-to-be-done-right-now, jerk of a boss makes her working life a living hell.

With the minutes on his own clock ticking, CEO and certified workaholic, Owen Caldwell, has no time for anything. Not relationships. Not life. And certainly not the connection that simmers between himself and his new assistant.

As the pair work together, their undeniable attraction draws them closer, bringing a realization that sometimes life and the people in it are worth slowing down for. But when Elle is presented with a plot twist she never saw coming, she quickly learns that crafting her own story may be much harder than she initially thought.

Faced with a difficult decision, she has two choices: write the truth or deliver an alternate ending she knows they both deserve. 

Our Alternate Ending by Katie Fox
Laura’s rating: 5 of 5 iScream Cones

This is the first book I have had the opportunity to read by Katie Fox and boy was it one that tugged at my heart. It is not only incredibly well written and engaging, but it felt so real. I literally felt like I was watching friends as they experienced life and what it had thrown at them. The characters were awesome! So well written and the author’s storytelling skills are on point. I think I have a bit of a book hangover after this one.

Elle Callihan is not living the life she has dreamed of having, nor the life that she has led her family to believe she lives. Working for the local public library, she dreams of one day being the editor at a publishing house. In her downtime, she writes. Weaving stories that only her eyes see. She doesn’t have enough faith in herself to push through her fear and try to publish her work. When the opportunity arises to interview for an assistant editor position at a local publishing firm, Elle decides to take the leap and prove that even though her resume may be a little bleak, she has what it takes to do the job and do it well. When the morning of her interview begins with disaster, Elle must dig deep to overcome the mess that has taken over her life and push forward.

Elle’s character is amazing. She is so much stronger than she gives herself credit for. She is determined to prove that she has what it takes to succeed, even if she has a lot to learn. She loves her family and will do anything to help them and I mean literally anything. Their happiness means more to her than her own. She is an amazing friend and makes sure to find time in her crazy busy schedule for Drew. He keeps her grounded and his guidance helps her stay along a straight path.

Owen Caldwell is living the life that most people would dream of having. More money than he knows what to do with, he sits at the helm of his families publishing business. The last several months have been harder than most. He keeps to himself and doesn’t let anyone in. His private life is just that, private. At the suggestion of his personal assistant and dearest friend Millie, he sets out to hire an editorial assistant to help lighten his load. When Elle Callihan walks through his office doors, he can’t help but wonder what has happened to the hot mess before him. Not only is she underqualified, but she looks like the world has forgotten about her. But, he can’t help but feel drawn to the blue-eyed beauty and decides to take a chance on her. Offering her the position, he has to wonder if he really is doing the right thing.

From the first time that these two characters meet, I could just feel the connection between them. Even though they try denying that it is there, they eventually give in to the tension that swarms between them. You could literally cut it with a knife. They both have so many secrets and Owen is so worried about hurting Elle, that he pushes her away on more than one occasion. What begins as a working relationship and friendship, slowly becomes something more. But when secrets are revealed will the damage they cause be more than either of them can bear? Will Owen and Elle get their HEA?

There were a few times while reading this book that I wanted to put it down and not go any further because I wasn’t sure my heart could take much more. Our Alternate Ending is such an awesome, engaging, heart-aching read. Owen and Elle are so good together and so well written. My heart and head feel like they have run a marathon after reading this book. I have not read a lot of books so far this year, but this is by far my favorite one so far and is one that will stay with me for a long time to come.

5+ iScream Cones