Love in Tandem

Author: Becca Kinzer
Genre: Contemporary  Romance
Pages: 336
Release Date: April 2, 2024
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

She’s perfectly content leading a quiet life in her small hometown. He’s an adventurer with unquenchable wanderlust. The two couldn’t be any more opposite if they tried. But a tandem bicycle and a 500-mile road trip just might change all that.

After a failed engagement and her mother’s battle with cancer, Charlotte Carter’s life is finally turning around now that she’s landed a dream job teaching music. What she didn’t see coming was the imminent closure of the school’s music program. She’s determined to save it, even if it means getting creative. There’s no way she’s chalking this up as just another failure in her book of recent embarrassments.

Zach Bryant is back in town just long enough to see his brother Ben get married and then he’s off traveling the world again. He never imagined he’d run into Charlotte Carter, his brother’s ex-fiancé, or that everyone would believe he and Charlotte are an item. He certainly didn’t dream he’d end up riding a tandem bicycle hundreds of miles with her in an attempt to raise funds for a defunct music program, but how can he say no when the prize money would help him out of his financial predicament too?

Charlotte is sure she can set aside her differences with Zach long enough to cross the finish line and win the giant cash prize . . . can’t she? A few hundred miles in, she’s questioning her deeply held assumptions about Zach and wondering if maybe tandem biking is only the start of their biggest adventure yet.

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Reviewer: Amy Smelser

It has been a while since I laughed out loud many times over a book and got strange looks from my cat, and this one broke my streak. This was a fun read about a couple of characters who get themselves into quite a conundrum due to a series of comical mishaps and miscommunications that, frankly, all started as a sweet gesture. These two are a little bit stubborn and hardheaded, so they do not choose the way out as a normal person would. No, they keep up the pretense. And thank goodness for that, as this was such a fun story to read.

Charlotte’s last day of school for summer break does not quite unfold the way she hoped. An avalanche of unbelievable mishaps and letdowns begin happening, and she is already facing a tough weekend ahead. Her ex-fiancé is getting married, two years after he broke off their wedding. Now everything else she hoped for in her future is going away as well.

Zach Bryant, the brother of ​C​harlotte's ex-fiancé, has to come back for his brother’s wedding. Even though he would rather not since his brother is marrying his ex-girlfriend. But due to unforeseen circumstances, who should show up at the most inconvenient time, ​but Charlotte? Or maybe it’s serendipitous? And his fake relationship with Charlotte begins.

With comical adventures ahead of them and heartfelt feelings stirring, we get to go along with Zach and Charlotte on their tandem bicycle adventure as they find out that maybe things worked out the way they did for a reason. Throw in a secondary comical story with Charlotte’s sister, Sophia, and you have a story to lose yourself in for a while.

I was provided with a copy of this novel from Tyndale House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.​

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Reviewer: Mindy Houng

This is my first Becca Kinzer book, and now I must go read Dear Henry, Love Edith since I loved this book so much.

I immediately fell in love with Charlotte's over-the-top, slightly hysterical, and absolutely adorable third-person voice. She has such a heart of gold, but trails of near disasters follow her everywhere. And Zach—what a wonderful hero! Somewhat broken, a bit confused, yet loyal with a big heart, he captivated me from the moment he showed up in the story.

They have great laugh-out-loud moments but also deep, thought-provoking moments as well. I enjoyed their faith journey and loved witnessing the reconciliation and discovery of purpose and calling. I didn't expect a second romance subplot or a mystery subplot, but Charlotte's younger sister Sophia provided both, and her story tied nicely into Charlotte's story.

If you're looking for a fun, sweet, witty, and heartwarming rom-com, look no further.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers via Interviews & Reviews and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Monica Huyser

Charlotte Carter is ready for summer. She has been happily living in her hometown and teaching music for the past year. After her failed engagement, her mother's cancer journey, and some other family challenges, Charlotte is ready for summer break.

Zach Bryant is back in his hometown for his brother's wedding. His last job didn't work out, and he is looking for a new one.

The wedding rehearsal dinner for Zach's brother is held at a nearby cake shop. Charlotte's sister, Sophia, sends Charlotte to the cake shop on an important errand, unaware that this is where the rehearsal dinner is being held. Charlotte and Zach run into each other, and that is when the fun begins. I especially loved this part and all of the zany events with the wedding and reception. The biggest thing to come out of that day is that Zach and Charlotte agreed to tandem bike a lot of miles to help save Charlotte's music department job and help her parents financially with a cancer re-occurrence they think her mom has. Can they do it?

Love in Tandem by Becca Kinzer is a fun, clean rom-com book. It kept me laughing and giggling a lot right through the first half of the book. I liked Zach and Charlotte, and I was pulling for them. I also enjoyed the supporting family members.

The last half of Love in Tandem was a little less humorous and had some serious elements to it, but I did pull for Zach and Charlotte. There were some serious conversations and issues the couple needed to work out. I really wanted to see them complete the bike trip, so I rooted for them through to the end. Not everything worked out completely in their favor.

There were a few twists and turns that the reader doesn't see coming. I did enjoy the romance. However, I think some Christian readers wouldn't like how the sleeping arrangements went down, even though nothing happened. I did like that both Zach and Charlotte made some strides in their faith and in their personal struggles as the book wrapped up. That all seemed true to life to me. As a whole, I enjoyed Love in Tandem and read it quickly.

I would add that I am a sucker for a good cover, so I liked the cute cover for Love in Tandem and thought it fit the book well.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Interviews and Reviews. All opinions are my own.

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