Fate had not been kind to Harmony Payne, a caregiver at a children’s home in Westbridge. After beating cancer, she had to grapple with the pain of losing her unborn child and being dumped by her fiancé. It did not help that she lost her music career too. She has little to look forward to until she finds an abandoned baby on the children’s home doorstep one night. Harmony bonds with the baby at first sight. She wants to adopt the baby, but there is one big problem; Harmony is single. However, she has a secret crush on her new handsome neighbor James Traffurth, and he might be the perfect “partner in crime” to help her get Patience if he agrees to her plan. She wants James to pretend to be engaged to her but only in front of the social worker working on Patience’s adoption. James had not looked at another woman since his wife’s death until he met Harmony. He jumps at this opportunity to get close to her. Will they end up together? Will Harmony adopt Patience? Find out in Mari Jane Law’s Love & Misdirection.

The author weaves an intriguing plot featuring a dynamic and fascinating cast. The descriptions brought the scenes to life, making me feel like I was next to the characters in every scene. Mari Jane Law has a knack for making the scenes tremendously dramatic, giving the story a witty backdrop. This had me hooked, turning page after page. The down-to-earth depictions of the characters' emotions allowed me to connect with them. The story sheds light on one of the biggest problems people face living in the twenty-first century, or perhaps since the age of intelligence for mankind, fighting moral battles. When backed into a tough spot where honesty is not enough to get you something you want so badly, would you lie, compromise, and sacrifice for it? And if you did, would that make you a bad person? Perhaps not when it involves love and pure intentions. Lovers of contemporary romance novels won’t peel their eyes off Love & Misdirection until they’ve turned to the last page.

Everything in Harmony’s life, good and bad, has led to her living and working in a children’s home. She loves and cares for every child that comes through, and staying busy keeps her mind from wandering to places she doesn’t want to revisit. However, Harmony allows herself to hope when a baby is left on the doorstep one night with little but her name. Could Patience be her chance to have a child of her own? Meanwhile, James moves into the cottage across the road with his 11-year-old son Tim. Having suffered the terrible loss of his wife and youngest son, James is hoping for a fresh start, to heal his relationship with his son and live without reminders of what their lives should have been. After a disastrous first meeting, it seems unlikely that James and Harmony will ever be more than neighbors. That is, until the interference by the children has them feigning an engagement, devised to make Harmony a better candidate for adopting baby Patience. The question is, where do they go from there? Love and Misdirection by Mari Jane Law is a compelling story of love, loss, and healing.

Love and Misdirection is an extremely enjoyable book. It deals with some pretty difficult themes, including grief and trauma, but as these are skillfully woven into a story so full of love it’s practically bursting at the seams, it mostly remains bright and lighthearted, although there are some deeply emotional moments. The plot moves at a steady pace but isn’t rushed, giving the reader pause to reflect on what’s happening while Harmony, or one of her fellows, is processing it in the narrative. Every one of the colorful characters has something that they contribute to the story, however big or small. Whilst they each undergo their own personal development, they also develop together as a group, working toward a common goal. I thoroughly enjoyed Love and Misdirection. It’s engaging and entertaining, but also at times thought-provoking and deep. Mari Jane Law expertly incorporates this juxtaposition throughout, never forgetting the difficult things, but not allowing them to take over. I found it easy to read, but difficult to put down, always feeling the need to know what would happen next, and repeatedly getting lost in the story, delighted by every twist and turn. I recommend this book to fans of romance or anyone looking to dip their toe into the genre.

Love & Misdirection by Mari Jane Law is a quirky romantic comedy. Harmony Payne’s life hasn’t exactly been a bed of roses recently. She’s lost her musical career and her partner, and now an operation means she’ll never have kids. But all she’s ever wanted is to be a mom. When she finds an abandoned newborn baby, it opens up old wounds, but is there a way for her to keep the baby? James Traffurth has lost his wife and child and is grieving. When he moves into a cottage, he discovers it’s just across from a children’s home, which happens to be where Harmony works. James really isn’t ready for any more complications in his life, and that includes a fake engagement to help Harmony keep the child. Will their fake engagement turn into something else?

