“This wasn’t just about falling backward into Aaron’s arms. It was about relinquishing control, showing vulnerability, trusting someone else to support her when she’d spent years proving she didn’t need support from anyone.”

Where We Belong by Charlotte Dinnis is book one in the Alumni Love series. Set in Washington, D.C., we’re introduced to Janelle Price, a senior accountant at the prestigious HB&A accounting firm, fighting to become a partner. But things fall apart when it’s heavily implied she’s not the “complete package” without a man on her arm or a ring on her finger for the annual company retreat. Enter her best friend, Aaron the Architect, to the rescue. They decide to enter a fake dating arrangement to secure Janelle’s future, with only one bed and forced proximity galore. But their charade threatens to reveal the truth of the feelings underpinning a decade of friendship between two ambitious people who everyone else clocks as more than just friends.

“In the morning, they would resume their roles, careful and calculated. But here, in the quiet of their cabin with wine and firelight between them, they were just Aaron and Janelle, the way they’d always been.”

Realistic and refreshing, I felt very seen as a Black woman navigating the treacherous waters of American work culture and the social expectations thrust upon us. Having to play “The Game ©” while also being twice as good and judged for not having a man in a high-demand profession was painfully relatable. While I enjoy reading highly competent FMCs, it was really nice seeing Janelle realize she doesn’t have to go it alone. Or, more like, she never has, and now it’s time to take the next step with Aaron. It’s always nice to read literature rejecting the lie that to be soft and vulnerable to someone who genuinely loves you, someone you say you trust, is a sign of weakness. While it got repetitive in some places, I also liked that it was dual-POV. Aaron, after years of waiting, got his well-deserved happily-ever-after. But not without standing up for himself and realizing he’s worth more than an afterthought in any relationship, whether it’s fake, genuine friendship, or romantic. And any man who knows how to cook is an instant heartthrob in my honest opinion! I’m excited to read book two about Janelle’s girlfriend, Sarai.

Recommended for Readers who Love:

— best friends-to-lovers,
— classic romance tropes sealed with a sweet kiss,
— and, a Black woman FMC embracing vulnerability as a gift

Thank you, BRBF Book Tours, for sending me a digital advance reader copy. You can find more of my reviews on social media at @crownebooks or ww.crownebooks.com.