Title:  How I Wonder What You Are
Series:
Author:  Jane Lovering
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  December 2014
Publisher:  Choc Lit
My Rating:  4stars
Source:  NetGalley
Synopsis:

It’s been over eighteen months since Molly Gilchrist has had a man (as her best friend, Caro, is so fond of reminding her) so when she as good as stumbles upon one on the moors one bitterly cold morning, it seems like the Universe is having a laugh at her expense.

But Phinn Baxter (that’s Doctor Phinneas Baxter) is no common drunkard, as Molly is soon to discover; with a PhD in astrophysics and a tortured past that is a match for Molly’s own disastrous love life.

Finding mysterious men on the moors isn’t the weirdest thing Molly has to contend with, however. There’s also those strange lights she keeps seeing in the sky. The ones she’s only started seeing since meeting Phinn.

Read on for my thoughts on How I Wonder What You Are.  No true spoilers, promise.

I have to admit – it’s very difficult to not be immediately drawn in (or to not chuckle) when a novels opens up with a woman finding a naked man, passed out, turning slightly blue due to the cold, out on the moors.  I mean really – could you resist?  I didn’t think so.

I thoroughly enjoyed How I Wonder What You Are.  This isn’t a story where you are going to be overloaded with character information at first – you are going to get to know them slowly, over the course of their story.  And that is not a bad thing.  At a time when a character’s entire backstory is given to the reader within the first two paragraphs, getting to know and, perhaps understanding, them was an enjoyable part of the overall story.

You could call them both wounded, misfits and not be wrong – but they are also both in need of someone special who will see past the surface to the people they truly are.  And don’t we all want that out of life?

This is a novel of discovery, a bit of mystery, a touch of supernatural.  It’s also one of being accepted for exactly who you are.  Phinn is not your typical romance hero – in fact he is more geek than hero, and that is perfectly fine.  They can’t all be Alpa men, we need the normal Beta guys too.  Not every woman wants to constantly deal with an Alpha.  Molly hasn’t always been the woman she is today.  But then who among us is the same person we were 10 years ago?  She is doing some hiding of her own now.

Each will slowly find their way to each other.  And there comes the romance in the story.

And what are the lights that only Molly and Phinn see when they are together?

You’ll just have to read How I Wonder What You Are for yourself – and maybe find out.

I believe this is a novel that has to be read.  I do not want or intend to give you a blow by blow of the story.  You have enough to think about already.  (Remember the naked man on the moors)  *wink*

Because so much of what and who Molly and Phinn are, this is a slowly unfolding story that needs to be read to be enjoyed or even understood.  It’s a slow, steady pace (in my opinion) and again, that is not a bad thing.  This is an enjoyable story and one I would recommend for anyone who enjoys digging a bit deeper to find out who the characters really are.  The touch of the magical is also a wonderful addition to the story.  If you can slow down and let the story unfold itself to you – then you will love this one.  Go on, give it a try – I think you’ll be glad you did.

*I received an e-ARC of How I Wonder What You Are from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Available in paperback or for the Kindle