Love & Misdirection by Mari Jane Law is both humorous and bittersweet. It deals with some serious issues surrounding cancer, inability to have children, adoption, and other child-related issues, but it deals with them sensitively. This is the third book in the series but I read it as a standalone. This romantic comedy set in the UK will have you laughing out loud in places and is a wholly enjoyable read. It is well-written with some excellent, well-rounded characters – real people with real and relatable flaws and problems – that you’ll love right from the start. The two main characters each have their own heartbreaking stories, and although this is a comedy, it also has a serious side. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found it an easy read, and highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good story with real characters and a real-life storyline.

Love & Misdirection by Mari Jane Law is a quirky romantic comedy that delves into the lives of two individuals grappling with personal tragedies. Harmony Payne, reeling from a series of losses, discovers an abandoned newborn, reigniting her hopes of motherhood. To increase her chances of adoption, she concocts a plan to involve her new neighbor, James Traffurth, who is still mourning the loss of his wife and child. Set against the backdrop of Bristol, England, their fake engagement leads to unexpected complications as they navigate their emotional struggles, ultimately questioning if love and happiness can blossom from their misfortunes.

Author Mari Jane Law excels in weaving humor in between the serious themes of this dramatic tale, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. There’s plenty of witty, realistic dialogue and humorous, vividly described situations to provide levity amidst the heavier topics of loss and grief, striking a perfect balance that keeps readers invested in the story and the characters at the heart of it. Harmony and James are relatable, flawed, and described in emotive detail, and sensitive subjects from their lives such as childlessness, loss, and the quest for family are dealt with in such an authentic and respectful way. By exploring the characters' emotional landscapes alongside these difficult themes, Law invites readers to reflect on the complexities of motherhood and the impacts of past traumas in a really meaningful and relatable way. Overall, Love & Misdirection is a compelling and entertaining drama that I would not hesitate to recommend.

EDITORIAL REVIEW
18th October 2024
TITLE: Love and Misdirection
AUTHOR: Mari Jane Law

Star Rating: 5

‘A smartly plotted romance with a strong ‘family’ feel to it. Highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf

REVIEW
Although this book is described as a quirky romantic comedy - and it is in many ways - there's more depth to it than that. It is, in fact, the story of a woman, Harmony, who can't have children, and who finds an abandoned newborn. The chance of keeping it might, just might, be improved if she's engaged. But the only eligible man she knows is the man over the street, James. But they don't get off to the best of starts and, anyway, he has plenty of baggage of his own.
There’s much to enjoy in this story from the talented writer, Mari Jane Law. Firstly, it’s well-written with strong pacing. In fact, there’s never a dull moment in this smartly plotted drama. Secondly, I enjoyed getting to know the two MCs. They are, in different ways, very broken – but, as we all know, it’s the broken characters and how they mend which is always the most interesting part of any novel. And, thirdly, Harmony’s love for the child is very apparent in the story; and very well-handled too.
“So, if you enjoy romance with a Pride and Prejudice, hate turns to love, plot; if you enjoy getting to know interesting and often rather charismatic characters; and if you enjoy a giggle or two or three – I’m happy to recommend this novel to you. I think most readers will enjoy the vibrant writing style and rooting for Harmony and James to have the family they so crave for.

A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk

A baby left on the doorstep. A woman who can’t have children. A single father who is struggling with unimaginable loss. This is a wonderful, gentle tale of two broken people, who spend most of the book dancing around the possibility of getting together. It’s funny and poignant by turns – I found I needed the tissue box to hand. I’d like to say I couldn’t put it down, but I did put it down a few times, in order to process what I’d just read. I’ll say rather, that it’s a quietly compelling tale – not one to skip-read. I loved it.
I was given an advance copy, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I enjoyed the fun of this novel. Lots of quirky characters, plots, and subplots; I laughed out loud at the farcical moments; and appreciated the writer's sensitive handling of the background poignancy. I read the book in two evening sittings and I'm impatient to read it a second time soon.
I cannot recommend this book too highly.

This book tugged at my heartstrings. A poignant story; Mari Jane Law has dealt with complex and heartbreaking issues in a very open way.

Having suffered from immense loss, both Harmony and James are trying their best to navigate through life but still struggle emotionally, that is until they find each other. They find comfort in their bond and begin to heal together.

The characters from the previous books also make an appearance and true to her writing style, the author manages to weave humour and eccentricity into the story.

Love & Misdirection kept me absorbed and I do hope that there will be another book after this following Roxy's journey.

My thanks to the author for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.