The Bookbabe Review's ......... Until I Saw Your Smile by J.J. Murray

J.J. Murrray is back at it again with this tale of love and this time at all happens in a little coffee shop in Brooklyn. Matthew McConnell is a recovering corporate laywer who is trying to get back into the dating   scene; after being left by his girlfriend Joy. From the moment that I read this you start to feel a little bad for Matt. Joy has left him for a foreign exchange teacher and has taken almost everything in his apartment. Including the food in the fridge, the towels in the bathroom and his crappy microwave. All this leads him to call up a former coworker for his first date from hell. After being scared off by a certain womans condom collection he wanders into Smith's Sweet Treats & Coffee; and in enters Angela its pretty owner who instantly feels the need to chat Matt up. She gets a kick out of his bad date stories. As the story goes on Matt continues to have bad dates; one with a recently released felon, a Christian woman lusting after her pastor and a woman that feels the need to bring her bestfriend on the date. After each date from hell he goes back to Angela's coffee shop and devours her houseblend coffee and treats. Its not until he goes on his final date from hell that he begins to really see Angela. He is deteremined to breakthrough her defenses and boy oh boy does that take a lot of work. Angela has a lot of reasons to mistrust him. Mainly she thinks he is a player but also she is hiding a pretty big secret that makes opening up to someone really hard. As things move on Angela slowly falls in love too and opens up to Matt. They become not only partners in business but eventually in life.

What I Loved about this book:

Angela and Matt's relationship was extremely realistic, funny and loving. Murray told this story almost completely from Matt's prespective. You get to see him fall in love slowly and want to build something lasting with Angela. Matt makes sure to follow her lead; and by doing so he gains her trust and love in return. Also, for a romantic comedy (of sorts) J.J. Murray doesn't over do it with sex. He adds just enough at the right time, and its sweet and loving and beautiful. Also, Murray touches on some really heavy issues in this book. Which I can't reveal because that would lead to a huge spoiler (and I don't want to ruin this book for anyone). 

Favorite Quotes: 

 1) "Who lies about dropping six grand on a dress with a first, middle and last name? For six grand, it had better have a social security number and give you a tax break for living in your closet"

2) Matthew to Warrick: "I look forward to meeting you face to face, or are you to much of a coward? You like hiding in alleys and preying on defenseless women. Really, Warrick. Calling you a pussy would be a compliment."

I give this book 5 Stars and would gladly recommend it to anyone that enjoys a class boy meets girl romance.