Che-Michelle Tales

Book: The Right Swipe

Author: Alisha Rai

Published: July 2, 2019

Wine Choice: Vale Dos Pombos Rose’ Vinho Verde DOC

Stand Alone, Series, or Other: Series

Type of book: Novel

Genre: Contemporary Romance; Fiction

How long did it take me to read this book:   3 months (Let’s not act like the last 5 months have felt like 3 years)

Audible/Google/ Spotify: Used Spotify for when driving for 3 months.

Overall rating: Delicious, Glorious, and Heart Warming 

“You got the right stuff, baby/Love the way you turn me on.”  I have been singing this song after the second read of “The Right Swipe” by Ali.  I truly enjoyed this book a second time around. It was a refreshing love story. It depicted two broken people who help reflect each other’s pain. They also show each other’s strength in a non-toxic way (sometimes).  Wait!! Let me explain. Rhiannon and Samson are broken for different reasons. Rhiannon is dealing with the pressure of being a CEO. She also has past trauma from her earlier employer. Samson is dealing with losing his uncle. He faces workplace trauma and the trauma linked to grief.  As the book unfolds, both traumas emerge as non-committal to being in a relationship.  If I were still in therapy, my therapist would offer words and exercises. She would guide them both towards becoming whole.  I digress; I enjoy how, although they are both complicated, at their core, they are perfect for each other.  Rhiannon reminds Samson that he is that guy, and hiding his other gifts and talents isn’t helping people. Samson offers protection to Rhiannon in a gentle way. It’s so sexy to be with a partner who provides a safe space emotionally, intimately, and physically.   Samson is book-boyfriend material of the highest level. Rhi and Samson’s love story is a true modern love story. Still, I wanted to focus this review on their other relationships.

  Another aspect I love about this book is Rhiannon and Samson’s relationship with others.  Rhiannon has a fierce support team, which, at first, you think is because money is involved.  As the book unfolds, Rhiannon’s friends are there because they love her. They create a safe space for her to run her business and remind her to enjoy life. Her best friend Katrina is the ultimate best friend. Katrina is the ultimate best friend in the sense that they live together. They are business partners and don’t seem to let the business affect their friendship. She gently calls Rhiannon out for her being closed off but respects her boundaries and reaffirms trusting her judgment.  There are moments when Rhiannon stays grounded for her friend. Her friend is a bit overly concerned but wants Katrina to be happy. In their shared moments, you see that both women support each other during traumatic events. Their relationship is strengthened.  Typically, business and friendship do not work as well as most people think. 

Samson deals with the trauma of losing a family member due to a lengthy illness.  When you lose a person in the last stages of their life, it requires a solid support system. Being there for someone during this time takes strength. One thing that no one talks about enough is getting back to your new normal.  Rai managed this topic with grace and reality, which I appreciated.  They ghost friends and family when complications happen. They become upset when people want to talk greasy about you. This is because you are on the verge of a breakdown.  Being the strongest person in the family and feeling like no one is there to hold or comfort you.  Samson’s best friend (I can’t find my book), a stay-at-home dad, is Samson’s voice of reason to a certain extent.  When Samson is confronted with a former player who was nasty to Samson, he reminds Lima that people change.  Samson’s relationship with Aunt Belle was touching. He wanted to be there for her out of love. He also wanted to honor Big Joe’s wishes.  Aunt Belle sees it and reassures Samson she will be ok, but in her Aunt Belle way.

I will go into all the stories about Samson and Rhiannon’s relationship, but I appreciated friendships. The author dropped the side characters during the third act and missed those conversations. More side characters were introduced, including Rhiannon’s brother and her ex/former boss/ harasser. This cool news reporter reminds me of Savannah Guthrie and even a snarky point of reference trying to sabotage Rhiannon.

I haven’t suggested a wine in a while. Still, I had this excellent Vinho Verde that took me back to Aunt Belle’s Garden. It was just the right amount of sweet and gentle with a fizz that tickled my nose.  I was the best wine to drink for the last few chapters—flavors and aromas of strawberry, grapefruit, and currant. Fresh and fruity with a hint of effervescence made the sweet moments even sweeter.   If you have a chance to read this book, please do! It’s a great beach ride, even on a flight. I loved the book the first time, and I love the book this time.  I want to go back and read the other two books.  The cast was diverse, and the personalities perfectly complemented and moved the story along. I would love to see this book turned into a Hallmark movie.

Until Next Time,

Che Michelle